Spring has Sprung, and so has Retail

23 May 2024

Olivia Saunders

Glory

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Spring has Sprung, and so has Retail

Spring has arrived, marking an exciting time for the retail industry. From lively trade shows to insightful conferences, the last couple of months have provided a perfect opportunity for us to explore the latest trends, insights and technologies driving innovation in retail.

And what a month it has been! At the end of April, we exhibited at The Retail Technology Show (RTS) at London’s Olympia. The two-day show is seen as a ‘must-attend’ for forward-thinking retailers, and the exhibition halls were jam packed with over 12,500 retailers and over 400 exhibitors from across Europe.

RTS offered a unique opportunity to hear from the some of the most influential voices in retail. We heard some of the biggest names across the industry share their stories, from AI and innovation, to payments, customer marketing and loss prevention.

Glory showcased our CI-X devices for the front and back office, as well as a new self-checkout (SCO) solution. We also demonstrated our UBIQULAR cloud-based software, which delivers real insight and efficiency to cash operations across the retail space.

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Next up was the National Convenience Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where we joined leading EPOS provider Henderson Technology. From intuitive point of sale systems to integrated payment solutions and comprehensive analytical tools, visitors experienced firsthand how EDGEPoS and Glory support convenience and forecourt stores to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

There was a lot to unpack but we’ve put together a snapshot of some of the key themes picked up across the shows.

Customer-centricity

We know that customer experience is everything and a positive experience can ultimately make or break a customer’s purchasing decision.

A key theme that ran across both shows was how can retailers apply technology at scale to join up the customer journey for a seamless shopping experience and competitive edge.

Mike Cowling, Glory’s UK Business Development Manager reiterated this point in his, ‘5 mins with’ video interview with RTS saying, ‘’It’s all about the customer journey, when you have all the competing technologies, the most successful retailers are paying attention to the intricacies that make a customer’s journey through the store as seamless as possible.’’

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From AI-powered smart shelves, RFID, to cloud-based POS, customers are demanding an easy and personalized shopping experience. There was a key focus and opportunity for retailers to utilize technology to alleviate the pressure on staff and free them up to focus on customers, boosting sales and cultivating brand loyalty.

The show shone a spotlight on automation and self-service, particularly those solutions that offered seamless integration across technologies.

At RTS, our friends at Flooid shared their latest thinking on the power of composability and unified commerce platforms which brings back-end and front-end systems together, seamlessly connecting touchpoints and leveraging data across multiple channels to deliver truly joined up customer journeys.

Ryan Bryers, Flooid’s SVP Global Engineering said: “Top tier retailers are keen to understand how they can keep selling if a store goes offline, and how they can accelerate innovation and scale new capabilities at a lower cost and lower risk.’

Harnessing data for informed decisions

Retailers are facing increasing pressures, whether it’s shifting marketing conditions, consumer behaviour or increased competition, how should retailers utilize data driven insights and analytics to deliver actionable intelligence, drive informed decision making and strengthen their operations?

From demand forecasting to estate management and cash handling, the shows highlighted the latest thinking on how leveraging meaningful analytics can be game-changing for data rich and insight poor retailers.

At RTS, we showcased our cloud-based software suite, UBIQULAR, designed to enable enhanced decision making based on data driven insight. From remote device management and monitoring, data analysis tools, through to a complete managed service, Glory’s UBIQULAR platform allows retailers to focus on their core business activities.

Tackling loss prevention

Minimizing loss prevention, in all forms, is also an increasingly essential part of a retailer’s business model. From the shop floor to the back office, it’s important for retailers to evaluate their own source of loss and explore opportunities for reduction. From real-time inventory management to track and monitor stock, to smart sensors, to fraud and forgery detection, the solutions ready and available to safeguard people and stores is continuously evolving.

In Summary

From integration of AI-driven analytics and personalized customer experiences to the adoption of cutting-edge payment solutions, the events have underscored the industry’s commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced operation efficiency and customer satisfaction.

As retailers navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving market, these technologies promise to provide the tools necessary for sustained growth and a competitive advantage. The future of retail is undoubtedly dynamic, diverse, and driven by innovation.

For more information about how Glory can help take your retail business to the next level, take a look at our retail solutions or get in touch.

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