Retailers focusing on IoT and delivery innovations

Zebra Technologies’ 2017 Retail Vision Study has revealed that nearly 70% of retailers are ready to make changes to adopt the Internet of Things (IoT), and 65% plan by 20121 to explore “innovative delivery services” – like delivering to parked cars. Other key findings about retailers’ plans included:

• 65% of retailers intend to invest in automation technologies for inventory management and planogram compliance by 2021
• 57% believe automation will shape the industry by 2021 – helping retailers pack and ship orders, track inventory, check in-store inventory levels and assist customers in finding items
• 77% plan to use ‘real-time visibility’ in their supply chain
• 92% will offer customers ‘click and collect’ services by 2021 (up from the current 50%) – and 79% are exploring offering collection from train stations and in-store lockers
• 75% are looking into technology that will analyse a customer’s in-store movements, while automation and smart sensing for planogram compliance will allow retailers to leverage “behavioral data” to make smarter merchandising decisions
• 78% believe that integrating e-commerce and in-store experience is “important” or “business critical”.

Mark Thomson, Retail and Hospitality Director, EMEA, Zebra said: “Every inch of the retail industry is changing, from the aisles of the warehouse to the shelves of the store, and retailers are driving this change in a race to better serve customers. The 2017 Retail Vision Study demonstrates that retailers are poised to meet and exceed customer expectations with new levels of personalization, speed and convenience.”