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Extenda Retail expands into the German market

New leadership and innovative POS solutions

Leading Nordic POS provider Extenda Retail is expanding into the German market, focusing on acquiring new customers ...

Internal communication technology and its potential

Retailers are often faced with the dilemma of combining customer service with operational efficiency. In this intersection ...

iXtenso tests: REWE Pick&Go

New test store in Düsseldorf - is the concept convincing?

REWE has launched its Pick&Go concept (on a trial basis) in Düsseldorf. We tested the store!

‘Problem-solving mission’ with updated Modern Store Framework

Zebra Technologies will be looking to address challenges with expertise and new solutions at EuroCIS

Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a leading digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, today announced it’s taking the newly enhanced Modern Store framework on a ‘problem ...

World first for IKEA Amsterdam makes external warehouse unnecessary

Pick up orders easier and faster with lockers and innovative pickup machines

IKEA Amsterdam introduces an innovative solution for Click & Collect orders and can say goodbye to ...

Turning customers into friends - here's how it works

WhatsApp channels as a secret weapon in the marketing mix

In fall 2023, Meta launched WhatsApp channels, a completely new feature in 150 countries ...

MPREIS Transforms Operations with Zebra Workcloud Task Management™ Software Solution

Austrian food retailer to streamline communication in around 300 stores to improve staff engagement, inventory optimisation, and customer satisfaction

MPREIS has around 300 Austrian stores in regions across Tyrol...

REMIRA case report: greater transparency and more efficient processes

DURAL enhances inventory management worldwide with LOGOMATE

Optimised warehouse stocks, improved product availability and a significant reduction in time-consuming tasks for employees have all been achieved thanks to the introduction of the LOGOMATE inventory management software at DURAL. After successfully ...

REMIRA survey: companies not fully able to deliver during stocktaking

One in four companies is unable to deliver and produce during legally required inventory.

Despite of this, only 10% of companies have taken advantage of the possibility of quick and easy sample stocktaking using statistical methods. This is the result of a representative Civey survey among German employees who make decisions regarding ...

Unified Commerce Platform in focus

Handover at REMIRA: Dirk Bingler supersedes Stephan Unser as CEO

REMIRA is setting the course for future development of the company: On November 1, Dirk Bingler (48) will become the new CEO of the supply chain and omnichannel software expert headquartered in Dortmund. The previous CEO Stephan Unser (62) moves to ...

Toshiba Launches New ELERA™ Security Suite to Address the Industry’s Challenges Around Shrink

Toshiba’s A.I.-powered solution empowers retailers across the globe to better manage loss prevention and protect profits

Security Suite from Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions empowers retailers to minimize shrink...

Sunshine – the perfect lighting source?

Tips from experts: How retailers can use daylight for lighting and what they should know beforehand

Free, energy-efficient and 100% environmentally friendly – daylight can be the ideal light source for your room and product lighting. But to make the best use of light, a few points need to be taken into account ...

Toshiba opens new Retail Operations Center in Europe

Facility equipped with innovative technology and a powerful inventory management system

Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions has opened a state-of-the-art Retail Operations Center in Almere, Netherlands. The strategic move will enhance operational efficiency and provide superior service to the company's valued customers and partners ...

With chatbots on the winning side?

How Google wants to promote productivity and creativity with Bard

Chatbots and other AI tools have been the talk of the town since the release of ChatGPT last year. In many industries, discussions are being held about the quality, reliability and actual usefulness of the programmes. With Gemini, Google has thrown ...

"Help yourself!": Are self-checkouts the next big thing in retail?

Efficient everyday business, efficient shopping

In the face of the digital age (and the rush just after the end of the workday or the day right before a holiday), retailers are looking for innovative technologies to continuously improve shopping experiences. Self-service checkouts (SCOs) allow ...

Metyis Campus with Hugo Boss as partner and investor

Premium lifestyle company invests 15 million euros in 'Digital Campus'

Metyis, a multinational provider of solutions in big data, digital commerce, marketing & design, and advisory services, and premium lifestyle company Hugo Boss marked a key milestone in their partnership today, as the Metyis Campus in Gondomar, ...

If you use A for Amazon, you have to adapt B – accounting

Accounting software for Amazon retailers – is it necessary?

More and more customers are shopping online, so more and more retailers are offering their goods on e-commerce platforms - above all Amazon. Because the global mail order company promises an enormous range and simple sales. However, bookkeeping ...

Extenda Retail launches loss prevention engine

Industry leader in retail software development, launches a revolutionary self service and loss prevention (SSLP) solution, powered by machine learning to tackle self-service retail challenges

Retailers are increasingly offering self-serve options to in-store consumers ranging from self-checkout to self-scan, and mobile Scan & Go. And with the boom of self-service comes the inevitable increase in shrink which Forbes now estimates to ...

Something is stirring on the shelf

Attracting attention with animated product presentation

A few aisles, many haphazard shelves and even more competing products – how can brands stand out from the crowd? A Romanian start-up has also asked itself this question. The answer: Tokinomo, an interactive robot arm that brings products to ...

Seeing the big picture thanks to digitization?

Optimizing operational processes with modern software

Do I have to reorder goods? How many pieces of product XY do I still have in stock? These are the kinds of questions that keep retailers busy. Is my desired product available again? Where is my order? That's what ...

Prioritising age assurance with biometric technology

Rely on algorithms and biometric technology for better prediction of and service to customers

There are no two ways about it – any business that deals with age restricted goods and services needs to have an airtight age assurance strategy in place to protect both itself and its customers. This is especially true in industries where age ...

Organized retail crime a growing threat for U.S. retailers

Favorable balance between ease of theft, monetary value and ease of resale: Criminals largely target everyday consumer goods

Organized retail crime (ORC) is a perpetual and burgeoning problem for the U.S. retail industry, and evidence suggests it is growing in both scope and complexity, according to a new report released today by the National Retail Federation. The ...

EuroShop 2023: GLORY with new CASHINFINITY™

The payment expert presented the new CASHINFINITY™ generation CI-X

At EuroShop from 26 February to 2 March 2023, GLORY will be showcasing solutions that are both future-proof and holistic – technologies that help retailers meet current and future challenges in various areas, from the checkout zone to the back ...

Innovative, secure solutions for efficient printing

Citizen Systems presents broad printing portfolio at EuroShop 2023

Citizen Systems will be showcasing a range of innovative printing solutions at EuroShop 2023 and is looking forward to engaging with customers, partners and visitors at stand G65 in hall 6 at Messe Düsseldorf. This year's focus will be ...

World market leader through takeover

Captana finalizes an agreement for the acquisition of Belive.ai

The SES-imagotag subsidiary, specialized in artificial intelligence, has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in the company Belive.ai. ...

Hybrid stores: Connected components for the store concept of the future

Intelligent network audio, video and access solutions for hybrid stores from Axis

A hybrid store concept that operates autonomously outside regular business hours sounds like a highly complex challenge. In many cases, however, the existing infrastructure is already a solid basis and only needs to be integrated sensibly with smart ...

HimmerLand is growing and has digital ambitions

Luxury resort HimmerLand in Denmark uses digital signs to communicate with guests

In North Jutland (Denmark) you will find the luxurious resort HimmerLand, which is known for its golf facilities, spa, different activities and gastronomy. The resort is on a major growth journey, where padel courts, new hotel rooms and a ...

Without colour, but with a lot of environmental awareness

Bonprix sets new impulses in sustainability with undyed product line

In 2022, the Otto subsidiary presented "Undyed" styles for the first time, products that do not require any dyeing at all: natural-coloured sweatshirts, nightwear, underwear and socks. How did the idea come about, how was it implemented, ...

Jutland’s largest wine shop is successful with digital price tags

Danish wine retailer Supervin benefits from modern technologies

In Hjørring (Denmark), plenty of wine is being sold at Supervin. The company's popular webshop accounts for 90 percent of the revenue, which has required new digital initiatives in the store. Supervin has therefore implemented digital ...

Security for brand and shopping experience?

How retailers can protect their business from cybercriminals

There are numerous steps retailers can and should take to improve their security posture, protect their brand, and ensure a safe shopping experience for their customers during the holiday season (and beyond). Once the shopping season has begun, ...

Open app, call fitting room, try on

Amazon sets on the fashion niche with Amazon Style with all-modern technology

Online? Offline? Omnichannel! That's what customers are often calling for these days. Even e-commerce veteran Amazon hears the calls from afar and, after its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores in the grocery sector including self- and seamless ...

Save costs with modern technologies

Turning physical stores into digital assets – 30,000 retail stores worldwide already rely on digital IoT solutions

Retail is at the heart of our lives and societies, as it represents more than 20% of global GDP and 15% of jobs. With consumers changing their shopping habits, stores must now reinvent themselves and leverage new technologies to stay relevant in ...

Smart Store: Two customer needs with one store opening

First "Rewe ready" without checkouts, but with a special location

With its "REWE ready" store in Bispingen, Lekkerland aims to cater to increasing out-of-home consumption, relying on innovative technology and a relevant product range. In the process, the REWE subsidiary is making common cause with the ...

Joint forces to create the future of autonomous delivery

Carrefour and Goggo Network French trialling autonomous delivery of Carrefour Drive orders

Carrefour and Goggo Network are trialling a Mobile Drive service that involves using a completely autonomous delivery vehicle. It will operate on public roads, both in heavy traffic and in normal conditions (covering 15 km at up to 70 km/h) – ...

Lifebelt digital headquarters in retail?

About You and Douglas – How retail can succeed in a digital world

In recent years, some companies that previously relied on their fixed location havebeen forced to switch their business model partially or even completely to e-commerce-but this is not enough to survive in this fast-moving and agile ...

Let it be – LED!

Tips for well-planned and efficient lighting

Saving costs and putting your products in the right light at the same time? Do you think that's not possible? You bet it is! Here are some tips on how to not only put your shop windows, sales rooms and shelves in the best possible light, but ...

Best practices to help retailers fight crime this holiday season

Interface Systems highlights prevention strategies for protecting employees and premises while reducing retail shrink

As retailers get ready for a busy holiday shopping season, they also have to prepare for an increased risk of theft and violence against employees. Interface Systems shares insights and best practices to mitigate holiday season retail crime and ...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: challenges, stumbling blocks and solutions

What matters before, during and after big shopping events

Bargains, deals and savings as far as the eye can see: Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner, ushering in the most competitive time of the year. We spoke to Stefan Mennecke, Vice President of Sales - MEA, Central, Eastern ...

Important automation at Jysk Vin

Leading Danish wine company now uses electronic shelf labels

On Østre Boulevard in Randers you will find the way to the good glass and one of Denmark's leading wine companies, Jysk Vin. Jysk Vin has a concept, where they constantly want to renew the business - both when it comes to products and IT. ...

CAP3000 namend 'World's Best Shopping Centre 2022'

MIPIM jury honours shopping centre extension including sea view on the Côte d'Azur

The jury of this year's MIPIM Awards has recognized Altarea Commerce's CAP3000 as the "Best Shopping Centre" in the world thanks to an extension overlooking the sea completed in 2021. ...

Checkout: Taste for customers and retailers

The variety of solutions and their possibilities

On November 2, 2022, it was once again time for a "retail salsa". iXtenso and EuroShop had already prepared the ingredients for this and invited everyone to a cooking event at the virtual table. The main ingredient for the dish around an ...

Digital buffet signs create an overview of Meyer's canteens

Danish food company Meyers sets course for better employee management and more appealing food presentation

The Danish food company, Meyers, today operates canteens and delivers lunch solutions to big parts of Denmark and wanted to optimize the time for their chefs and staff out in the many kitchens. At the same time, the dishes had to be presented more ...

DHL Supply Chain expands partnership with Locus Robotics

Locus autonomous mobile robots double e-commerce productivity for global outdoor apparel retail brand Carhartt

Locus Robotics, a producer of mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfillment warehouses, announces the expansion of their partnership with DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics leader within Deutsche Post DHL Group. The extended partnership includes the ...

BP Group’s Aral selects Zebra Technologies to digitise its service station operations

German subsidiary streamlines front-line workflows to maintain compliance with Reflexis Task Management software solution

Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), an innovator at the front-line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced that Aral AG has enhanced its customer experience by improving front-line ...

Checkout: The right option for every taste

Find the right self-checkout solution for your store

Scanning goods during the shopping process? At the express checkout? Anywhere my customers engage my employees for payment? The options for checkout are as varied as the spices in the kitchen of a three-star restaurant ...

Fully automated stores: where it's possible, when it's possible, but feasible!

How do you provide the optimal fulfillment service?

On 21.9.2022 it was time once again: iXtenso and EuroShop had served a new "retail salsa" and invited to the webtalk at the virtually arranged table. Our main ingredient: the certain spiciness for the optimal customer journey, because the ...

Omnichannel: The right herbal mix of online and offline

Convenient shopping and service experience across all channels

Shopping today is more diverse than ever, and customers expect a comprehensive experience, not only at home or on the go when shopping online, but also directly in the store. The boundaries between offline and online are becoming increasingly ...

Rolling into the future

Why shopping carts can be so much more than they currently are

More and more technology is finding its way into our supermarkets. Already today, self-service checkouts, electronic shelf labels and virtual wayfinding guides are a familiar sight in many stores. But the customer experience usually doesn't ...

Flexible, mobile and well equipped: valuable store associates

iOS solution from NewStore allows extensive omnichannel commerce on the floor

Equipped with an Apple device and the NewStore Associate App, store associates can optimally stand by their customers' side on the shop floor without having to leave their side, NewStore promises.NewStore's cloud solution offers ...

Audio systems for more safety at all levels

Axis Communications presented loudspeaker systems and access control at EuroCIS 2022

Automated loudspeaker systems and access controls can fulfil a wide variety of functions – from goods security to employee control to monitoring of business premises. Axis Communications develops such systems. At EuroCIS 2022, we spoke ...

Brave new last mile

A dilemma of digital transformation versus sustainability?

The pandemic has given an additional boost to online retail with its record volumes already recorded in previous years. As a result, last-mile delivery is bursting at the seams, especially in metropolitan areas. There are limits to the capacity of ...

IKEA and Infarm start urban herbs farming project

Pilot project for joint, sustainable cultivation of herbs in furniture stores

Demand is growing for high-quality food that is produced locally and with as little environmental impact as possible. To meet this, IKEA and Infarm are growing high-quality herbs in Infarm's vertical farms in the customer restaurants in three ...

SALTO receives a Silver rating in the EcoVadis evaluation ranking

Innovation as a response to social and environmental challenges

EcoVadis has ranked SALTO Systems in the top 25% of companies with the best performance in terms of sustainability policies. The recognition gives SALTO a SILVER classification in the EcoVadis global evaluation program.The award is the fourth ...

retail salsa Tech Talks – Industry discussion live for the first time from EuroCIS 2022

Hot topics of the retail tech industry: automation & AI, smart stores, interactive touchpoints

After one and a half years of successful webtalks in the format "retail salsa – Spice up your Community", we took the EuroCIS 2022, which took place again from 31.05.-02.06. after a pandemic break, as an opportunity to organize the ...

Choosing the right fit for your business

Finding the right drawer is easy when you know what's important

The cash drawer, in varying forms, has been a core component of the retail business for as long as people have exchanged money for goods. Any business accepting hard currency needs one but choosing the best cash drawer requires planning, ...

Retailers are prioritizing innovation in IT spending

IT spendings went up from 20 % to 40 % in the last five years in some sectors

Retailers are increasing their IT budgets and allotting a bigger portion of those budgets to innovation. They are investing in cloud-based and automation solutions to replace aging technology to meet customer demand for omnichannel experiences and ...

Planning staff sensibly – with empathy and AI

Interview with Maximilian Thost, Country Manager DACH at Quinyx

Like no other event before it, the pandemic has shown retailers how important it is to have a well-functioning workforce management system. Absences due to illness or quarantine and the resulting additional workload for the employees remaining in ...

XBET shops with SALTO KS cloud-based access control solution

Betting office operator relies on high security standards for access controls

The betting shop operator XBET GmbH uses SALTO KS Keys as a Service for access control in its shops. The decisive factor for the choice was the advantages of the cloud-based architecture, with which the company increases security, reduces ...

Planning staff and assortment optimally

Interview about technologies for measuring visitor flows and movement patterns

State-of-the-art technologies enable retailers to measure the behavior of visitors in their stores and plan accordingly in terms of both staff and product range.XPOLI is a provider of such technologies, which use sensors to create and analyze ...

Pete’s of Erie adopts self-checkout solutions for convenience stores

“Busy stores create new challenges in the shopping experience”

Pete’s of Erie Inc., a convenience store retailer with 50 stores across Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, has selected Gilbarco Veeder-Root's Passport® Express Lane™ self-checkout system to elevate the overall customer experience ...

Syndicated shelf intelligence data across every store and shelf

Real-time, continuous visibility into what’s really on store shelves

Lund Food Holdings, Inc. and Pensa Systems announced a partnership to deploy Pensa’s automated retail shelf intelligence solution in every Lunds & Byerlys grocery store.Using patented computer vision and artificial intelligence to scan all ...

Imaginaire – Everything's possible in this colorful paradise of games

Store design by Perron in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Canada

The spatial objective of L’Imaginaire of St-Bruno was to create an exhilarating and unique customer journey in the colors of the playful universe of the game store. This first branch in Montreal had to be representative of the effervescence of ...

Playfully - simple? Gamification in retail

How retailers can win new customers with gamification

Whether at the bus stop, in the waiting room, out and about in the city or relaxing on the sofa - the smartphone has become a constant companion for most people over the last ten years. Anyone who has a moment to spare takes a look at the countless ...

4 tips for improving retail customer experience

Customer experience can make or break a retail business, so it's vital to get it right

In the retail industry, customer experience is one of the most critical elements for success. It serves as the foundation for customer loyalty, repeat business, and word-of-mouth referrals. In other words, an excellent customer experience is what ...

Omnichannel strategies in the opticians' industry: Lukas Hahne from pro optik

AI, AR and online tools in the eyewear trade: statements from eyes + more, Fielmann, Mister Spex, pro optik and Rottler

Offline or online? Contrasting these two concepts as opposites is outdated; the physical and digital worlds mix and complement each other – especially in retail. We took a look at the optical industry as an example of this.In a series of ...

Key enabler for store transformation programme

Leading Northern Ireland convenience retailer The Henderson Group selects GLORY CASHINFINITY™ solutions

Glory, a global leader in retail cash automation solutions today announced that major Northern Ireland retailer The Henderson Group, has signed a significant new order with the company for both point of sale (POS) and back-office cash recycling ...

Fostering engaged and connected store associates with real-time solutions

Smart store communication solutions increase employee motivation and responsiveness

As fall shifts to winter, retailers are preparing themselves for the upcoming holiday season. During these months, they face significant pressure to provide a superior experience for both their employees and customers, all while maximizing profits ...

Scan & Go is a multi-talented tool for retailers and customers

How to use the smartphones of your consumers for convenience, sales and marketing

On March 16th, we prepared another spicy meal for you as a tasting sample about the options, benefits and challenges of Scan & Go services. With many poignant questions of our audience and the valuable and current input of our experts, ...

Scan & Go: Attractive marketing tool and queue stopper

Tune in NOW! – Webtalk "retail salsa" about scanning solutions

Scan the goods yourself with your smartphone: This is the new freedom for customers. No more cumbersome “out of the cart, onto the conveyor belt, and back down again”. Goodbye to queues. This is not just a hot topic because there’s ...

Store Management: Smarter with Smartphone!

EuroCIS from 31 May to 02 June 2022 in Düsseldorf

More and more retail companies are equipping their store personnel with mobile devices. The trend towards smartphones or smart mobile devices that function almost like smartphones will also be impressively reflected at EuroCIS, The Leading Trade ...

4 ways to make your sales team more productive in 2022

Tech evaluation and employee feedback among them

A 2018 report stated that more than 50% of salespeople fail to meet their quota. And this figure increased in 2020, as companies had to rethink their strategies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, businesses these days have to keep up with ...

Analysing and managing global HR data for employee engagement and growth

Sephora revolutionises global HR strategy with Qlik

Qlik® announced that Sephora is using Qlik Sense® to transform its Human Resources (HR) management system. The strong international growth of the brand over the last decade has made it necessary for Sephora to combine its global HR ...

"Amazon Go" or "Amazon No"?

Our iXtenso editor tested a “just-walk-out store” from Amazon in Chicago

Is Amazon's ambitious "Amazon Go" project quietly going under? Or is it about to catch on and become ubiquitous? I tried to find answers to these questions at a store in Chicago.  ...

Shipping: Fast label printing for every carrier

Save time with Heidler shipping software and Citizen printers

Delivery details, ERP processing, freight carrier and label format – there are many things to consider when printing shipping labels. Speed and precision are crucial factors that must be taken into account. An automated process executed by ...

How lighting can be used profitably in the retail industry

From discount stores to brand outlets: Intelligent lighting concepts are profitable

Light has an enormous influence on people – on their health, performance and well-being. For retailers, light as a topic has so far often been more of a necessity which is viewed from a cost perspective rather than as a unique opportunity for ...

Efficient and networked operations in e-commerce warehouses

Proactively preparing for seasonal peaks using big data

Digital shopping round the clock means particular service requirements for e-commerce retailers, e.g. providing maximum availability and meeting very short delivery deadlines. Due to the increasing complexity of processes related to warehousing and ...

Let there be light – or not ...

Lidl and SageGlass join forces on energy efficiency and lighting

For some time now, discount grocer Lidl has been relying on intelligent façades from SageGlass – for the environment, staff and the right light. We asked both companies what this technology means for lighting, energy consumption ...

Improving Engagement Among Your Generation Z Retail Employees

Changing Pressures in the Retail Industry

Generation Z (Gen Z) is making up more and more of today’s retail workforce, representing around 27 percent of the population, or 72 million Americans. The oldest are in their twenties, and as they continue to come of age, they are taking ...

Empowering Effective Front-Line Employees During Labor Shortages

Managing Labor Shortages with Intelligent Retail Solutions

Even as some of the worst effects from the COVID-19 pandemic begin to recede, retailers are still experiencing immense pressure to their operational infrastructure. Many retail associates, laid off during the pandemic, decided not to return to their ...

New research reveals cybersecurity confidence gap

95 % of stakeholders satisfied with security, yet one third of companies experienced a data breach

Despite high confidence in their risk assessment capabilities, study finds a third of companies have been breached, and 89% have been hit multiple times.New data released by Cornell University’s Center for Hospitality Research and FreedomPay ...

Self-driving kiosk: wave, buy, snack

REWE and Vodafone put first self-driving kiosk on the road

A kiosk on four wheels - this may not be new and somehow it is, because: The snacks are on the road without a driver*. The innovation unit REWE digital of the food retailer REWE makes common cause with the telecommunications company Vodafone and ...

Creative newcomers present innovative IT-solutions specifically for retail

Start-up Hub at EuroCIS 2022, the Leading Trade Fair for Retail Technology

EuroCIS from 15 to 17 February 2022, will again be the hotspot for latest-generation retail technology. For the third time now it will stage the Start-up Hub thereby offering young companies ideal possibilities for making first contacts with ...

Tackling today’s retail staffing challenges with AI-powered WFM

Workforce management solutions to resolve current labor shortage

Experts have attributed this difficulty finding front-line employees to a variety of factors, such as child-care responsibilities, a desire for increased wages and benefits, and concern about new COVID-19 variants.Many retailers are approaching ...

Independent grocers reach record sales and profits

Independents stepped up during pandemic, building on community ties and employee loyalty

The 2021 edition of the Independent Grocers Financial Survey, a joint study between the National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMS Solutions, finds record financial and operational performance benchmarks in a banner year for the $253 billion ...

Advancing technological innovations in checkout systems

Frank Schlesinger from IGZTK discusses fiscalization, clouds, big data and the POS market

Digitization is advancing rapidly in the area of checkout solutions, cash registers and payments. The "Interessengemeinschaft Zukunftsweisende Technologiehersteller für Kassensysteme" or IGZTK (Association of Future-Oriented ...

EHI Inventory and Security congress 2022

22.06.-23.06.2022 | Köln

The annual EHI security event for the retail industry.With the EHI Inventory and Security Congress, on June 22-23, 2022, we will present current challenges and show solution approaches to minimize risks for customers, employees, goods, money and ...

Success at c-stores with workforce optimization

Despite the turbulence of the past year, C-stores are almost certainly due for a promising quarter–or more.

The pandemic’s effects are receding, and the public is itching to spend and move about again. In fact, many retailers expect consumers to make both routine and leisure trips at pre-COVID-19 levels.This means C-store associates will be ...

Customer experience (CX) technology sets a new baseline ...

... but still struggles to satisfy many, finds NTT’s research

NTT Ltd. released the 2021 edition of the Global Customer Experience Benchmarking Report (GCXBR), its annual survey assessing the global state of play for CX.Now in its 24th year, the latest GCXBR arrives at an important juncture to help ...

COVID-19 in brick-and-mortar retail

Updates on developments concerning COVID pandemic

The Corona pandemic is an ongoing predicament with constant changes and challenges for all involved, people, societies and industries. Here we collect news on the pandemic situation for the retail industry. ...

Product information management systems in furniture retailing

Why investing in the quality of product information is worthwhile

“The wooden table with a square table top and four table legs.” Customers as well as furniture retailers and manufacturers know that it is not that simple. But it is precisely this specific product information that is important for all ...

Employees in retail industry most targeted by malicious emails

Top phishing techniques used by cybercriminals

Two million malicious emails bypassed traditional email defenses, like secure email gateways, between July 2020-July 2021, according to a new report from Human Layer Security company Tessian. These emails were flagged by inbound email security tool ...

NRF announces Brian Cornell as "The visionary 2022"

Target CEO wins the the Visionary Award for his strong commitment to his team and customers

The National Retail Federation has announced that Target Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Cornell will receive The Visionary award, given each year to an outstanding retail industry leader. The award will be presented during the ...

Candle shop "Cereria Subirà" in Barcelona – more than just a store

Why it is worth preserving antique treasures

A good two years ago, iXtenso discovered a gem in Barcelona, a store the likes of which are very rare: The candle store Subirà is located in a historic building from the 19th century and inevitably captivates its many visitors.Both the ...

Why You Should Consider Retail Mobile Solutions To Boost Employee Productivity

Retailers continue to adapt to an omnichannel environment

While retailers have put the worst of the pandemic’s effects behind them, many challenges remain. Retailers continue to adapt to an omnichannel environment, with customers still turning to curbside pickup options, as well as shopping online ...

Pandemic led to an increase in retail security threats

Retailers call for a federal ORC law

Organized retail crime and numerous other security concerns evolved in 2020, and most retailers attribute the increase in criminal activity to the pandemic, according to the 2021 Retail Security Survey released by the National Retail ...

Form, color and design in social media communication

The most underestimated ingredients for more reach

For the majority of companies an appearance on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Co. is obligatory these days, social media seems to be a valuable communication tool for retailers. However, they should keep a few things in mind when ...

Thriving Through COVID-19 Via Task and Workforce Management Apps

As with many other major retailers, COVID-19 forced Vera Bradley to adapt to radically new circumstances.

As with many other major retailers, COVID-19 forced Vera Bradley to adapt to radically new circumstances. Kelly Brown, Vice President of Stores at Vera Bradley, recently participated in a Fireside Chat session at the NRF Retail Converge event to ...

Long-term changes in consumer demand

Consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on SMEs

As a result of changing consumer behaviour, around one-third of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany expect demand for their most important products and services to continue to be affected after the crisis. According to an ...

Digitization of logistics – enabler of e-commerce

The many tasks in logistics and its role for retailing

Many companies are currently looking at the opportunities of e-commerce, as the brick-and-mortar retail is declining significantly. But successful e-commerce is not only based on an accessible, well-functioning, and attractive online shop, but above ...

Eventyrsport: Denmarks best e-shop and good customer experiences

Electronical price tags: shopping just like in the webshop

The Danish outdoor chain Eventyrsport has been named the country's best e-shop with a focus on good customer experiences. In the chain's physical stores, there is also a focus on good service, where electronic shelf labels connect the goods ...

Answers for the new Supply Chain Law in Germany

How must companies implement the resolutions of the German Supply Chain Law?

The German Bundestag and Bundesrat passed the Supply Chain Law this year. It is intended to protect fundamental human rights in global supply chains that end in Germany. The aim is to combat inhumane working conditions and child labor. ...

Impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ+ businesses in North America

Findings of Lightspeed's global diversity and inclusion survey

Lightspeed, the one-stop commerce platform for merchants around the world to simplify, scale and create exceptional customer experiences, today announced the results of a study on the impacts of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ North American business ...

Stay fit while shopping

Opening of the Life Time athletic resort experience at Northshore Mall

As shopping centers continue their evolution to meet the changing lifestyle needs of consumers, Life Time, a healthy lifestyle brand, is bringing its luxury athletic resort experience as a new major tenant to Northshore Mall, a Simon property, ...

Ensuring Retail Compliance During Disruptive Times

Improving Compliance with Store Auditing Solutions

The pandemic has forced retailers to change so much about how their stores operate and function. From implementing new cleanliness and safety procedures to modifying how certain items are displayed and sold, these changes aren’t simple to ...

How can automation bolster margins?

Counteracting growing margin pressures on retailers with technology

Competitive and price pressures are steadily increasing. Technologies that automate processes can help companies remain profitable. Here are a few examples.Retailers are facing unprecedented margin pressures in the current times. Increased raw ...

Reflexis Systems Named a “Leader” in Nucleus Research’s 2021 WFM Technology Value Matrix

This marks the third consecutive year as a Leader for Reflexis, now part of Zebra Technologies

Reflexis Systems (now part of Zebra Technologies), a leading provider of AI-powered workforce management and real-time execution solutions for multi-site businesses in retail, food service, hospitality and banking, has been recognized by Nucleus ...

HEMA Buttons Up Omni-channel Supply Chain Transformation with Blue Yonder

Department store retailer increases forecast accuracy leading to improved planner productivity and better fulfilment with AI/ML-powered Luminate Planning

Ensuring the right inventory is available to meet customer demands became even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to its recent digital transformation with Blue Yonder’s cloud-based ...

Foot traffic and behavioral analytics converge with digital signage

More customer loyalty based on invaluable information

Brick-and-mortar retailers have recently been facing the most dramatic and rapid changes. In order to survive and thrive, they now must adapt and have a definitive understanding of customer behavior. They need to know the number of shoppers, detect ...

Assortment planning: Knowing what customers want

Bonprix relies on AI-supported assortment design

Which skirt is currently particularly popular? Should the dress remain on sale? How did the sweater sell last month? Product managers in the fashion industry ask themselves these and many other questions every day. At bonprix, the ...

Post-corona ‚feel-better situation‘ for consumers

Economy could see the fastest growth since 1980s when the crisis is over

With more businesses reopening and bringing employees back to work, the U.S. economy is on firm footing and could see its fastest growth in more than three decades, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.“While ...

Livestream shopping: the sales channel of the future?

Interview with Alex von Harsdorf, Co-Founder and CEO of LIVEBUY

In Asia, and especially in China, livestream shopping has already been widespread for years. 10 percent of e-commerce sales are generated via livestream shopping, and experts predict that this share will rise to at least 25 percent in the near ...

Integrated shopping systems instead of data silos

How retailers can increase their efficiency in 2021

The new year started out with plenty of challenges for retailers. While over-the-counter retail is struggling with shop closures and a shortfall in sales in the second lockdown, online retail has to handle the increased volume of customer enquiries ...

How to identify the right mobile computer for your needs

Equipping staff to enhance the overall customer experience

Thanks to smartphones and tablets we’ve all gotten used to having the world at our fingertips. In your store, both customers and staff expect no different. Mobile devices are the perfect answer to a number of trends and changing market ...

Automation leading the way to retail success

Possibilities of modern technology – online and offline

COVID-19 creates a slew of unprecedented challenges for retailers. In Germany, shops are closed due to the lockdown again since December, and many retailers not only fear the economic impact, but also that their customers might not return to the ...

Digital workers in retail: More time for important things

Relieving employees with intelligent automation

Retail customers today demand superior quality and a world-class service experience in real time. Companies must strike a balance between the need for qualified personnel and high customer demands if they do not want to jeopardize the satisfaction ...

Retail at the edge of change

The value of real-time data analytics for retailers

Seismic shifts in the retail sector in the last year have put unprecedented pressure on retailers to bounce back and make the most of the first half of 2021. With disruption expected to continue, retailers must also set themselves up for maximum ...

Benefits of exoskeletons for logistics: tests at DB Schenker

Exoskeletons offer relief during lifting work

Workers in the logistics sector are subjected to extreme physical strain. In parcel distribution centres, each employee lifts around 180,000 kilograms every week – the weight of an entire Boeing 747. The consequences are back pain, an ...

Elo Access™ App Now Offers Premium Tier for Temperature Screening & Mask Detection

Temperature check, mask detection and facial recognition now easy to deploy with an Elo Access App Premium subscription and Elo’s Temperature Check Kiosk.

Milpitas, CA. — December 8, 2020 — Elo, a Silicon Valley-based global provider of interactive solutions, today announced major enhancements to its Elo Access™ App. Originally launched as a quick and easy way to create, deploy and ...

Meeting Retail Customers’ Safety Needs During Another Disruptive Year

Retailers have taken steps to meet the pandemic’s challenges

The year 2020 was certainly a year of disruption in the retail industry, with COVID-19 and political unrest upsetting old operational models like never before.After the initial wave of COVID-19, many stores radically changed store operations ...

Elo Introduces M50 Android-Powered Mobile Computer

Elo's M50 Android-Powered handheld computer, increases employee efficiency to scan, capture and collaborate on the go

Milpitas, Calif. — January 12, 2021 — Elo, a leading global provider of Android-powered interactive devices, today announced the Elo M50 mobile computer. The new M50 joins Elo’s robust portfolio of Android-based devices ...

GLORY receives Top Supplier Retail Award 2021

The EHI Retail Institute has awarded GLORY the Top Supplier Retail Award

Checkout processes tailored to the needs of retailers which simplify the payment process for employees and customers: Glory is recognised as a technology partner in this year’s EHI Retail Institute awards with the Top Supplier Retail Award. ...

Psychological stress in the workplace during the Corona Pandemic

A guide to help employers to monitor mental strain caused by COVID19

The Department of Occupational Health (Fachbereich Gesundheit im Betrieb) of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV = Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung) published a guide in PDF format in June 2020 that deals specifically with ...

FinTech IoT platform for self-service financial transactions

PayComplete, the new cash handling brand from SUZOHAPP, announces global launch

PayComplete, the new brand and identity of the cash handling division of SUZOHAPP announced its launch today. This new brand will invest in what is an Internet of Things (IoT) platform for broader financial transactions, running both on ...

How COVID-19 vaccines will impact current shopping habits?

Americans still expect safety precautions in-store

For some, widespread vaccinations offer a glimmer of hope that life will soon return to normal. However, with many Americans (44 percent) planning not to receive the vaccine, consumers say vaccinations will hardly change their current shopping ...

Online Shop Day

How do web store owners ensure that their e-commerce platform is always available

Online stores have the advantage that they are usually accessible 24/7. That's why many customers like to shop online. But how do web store owners ensure that their e-commerce platform is always available?Customers expect their orders or ...

Examining working environments in warehouses

Research on new jobs in e-commerce

Researchers in occupational science and occupational health from Swedish University of Gävle and Luleå University of Technology are going to study working environments in the large warehouses that form the hubs in e-commerce. E-commerce ...

Vending machines: Customers alone in the store

Combi City-Markt makes round-the-clock shopping possible – without staff

Shopping after closing time? That’s possible at the Combi City store Bünting in Oldenburg. At the 24/7 vending machine, late at night shoppers have the opportunity to stock up on everything they need from the supermarket's ...

The 6 technology trends affecting the security sector in 2021

The trends are shaped by how and why technologies are used

It’s useful when looking forward to first look backward: hindsight has a wonderful way of providing context for future-gazing activity. And when looking back over the past year, one insight could understandably be that attempting to predict ...

How to Build a Culture of Employee Engagement

What Retail Associates Care About

We all know that frontline employee engagement is important for retailers. Not only are engaged associates committed to their jobs—staying with the organization longer and often going above and beyond to support the whole ...

Spicy flavor for your local online marketing

Register now for today's webtalk "retail salsa" at 4:00 pm!

A store with an attractive location, a high frequency of passers-by and some word-of-mouth advertising and customers automatically stumble into your store. What was once enough for local reach is no longer considered a guarantee of success ...

A completely new experience at ICA Kvantum with Breece

ICA Kvantum in Lerum has invested in new technology: A cloud-based electronic shelf label

ICA Kvantum Lerum has for a long time been looking for a supplier of electronic shelf labels (ESL), so the staff no longer have to spend time and resources on changing paper shelf labels. It was important that it should be a ...

New approach to print solutions

Citizen presents five ideas on how printers can support sales during the pandemic

It’s been clear for a long while now: confronted with the Corona pandemic, retailers need to resolve bottlenecks such as the point of sale in their retail outlets in order to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. For many ...

Shopping experience thanks to electronic shelf labels

A unique customer experience at new danish gaming store

At the end of August 2020, Denmark's new gaming universe Games N 'Gadgets opened its doors to gamers and game-loving people in the center of Horsens city. Games N 'Gadgets offers everything within gaming, gadgets and computer ...

Retail grocery chain implementing sterile cart system

Hy-Vee uses a hospital-grade, automated cleaning system for shopping carts

Hy-Vee, Inc. is introducing an automated cleaning system that fully cleans and sanitizes shopping carts after every use. By mid-November, more than 200 Hy-Vee stores across its eight-state region will have a Sterile Cart system in operation.This ...

Denmark's first sustainable DIY store has great success

Electronic price tags provide price and product information

In February 2020, STARK opened its doors to a whole new and sustainable DIY store in Hørsholm (Denmark), which will make it easier for customers to build sustainably. The store has got a flying start despite Corona and general restrictions in ...

SALTO Systems invests in Austrian company Gantner

SALTO wants to strengthen its Access Control solutions portfolio, and welcomes new shareholders.

SALTO is a leading manufacturer in electronic access control solutions. The company has trusted customers in Education (Princeton University, University of Oxford), Hospitality (Hilton, Meliá Hotels and Resorts), Healthcare (Cleveland ...

IKI selects Reflexis Systems intelligent workforce management to optimize labour efficiency

Lithuanian retailer will work with StrongPoint to deploy Reflexis solutions in 228 stores and across 5,000 employees

Reflexis Systems (now part of Zebra Technologies), the leading provider of intelligent workforce management and execution solutions for multi-site businesses in retail, food service, hospitality and banking, today announced that IKI, one of ...

SPAR grocery store embraces new technologies

The store has implemented Delfi Technologies' cloud solution and mobile app to manage the store's electronic price tags

This year, the co-operative association Tikøb could celebrate its 100th anniversary. Today, the SPAR grocery store in Tikøb is one of the stores in the chain that is at the forefront when it comes to implementing new technology. Most ...

Knowledge is (retail) power

The Germany Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) wants to attain knowledge to assist the retail sector and creates digital twins of stores to make it a reality

Knowledge for all retailers - DFKI has launched the Knowledge4Retail (K4R) project series to achieve this goal. The driving force is an open-source platform for complex AI and robotics applications in retail.  The project relies on a digital ...

Electric vehicles for safe on-the-go food distribution during pandemic

Gallery E vehicles solve food service challenges at universities and corporate campuses this fall

Gallery, the leading innovator of mobile carts for food, beverage and retail businesses, has announced a unique partnership with AYRO, Inc. and Club Car to launch a new line of electric vehicles to help bring food, beverage, and retail merchandising ...

Getting a taste for grocery deliveries

What are the best online grocery delivery options?

Bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, pasta, butter ... Brick-and-mortar stores are no longer the only place where consumers turn to for their groceries. The COVID-19 crisis has spurred a boom in food delivery services. So how do groceries end up in your ...

4 tips on how to handle customer complaints

How you can effectively respond to negative reviews and use them to be a benefit to your company

Most retailers don’t like customer complaints. Plus, they also mean extra work. Yet ignoring complaints is not a great long-term strategy because any bad customer experience can haunt your brand if it becomes public. That’s why retailers ...

The importance of effective complaint management

A strategic and cross-channel approach to handling negative customer experiences

Customers are more demanding than ever, while brand loyalty is declining. Even a couple of negative experiences can alienate consumers and erode loyalty. Shoppers increasingly share bad reviews and complaints on public communication channels for ...

Retail shrink totaled $61.7 billion in 2019

Rising employee theft and shoplifting/ORC

Theft, fraud and losses from other retail “shrink” totaled $61.7 billion in 2019, up from $50.6 billion the year before as industry security executives reported increases in the number of shoplifting, organized retail crime and employee ...

Key elements of successful supply chain management

5 tips to optimize your supply chain and mitigate risk

A chain consists of many small individual links and only works as a whole when these links connect effectively. After all, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The same principle applies to supply chains. What are the best practices for ...

Supply chain: Know what’s on your retail shelves

What should bricks-and-mortar retailers pay attention to in their supply chain management?

The Cha-Ching sound of the cash register rings up sales – that’s music to a retailer’s ears. Satisfied customers and happy employees are the key to increasing sales. What role does effective supply chain management play in this ...

Spotlight on ... supply chain management

Employees, customers, stakeholders, technology – which factors are important for an optimized supply chain?

Stress-free and safe in the pharmacy

Contactless access control thanks to the Digital Butler by Apostore

The experiences of the last few months were decisive for the local pharmacy. Whereas in the past the focus was on creating shopping experiences, pharmacists are currently dealing with a completely changed and more sensitive purchasing ...

Video marketing in times of Corona

The potential of video content for retailers

The spread of the coronavirus has had a particularly severe impact on the stationary retail industry. Many companies are now increasingly focusing on their online presence to cushion declining in-store sales and to virtually stay in touch with their ...

Reflexis successfully expands into Baltic region by signing Maxima Latvia

Region’s leading retail chain chooses workforce management solution

Reflexis Systems, the leading provider of intelligent workforce management and execution solutions for multi-site businesses in retail, food service, hospitality and banking, today announced that Maxima, one of the largest Latvian retail chains, has ...

Outdated last-mile delivery technology

Transportation and logistics companies losing customers

Transportation and logistics (T&L) companies are losing customers and missing opportunities to expand their business due to outdated last-mile delivery technology, according to a new global research report by SOTI, which looks at the ...

“Dear shopping cart, please show me the way!“

Shopping Cart 2.0 – gimmick or idea with intrinsic value?

Not all shopping carts are the same... far from it! Digitization and automation also put their stamp on this aspect of the retail sector. What’s usually a plain, large basket on wheels that makes it easier for shoppers to transport products ...

Digital access controls support distancing requirements in the era of Corona

Essential staff are relieved and the risk of infection is reduced

Since the beginning of the pandemic, larger supermarkets and discounters have been imposing entrance restrictions to ensure that only a certain number of people are allowed within their Stores. Usually the access management is carried out by ...

Electronic bill of lading solutions to enhance safety and efficiency

Consumer Brands spearheads contactless delivery task force

The Consumer Brands Association announced that it has brought together 23 consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and retailers to launch a new task force that will study the impact of a contactless pick-up and delivery protocol to create greater ...

#Apps in retail: allrounders

Everything about software for mobile devices – for customers, retailers & employees

Safe in the office

„SpitProt-Office“: variable protective walls from POS TUNING

The corona virus has taught us a few things in the past weeks and months: We have to be flexible, rethink and question our working life and our usual activities. ...

Which businesses should be open?

MIT study looks at tradeoffs between economic value and public health, across different types of retail

Banks and bookstores. Gyms and juice bars. Dental offices and department stores. The Covid-19 crisis has shuttered some kinds of businesses, while others have stayed open. But which places represent the best and worst tradeoffs, in terms of the ...

Bright future for Copenhagen-based Irma Store

Automatic price updates with ESL

Irma Smedetoften is located in the heart of Copenhagen's Northwest Quarter. The area around the Irma store is part of an urban development project where, among other things, the local trade district will be strengthened. Irma has also recently ...

COVID-19: lasting changes in the way local pharmacies operate

Survey of American NCPA (National Community Pharmacists Association)

COVID-19 is changing the way local pharmacies do business, perhaps for the long term, according to a new survey released by the National Community Pharmacists Association.According to the survey, 61 percent of community pharmacists anticipate that ...

Promotions and new product launches

Challenge for CPG companies in the Corona crisis

The industry is also affected by the Corona crisis, although retail store were always open and some products were allowed to experience a real boost in sales through so-called hoarding. But there are very big challenges in this time. On the one ...

WhatsApp Business: A direct line to customers

About the installation, functions and advantages of the app

WhatsApp is a popular communication channel used by millions of people worldwide. Now small and medium-sized retailers or restaurants can use WhatsApp Business to quickly and easily engage and interact with their customers and build customer ...

Digitalization in the german wholesale industry

METRO Companion App

Retailers have embraced digitalization to enhance the customer experience for many years. Examples of the growing digital transformation market include self-checkouts, omnichannel marketing, and electronic shelf labels. Customer apps are also ...

Creative criminal meets intelligent security system

Interview with Ralph Siegfried, Business Development Manager at Axis Communications GmbH

Stores come in different sizes, have different settings and vary in product selection. That’s also why they need a customized loss prevention and security solution. What are some options for retailers and what key elements do they need to ...

Job maker 4.0: e-commerce

Retail training and continuing education programs are booming

Digitization in retail and e-commerce growth present fresh challenges for retail employees and the retail world. That’s why interest in the new "E-Commerce Merchant" dual vocational training course offered by Germany’s HDE ...

Take a deep breath ...and get back to work!

Retail employee break rooms and rest breaks in Germany

Working hard is important, but so is taking proper rest breaks! Whether we spend this time alone or with colleagues, by getting some sunlight and fresh air or by relaxing in designated rooms – we all need to take a break sometimes to relax and ...

Now is the time to invest in retail

POS TUNING solutions for the retail industry

The retail sector is particularly affected by the current crisis. The high sales and large customer rushes are countered by staff shortages, sick leave and delivery bottlenecks. In addition to the increased effort required to replenish shelves, it ...

Stay safe with VariPOS

How technology helps – Stay safe at the point of sale

Technologies for product identification and payment authentication are great for improving the customer experience with speed and accuracy, but these technologies are also being seen as beneficial in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic. ...

Electronic shelf labels: photo store introduces new technology

Cooperation between Photografica and Delfi Technologies

Photografica is a professional photography store in the heart of Copenhagen. Here, personal counseling and service play a crucial role. To the benefit of both employees and customers, the store has installed electronic price tags.With a central ...

Online channel may not be the savior clothing retailers hoped for

Closing distribution centers for employee safety

Since the UK Government enforced stores to close for the foreseeable future, many non-food retailers hoped that customers would divert spend onto their online channels. However, last week, Next – the UK’s third largest clothing retailer ...

Launch: SBA’s paycheck protection program for small businesses

Economic relief provision to protect workers and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic

The U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a 349 billion dollars emergency loan program created last week with the President’s signing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and ...

Spit protection instead of push feed systems

Medium-sized company POS Tuning converts production and develops hygiene products

Special times require special action. The past few weeks have shown that unforeseeable events can simply turn the usual life upside down. The corona virus partially paralyses public life completely. Every contribution that helps to keep a regular ...

Collaboration of Hobbii.dk with Delfi Technologies

Danish e-commerce company has found the recipe for physical stores

In August 2019, the popular e-commerce store, Hobbii.dk, opened its first physical store in Roskilde. Within the next three years, the yarn store expects to open another 60 stores. The store universe must be the same offline as well as online - a ...

APG releases retail and healthcare solution

For reducing the spread of COVID-19 at the point of sale

APG Cash Drawer, a global manufacturer of cash management solutions announces the release of the Guardiant™ Countertop Shield for retail, grocery, convenience, gas stations, pharmacy and medical clinics. The Guardiant™ Countertop Shield ...

Our bot is happy to assist you

Chatbots and AI virtual assistants automate customer service

Chatbots and virtual assistants – some think they are creepy, others consider them a part of daily life. Either way, they patiently answer frequently asked questions related to the opening hours of the nearest supermarket.By now, some ...

Corona crisis: Contactless payment more popular than ever

Practical, fast, and, above all, hygienic

"Please make contactless payment if possible." These or similar notices are currently in the checkout area of many grocery stores. By reducing necessary contact points in the checkout zone, it is hoped to counteract the spread of the ...

Tired of paperwork? It’s time for AI!

Artificial intelligence helps small and medium-sized retailers to tackle accounting

Accounting - A term that is synonymous with stress for many businesses. The minds behind sevDesk felt the same way, which prompted them to develop accounting software that tackles the annoying paperwork. In this interview, CEO Fabian Silberer talks ...

When is the customer especially HAPPY?

155.9 million data points from over 1,000 retailers globally reveals happiest and unhappiest retail seasons

Easter is the unhappiest major retail event of the year, while shoppers love Halloween shopping, according to data from the world’s leading customer feedback solution, HappyOrNot.The Finnish technology company, which works with retailers such ...

Pay-As-You-Go

VR Payment and BMS Consulting bring fully automated payment to the point of
sale with payfree

For the first time ever, payfree realises the vision of cash register free checkouts without camera surveillance and expensive sensor technology on the shelvesThe payment process begins automatically upon passing the checkout areaInnovative process ...

Leveraging your retail strengths with digitization and automation

Oliver Voßhenrich of POS Tuning talks about EuroShop 2020 and the promise of process optimization

Retailers have to make multiple decisions every day as it pertains to the point of sale (POS) according to the managing director of POS Tuning. He explains how digitization and automation help the industry to minimize manual processes and free up ...

Digital tool helps MENY in the fight against food waste

Printing discount labels directly from the app

After a convincing test, Dagrofa rolls out the food waste app ‘Whywaste’ in all the Danish MENY stores. At MENY in Solrød, the store has already managed to achieve a significant reduction in food waste. In addition to the app, the ...

7-Eleven pilots cashierless store concept

First cashierless store opens at company headquarters

7-Eleven, Inc. is pushing the technological envelope once again, testing a cashierless store at its corporate headquarters, in Irving, Texas. During the pilot, the 700-square-foot non-traditional store is available to 7-Eleven employees."Retail ...

Cloud access control for Fairytale Frozen Yogurt

SALTO Solutions presents the SALTO KS cloud-based access control system

Fairytale Frozen Yogurt wanted more flexibility than a mechanical locking system could provide for its six stores. They achieved this thanks to the SALTO KS cloud-based access control system. The six shop entrance doors were equipped with electronic ...

Five customer experience considerations for retailers

From forethought to a proper execution

Anyone can sell a product, and customers have plenty of choices when making a purchase. So how does a retailer stand out from the crowd to keep customers coming back? It all comes down to the kind of customer experience you deliver.It’s no ...

Versatile access control solutions for retailers and chain stores

SALTO Systems at EuroShop 2020 in Düsseldorf

SALTO presents its versatile electronic access control solutions at EuroShop in Düsseldorf (hall 6, booth E17). The focus will be on the cloud access control SALTO KS Keys as a Service, which enables all types of wholesalers and retailers, ...

Innovation in sales!

N3XT by MediaMarktSaturn – finding ideas for customers and company

What do customers want? How can you create a more intense and powerful shopping experience? And what new technologies and innovations can help in this endeavor? MediaMarktSaturn has set up its own innovation unit to find answers to these and similar ...

Wow factor affects the bottom line at Denmark's largest garden center chain

ESL results in time savings for employees and creates a positive customer experience

The rollout of electronic shelf labels is in progress at Plantorama, which expects both economic and operational benefits by replacing the paper shelf labels in all of the chain's garden centers. Staff members need more time for customers and it ...

Lowe's to hire more than 53,000 associates for spring season

Full-time, part-time and seasonal positions available nationwide

Lowe's Companies today announced plans to hire more than 53,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal associates across its more than 1,700 U.S. stores this spring. Lowe's will roll out hiring events in all store locations over the next three ...

The evolution of retailing through the "cash perspective"

How cash payments reflect a changing landscape

iXtenso sat down with both new and familiar faces at APG Cash Drawer to speak about the interplay between the changing retail landscape, what’s driving innovation and influencing retailing in the future. Interviewees at APG included: Paul ...

SMARTtill technology drives efficiency for a cannabis dispensary in California

An APG case study in partnership with POSTREMO and Green America

APG Cash Drawer, a fast-growing global manufacturer of cash management solutions, announced its partnership with POSTREMO, a leading POS technology provider for the cannabis sector in the United States. Built to accommodate a cash-dominant ...

Trade of the future

How consumer demands can challenge stationary retail and be supported by intelligent solutions

The requirements for stationary retail are changing. The e-commerce boom in particular has prompted stationary retailers to reflect critically on the role of physical sales areas and their added value. Interesting findings are provided by a ...

Think Different! Thought leadership at ISE 2020

Over 200 specialists to offer expert opinion and insight

Integrated Systems Europe 2020’s professional development programme will feature over 200 leading experts from a wide variety of disciplines and subject areas across five days of keynotes, conferences, masterclasses, workshops and ...

Protect yourself!

8 security best practices for retailers

The retail industry is a favorite target of cyber attackers. Hackers know a successful attack on a retailer can give them access to the data of thousands or even millions of payment cardholders. Cybercriminals can sell that data for a tidy profit to ...

DJ, play me a song while I shop!

Can music increase sales volume? Retail store music playlists generated in real-time make it possible

How do you select the right music and ad spots for your retail store to play at just the right time? Do you have an employee who visits every store armed with a USB stick and downloads ready-made playlists to the respective equipment?Are there ...

Seven password best practices for retailers

Authentication, encryption, administration

No one likes to use passwords, but they are critical to securing access to systems with valuable business data. Retailers, like any other business, should require passwords as part of their security policies to protect POS systems, backroom ...

Clear views into the manufacturing workshop

Showroom Papier Tigre in Paris

Papier Tigre, a contemporary stationery brand, is rehabilitating its showroom on rue des Filles du Calvaire in the Marais, in the heart of Paris. It brings together a sales area, a space dedicated to custom products and the workshop in the back.The ...

TÜV SÜD: Certification for the Cartonplast Group

French location of the company in Dagneux complies with international standards

On 3rd October 2019 Cartonplast France successfully completed the certification audits by TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH according to ISO 22000 and ISO 9001. Cartonplast (CPL), the leading European supplier of reusable plastic layer pads ...

When customers become cashiers

Treading a fine line between traditional and visionary, between checkouts and codes

For years, we have done this in online stores: we fill our shopping cart, click to pay and are excited about our purchase. Thanks to the snabble app - now available at the Knauber Hobbymarkt in Bonn and at IKEA in Frankfurt – consumers can ...

POS TUNING supports "Grips&Co"

POS TUNING is committed to promoting young talent in the retail

Since the magazine "Rundschau für den Lebensmittelhandel" launched the Grips&Co competition, the annual cult event for junior staff, HR specialists and brand industry has been taking place for almost 40 years. Two days of ...

Retail cash loss – Addressing the problem with intelligent technology

One of the major shrink related issues faced by retailers

Any business that accepts cash for transactions has come to expect that some percentage of it will vanish as a result of fraud, administrative errors and employee misdeeds.Inventory shrink, which includes cash loss, costs retailers an estimated 47 ...

HappyOrNot CX360 leader insights

Do you know what type of experience customers expect from your brand?

The following is based on a June 2019 interview with Sami Hero, Chief Operating Officer at HappyOrNot’s global headquarters in Tampere, Finland. He spoke with freelance writer Tom Hagy of Philadelphia. In it we will share our thoughts and ...

Shopify to acquire 6 River Systems

A team of experience in fulfillment software and robotics

Shopify Inc., the leading multi-channel commerce platform, today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire 6 River Systems, Inc., a leading provider of collaborative warehouse fulfillment solutions. In June, Shopify introduced the ...

How to turn your checkout zone into the village hub ...

... with opportunities for community engagement

The checkout zone is not only the actual, but also the emotional conclusion of the purchasing process. Top or flop - the experience at the cash register can impact how customers rate their overall shopping experience. For retailers, this is ...

A pearl among commodities: encouraging impulse buys

How to make the most of wait times

It’s wonderful if customers come to retail stores to buy things. It’s fantastic if they buy more than they planned to purchase. This offers many opportunities, especially for brick and mortar retailers as surveys show: customers are more ...

Distract or divert!

How to engage customers at the checkout

Retailers and retail designers spend a considerable amount of time discussing and juggling a crucial aspect of the customer experience at the point of purchase: the checkout.To be fair, it’s not easy to turn the moment when customers have to ...

The 411 on point of sale systems

Beauty and intelligence combined: What the system looks like and what it can do

Checkout system, material, paint finish – apart from technology and design, today’s point of sale system must fulfill many different roles. Yet its most important function is and will always be the successful completion of the customer ...

A simple, fast, intuitive payment experience

Are POS systems all about a perfect and versatile device?

"The perfect all-rounder POS device that’s ideal for all retail applications has not been created yet," says Oliver Kapahnke Managing Director at GLORY Deutschland. "But that’s OK.” In this interview, he talks ...

App creates personalised shopping experience

The Swiss trading company Valora is opening its first cashless convenience store

The goods are chosen, scanned and paid for using the avec smartphone app. Mobile computer vision specialists Scandit’s scan engine is a key component of the customer-facing app. The future of shopping - whether online or offline - is ...

Innovative ICA store triples revenue

Automatic price updates and product information at the shelf

Since ICA merchant, Jan Sikström, took over the ICA Ettan store in Sundsvall (Sweden) in 2016, he has almost tripled the turnover from SEK 15 million to SEK 40 million. Today, the store has 15 employees and approximately 5,000 different items ...

SPAR continues European expansion with entry into Kosovo

6 store openings in 2019 and 7 more planned for 2020

The voluntary food retail organization SPAR International announces the brand’s entry into the Kosovan retail market, the 27th European market, in line with their expansion strategy.SPAR Kosovo is a new entity set up by a consortium of ...

Retail analytics: Breaking down data silos and improving operational efficiency

How comprehensive data usage led to higher revenue at Heine

“As a business with heritage in mail order, we used to have access to detailed reports about product performance in our catalogues. Once our digital presence grew, we had very limited information available that combined the KPIs for both our ...

Thyssenkrupp presents artificial intelligence "alfred”

AI as an essential component of the holistic digitalization strategy

Thyssenkrupp Materials Services continues to drive digital transformation: Since early 2019 an artificial intelligence solution (AI), supported by Microsoft’s cloud platform Azure, has been integrated into the processes of the largest ...

5 essentials for customer experience leaders

Gather customer feedback and analyze it

Customer experience is fundamental to your business and needs to be in your company’s strategy.However, CX leaders are challenged with what it means to spearhead these efforts. To improve their influence, and subsequent results, CX leaders can ...

5 tips for retailers to protect their online customers

Amazon Prime Days inspire cybercriminals to shop for victims

Amazon Prime Days is a summer rerun of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas shopping – significant price reductions together with a concurrent increase of threat actor activity in the deep and dark web. Looking back, the December 2018 ...

Of local heroes and global players

An overview of online marketplaces

Amazon and eBay – many retailers heavily rely on these top names. Yet there are other online marketplaces that could offer useful features. After all, the easy solution isn’t necessarily the perfect fit for ...

Retail spaces are so yesterday. Long live brand experiences!

How can brick-and-mortar stores stay competitive? With continuing retail reinvention!

Shopfitting – it’s no longer about shelves, sales counters and cash registers. Silvio Kirchmair, CEO of umdasch The Store Makers, considers it a stage where brick-and-mortar retailers can and should showcase themselves – especially ...

Denmark's largest garden center chain is chasing a green profile

Electronic shelf labels for paper reduction

Plantorama introduces electronic shelf labels in all stores, which significantly reduces the chain's paper consumption. The project will strengthen the chain's green profile and will have a positive influence on the customer experience and ...

Improving performance with video training

Video tutorials for inventory management or customer service excellence

Smart Retail Solutions (SRS) has announced their ProfitTrax Platform is now including Best Practice Video Training in its Advanced Analytics Suite. Their team has successfully implemented the update because they believe the key to profit improvement ...

Stores with employee background checks favored

Sterling’s 2019 ‘Retail Industry Screening’ survey

Sterling, expert in background and identity services, today released the results of its 2019 ‘Retail Industry Screening’ survey. An inaugural initiative, the survey examines Americans’ perspectives, experiences and concerns related ...

Internal communication via app at Modehaus Ramelow

Mobile chat works as a bulletin board

What's new at Modehaus Ramelow? The fashion retailer’s employees can check PIA - and share information to their heart’s content. PIA is an app for "private information exchange".More and more internal communication ...

Smile please! How to showcase products with amazing photos

Quick guide to product photography

There is one fundamental difference between online and brick-and-mortar stores: Customers cannot touch, smell or try out the products. Essentially, the eyes decide whether something is ordered or not.That’s why product images and descriptions ...

Supply chain transparency is good for business

The report by ICAR makes the case that greater transparency improves brands’ reputations.

A new report by the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR) makes the business case for companies to adopt greater supply chain transparency measures, showing that when they do, businesses enjoy better reputations, greater ...

The customer is always right? Two customers might spell trouble!

How salespeople can handle customers who bring company along

Customers rarely shop alone. Most of them shop with family or friends. The other person might not always be in a good mood, patient or friendly. Can the salesperson simply ignore the other person in these instances? How should he or she handle this ...

Digital Signage Summit (DSS) Europe

iXtenso readers receive a 30% ticket-discount!

The two-day event comprises a comprehensive mix of twin-track conference programme; hands-on workshops; exclusive presentations; numerous networking opportunities and a vendor and service supplier exhibition area.In 2019, DSS Europe returns to the ...

Online inventory management system

5 things e-commerce retailers should look for

In order to perform online efficiently as an Internet retailer, one needs to choose the most effective inventory management system. Its main features should include centralised user interface, full automation, automated stock checking and ...

Implementing new ideas: Design thinking in the retail world

Focus on customer expectations

It may be uncomfortable at times – but a change in perspective can help businesses to implement new ideas and successfully complete ongoing processes. Design thinking is a customer-centric approach that can help in this endeavor.“What do ...

Expert tips: the best flooring options for your retail store

Ways to make a great first impression with customers

You need a new look for the flooring in your store – you have many options and they must be considered carefully. Industry experts told us what the different types of flooring from vinyl to carpet all the way to renovation lacquer systems have ...

Managing product information successfully

BOGNER hits the slopes with Centric PLM

BOGNER, German skiwear and outerwear company, has successfully gone live with Centric Software’s Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution. Centric Software provides enterprise solutions to fashion, retail, footwear, outdoor, luxury and ...

Robots in retail: producer and salesperson all-in-one at the fully automated kiosk

Interview with Matthias Krinke, Managing Director of pi4_robotics GmbH

At Berlin’s shopping mall Bikini Berlin, we meet the robot “Gisela”. The robot’s designer Matthias Krinke sat down with us and explained what she can do and revealed what the retail industry can expect from her and her ...

Interactive networking for true sales success

Smart distribution of video content at the POS

Modern retail marketing is all about communicating the right offers to the customers at the right time and in the right place. “In order to ensure the greatest possible efficiency and sales speed, for example during campaigns and special ...

IoT data flood meets legacy systems

Robotic process automation assists complex data management

Many daily recurring tasks cost time and money in addition to precious manpower. For example, employees use above-average capacity on standard activities such as purchase requisition, invoice verification, contract management, or retail data ...

Self-service sells

Kiosks represent an important part of retail’s future

Self-service is growing exponentially in all areas of retail, hotels, restaurants, healthcare and banking environments. Customers increasingly expect self-service technology options and traditional brick-and-mortar stores are no exception. Retailers ...

Retail jobs grew nearly 15,000 in January over December

The economy seems to be in a good place

Retail industry employment in January was down by 15,100 jobs unadjusted from a year earlier but increased 14,800 jobs seasonally adjusted from December, the National Retail Federation said today. The retail numbers, which exclude automobile ...

Revolutionizing the global supply chain

IoT technology will provide opportunities for improved efficiency and transparency in the supply chain

The Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the world around us in several different ways. Beyond influencing things like on-demand app development, it’s poised to make our lives significantly easier. We now have a vast array of physical objects ...

Smartwatches become professional

CASIO brings wearables into the world of retail

CASIO stands for the highest quality hardware, extraordinary robustness, reliable project handling and fast support in the area of mobile data capturing.About 20 years ago, the Mobile Industrial Solutions business unit was established, which has ...

A new approach to cash handling

Cash as a service

Thanks to the rapid expansion of e-commerce and Amazon, there is no doubt that a range of new card payment options are on the rise. At the same time, retailers are still handling enormous amount of cash daily because cash remains by far the most ...

Using digital data to drive brick-and-mortar retail success

Advanced Outlet Analytics

When it comes to using and analyzing relevant data, brick-and-mortar retail lags behind its online competition. While e-commerce retailers use detailed data from web analytics, CRM, and Google searches to analyze user behavior and generate ...

The food mecca of the future has arrived in Copenhagen

Electronic shelf labels help to raise the bar

Quality is the characteristic for the new district in Nordhavn, where MENY has opened a new flagship store. The location of the new modern food store has a very special history, as it is opened in a protected building known as the Riffel Syndicate ...

Toshiba spotlights new innovations for empowering retail

Showcasing its latest solutions, services and innovative concepts at hall 9 booth B42

Visitors to EuroCIS 2019 will learn at Toshiba's booth how every retailer can design his checkout to suit his and the customers' needs. Under the motto "Empowering the Art of Retail", Toshiba will present its end-to-end IT ...

Allgeier’s Retail Solution of the Future

The IoT BoxX - a pop-up store fully integrated into SAP

Like hardly any other industry, the retail sector is being exposed to the challenges of technological change. On the one hand, important market shares were lost to online trading, and on the other hand, the online stores are now blazing their trail ...

Achieving goals with the right attitude

Corporate health management is a process, not a one-time event

Employee satisfaction/engagement is critical to the success of any business, big or small. Customers notice if employees are dissatisfied with their jobs.Customer satisfaction, employee recruitment and hiring, employee retention and increasing sales ...

Accurate and efficient: Artificial Intelligence for hiring and recruiting employees

"Other channels are no longer working": Interview with Melikshah Ünver from Taledo

Skilled labor shortage, high turnover rates and the challenges of digitization: recruiting and hiring top-quality employees is especially difficult in the retail sector, particularly when companies must shake off a dull and dusty image. This is when ...

Happy employees and better time for customer service

Imerco opens more and more stores under the new store concept Imerco Home

Early 2018, Imerco launched its new store concept under the name of Imerco Home with a special focus on inspirational ideas for home interior. The new store concept and the good store locations came in connection with the acquisition of the ...

A new design for GebrauchtWarenHaus Westend in Munich

Sustainable concept for a non-profit project of Weißer Rabe

Shopping with a clear conscience: This was the core concept of the new store for Weißer Rabe (English: white-necked crow, a nonprofit organization in Munich). When an additional 200 square meters of retail space freed up, the company was able ...

Compartment Systeme POS TUNING

For slim products such as drugstore ranges, confectionery and fresh products

POS TUNING has optimized its pushfeed program for use in retail. The new compartment systems by POS TUNING are available in three different sizes: C60 (6 cm height) for narrow products such as drugstore assortments, C90 (9 cm height) for sweets, ...

Cash as a driver of innovation

Interview with Frédéric Beuve, Director of Global SMARTtill Technology at APG Cash Drawer

During the Equipmag show in Paris in September, iXtenso had the opportunity to speak with Frédéric Beuve, Director of Global SMARTtill Technology at APG Cash Drawer, about his ongoing projects within Europe and his view into the ...

Strong U.S. job growth good sign for holiday sales

Retail employment nearly unchanged from September

Retail industry employment in October remained essentially unchanged from September, dropping only 900 jobs despite the loss of 8,800 jobs year-over-year in the face of two major hurricanes since Labor Day, the National Retail Federation said today. ...

Things are buzzing in Iceland: food delivery by drone

Will drone delivery service soon become a reality in Germany?

Iceland already embraces drone delivery. The delivery service offered by online marketplace aha.is in Reykjavík sends small remote-controlled helicopter drones, thus shortening delivery times and cutting costs. His goal was to be the first ...

Gen Z will redesign expectations in today’s retail workforce

This digitally-savvy generation crave new solutions for task management and reporting

Profitect Inc., the leading prescriptive analytics provider for the retail and CPG industry, today announced new results from its survey of more than 1,000 U.S. Generation Z (Gen Z) national shoppers aged 18-22. As successors to ...

RFID tags with features for the cashierless store

Customers can unlock products on their own thanks to smart tags

China and the U.S. already feature cashierless stores but things are coming along in Europe, too. Several startup companies want to eliminate long checkout lines and advertise better retail security tags. We took a closer look at these ...

Bygg-Ole in Sweden streamlines stores with electronic shelf labels

For more efficiency and free up time for more promotional activities

With the goal of saving time and money, the DIY retailer Bygg-Ole in Stockholm has implemented the solution Breece electronic shelf labels, which will help the DIY retailer to increase efficiency and free up time for more promotional ...