What To Expect At The 2016 NRF BIG Show
By Erin Harris, Editor-In-Chief, Cell & Gene
Follow Me On Twitter @ErinHarris_1
The 2016 NRF BIG Show is within reach, and you’re probably just as excited as we are to see what the event has in store. The promise of both seasoned and emerging technologies rife with innovative features and functionalities and informative educational sessions will help retailers find the answers to their various business challenges. It’s not called the BIG Show for nothing — there’s quite a bit to digest in a few short days. As such, here’s a list of just some of what we expect to uncover at NRF.
Just recently, I had the opportunity to talk to Jill (Puleri) Standish, SVP and GM, Oracle Retail Global Business Unit, about the tech giant’s newest product launch, and in true Oracle fashion, it’s big. At the show, Oracle will unveil a new release of its entire suite of Oracle Retail solutions. This release delivers new cloud services, an emphasis on retail science and mobility, as well as omni-channel integration via the MICROS and Oracle partnership. Standish’s comments about retail science are especially important; by applying business intelligence and data management to their data, retailers can target their customers more efficiently via promotional messaging, the store aisle, their mobile device, etc. Indeed, in the January/February 2016 issue of Innovative Retail Technologies, I talk about the importance of big science and the role it will play in 2016 with regard to omni-channel retailing, specifically personalization and machine learning.
Speaking of personalization, expect to learn how to personalize customer journeys with predictive analytics. I’m certain this will be a major topic of discussion throughout the event. Personalization is tricky, and retailers struggle to get it right. Consumers will share their data willingly in return for a better and more personalized experience as long as the retailer doesn’t abuse the privilege. Plenty of solutions providers offering personalization, big data insights, predictive analytics, etc. will be on site to help the retailers fighting to identify and engage their best customers.
Mobile will certainly play a prominent role again this year — from mobile devices to mobile payments. Retailers should expect to find solutions that help their users (i.e. planners, buyers, associates, managers, etc.) reach systems through mobility and that ease their job functions. Then there’s mobile commerce; retailers should use the show to determine how to craft a mobile strategy that encompasses everything from email marketing and location-based promotions to curbside pickup, same-day delivery, click and collect and more to engage their customers.
Because retailers can’t operate their businesses without a well-trained, knowledgeable workforce scheduled according to their traffic patterns and in accordance with labor regulations, workforce management will be a major point of research for many retailers walking the show floor. Several of the industry’s leading workforce management/human capital management solutions providers will be on site to listen to retailers’ labor scheduling and task management challenges and craft a solution that meets their needs.
This year’s show will offer up innovative technologies and processes to help retailers improve the customer experience and the bottom line. From cloud to mobile to loss prevention to order management and fulfillment and back again, we’re excited to get started. Finally, be sure to stop by the Innovative Retail Technologies booth (# 1224) to meet the team and to see for yourself the innovative changes we’ve made to help retailers make informed decisions about pragmatic innovative technologies. We hope to see you there!