Insight: IT in Retail

In this insight, we zoom in on how retail uses IT. This industry has been rapidly implementing technology in its physical shops. Retail has also been working on setting up, maintaining and optimising webshops. Many companies active in this sector cannot do without IT anymore.

Physical and digital

Keeping a physical shop running requires a lot of hardware and software. Logical essential components are a network and the implementation of security tools, but you can also increase efficiency, for instance, with hand scanners, intelligent cameras and self-scanning checkouts. Software can also be very useful for retail. Think product registration, accounting, or comprehensive ERP systems.

Retail chains also increasingly rely on online services. Consumers want to be able to purchase goods and services digitally. Sometimes, newer retail brands do business exclusively online. Setting up such a website and digital environment involves a lot of work. Building a website according to the MACH architecture and creating a chatbot that answers most customer questions are some components of suitable e-commerce environments. An interesting new development for retail chains is spatial computing. This allows customers shopping online to use augmented reality, for example, to see whether a new product will fit into their interiors.

This special by Techzine covers various aspects of IT in retail. What can IT suppliers that play a significant role in the retail sector do? Among others, Salesforce, Freshworks, Zebra Technologies, Manhattan Associates and commercetools are featured.