Many businesses know some portions of their data are extremely valuable, while others have no value. The problem is, they often don’t know how to identify, much less take advantage of, data that can make a difference. The Internet of Things exacerbates this dilemma by giving organizations even more data to store and sift through….

A typical big-box store is about 180,000 square feet — enough to hold three pro football fields with room to spare. No wonder shoppers often get frustrated trying to find items, sometimes giving up and buying them online. The Internet of Things (IoT) gives retailers new options for eliminating those and other hassles to provide…

When I learned that one of my favorite stores had introduced the purchase option to buy online and pick up in the store (BOPIS), I was delighted. Then I tried it. I expected to be able to pick up my purchase quickly, bypassing the checkout lines. Instead, I was directed to the back of the…

The holiday shopping season is inevitably followed by the return season. That’s been a headache for retailers and consumers alike since the dawn of trade, but e-commerce has turned it into a migraine. Why? Brick-and-mortar retailers are increasingly using immediacy and convenience to compete against e-tailers. Two ways are by giving customers the option of…

With competition growing, retailers are looking for even more ways to operate efficiently while providing the kind of shopping experiences that will keep customers in stores longer and returning more often. The good news: There’s no shortage of new technologies. Now the bad news: There’s no shortage of new technologies. And even more are on…

Recently, I drove to a large, brick-and-mortar bookstore in search of a specific novel. Although the book was on best-seller lists only a few years ago, the store didn’t have a copy in stock. A sales associate offered to order it for me, telling me I could drive back to the store and pick it…