Robots

Optimized inventory management is essential to retailers and CPG (consumer packaged goods) brands throughout the supply chain, with each touchpoint impacting operational efficiency and profitability. At times, drones have been at the forefront of discussion around inventory management within distribution center environments, notably for their potential to autonomously carry out inventory checks. However, a closer…

From October to December, peak retail traffic creates transitory headaches for warehousing and logistics managers — and those headaches are getting peskier by the year. In 2023, shoppers spent 3.8 percent more than during the previous peak season. Meanwhile, peak-era spending has increased by 63 percent in the past decade, aided by the rising trend…

In today’s dynamic world of retail, the spotlight remains on artificial intelligence (AI) — and for good reason. AI is undoubtedly transformative, reshaping the future of retail. In addition to AI, other technologies are also making significant strides. Radio-frequency identification (RFID), replacing barcodes, revolutionizes supply chain and inventory management. Video analytics leverages computer vision to…

While at NRF 2024: Retail's Big Show in New York City last week, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan spoke with Karen Mitchell, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Stop & Shop, a supermarket chain, to learn more about how the business is using robotics to improve the in-store customer experience as well as create engaging…

2023 was a challenging year for retail logistics. The industry was still recovering from a pandemic-fueled supply chain crisis, as well as a crippling labor shortage. Technology changed, HR strategies shifted, and retail logistics providers evolved to move past the challenges of 2023 and towards the opportunities of 2024. What could the new year bring?…

Changing consumer habits in the virtualized post-pandemic world have transformed the e-commerce industry. With more consumers taking advantage of online ordering and in-store pickup options, e-commerce demand is expanding and the mix is changing rapidly, leaving some retailers struggling to adapt. Not to mention, as Amazon.com continues to dominate the fast-paced retail industry with its…

Despite sales performing solidly, the retail industry continues to keep up a heady pace of evolution. Retailers are constantly seeking out new technologies to optimize and future-proof their operations as well as to improve efficiency. One area where technology is making a significant impact is in the realm of inventory management. One such technology that…

Through a well designed and continually improved conversational AI, retail bots will be the virtual concierge service that customers trust to solve their problems quickly and efficiently.

The global pandemic sparked an evolution in the retail landscape that doesn't show signs of stopping. Namely, there have been two obvious shifts among consumers: increased omnichannel shopping habits and decreased brand loyalty. Customers aren’t hesitating to find another retailer that gives them the shopping experience they desire, whether in-store or online. To keep up…

From the manufacturing of goods to shipping to last-mile fulfillment and delivery, the entire supply chain has seen its challenges over the last few years. It's difficult for everyone directly involved to relieve the stresses being put on the cogs that keep the machine running. With the increase in consumer demand for at-home deliveries during…