Against a backdrop of inflation, weakened consumer spending power, and lingering supply chain disruption sparked by the pandemic, retailers continue to face growing complexity and uncertainty. Traffic routing, inventory management, omnichannel purchasing, staff scheduling — all have contributed to increased challenges for the industry. Forward-looking retailers are embracing new technologies to help navigate today’s dynamic…
In this episode of Total Retail Tech Insights, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Diane Wang, founder, chairperson, and CEO of DHGATE Group, one of the leading B2B cross-border e-commerce platforms in China. Listen in as Wang discusses the DHGATE and MyyShop businesses, as well as her professional background and career (1:00), and her insights on trends in…
Retail is arguably one of the world’s most IT dependent sectors, and the opportunities to leverage cutting-edge technology to improve service quality, achieve affordability, and enhance the customer experience are wide open. Digital transformation and changing customer demands are driving the retail industry into one of the largest overhauls it has ever seen, and the…
Predictions for 2023 seem pretty dismal right now. As the recession and labor shortage continue to batter retailers, however, there are a few things they can do to become more efficient while setting themselves up for a more promising 2024. Supply chain efficiency will be one of the biggest challenges facing retailers and impacting consumers.…
For technical leaders in e-commerce, it's all about the money. More so than in almost any industry, software development decisions in e-commerce need to be justified from a revenue perspective. With many companies implementing hiring freezes, and as budgets tighten ahead of an "e-commerce winter," allocating limited technical resources is more important than ever. From…
With its feedback, creation and conversation loops, social commerce mimics circuit-based Formula 1 races. And success on the track and on social media isn't purely about who is the quickest. Instead, it’s about strategy, precision and avoiding critical mistakes. The Opportunity With Social Commerce Social inspires purchases in the moments that matter, and every part…
Retailers’ bearings for demand forecasting are now better calibrated than they were just a couple of years ago, although shockwaves from supply chain and distribution disruptions persist in some areas. These challenges create a disconnect between what retailers think is the "new normal" vs. what their actual "new normal" likely is. This dichotomy hinders their ability…
While the holidays are a joyous season for most of us, they can feel like a lump of coal for retail contact center agents. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas rush, retail contact centers are bombarded with calls from customers making returns, asking questions about products, or not-so-politely complaining. This spike in volume…
Retailers have plenty of questions on their minds during the holiday shopping season. What will post-pandemic consumer spending look like? What effect will inventory levels and inflation have on profit margins? Will flagging consumer confidence impact brand loyalty? But there’s another crucial question you should be asking: What are the chances that “digital Grinches” will…
The events of the last few years — Brexit, the pandemic, The Great Resignation, a cost-of-living crisis — have caused evolving challenges that continue to ripple through the retail industry. One of the biggest causes for concern for businesses today is a mass shortage of workers as people switch to remote or at-home working, decide…
