Don’t let security fears hold back retail innovation
VMware EMEA’s Ian Jansen van Rensburg discusses the issues around security in the retail sector. The retail industry is intrinsically linked to the wider economy’s performance. It’s an industry that relies on constant innovation, as retailers battle to lure...
Christmas opens township window for manufacturers
South African manufacturers are missing out on millions of rands in potential sales because they don't fully understand township retail market dynamics especially at Christmas, Selpal, owner of South Africa's biggest online platform for spaza shop owners, says. "For...
Watch out for these shopping trends …
You may not have started shopping for gifts yet, but data shows holiday shoppers are getting an early start this year, with the majority recently starting by Cyber Monday. To make the most of the holiday season, retailers need to pay close attention to consumer...
When the retail chain is forged
Bah humbug, bugs, bots and what you didn't bargain for. By Martin Walshaw, senior systems engineer at F5 Networks. For online consumers, 'tis the season to be jolly. For businesses, it's a time where the retail chain may be forged in life. For hackers, it's a poor...
It’s time to change how you think about retail
The word 'change' is a common one in retail settings. By Charles Pittaway, MD of Sage Pay When you try on clothing, you do so in the change room; if a dress you bought doesn't fit or you change your mind, you exchange it and, with any luck, after money has changed...
Altron partners with Tango Telecom
JSE-listed Allied Technologies (Altron) and Ireland-based Tango Telecom, a provider of data monetisation solutions, today announced a partnership to launch Data Retail Engine (Tango DRE) in Africa. Tango DRE enables African mobile operators to quickly launch and...
Diebold Nixdorf powers Decathlon’s SA megastore
Connected commerce vendor Diebold Nixdorf is partnering with Decathlon, a leading sports retailer, to supply point-of-sale (POS) systems and software to its first megastore in South Africa. The new POS systems include both barcode scanners and radio frequency...
Reduce fraud-related costs and improve experience
With speed being a critical factor in fighting fraud, Mastercard has announced the launch of Early Detection System. The new service provides issuers with a unique advanced alert for cards and accounts at a heightened risk of fraudulent use based on their exposure in...
Speed, experience fuel retailers’ B2B expansion
Online business-to-business (B2B) retailing is on the brink of disruption. In order to remain competitive, increase visibility among other stakeholders, and build strong software and infrastructure services, retailers will need to prioritise mobile and omnichannel...
Retail strives to combat the data gap
As industries the world over strive to keep pace with technological advancements, the retail industry has engaged with "omni-channels" (multiple operational channels). This creates more data, delivers more engagement from customers, and draws from more data sources....
Transforming customer experience in retail
From virtual reality dressing rooms and drone deliveries, to iPads in store and targeted mobile advertising, the retail sector is arguably at the forefront of technological innovation. The industry's focus on data driven information with organisations merging the...
Retail and the omni-channel prophecy
The benefit of retrospect is of some value in business: being able to analyse what went wrong, what was done well, and how what lessons can be learned to fine-tune business strategies going forward. Using retrospect, as a tool, can lead to more effective, agile and...