The definition of modern retailing is evolving as retailers look at using new technology to help lure more customers. New York\u2019s Convention center was the site of the 103rd National Retail Federation expo, where some of the latest innovations were center stage.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s called the Big Show for a reason. Thousands of companies and hundreds of thousands of prospective customers came, all seeking that one thing that will give them an edge.<\/p>\n
With new technology, every screen and surface becomes an opportunity to engage with customers. Images can be shared so friends and family can weigh in. Even the dressing room mirror becomes a vehicle for sales. Intel’s Tyler Hoffman discussed one of his company\u2019s displayed products: the “Memory Mirror.”<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is designed for trying on clothes, shopping for apparel in store, [to] make that experience digital, social and interactive,\u201d said Hoffman.<\/p>\n
The mirror captures a 10-second clip of a customer trying something on; when they try on a second outfit, the mirror recognizes them and captures that as well. Afterwards, customers are able to review their previous try-ons in front of the mirror.<\/p>\n
The images can also be shared via text, email or social media.<\/p>\n
A motion-activated screen by Scala lets prospective customers swipe through watches with a wave of a hand, using technology to get closer to the product.<\/p>\n
Peter Cheran, the chief technical officer of Scala, said the product offers something new.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s novel, it\u2019s fresh, it\u2019s engaging, it\u2019s easy to use. It\u2019s what people are expecting out of technologies from their video games, from their smartphone. It creates a novel experience,\u201d said Cheran.<\/p>\n
Jerrard Shiffman, the inventor of the Perch interactive system, pointed out that every surface in a shop offers the owner a chance to display information.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the entire store, every surface can become a platform for media display. Because the way that people consume media now, it\u2019s on their iPhone, they\u2019re sort of surrounded by it, it\u2019s sort of strange in retail stores that hasn\u2019t happened yet. It\u2019s not a media experience,\u201d said Shiffman.<\/p>\n
Ryan, the owner of a surf shop, likes the concept.<\/p>\n
“I can see a customer coming up. It\u2019s definitely engaging, you\u2026 see the imagery and all that\u2026 It feels like you are working with a 3D smartphone almost,” said Ryan.<\/p>\n
Even the old-fashioned scale\u2019s surface has changed. The Tellermate counts a stack of money by its weight. In tests, it was never incorrect and took only a second or two do its job. It saves time, which equals money.<\/p>\n
The international retail landscape is expected to change more in the next 10 years then it has in the past 50 years, due largely to new technologies and the internet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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