04
EDITOR’SCOMMENT
RETAILTECHNOLOGY
Tough times are no excuse
Editor
Miya Knights
technology (page 10) demonstrates that it
e: mknights@bpl-business.com understands it must continue to innovate,
t: 07810 648 706
W
hen times are tough, they say the
tough get going. And, elaborating
on recurrent theme in Retail even though its discount retailing proposition
Publisher
Technology magazine, now has never been a is winning it many new, more value-conscious
Simon Turton
better time for technology to come to the customers. But with more customers coming
e: sturton@bpl-business.com
t: 01895 454 603
fore and prove its worth within the retail through the door it recognises that such
Consultant Editor
environment. payment technology may be able to maintain
Chris Field We’ve been saying this ever since or even increase transaction throughput.
e: c½ eld@retailtechnology.co.uk
the recession hit last year. But it is Moreover, it will help position Poundland as
t: 01435 873 377
understandable that, at a time when no retailer that offers choice and convenience
Advertising
one knew how far the economy would fall, meaning that, if a ½ rst-time customer has a
Simon Turton
e: sturton@bpl-business.com
the natural reaction was to batten down good experience of the technology, they are
t: 01895 454 603 the hatches and freeze all non-essential more likely to become a repeat customer.
Chairman
spend. The problem inherent in this course Part of this value proposition includes
Chris Boeree
of action however, is that, too often within having the basic technology infrastructure to
e: cboeree@bpl-business.com
retailing environments, all technology is support such innovation, which is why I’m
Design
lumped into that non-essential category. hoping our major, annual communications
Whitewater GFX
e: admin@whitewatergfx.co.uk
But the deals we have continued to cover feature will be an informative and thought-
t: 08452 998596
during these tough times at least prove this provoking read. At the same time, this area of
Circulation & Subscriptions
attitude towards technology is changing. retail technology also encompasses contact
e: circ@wdis.co.uk And a recent Forrester research report and communication with suppliers, staff
t: 0208 606 7300
(page 7) vindicates what we’ve been trying and partners, as well as customers across
Subscriptions
to say all along - that tough times may ebb multiple channels, and often plays a key role
Subscription prices for one year are:
£75 (UK), £85 (Europe),
and tide, but consumer expectations do in the process enhancement that’s so key to
£110 (Overseas)
not. And retail technologists now have the improving the overall retail experience.
Retail Technology
perfect opportunity to help shape a better But it’s our in-store, electronic point-of-
3rd Floor, Armstrong House, retail experience for the future. Indeed, it is sale and digital signage that really excites
38 Market Square, Uxbridge,
a sad indictment of all enterprise technology me in this issue, because it proves that
Middlesex, UB8 1LH, UK
t: 01895 454411
when it’s taken as read that people’s some retailers are heeding the signs and
f: 01895 454413
experience of the technology they have in continuing to invest in the brick-and-mortar
www.retailtechnology.co.uk
their own homes is nowadays likely to be experience, despite burgeoning online sales.
more sophisticated than the technology they These retailers truly understand the value
Reasonable care is taken to
avoid errors in this magazine
encounter anywhere else. of technology and its bene½ ts if harnessed
but no liability is accepted for The excuse that technology is something intelligently.
any errors which may occur.
that is “nice to have” will no longer cut it
No material in this publication
may be reproduced in anyway
with the consumer - recession or not. In fact,
Miya Knights
without the consent of the
those retailers that are seen to continuously
Editor
publishers. The publishers will innovate to improve their customer
mknights@bpl-business.com
not accept any responsibility for
proposition and levels of service in spite of
the safe return of unsolicited
manuscripts, software or
economic constraints will reap the bene½ ts
equipment. Please keep a
of loyal customers willing to act as advocates
copy of all work submitted to their peers in future. Having a branch
for publication and do not
on every street corner is not going to win
send original artwork. We will
assume permission to publish
customers looking for value and service, as
any unsolicited material unless
well as convenience. I’d rather that type of
otherwise stated.
retailer closed their under-performing stores
©BPL Business Media Ltd
and redirected funds towards innovative
new service enhancements - most of which,
nowadays are technology based.
Beneath this, the retailer ½ rst has to
understand which are their best and worst
stores and/or channels and where back-of½ ce
processes are lacking or could be streamlined
to further contribute to a tighter bottom line.
Member of the Audit Bureau of
And again, here, technology is key.
Circulations 7,760 Jan 08 – Dec 08
The example of Poundland is a great
ISSN No 1359-0146
one here. It’s decision to trial contactless
004 Editors comment Sept09.indd 1 15/9/09 1:25:52 pm
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