Gerry Weber RFID to manage shrinkage, inventory and demand

Gerry Weber, a fashion and lifestyle company with 338 Houses of Gerry Weber stores and 1,400 concessions throughout the world, will become the first German retail company to roll out radio frequency identification technology combining inventory management and loss prevention. The brand will be using an Avery Dennison RFID solution in over 25 million garments a year through an RFID chip embedded in a care label. The solution will optimise Gerry Weber logistics and retail processes, reduce theft and ensure stores are well stocked with popular items.
The Avery Dennison RFID fabric care labels will be applied in the manufacturing process, eliminating the need for retail staff to fit and remove conventional bulky security tags in-store, which can be time-consuming and costly. And the Avery Dennison RFID label is automatically deactivated after the customer has paid for the goods at the checkout. RFID allows for data capture without the need for line of sight or physical contact, so the RFID systems will enable Gerry Weber Group to improve inventory management and logistics processes, bringing faster and more accurate goods receipt, improved control and visibility of stock and simplified stock taking.
“RFID is the use of an object applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader. Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency signal, and other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal. This will be very helpful to the company because this will track the items in their store. This product will lessen their efforts with regards to their product identification and many more”
Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://www.averydennison.com/avy/en_us/

Ahold signs major infrastructure and applications agreement

Ahold, an international supermarket group has extended its existing relationship with HP Enterprise Services by signing a new seven-year infrastructure and applications services agreement. The contract extension is designed to reduce the complexity and improve the efficiency of Ahold’s technology environment. And, under the terms of the agreement, the former EDS division will continue to provide management and support services for Ahold’s global data centre environment, which includes mainframes, servers and storage. In addition, HP will implement HP Business Service Automation to make server and storage capabilities more robust and more highly available. Ahold will use HP ProLiant rack servers, HP StorageWorks XP disk arrays, as well as HP ProCurve2610 and 5412 switches.
The vendor also will provide network services for Ahold’s extensive network that connects its supply chain and distribution with its 3,000 stores, warehouses and office locations across Europe and the US. Ahold’s workplace computing environment for more than 200,000 Ahold associates across these regions will continue to be outsourced to the HP division. It said the agreement covers a full suite of workplace services across the retailer’s store and office environments, including service desk and site support services. HP also will migrate Ahold employees to HP hardware including HP EliteBook2500, 6900 and 8500 series notebooks and HP dx2400, dc5800, dc7900 series business desktops. HP Enterprise Services is the recently announced new brand name for Electronic Data Systems, which it acquired for in May this year for $14 billion.
“For me, this business partnership and business automation will be a very good way for companies to grow. If they can work in accordance, then they can serve people very clear and very well especially for the part of HP. Aside from helping consumers, it is also a positive angle for them because they have a new system in which they have the ease of use”
Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://www.hp.com/#Product

Morrisons selects card payments processor as part of IT overhaul

Morrisons, the UK’s fourth largest retailer has chosen S1 Retail Payments solution for all in-store and fuel-filling station payments.
S1, a global provider of financial services and payments software, will supply Morrisons with its solution to manage all card payment processing originating at its 380 sites. And it will acquire, process, and consolidate card payment transactions originating from over 12,000 points of sale. The selection of S1 is part of Morrisons’ major IT investment program, which the retailer has said involves upgrading its systems to a modern, open architecture. When considering options for the new payments solution, Morrisons looked for a system that could process millions of transactions a month reliably and securely, integrate seamlessly with other best-of-breed components, and comply with the necessary EMV and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard mandates.
The provider said its multichannel payments architecture will enable Morrisons to migrate existing disparate payments channels for in-store tills, self checkout and cafés and dry cleaning, as well as fuel-filling stations and unattended fuel payments into a single, consolidated environment. An S1 till software component will reside on each Morrison POS, and will integrate with PIN entry devices and Retalix StoreLine applications, which were also selected as part of the program. The solution is currently being rolled out nationally, with the first store already live at Guisborough in Yorkshire.
“For me, S1 will now be more comfortable due to the system that they acquired. Software component will reside on each Morrison POS and will integrate with PIN entry devices. It will definitely lessen the difficulties of the company due to their acquired system. “
Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://www.s1.com/

The Three Key Pillars to Retail Tech Spending

According to someone’s view, real leaders in the retail industry are focused on the following:

1. Connecting Consumer and Enterprise Technology Strategies
A clear convergence is occurring between consumer and enterprise technology. At a bare minimum, retailers are finally beginning to think about systems investments with the customer at the center. Part of this focus relates to point #3 below, but the key concept here is that alignment with consumer technology is top-line focused (i.e. more closely aligned with revenue), more intuitive for associates to learn, and can commonly take advantage of off-premise deployment options.

2. Take Advantage of Easy Infrastructure Reduction Opportunities
Cloud-based software offerings, virtualization, thin-client deployments, etc, all represent quick-win, cost-reducing decisions.

3. Selling Systems Take Center Stage
When it comes down to making investment decisions, if the spend does not directly impact selling systems it will be a tough sell to leadership. POS, eCommerce, cross-channel experience, and digital advertising, are all areas that are hot as they impact top-line directly and tend to have quicker ROI. Supply chain investments still matter but may be taken piecemeal more than they have been historically.

“For me, those points are all correct. The primary things that they should focus on are the customers. The ease of use for all customers. When developing a system, people in charge should take note of the requirements of the users or clients. It is important because it determines or it can determine the loyalty of our users“

Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://blogs.msdn.com/domc/archive/2009/04/08/the-three-key-pillars-to-retail-tech-spending-for-now.aspx

iPhoneSimFree Software unlock for iPhone now available through retail

GERMANY:
1digitalphone

SAUDI ARABIA:
iPhone4arab.com

USA:

Wireless Imports
All of these resellers have online stores that you can get to by clicking their name above.
For those unfamiliar with the iPhoneSimFree software unlock, it is an easy to use piece of software that will unlock your iPhone to be used on any GSM network around the world, including T-Mobile in the United States.
It will allow you to use all the features of the phone except for visual voicemail, and YouTube may require a few extra steps to activate. The software is also resistant, not immune, to future updates. It is not guaranteed that a future firmware update will re-lock the phone; however, if that happens, the iPhoneSimFree team will immediately get to work to update their software to re-unlock your iPhone.

“This software is very unique and cool. As stated, it has a simfree software unlock, visual voicemail and many more. Retail is really a very good thing to do, aside from profiting, it lessens your effort because everything you do, everything you want is online”

Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2007/09/10/iphonesimfree-software-unlock-for-iphone-now-available-through-retail/

RETAIL TECHNOLOGY Trends

Monster Contributing Writer

“Retail is a cutthroat industry, and success depends on how well your firm does against the competition. To stay ahead of the game, managers are using technology to get better results.
It’s in every retail professional’s best interest to become familiar with retail technology. Whether you work on the sales floor or behind the scenes, mastering retail technologies will help you stay marketable.
If your career plans are in retail, you’ll want to learn the ins and outs of these high tech tools.

Technology in Retail

According to Jim Dion, a Chicago-based retail technology consultant, high tech innovations help retailers stay competitive in four key categories: convenience, price, size and speed.
In stores and on the sales floor, high tech tools help balance inventory assortments, manage ordering and track pricing. Customer tracking tools increase customer satisfaction and promote loyalty by enhancing shoppers’ in-store experience.
On the executive level, technology improves planning and decision making. Various data-mining software help make stocking, pricing and marketing decisions, as well as improve product design and development.

Inventory Tracking

• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Direct computer-to-computer transactions from the store to the vendors’ databases and ordering systems.
• Wireless hand-held inventory units: Take inventory and download the data to a database at headquarters.
• Universal Product Code (UPC): Product identification system using bar code and unique numbering.
• Automatic replenishment: Manages restocking of what’s been sold.
• Virtual shelves: Intranets between retailers and vendors that expedite communication and on-time replenishment.
Customer Service
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software: Allows retailers to track customers.
• CD-ROMs at the register: Let sales associates make special orders on the spot. Also deliver sales training to sales associates on the floor.
• In-store interactive kiosks: Provide customers with product details.
• Smart registers/point-of-sale (POS) terminals: Print coupons and reports, calculate frequent shopper discounts, capture customer profile information, schedule work hours and serve as store-to-headquarters email terminals.
• Signature-capture technology: Used at the POS terminal for credit card transactions. Receipts are retained electronically.
• E-commerce technology: Helps retailers and shoppers interact any time, anywhere.

Data Warehousing

• Executive Information Systems (EIS): Produce graphs of complex data that help retail executives make business decisions.
Become Tech Savvy
If you’re in school, take courses to develop your computer literacy. Learn to use spreadsheets, databases and word-processing software. If you’re already working in retail, much technology training happens on the job. Don’t avoid training opportunities; jump at them. Stay abreast of events by reading trade magazines and business periodicals and attending retail trade shows.
Outlook
Using technology does not guarantee a retailer’s success; it is just one piece of the puzzle. As RIS News, a retail technology publication, points out, a retailer may use technology to manage merchandise flow, but if it stocks merchandise customers don’t want, its business suffers. So learn to combine tech know-how with common sense, interpersonal skills, problem-solving savvy and enthusiasm”

“According to Nica, people who want to do retailing should know the trends as early as possible. It is because there are too much competitors. They need to have a strategy and analysis before establishing. It is for their future profits and customer relationship. I also agree with what Valerie Lipow said, success depends on how well your firm does against the competition. To stay ahead of the game, managers are using technology to get better results. To summarize, what we need before establishing is to analyze, plan and decide. We need to do those things for us to have a good retailing business”

Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

Integrated Retail World 2009 – Strategy, Operation and Technology

Integrated Retail World is China’s most influential international conference on strategy, operation and technology in the retail industry. We will bring together leading C-level strategic planning, operation, technology and innovation professionals to discuss, innovate and shape the future of the retail and consumer goods industries. 2009 is a year of uncertainty and challenge. What are leading retailers doing in face of the current economic recession? How do top retailers predict the future of the retail world? Is China the future of the retail world? You will have intensive learning opportunities at Integrated Retail World.

“For me, this upcoming conference will be very helpful for people who are or who will be planning to enter the retail industry. I think that in this conference, trends will be discussed and a lot of analyses on what is/are the status of retailing, Is it helping our business and many more”

Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://www.retail.org.au/index.php/articles/event/Integrated_Retail_World_2009_%E2%80%93_Strategy,_Operation_and_Technology

eGate Solutions Acquires Abanco’s Onboard Retail Technology to Improve Speed, Capability and Customer Focus

Having the right technology is a key success factor in managing onboard retail projects. Airlines, railways and ferry operators worldwide can now operate more powerful, flexible and secure sales programs by partnering with gategroup member eGate Solutions.

eGate Solutions, the global provider of software and services for onboard service management, has expanded its service offering through gategroup’s purchase of Schaumburg, Ill.-based Abanco LLC’s assets and related software dedicated to the onboard retail environment. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. gategroup previously had offered the technology through a partnership with Abanco.

The addition of Abanco’s wireless electronic point-of-sale (ePOS) technology complements eGate Solutions’ signature InFlight Exchange suite of business applications. The ePOS device has a robust onboard payment processing system for credit card, cash or smartcard transactions, combining an easy-to-use hand-held terminal with the latest in onboard sales technology. Formerly known as SkyBuy, it will now be offered as eGate Solutions TS4.

Powered by a separate wireless communications network, the eGate Solutions TS4 device processes transactions securely and meets the highest security levels required by Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. This means customers are protected by a CISP-certified, PCI Level 1 Service Provider operating environment.

Operating like a mobile cash register, the eGate Solutions TS4 ePOS device features a barcode scanner and thermal printer and can reconcile real-time sales to inventory, reducing shrinkage. It also can be programmed to identify passengers’ buying trends, among other reporting functions.
Additionally, members of Abanco’s professional and dedicated work force will join the eGate Solutions team to provide ongoing development and customer support to TS4 users. eGate Solutions offers 24-hour, 365-day support to quickly respond to immediate needs.

“For me, this partnership will be great. It will be great because both companies will be able to share/combine their IT knowledge for them to develop/create an Information System which will be helpful to them and to other people”

Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://www.itnews.it/news/2009/1106060202224/egate-solutions-acquires-abanco-s-onboard-retail-technology-to-improve-speed-capability-and-customer-focus.html

Unilever to Test Mobile Coupons

Unilever is beginning a trial to test a new technology that lets consumers redeem digital coupons by having a supermarket cashier scan their mobile phones. Interest in Mobile coupons is growing day by day and these tests will allow Unilever to understand the use of them.

The test, being conducted at a ShopRite store in Hillsborough, N.J., will include discount offers for some of the Anglo-Dutch packaged-goods company’s most popular brands, including Breyers ice cream, Dove soap, Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Lipton tea. Samplesaint, a Chicago mobile-technology firm, developed the system.
This has been a Holy Grail thing that people have been trying to figure out, says Marc Shaw, director of integrated marketing at Unilever, the first major marketer to test such a service in the U.S. “I think this is on target for where consumers’ heads are at right now.”
To get the coupons, customers must visit the Web site Samplesaint.com, from which they can transmit the Unilever discount offers to an Internet-enabled cellphone. At checkout, the cashier scans the bar code on the phone’s screen, redeeming the coupon and deleting it from the phone. The test will run for four weeks, and Mr. Shaw says he hopes to see it extended to other stores after that.
“I agree with what Marc Shaw said that it is complicated in figuring out how this process really works. For me, one problem that I see is that if people should have internet on their mobiles for them to transact, then how about the people who do not have internet access on their mobile phones? How can they benefit from this integrated process?

Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://retail-tech.blogspot.com/2009/05/unilever-to-test-mobile-coupons.html

China Retail Drug Sales Reached CNY66 Billion In H1 2009

Yu Deming, the director of the China Pharmaceutical Enterprises Association, stated at “The 4th Growing Pharmaceutical Enterprise Development Forum” that China’s drug retail market reached CNY66 billion in the first half of 2009, an increase of 15.8% compared with the same period in 2008.
According to Yu, China’s top 100 drugstores all showed higher sales growths in the first nine months of 2009 than in the same period in 2008 and the sales growth of the entire pharmaceutical industry this year is expected to reach between 19% and 20%. In addition, the industry’s total output in 2009 will be nearly CNY1 trillion and its total profit will be over CNY100 billion.
Yu said due to the rigid demands of the dominate market and the government’s enhanced investment in medical system reform, the demands for common medicine increased by over CNY160 billion.
Statistics released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show that from January to August 2009, China’s medical industry made profits of CNY59 billion, a year-on-year increase of 16.2%.
“Wow! For me this is really an impact. This is a real example of success and hard work. I hope that it can also happen here in the Philippines for people to be happy for what they have earned”
Posted by: Chino S. Apoloni O0B

http://bit.ly/40Do88