I have just returned from the Big Show in New York and i am still spinning from all the excitement i felt this year! The theme was "Set Retail in Motion" and believe me, you could feel the motion. The booths were   more   exciting as well as engaging and many of the topics were made to standing room only crowds! Now why do you suppose this is??? Well, i am anxious to share my opinion about this.

First off, i felt the confidence. For the first time in oh so many years, it seemed that the retailers had their sea legs on and were riding the current waves with confidence. They had done their homework! They were focused on their priorities! They wanted to learn! They were 'in motion' but looking 'beyond'.  And one of the truly great observations was that, they really do care about the customer! it almost brings tears to my eyes every time i think about it. They really do like ME! They like me so much that they have found out 40% of the time, what I am looking for is not on the shelf...and they want to fix this!!! They know that RFID goes beyond the supply chain and can really help me in certain areas. I would love to be able to pick up a pair of shoes, scan them and then be able to see if they are in my size, maybe another color, and what else do you have that is sort of like this and WOW, i can even request that they be brought to me. They know that the store experience is very much a part of the reason i have come there to shop. I didn't come because of some ad i saw, i came because i like to shop with you. and guess what, if i am passionate about you, i actually spend 60% of my pocketbook with you! 

So how do they do all this? Well, retailers are still wrestling with the store infrastructure and how to build out the   platform that will enable them to delight their customers. They still think that ERP is not the answer but rather some form of an ERP vision that allows for best of breed in order to help them differentiate. They know that to be cost effective with greater needs for communication, this means creating devices with multiple functionality. like a wireless phone that is also a scanner and a walky-talky. and these same retailers are actually talking to vendors about what they want! A new day has dawned!

Hooray for '07! i can't wait to see where it takes us but i can't close without bringing up this last take-away. Icon-Nicholson, who i believe is right at the forefront of all things exciting in retail gave a presentation about the future of RFID. One of the key take-aways from this message (delivered by Rachael McBrearty) was that retailers should always assess initiatives from the customer's point of view!  Now doesn't that sound familiar to you? I call that the ME factor and they just proved ME right!  

So,get out there and show your support to retailers everywhere! SHOP!
They really do like us!

Sincerely;
The Shopper Next Door