The 3 Biggest Retail Modernization Myths, Debunked and Explained

The 3 Biggest Retail Modernization Myths, Debunked and Explained

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The retail revolution was well underway before the pandemic threw us all a curve ball. Technology changed the way consumers interact with brands and has empowered them in ways we could have only imagined just a few short years ago.

Retailers can set themselves up to survive in a rapidly changing post-pandemic environment by focusing on IT modernization and automated technology.

But for many retailers, that’s intimidating. The hesitation is holding them back from transforming the customer experience to grow revenue, reduce costs, and keep customers loyal.

To help overcome those fears, let’s debunk the most common myths we hear from retailers.

Myth 1 – Retail IT Modernization Isn’t Necessary

The truth is that changing trends and rising customer expectations make modernization a necessity. Avoiding these investments in the name of short-term cost savings will ultimately cause long-term damage as modernized competitors gain the advantage and customers shift their purchases away from your brand.

Myth 2 – IT Modernization is Expensive and Overwhelming

Modernization, digital transformation, store of the future… whatever you call it, it might sound like improving your customer’s experience will be daunting and expensive.

But remember: you don’t need to update everything all at once! Instead, start in one area and improve incrementally over time.

By having a clear understanding of your business, objectives, and where you want your company to be in the next five years, you can identify the areas that will have the most significant impact on your success. These “low-hanging fruits” can be implemented quickly and provide the ROI needed to start investing in other areas, allowing you to improve your experience within your budget.

Myth 3 – Retail Modernization Requires a Multi-Vendor Technology Solution

From in-store kiosks and digital menu boards to POS systems and mobile devices, stores are increasingly becoming technology hubs with hardware and software from multiple OEMs.

In the past, this meant dealing with as many as a dozen different vendors, each with their contract, service level agreements, and maintenance schedules. Worse, all these technologies might not even work together, limiting the benefits of having them in the first place.


Investing in What’s Next for Retail

True retail modernization requires more than just an investment in new technology. It requires strategic thinking across the entire organization – from store layouts and backend systems to the organizational structure and front-line staff.


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The 3 Biggest Retail Modernization Myths, Debunked and Explained

The retail revolution was well underway before the pandemic threw us all a curve ball. Technology changed the way consumers interact with brands and has empowered them in ways we could have only imagined just a few short years ago.

Retailers can set themselves up to survive in a rapidly changing post-pandemic environment by focusing on IT modernization and automated technology.

But for many retailers, that’s intimidating. The hesitation is holding them back from transforming the customer experience to grow revenue, reduce costs, and keep customers loyal.

To help overcome those fears, let’s debunk the most common myths we hear from retailers.

Myth 1 – Retail IT Modernization Isn’t Necessary

The truth is that changing trends and rising customer expectations make modernization a necessity. Avoiding these investments in the name of short-term cost savings will ultimately cause long-term damage as modernized competitors gain the advantage and customers shift their purchases away from your brand.

Myth 2 – IT Modernization is Expensive and Overwhelming

Modernization, digital transformation, store of the future… whatever you call it, it might sound like improving your customer’s experience will be daunting and expensive.

But remember: you don’t need to update everything all at once! Instead, start in one area and improve incrementally over time.

By having a clear understanding of your business, objectives, and where you want your company to be in the next five years, you can identify the areas that will have the most significant impact on your success. These “low-hanging fruits” can be implemented quickly and provide the ROI needed to start investing in other areas, allowing you to improve your experience within your budget.

Myth 3 – Retail Modernization Requires a Multi-Vendor Technology Solution

From in-store kiosks and digital menu boards to POS systems and mobile devices, stores are increasingly becoming technology hubs with hardware and software from multiple OEMs.

In the past, this meant dealing with as many as a dozen different vendors, each with their contract, service level agreements, and maintenance schedules. Worse, all these technologies might not even work together, limiting the benefits of having them in the first place.


Investing in What’s Next for Retail

True retail modernization requires more than just an investment in new technology. It requires strategic thinking across the entire organization – from store layouts and backend systems to the organizational structure and front-line staff.


Share:

Back to Blog

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