Smart tech needs smart solutions
Self-checkouts, digital signage and other technology are only as reliable as the systems powering them. As stores add in ever more advanced technology to power everything from customer services to back-office functions, they require stronger connections and reliable Wi-Fi to keep them working. Poor signal coverage can leave technology black spots and prevent retail spaces from keeping up with technology advances.
It is important that the back systems powering technology are not forgotten if retail spaces are to keep evolving.
Constantly changing demands require regular reviews
Even simple changes can cause issues so regular whole system reviews help to keep tech running smoothly.
Customers often won’t say when they come across a signal black spot that stops them opening their app and instead choose to shop somewhere else. This reduction in sales can take years to notice and by then it could be too late as shoppers’ habits have already been changed.
Keeping on top of trends and understanding where weaknesses are occurring when they start can prevent future problems.
Ideally retail connectivity should be audited at least once a year to check that the bandwidth matches the current store need, doesn’t leave systems at risk or could be more efficiently delivered.
Actions such as new apps, store layout changes, extensions and updated technology should also be triggers for an audit to review connectivity.
Personalisation powering customer loyalty
Customers are increasingly looking for more interactive shopping experiences. Statistics show that loyalty apps can drive sales anywhere from 12.5 to 25%. This means that indoor mobile signal, which was once simply a convenience, is becoming a powerful marketing tool which helps to drive offers and boost sales. Some retailers are even now starting to introduce personalised offers that are driven through the store app to up sell and encourage greater interactions with customers.
However, modern builds are not built to deliver clear, uninterrupted signal with materials such as steel frames, tinted glass and ? all affecting mobile signal strength.
Creating seamless shopping experiences for customers means looking at signal differently. Boosters and antennas help to navigate mobile signal around black spots helping to keep customers connected at every point in their retail journey.
It allows modern sales and marketing techniques such as QR codes in store for more information, augmented reality and virtual experiences which allow customers to virtually try on anything from makeup and clothes to glasses or even visualising furniture in homes before buying.
Secure stock with digital shelf monitoring
Retail crime is a huge problem with shoplifting costing retailers around £400 million a year. Stores are increasingly turning to high tech solutions to reduce shoplifting and keep a better check on stock levels.
In the last few years Radio Frequency Identification tags (RFID) are now becoming common place with their uses growing. RFID tags work on radio wave transmissions to instantly identify items without a direct line of sight like traditional barcodes. Tiny microchips are attached to products which can then be read by a device with its own antenna.
The tech can be used to support anything from smart checkouts where items are automatically scanned by built in readers to prevent shoppers having to individually scan barcodes to inventory scanning with hundreds of tags read per second from several metres away. It means updating store stock levels can take minutes instead of hours helping retailers keep an eye on stock levels.
Single approach leaves retailers at higher risk
Backup systems are increasingly becoming an essential part of modern retail. With so much of a store relying on tech, it makes stores vulnerable to unexpected downtime. Whether it is a simple fault or sophisticated hack, if IT fails retailers can face heavy losses.
Retailer giants from M&S to Coop have all fallen foul of cyber attacks that have infiltrated IT systems and left businesses struggling to operate.
The more tech that is introduced, the more efficiencies are built in but if the system goes down or has a fault then it leaves the system vulnerable. Outdated connectivity is a costly risk in the modern world so building in back-up systems and resilience is essential in keeping tech working.
What does the future hold for retail tech?
Retail tech is moving fast, and it won’t be long before stores are fully digitalised spaces which are cleaned, stocked and operated with tech. Tills and scanners are already becoming redundant with cashier less brands such as Amazon Go and Fresh in London using AI, cameras and sensors linked to an app to allow shoppers to walk in, pick up what they want and pay automatically without scanning a thing.
Customer interaction is becoming digital with stores increasingly relying on tech to understand the shopping habits and needs of visitors.
If retailers don’t want to get left behind they need to be futureproofing now to build connectivity that can grow with increasing demand. Networks need to have the scope grow with them or they will leave shops vulnerable to faults and slow to react.
How to arrange an audit
An audit is often the best first step if you have concerns about the strength of your connectivity or have made recent changes and haven’t reviewed your network in the last 12 months. An audit will identify where the weak spots are so you can make informed decisions about what you need to do to solve any issues.
TrellisWorks offers free Indoor Connectivity Audits that can help with just this. Our reports simply give you an over view of where you are most vulnerable so you have the right information to move forward with.
Find out more and book in your free audit
