Magazines Archives - 2010 June

Smart Technologies: Retailers who are looking to stay ahead know that it is critical to invest in the right technologies that would enable them to operate efficiently and profitably.
Story 2 - Focus

Singapore’s retail businesses need to be more nimble in keeping up with new initiatives being offered by technology vendors and suppliers, reports Jolene Klassen.

Often, retailers are at the forefront of the latest technologies available in the market, having to constantly upgrade and tailor the technology they deploy in order to enhance their customers’ experience. In Singapore, however, technology vendors lament that the uptake on smart technology among retailers is not as swift as expected.

Dennis Hoon, business development manager at 3M Technologies (S) Pte Ltd, notes: “The technologies are out there … Retailers, however, could have embraced the available technologies at a faster rate.” He adds that technology can even free up the retailers’ resources, allowing them to focus on other tasks and activities to better serve their customers.

“Take the long queues at checkout counters faced by retailers especially during peak hours or festive seasons, or during the Great Singapore Sale. Speed of transaction is [of] essence to both the consumer, who would probably want to leave the stores soonest possible, and to the retailer, as a quicker transaction not only allows for more sales to be generated, but also improves the customer’s shopping experience.”

Hoon adds that year after year, innovative products are coming on stream to meet the various needs that retailers have, bridging the gap between services and expectations between the retailers and their customers.

David Miller, vice-president of South Asia Pacific at NCR Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, also shares Hoon’s opinion: “We are losing our patience as consumers — we have this constant demand to have what we want, when we want it, where we want it.”

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