RDI crucial investment issue

A new research study published by IDC Retail Insights shows retail demand intelligence (RDI) as the most pressing technological investment issue currently facing retailers, says Retail Solutions Online.

According to the new report, retailers are not only implementing advanced demand-forecasting tools, but are using RDI as a foundational retail technology, tightly integrated with retail planning systems, supply chain applications, and customer selling systems.

It adds that the retailer needs to be transparent, with accessible product information, clear communications, brand-appropriate service levels, and consumer-centric multi-channel support - all without being intrusive.

Even as consumer confidence remains tepid in Asia, a new report from GfK Asia showed there are pockets of optimism, led by the surging demand for smartphones, writes EE Times.

The GfK Market Insight Asia tracks retail technology trends in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam for 1H 2009.

According to the report, sales of smartphones increased 142% across the region. This resulted in overall sales volume growth in mobile phones of 7% in 1H 2009, pushing the retail market in the region to grow 2%. This despite the poor overall retail market performance for 1H 2009 of an 18% drop in value compared with 1H 2008.

Zebra Technologies, the Danby Group, and Freedom Shopping, were recognised by Retail Solutions Provider Association (RSPA) and Vertical Systems Reseller (VSR) at RetailNow with the Innovative Solution Award for Quick Service, according to Business Wire.

RSPA and VSR honored the group's work on the Fast Track Convenience solution for Sterling Services. The award pays tribute to VARs that have developed multi-vendor retail technology solutions for SMEs.

Sterling Services' overall Fast Track Convenience solution utilises RFID kiosks to provide retail customers with greater self service options, including lunch and snack items for customers that would otherwise have to go offsite to find refreshments.