Retail must focus on IT

According to VNUNet, retail IT leaders must resist short-term cost-cutting pressure and focus on back-end system integration to deliver consistent online and in-store customer experiences, say experts.

Though IT can contribute to cost containment, in an economic downturn improving efficiency and implementing the right mix of technology to retain key customers is paramount, according to a consumer survey and retail market research from analyst Gartner.

With personal consumer expenditure in mature markets accounting for 25% of national gross domestic product, differing reactions to the current economic climate will depend on service offerings, sector and exposure to international retail markets.

Macy's has implemented the e-Spot automated retail technology in shops at 400 locations around America, says ePaymentsnews Network.

This technology enables customers to select a product, swipe the credit card or Macy's gift card, and when the transaction is completed the product is released from the machine. Returns are acceptable by mail within 30 days in original packaging or if damaged.

Macy's delivers consumer electronics at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the district of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Mercury Payment Systems' MercuryPay platform has been successfully integrated with Retail Anywhere's POS software, states Retail Solutions Online.

Mercury Payment Systems is an integrated transaction processing company created to enhance point-of-sale systems by offering credit, debit, check, gift card and loyalty processing.

The Retail Anywhere-Mercury partnership offers two major benefits specifically for Retail Anywhere POS and PC/Register merchants: direct payment processing and free gift card processing.