More than one hundred of the world`s top retailers are gathering today in San Francisco to exchange ideas and discuss the dramatic changes networking technology is bringing to their businesses in the industry`s first symposium sponsored by 3Com Corporation, the leader in providing networked solutions to retailers.
With US shoppers expected to spend $2.3 billion in online purchases during the 1998 holiday shopping season, up from $1.1 billion last year, retailers are quickly realising the necessity to deploy networking technology to reach more customers in less traditional ways and to find new competitive advantages.
"Today, more than 72 million Americans have access to the Internet, 58 percent more than just one year ago, creating new opportunities and challenges for retailers," says 3Com COO and President Bruce Claflin. "The retailers meeting here today are seeking new insights on the emerging networking technologies that are driving this incredible shift in consumer buying habits and retail operations."
The symposium, held in conjunction with 3Com`s annual end-user forum, Networks3, and co-sponsored by SAP and PricewaterhouseCoopers, is the industry`s first event to promote understanding of the fundamental changes and new efficiencies networking technology is enabling in virtually every facet of retailing.
"From online sales and distribution, to inventory control and transaction processing, networking technology is helping us succeed by knowing our customers and exceeding their expectations for quality and customer service," says Carver Johnson, CIO of Gymboree, the premier retailer of toddler apparel. "We are always looking for the most productive, cost-effective path between good ideas and great results, and 3Com`s retail symposium is the ideal forum to exchange new creative ideas."
Leading retailers from around the world including Canada, the U.S., Europe and Latin America are scheduled to attend the event. Senior executives from CompUSA, The Home Depot, Excite.com, Service Merchandise, Boots The Chemist and others will discuss how they have gained competitive advantage by deploying next generation networking solutions, including converged intranets, to cost-effectively support new retail applications.
"Never before has networking played such a fundamental role in reshaping retailing and the consumer shopping experience, and CIO`s are recognising that networking is now strategic to the success of their business," says Jeff Siegel, 3Com retail group director. "This symposium is designed to provide retailers with a better understanding of available and emerging technologies and applications."
More than 700,000 retail stores, including Wal-Mart, American Stores, Sears Roebuck, JCPenney, Lowes, Marks & Spencer, Rite Aid, Hudson`s Bay, Nordstrom, Ross Stores, and Carrefour use 3Com products for competitive advantage, and, according to 3Com research, 80 percent, or $640 billion, of all credit card transactions in the U.S. each year are processed over 3Com enabled networks operated by AT&T, CompuServe, VisaNet and others.
3Com is also the founder of the Retail Network Innovation Awards, a program designed to recognise retailer innovation in the use of networked applications. Additional information on 3Com`s innovative solutions for retailers is available at http://www.3com.com/nsc/industry/rmenu.html.
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