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RS 04 RS February - March 2013 comment editor’s letter It’s not just online retailers and instant digital content affecting the High Street. Consumers ‘showrooming’ and archaic rent practices share the blame. Karen Moss is Editor of Retail Systems. Her blog on all things retail tech-related can be found at: http://retail-systems.blogspot. co.uk. She can be contacted at: karen. moss@retail-systems.com A rocky start This year has already seen the demise of HMV, Blockbuster and Jessops. What can be done to stop the rot? So far the year 2013 hasn’t been particularly kind to the retail industry. We saw the closure of big High Street names like HMV, Blockbuster and Jessops. All seemingly fell to the ongoing march of digital content – streaming films and TV, downloadable music, digital cameras. What chance did these retailers have against such a formidable competitor? After all, what consumer these days would take the time to browse HMV and buy an album for £14.99 when they can download the individual songs they like for 99p each – or even for free, if, like millions of others they aren’t very observant of piracy laws. Then there are services like Spotify that are replacing the need to even download music. Users can subscribe and compile playlists from Spotify’s extensive song library instead. Lovefilm and Netflix have impacted businesses like Blockbuster and HMV by offering instant gratification when it comes to watching movies and TV shows. While websites like Amazon and Play.com undercut High Street retailers on price, claiming those consumers who still buy CDs and DVDs. Of course it’s not just the popularity of online retailers affecting the High Street. The fact is consumers are spending less and ‘show-rooming’ more. But what about retailers’ quarterly rent bill? Surely this is the silent killer, or more like the final nail in the coffin, for some of the retailers we have seen collapse into administration over the last few years. The fact of the matter is, having retailers pay three months’ rent in advance causes serious cashflow issues and, in some cases, deters retailers from expanding their store estates. And for our HIgh Streets it means more boarded-up shops, more vacant premises, more eyesores. Isn’t it about time retailers were cut a little slack and archaic practices overhauled? I’m aware that, unfortunately, it didn’t work for Clinton Cards last year when their 800 stores were moved to a monthly rent model. But was that a case of too little too late? Could other retailers perhaps benefit from greater public awareness around this issue? Luckily there is still some optimism among multi-channel retailers and technology vendors alike. On page 33 you can read my review of this year’s National Retailing Federation’s (NRF) Big Show. I found most exhibitors had an upbeat attitude about 2013, despite the dismal start to the year. Most believe that the retailers who want to stay on top – or even those who are just trying to stay afloat – need new technologies to meet their goals. With the importance of technology in the retail sector in mind Retail Systems is pleased to announce that our inaugural Payments Awards are now open for nominations. The awards recognise cards and payments excellence and technology innovation within the UK and EMEA. Entries are invited from financial institutions, retailers, telcos, issuers, acquirers, technology vendors and various payments providers. It’s free to enter and you can put your organisation forward in as many as categories as you wish. The Payments Awards Gala Dinner and Ceremony will be held at Millennium Hotel Mayfair, London on 14 November 2013. The night will begin with a champagne reception, followed by a three course dinner, an Awards ceremony – hosted by a celebrity compere – and an after show party with dancing and a fun casino until late. Sister titles FStech and Retail Systems have joined forces to deliver what we believe is a unique event. Entries will be judged by an independent panel, including: Simon Burrows, director, PwC; Roy Ford, IT controller, SPAR; Alex Kwiatkowski, research manager EMEA banking, IDC Financial Insights; Paul Rodgers, chairman, Vendorcom; Mark McMurtrie, director, Payments Consultancy Limited; Neira Jones, senior VP, cybercrime at Centre for Strategic Cyberspace and <strong>Security</strong> Science and head of payment security, Barclaycard and Andrew Johnson, chairman of the UK Gift Card and Voucher Association (UKGCVA). The panel will be chaired by Scott Thompson, editor of FStech and myself. Good luck to all the entrants.
NEC Display Solutions Showcase 2013 INTELLIGENT RETAIL SIGNAGE AT THE NEC SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE Today’s high streets and shopping malls are abundant with digital signage. NEC recognises that making your in-store signage stand out and provide instant benefits to your business is increasingly challenging and has developed new solutions that help you not only create outstanding impact but to analyse visitor characteristics and behaviour to effectively target your content. AUDIENCE ANALYSIS IS FUNDAMENTAL For the retailer, it is crucial to attract and satisfy consumer expectation, but it is even more important to display the most relevant content according to the time of day and audience profile. Retailers must get smarter with digital signage, embracing sensor-driven techniques to identify, measure and target their audience with intelligent retail signage, whilst exploiting additional revenue streams through advertising. RETAIL SIGNAGE SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE Dedicated to application excellence, the NEC Solutions Showcase addresses the need to be ever more relevant and responsive to audiences. Demonstrating NEC’s own Measurement and Sensor Solutions and in collaboration with our Solutions Partners, the Showcase offers a unique opportunity to discover ‘best in class’ technology that represents the future for Retail Display Solutions. Experience interactive signage utilising Gesture Technology, Augmented Reality and Multi-Touch solutions. See how Biometric techniques for Facial Recognition and Demographic Measurement deliver powerful intelligent signage. Realise significant additional revenue through NEC’s VUKUNET ad serving platform, set to bring massive new revenue opportunities to even the smallest stores. Retailers with just a single display can rent out display time to a network of media agencies via the simple VUKUNET online platform. Innovative power saving panel technology is showcased in vast LED backlit videowalls, totem solutions and recessed enclosures to maximise premium retail space. The 2013 NEC Solutions Showcase takes place at Tobacco Dock, East London on Thursday 16th May, delivering a truly beneficial experience for decision makers within the retail signage environment. For more information and to register on-line, visit www.showcase-nec.com
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