Successfully managing a retail supply chain can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and software, it becomes a seamless process. Meet Merret Pro, the ultimate retail ERP software solution designed to revolutionise your operations. With a comprehensive range of features and integrations, Merret Pro empowers retailers to meet the demands of modern commerce while ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and profitability.

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Efficiency and Visibility

Merret Pro is designed with retailers, for retailers. It addresses the pain points of inventory management, logistics, and data overload by providing unparalleled visibility across your entire supply chain. With Merret Pro, you can say goodbye to inefficient inventory management and logistical headaches. Instead, you can access real-time data and accurate forecasting, allowing you to make informed decisions and optimise your operations.

Seamless Integration

Merret Pro offers over 190 integrations and 60+ direct APIs, seamlessly connecting with leading third-party systems to provide a complete retail solution. Whether it's e-commerce platforms, customer engagement solutions, fulfilment partners, marketplaces, or business intelligence tools, Merret Pro has you covered. This extensive integration capability ensures that you can streamline your operations by leveraging existing systems and tools that work best for your business.

Optimised Inventory Management

With Merret Pro's real-time inventory data, you can ensure that the right products are available in the right place at the right time. This minimises out-of-stock situations, leading to increased sales and customer satisfaction. Intelligent algorithms within Merret Pro facilitate automatic stock movement between distribution centers and stores, optimising replenishment and reducing markdowns. The result? Higher sales and improved profitability, making both your customers and your bottom line happy.

Effortless Purchase Order Management

Managing purchase orders becomes a breeze with Merret Pro. From raising purchase orders to flexible PO management, the software simplifies the entire process. Customisable safeguards, automatic calculation of freight and duty, and integration with major providers enhance accuracy and efficiency. With Merret Pro, you can streamline your purchase order management and focus on growing your business.

Dynamic Pricing and Promotions

Pricing can be a challenging aspect of retail, but Merret Pro has you covered. The software enables dynamic pricing and promotions, allowing you to identify the perfect time for markdowns or promotional discounts. This data-driven approach maximizes full-price sales while improving margin control, helping you achieve optimal profitability.

Efficiency in Warehouse Operations

Merret Pro's Warehouse Management System (WMS) streamlines warehouse operations, reducing errors and increasing efficiency. With comprehensive tools to manage inventory, movements, and pick accuracy, you gain real-time visibility and control over your warehouse operations. The system includes features such as full audit and ad-hoc stock checking, pick accuracy checking, and a fully integrated supplier management system. With Merret Pro, your warehouse becomes a well-oiled machine, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction.

Customisation and Flexibility

Merret Pro understands that every business is unique. Therefore, the software can be fully customised to suit your specific needs. With a wide range of integrations and APIs into best-of-breed third-party systems such as e-commerce platforms, payment gateways, and point-of-sale systems, you can tailor Merret Pro to align perfectly with your existing infrastructure. Additionally, Merret Pro offers various configuration options, providing the flexibility you need to optimise your retail operations.

Merret Pro is the game-changing retail ERP software solution you've been waiting for. With its extensive feature set, seamless integrations, and customisation options, it empowers retailers to streamline their supply chain, maximize efficiency, and boost profitability. Don't let the challenges of retail supply chain management hold you back—contact us today to learn more about how Merret Pro can revolutionise your operations.

The post Streamline Your Supply Chain with Merret Pro: The Ultimate Retail ERP Solution appeared first on Retail Assist.

The world of retail is uniting again this April. Will you be joining us?

Tap into the future of retail, explore the latest technology, and meet the people who make it happen at Retail Technology Show 2023, London Olympia on 26^th and 27^th April.

What’s on?

This year you’ll get to hear from BBC Dragon Steven Bartlett, TV’s Jake Humphrey, Queen of Shops Mary Portas and, well, us!

Visit Retail Assist’s stand 6K22 to see our services and solutions in action. Our team will be on hand to chat through the future retail landscape and how to navigate it. From POS implementations to 24 x 7 IT support, warehouse and merchandise management to site openings, we offer the full range of services to suit the future needs of retail.

Who will be attending?

Stuart Baker Senior Business & Solution Consultant	Danielle Bamra Client Account Manager	Kieran Bowden Chief Commercial Officer	Jordon Graham Digital Marketing Manager	Kevin Greathead Managing Director	Roland Kendall Chief Solutions Officer

Andy McQueen Technical Services Manager	Michelle Nickson Business Development Manager	George Odams Client Account Manager	Jahmel Russell Client Account Manager	Andrea Williams Head of Marketing

Where can you find us?

You’ll find us at stand 6K22, on the walkway between the National Hall and the Grand Hall.

What to expect?

The Retail Technology Show brings together Europe’s most forward-thinking retailers and leading tech innovators under one roof. From inspirational keynotes, retail experts, groundbreaking success stories, through to retail’s leading suppliers showcasing the latest tech and digital solutions for in-store, online, and omnichannel retail. The show will make sure you are up-to-date with fast-moving industry trends and hear inspiration, future thinking and practical advice from the innovators driving things forward.

Check out our highlights from 2022 to get an idea of what you can expect from this year’s show.

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Want to talk through any opportunities and challenges you are currently facing?

Book a slot with one of our experts for a coffee and a retail tech chat.

Yet to sign-up? Get your golden ticket to retail’s flagship event here.

The post Retail Technology Show 2023: Will You Be There? appeared first on Retail Assist.

Social commerce has revolutionised the way retailers interact with their customers. Creating direct connections, building relationships, increasing engagement, and ultimately facilitating sales, social media is the place that many consumers are choosing to place their transactions. This week, we’re looking at why TikTok Shop is a crucial move for retailers.

Why should retailers embrace TikTok Shop?

TikTok is setting the pace for social players. Not only is everyone experimenting with viral trends and hashtags, but it has become the biggest platform for word-of-mouth marketing with #tiktokmademebuyit. The frenzy created around products (Little Moons anyone?) combined with introduction of TikTok Shop has transformed the social selling space. Here’s why.

Social commerce allows you to sell products directly to your consumers within the app. Businesses who leverage social platforms typically see $20 ROI for every $1 spent, according to Deloitte.

TikTok Shop has very quickly become the UK’s most shopped channel, with consumers making an average 10 purchases each year, with Gen Z averaging 19. In case you were wondering how many brands actually choose to use the shopping platform, TikTok’s sales increased 477% in 2022 with £828bn in turnover, advertising sales only making up £4.92bn.

The platform also enables you to reach entirely new consumers, with businesses who use social commerce in general seeing a 79% increase in customer acquisition. TikTok users in particularly use the platform to find new places to shop, with 67% using the app for brand discovery.

How does TikTok help retailers to boost sales?

We heard from Patrick Nommensen, TikTok’s Senior Director of eCommerce Operations at this week’s Smart Retail Tech Expo. He discussed the role of TikTok in helping retailers to grow and reach engaged audiences and how retailers are thriving in the next era of online commerce.

Here are some of his headline stats:

• 92% of TikTok users take action after viewing content on the platform.
• Today’s word-of-mouth happens on TikTok, with TikTok videos coming second to family and friend recommendations.
• The hashtag, #tiktokmademebuyit has 42bn views.
• The average TikTok user watches over a film’s worth of content every day.
• 4/5 people are likely to buy via social if they’ve watched a live video or participated in conversational commerce.
• 50% of TikTok users have purchased something they saw on a TikTok LIVE.

Patrick also discussed some components for success in social commerce:

• Mobile is the channel of choice for digital-savvy consumers.
• Creators talk directly to audiences with authenticity and trust.
• Short-form and live videos offer personalised engagement and accelerated conversions.
• Communities are far more engaged by ‘conversational commerce’.

Social commerce is expected to grow 30% every year between now and 2027. If you haven’t already, now is the time to get your TikTok shop set up and live stream shopping events, for unlimited access to a hyper-engaged audience.

The post Social Commerce: How TikTok Shop is Redefining Retail appeared first on Retail Assist.

Accuracy and efficiency are the biggest goals in any warehouse operation, so when a new technology is on the rise and helping to achieve optimum productivity, you’ve got our attention. This week we’re looking at voice picking solutions.

What is voice picking?

Voice picking technology is revolutionising the way warehouses and distribution centres operate. It is an automated solution that uses voice recognition to help pickers complete their tasks and ensure accuracy, speed, and efficiency in the order pick process.

The technology eliminates the need for paper-based processes by using verbal commands instead. This helps to improve accuracy with no room for mistakes due to misreading orders or illegible handwriting. Additionally, it helps to reduce labour costs since many manual steps can be eliminated through automation.

How does voice picking work?

The voice picking system works by connecting a wearable headset device with a speech-recognition system that reads the picker’s commands. The headset allows the picker to communicate directly with their warehouse management system (WMS) via voice commands so that they can easily locate items and complete orders more efficiently. The WMS then sends verbal instructions back to the picker through the headset so that they can carry out their task correctly.

What do you need to implement it?

In order for voice picking technology to work properly, you will need an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and a Warehouse Management System (WMS). These systems will allow you to seamlessly integrate your inventory data into your voice picking process. They also provide real-time data tracking so that you can monitor performance and make any necessary adjustments quickly and easily. Additionally, you will need compatible headsets for each picker in order for them to be able to receive instructions from the WMS through their headsets.

Benefits of voice picking technology

Voice picking technology has several advantages over traditional order picking methods such as paper-based systems or barcodes. It allows workers to work hands-free, freeing up their hands for other tasks such as packing orders or loading pallets onto trucks. Additionally, voice recognition software reduces the need for manual data entry which can be both time consuming and prone to errors.

How does it improve warehouse efficiency?

Voice picking technology not only improves worker efficiency but also helps increase the efficiency of your overall warehouse operations by streamlining the order fulfilment process. By providing clear verbal instructions through headsets instead of handwritten notes or barcodes, workers are able to move freely throughout the warehouse to quickly complete tasks without wasting time looking up information or making mistakes due to misreading codes or labels. This minimises picking errors and ensures that orders are fulfilled quickly and accurately, which ultimately leads to increased customer satisfaction levels as well as higher profits for your business.

 If you’re looking for an automated solution that allows your staff to work faster without sacrificing quality or accuracy, then voice picking might be just what you need!

Is your current ERP lacking flexibility to implement new tech? Check out Merret Pro. With a built in WMS and integrations into other leading retail platforms, we’re here to help modernise your processes and maximise profit.

The post Your Pick Is My Command! How Voice Picking Is Transforming Warehouse Efficiency appeared first on Retail Assist.

Guest Blog by Sarah Hughes, Co-founder & Director at Datitude

What a difference a year makes! This time last year there was a renewed sense of optimism as we emerged from the pandemic tunnel. And yet it turned out to be another challenging year, particularly for retail.

Another challenging year, but digital acceleration continued. Quick commerce, social commerce, marketplaces, greenwashing of brands, a resurgence in physical retail and a rebalancing of ecommerce were key themes during the year.

And the forecast is still tough (the BRC forecasts sales value may rise by as little as 1% in the first half of the year, although by as much as 4.7% in the second) and the year will be unpredictable but there’s still many retailers and brands thriving in today’s environment.

So, what can we expect in 2023? 

Omnichannel Commerce

Being present everywhere also requires being integrated everywhere. Retailers will continue to expand their reach (from social, community, mobile and ecommerce sites to Personal Web Applications and physical stores) and extend services and adoption of tech in-store (click and collect, free returns in-store, virtual assistants and 3D mirrors, QR codes and interactive in-store displays, loyalty programmes and payment options including BNPL). 

Whilst some press reports suggest there could be a decline in social media usage amidst a shunning of Big Tech, it’s pretty unlikely. Brand advertising spend on some of these channels may reduce in favour of retail media networks: these are expected to grow as large retailers look to leverage their digital platforms to generate advertising revenue from their valuable real-time first-party data insights. 

Metaverse mania made headlines in 2022, most notably amongst the luxury fashion houses and big global brands looking to find new DTC opportunities and build loyalty amongst Gen Z and Alpha. But 2023 won’t be the year it becomes mainstream. Awareness, appeal and adoption remain low overall and squeezed tech and marketing budgets are likely to be directed towards excelling at the fundamentals – having the right product at the right price, in the right channel at the right time for the right customer. 

Marketplaces enjoyed a surge in 2022 and this trend is likely to continue. We’re still seeing retailers planning to launch their own to broaden their product offering, reach and discovery.

More shops have shut down in the last five years (according to the Centre of Retail Research which found 17,145 shops in the UK closed for good in 2022), but stores are still fundamental to the omnichannel experience. Physical retail accounts for 75% of sales in the UK and new stores are opening all the time. Aldi, Asda, Flannels, Monsoon, Marks & Spencer, Poundland, Primark and Uniqlo are just a few who have already announced new stores this year. Expect to see more pureplay DTC brands follow Gymshark’s lead and launch on the high street too.

As ever, retailers need to offer compelling reasons for consumers to visit and then ensure the in-store experience doesn’t let them down. 

Blending physical and digital to get the basics right will be paramount: from visually appealing displays and signage, tidy shop floors, well-stocked shelves and accurate stock information, efficient queue management of sales, click and collect, returns and service points, to the availability of knowledgeable and empowered retail teams.

One innovation we hope will gain more traction is scan-less self-checkout - it uses RFID tags for quick and easy checkout, reduced queues, integrated loss prevention and automatically updated inventory.

Supply Chain Resilience

Stock outs, delayed deliveries and poor post-purchase experiences just don’t cut it anymore. Consumers expect choice, availability and convenience which requires agile supply chain solutions. Whilst the pandemic highlighted the challenges and risks of just-in-time supply chains and off-shoring, agile retailers adapted by dual sourcing, near-shoring, and rolling out technology to optimise ecommerce and physical store capabilities like utilising stores as mini-fulfilment centres.

Retailers using technology to bring together inventory, logistics and consumer demand are in the strongest position to optimise their stock performance. Competitive pricing is one thing; unnecessary and damaging mark-downs because of poor supply chains kills businesses.

Data-driven Strategies

Good, intelligent data is an established growth driver and yet many businesses are still struggling to access their data and don’t have a single version of the truth.  Technology is transforming how quickly and easily businesses can connect, integrate, and unify their data, and AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) enable precise, real-time insights and better data driven decisions.

Laggards need to accelerate their data transformations as trading and customer data analytics is more important than ever.

Zero and first-party data is key to nurturing relationships, offering a more personalised experience through relevant and tailored marketing campaigns, and increasing loyalty. We call this digital trust.  It’s a must for every retailer given the impact of channel diversification on data ownership, and the increasing, and eventual, loss of third-party cookies. Audience segmentation and targeted, timely messaging will continue to play an important part.

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance)

Greenwashing took centre stage in 2022. Despite the economic downturn, actions and trust in ESG are becoming increasingly important. Aside from any regulatory requirements, it makes commercial sense - there’s growing evidence businesses with solid ESG credentials tend to perform better than those without, and consumers are increasingly demanding a commitment to ESG.

More retailers are partnering with circular economy specialists to support their sustainability efforts. Rental and resale platforms and repair services are increasingly commonplace. Less so is traceability and transparency and evidence to support sustainability claims. In this respect, expect to see more use of digital product passports and a greater demand for data modelling and analytics solutions to support complex measurement and reporting requirements.

We’re impressed with the Clarins’ initiative – it’s innovative traceability platform, “T.R.U.S.T”, uses blockchain technology. Consumers can access the interface online or through QR codes on packaging to trace “from field to you” on the entire preparation and manufacturing process of each skin care product.

The good news is the retail tech eco system is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Cloud-native software and platform-as-a-service solutions are superb for businesses looking to benefit from advanced enterprise technologies and associated expertise with ease and convenience. This, coupled with the digital skills gaps and resource shortages, may mean it’s the year of buy rather than build.

As consumer spending is squeezed, acquiring new customers will be costly and more difficult.  Businesses will focus on existing customers and growth through customer retention; adopting technology to truly understand their consumer, meeting them wherever they are and providing a seamlessly integrated, omnichannel commerce experience. 

The year has started, and the pressure is on.  Don’t get left behind and have a great year!

Got you thinking about retail trends for 2023? Read more on our blog here. 

The post 2023: The Year of Customer Retention? Retail Tech Predictions appeared first on Retail Assist.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be digging deep into the trends that are transforming retail in 2023 and look at what this means for retailers and how they operate.

Whilst the market might look pretty damp heading into this year, there are plenty of opportunities to reach new audiences within your target market and optimise sales activity, fuelling crucial growth.

82% of UK businesses are targeting significant growth in 2023 despite economic factors. Technology tends to be at the heart of this growth, allowing brands to scale quickly and respond to trends faster.

Resale

The resale market will boom in 2023 as brands start to take back control of their second-hand markets.

Rising inflation, tighter budgets, environmental concerns and a move towards appreciating pieces with unique value are all driving progress in the resale market which is expected to grow 126% by 2026.

It is expected that by 2025 it will be the norm for retailers to have their own resale selections within stores, here’s who’s already doing it well:

• Selfridges is aiming for almost half its interactions with customers to be based on resale, repair, rental or refills by 2030 as the upmarket department store responds to increasing demand for more sustainable shopping.
• Jigsaw teamed up with luxury rental and re-sale platform My Wardrobe HQ in 2021, giving consumers the change to rent collections and sell any of their own pre-loved Jigsaw items. With the intent of creating a sustainable future for fashion and encouraging new ways to shop, Jigsaw were the first brand to offer a fully circular model with My Wardrobe HQ.
• Harvey Nichols is also well-rehearsed in the second-hand resale market, partnering with Reflaunt. The resell service enables Harvey Nichols customers to resell their bags and luxury pieces, receiving up to 80% of the original price when the items are resold.

Social Commerce

In 2021, US consumers spent $37bn on goods and services purchased through social-commerce channels, expected to hit $80bn and $2 trillion globally in 2025. Other than a vital boost to sales, selling through platforms like TikTok and Instagram can help you reach a global audience and leverage social proof, whilst allowing you to interact with customers directly and of course, create a truly frictionless shopping experience.

Levelling up the social commerce space is live commerce. Live stream shopping events are taking over TikTok feeds across the world. Gamifying the shopping experience, enhancing interactivity, and offering entertainment through audience participation via chat functions and reaction buttons, live streaming opens up your brand to entirely new generation who’s spending power and disposable income are consistently increasing.

Return options

2022 saw a rise in retailers charging for shoppers to return online purchases, with ¼ of the UK’s leading retailers charging an average cost of £3.53 for a return. But this hasn’t impacted return rates with online returns up 26.6% in November 2022.

Consumers generally feel pretty neutral about paying for returns as most of the brands charging for returns offer free delivery in the first place. Whilst paid returns could become a barrier to purchase, retailers can look at how they increase return options to justify the price.

Offering a variety of ways for customers to return will make or break loyalty. There are a range of return options available, but most retailers only offer two methods. Consumers like the convenience of having their returns picked up from their homes, but they also like to head into store to look at other items whilst making their return.

As consumer expectations of the shopping experience increase, so do their expectations of returns. It’s likely that we’ll see a sharp increase of return options in 2023.

Labour shortages to continue

The BRC stated that retail vacancies remain near record highs at 1.19m. It’s expected that open vacancies reached at the end of 2022, but with unemployment sitting at 3.7%, it will be a slow return to any sort of balance for the retail labour market.

Retailers are looking at ways to leverage automated tools in retail processes to manage labour shortages whilst offering an increase in productivity and accuracy. Voice picking is one way that retailers are optimising their warehouse processes and something we can expect to see increase in 2023.

Voice picking is a method of method of order fulfilment in which warehouse workers use voice-directed technology to pick items from a warehouse or distribution centre using simple voice prompts to guide the worker through the picking process.

The technology eliminates the need for workers to manually check paper-based pick lists or use handheld scanners, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Instead, workers can simply listen to the voice prompts and follow the instructions provided by the software. Additionally, voice picking enables the worker to have both hands free, allowing them to move faster and more efficiently.

This is just one automated method increasing efficiency in the warehousing process and overcoming labour challenges, we can expect to see many more adaptations to retail processes as we go through the year.

Tune in over the next couple of weeks as we look at some of these topics in more detail and how Merret Pro is geared to deliver and overcome retail challenges in 2023.

Merret Pro is our award-winning omnichannel supply chain solution, designed and developed for the demands of modern retail. It is a complete, end-to-end software solution, with a central stock pool and single view of stock; allowing retailers to improve full-price sales performance, increase profits, and provide consistently excellent shopping experiences.

Want to keep in the loop? Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Read more about retail tech predictions for 2023 from our partner Datitude here. 

The post Retail Trends to Watch 2023 appeared first on Retail Assist.

If you’re planning for 2023, make sure you block out the 26^th and 27^th April for the Retail Technology Show; the flagship event for retail at Olympia, London.

Bringing together Europe’s leading tech innovators and retail’s change makers, this year’s show is not one to miss.

With over 8,400 retail professionals and over 300 tech brands exhibiting, the Retail Technology Show offers a unique incubator for fast-moving retail trends, future thinking and practical advice from innovators sitting in the driving seat of retail.

Better yet, you can visit us at the Retail Assist stand! Find us at stand 6K22.

We have some exciting new digital content showcasing Retail Assist’s services and solutions in action, and our teams will be on the hand to chat through the future retail landscape and how to navigate it. Check out just some of the global leading brands we support on our customer page.

From POS implementations to 24 x 7 IT Support, warehouse and merchandise management to site openings, we offer the full range of services to suit the future needs of retail.

Stay updated ahead of the Retail Technology Show 2023 with our blog or follow us on LinkedIn. If you are attending or exhibiting, and would like to meet up at the Expo, please fill in your details here and we’ll be in touch.

We’re super excited to be exhibiting this year and look forward to meeting you! If you haven’t yet, you can register for the show here.

The post Retail Tech Show 2023: Come and Join Us appeared first on Retail Assist.

1000s of retail tech heads gathered at Olympia, London, last week as we reunited once again at the Retail Technology Show 2022. A lot of the distractions from the last two years were set aside whilst we all looked forward to the future of retail and how we can get there!

Here are our highlights from last week:

"The metaverse, if you don't know then get to know."

One key takeaway is that although the metaverse is coming, it's not a retail priority, and shouldn't be for another few years. There are a lot more pinch points for retailers at the moment and a lot of macro factors to navigate whilst we still come out of the pandemic period, all issues which will continue to disrupt the sector for a few more years.

"What does the future of retail look like? Well, one thing for sure is that it won't be in the metaverse… Retail is a human interaction, it's a personal thing." Andrew Busby, Global Retail Senior Director at Software AG and Founder of Retail Reflections

Although now isn't the time for the metaverse in retail, that doesn't mean it should be neglected. Get to know what is happening in the space, check out what the social media giants are doing with it and think about how you could eventually use it. But don't just use tech for the sake of tech, how will it add value to the customer experience? How will it enhance the relationship you have with your customers?

Andrew Busby, Global Retail Senior Director at Software AG and Founder of Retail Reflections, spoke to Retail Assist about what he believes the future of retail looks like:

- Watch the video here –

Checkout-free shopping

Amazon's walk out technology was arguably the highlight of the show floor. Amazon plan to elevate the retail experience with their 'Just Walk Out' technology, meaning shoppers can simply walk into a store, grab their products, and leave.

The tech already exists in retail, many Amazon own stores, hospitality environments and stadiums. In the UK, Amazon have rolled out the technology to a Sainsbury's store in Richmond and eventually you'll be able to tap and go with your card or mobile payment, as you would on the tube.

The tech works through a mix of AI and cameras mounted on the ceiling of the stores to track shoppers around the store, charging them on their departure. This enables a seamless and truly convenient experience for shoppers and is expected to be a big hit in the convenience sector.

Sarah-Jane Nightingale, Business Development Manager at Retail Assist, describes the Just Walk Out tech in her highlights from the Retail Tech Show:

- Watch the video here –

The post Top Takeaways From the Retail Tech Show 2022 appeared first on Retail Assist.

We’re delighted to announce that Retail Assist is a finalist for the Retail Systems Awards 2022 for ‘Omnichannel Technology Vendor of the Year’.

With strong competition, Retail Assist has made the impressive Retail Systems Awards finalists shortlist, alongside seven other IT services and solutions providers. Finalists for ‘Omnichannel Technology Vendor of the Year’ are recognised for implementing innovative technology that has led to an improvement in the overall efficiency of a retailer’s omnichannel operations. You can view the full shortlist here.

Retail Assist entered this category to showcase the successful implementation of Merret Pro, our omnichannel supply chain solution, and supporting applications MTI and OMIO Tablet for one of our customers. The implementation of Merret Pro provided a huge step change for the retailer, giving them a true omnichannel trading approach to their sales and stock management.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the deployment of Merret Pro, this shortlisting is a testament to everyone’s hard work and efforts!

The news follows an impressive run for Retail Assist, who were also winners of ‘IT Service Provider of the Year' at the itSMF Professional Service Management Awards 2021.

We look forward to the awards ceremony which takes place 22^nd June 2022 at Waldorf Hilton, London.

The post Retail Assist is a finalist for the Retail Systems Awards! appeared first on Retail Assist.

After so much disruption to our normal lives, it's refreshing to see headlines outlining increasing footfall, rising consumer confidence and retailers gearing up for a busier than expected peak season.

With the festive season being our first outside of lockdown and the not-so-distant memory of a somewhat quieter Christmas in 2020, shoppers are out for a sensory experience this year, looking for goods that bring people together as socialising and hosting make a comeback. This is expected to bring sales back to pre-pandemic patterns, fuelled by consumers going big on Christmas this year, to make up for the disarray that was 2020.

"20% of shoppers were browsing for gifts as early as July, demonstrating a levelled-out approach to Christmas shopping this year, a concurring trend with October 2020, which recorded the strongest Y-o-Y sales growth in six years."

A pandemic trend that has stuck is the reliance on online retail, as the majority of Christmas sales this year are expected to take place online. However, this doesn't leave store sales to spurn, with consumers starved of experience and partygoers desperate for social interaction this season; we're expecting an uplift in hospitality. Not only does increased spend in hospitality increase fashion sales, but it drives footfall to shopping centres where consumers can experience a mix of leisure and hospitality alongside shopping.

Are you prepared for the increased footfall, and desire for social experiences this season? We've been supporting our clients in getting ready for peak trade and have prepared a peak trading checklist for you to download for free here.  We can help you ensure your systems are primed and ready to run smoothly.

Black Fri…quarter?

20% of shoppers were browsing for gifts as early as July, demonstrating a levelled-out approach to Christmas shopping this year, a concurring trend with October 2020, which recorded the strongest Y-o-Y sales growth in six years. Additionally, Black Friday sales have slowly become less frantic with a more relaxed approach taken by retailers. Black Friday trends demonstrate a move towards month long deals or no participation at all, as awareness of the unsustainable impact of mass consumerism increases.

This of course plays into the hands of retailers who are aiming to reduce movement throughout the supply chain in an attempt to not cause outright chaos in the lead up to Christmas. Encouraging shoppers to buy earlier than normal (without creating a sense of panic!) drives a consistent flow of purchasing, rather than a melodramatic spike in the last week of November, increasing product availability for customers as retailers can mediate their response to demand.

How are you ensuring the maximum availability of products to your customer base?

Through our supply chain solution Merret, we are providing retailers with a central view of stock across many shopping channels, meaning that it can be sourced however and whenever the customer chooses to shop.  Efficiency through your supply chain is the key to maximising sales at full price.

For the last-minute shoppers however, retailers can encourage sales to increase in the last weeks leading up to Christmas with click and collect. As postal cut-offs are expected to be set earlier this December, embracing in-store deliveries gives a push to online sales whilst driving footfall in-store. This also frees up capacity in the warehouse as store staff are able to fulfil orders, whilst managing wider demand and strain on supply chains.

Through our supply chain solution, Merret, again retailers are utilising the functionality within the solution to treat stores as distribution hubs and facilitate the uplift in click and collect ordering. With many click and collect shoppers spending an average or 14% more than home deliveries, it's certainly another area to maximise on sales and make the most of people heading to the high street.

As we step into 2021's peak trade season with a renewed sense of consumer confidence, however your customers decide to shop, ensure you're offering them multi-channel, tailored approach that appreciates their need for sentiment through a consistent brand experience.

To hear how Retail Assist can support your in-store experience for flexible and profitable use of your stock, contact us here and one of our experts will be in touch.

The post Are You Prepared for Peak Trade 2021? appeared first on Retail Assist.