Archive for the 'Al Beery' Category

Outlook 2010: Chain Store Age Interviews Pitney Bowes Business Insight Experts

Published on February 19, 2010 in Al Beery, Deb Purcell and Gary Faitler. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

Katherine Field from Chain Store Age recently interviewed experts from Pitney Bowes Business Insight.

With expansion slowing, the buzz word for 2010 is “optimization.”

In the February issue (“Focus on Site Selection Trends,”), I talked with a panel of retail real-estate experts to explore just what to expect in a year that has all the markings of a transition period of economic ups and downs.

My panel of experts all predicted that site optimization — making the most of existing real estate — rather than new store growth would be the retail game plan for 2010.

Recently, I also talked with a trio of executives from Troy, N.Y.-based Pitney Bowes Business Insight about the state of retail real estate in 2010. This is what they had to say: <!–more–>

Online Retailing, Data Mining and Technology takes center stage at NRF’s BIG SHOW in 2010

Published on January 29, 2010 in Al Beery. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Alan Beery, Pitney Bowes Business Insight

The National Retail Federation BIG SHOW was held this year in New York City in mid-January. This is a premier event showcasing the emerging trends in retailing internationally. I had the opportunity to be among the more than 17,000 attendees from at least 50 countries who were represented at this years show. The conference highlighted how the best retailers are utilizing data and technology to effectively reach their customers. The explosion of increased customer transaction and purchase data was a theme heard repeatedly in educational sessions and conference presentations.

Of particular interest was the advanced use of research and technology to identify and attract potential customers. One such example is Wet Seal which is aggressively incorporating social media and online shopping access to successfully promote sales. Additionally, a number of retailers highlighted the intensive use of CRM technology and data mining to uncover their best prospects. This was evident in strategies such as Market Basket Analyses where the most frequent or profitable purchase combinations were identified. The most innovative retailers were also successfully quantifying how and where customers are making purchases across key channels (internet, catalog, brick and mortar, and telephone) and leveraging these channels to increase overall sales potential. As an example of emerging technology, a session focused on video analytics at Cabela’s documented customer and salesperson interactions and provided actionable strategies to improve customer service.

The NRF BIG SHOW provides great insight into the analytics, IT, and customer trends affecting the retailing industry.

Holiday Trends Highlight Increased Role for Location Intelligence

Published on October 14, 2009 in Al Beery and Brian Hill. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Al Beery and Brian Hill, Pitney Bowes Business Insight

Over the next few months, consumers will head to the malls, superstores, and in increasing numbers, to their laptops—and retailers will be looking for any edge they can find to increase sales and margins during this holiday shopping season.

Given the sluggish economy, cost pressures and changing consumer behaviors, there has never been a better time to leverage Location Intelligence in your business. Retailers, manufacturers and shippers will find ways this year to move product to more people in smart, cost-effective ways by analyzing the relationship between distribution centers, retail sites, critical customer segments and household locations.

This is especially critical in light of expected shifts in customer behavior. The down economy means that many customers are buying less, they’re more price-conscious, and they are more selective about what they buy. Many customers are also buying more online—increasing the role of logistics and fleet management,

Using location intelligence to chart how these trends are impacting your business is often the key to greater profitability. Better Location Intelligence can help you to:

• Better project performance of existing retail sites
• Determine optimal locations for new retail sites
• More effectively allocate marketing dollars
• Chart more efficient delivery routes
• Reassess distribution-center locations in light of the increased proportion of direct-to-consumer shipping

In fact, companies that invest in top-quality location intelligence solutions often see positive ROI inside of six months. And many achieve a six-figure return on their investment within the year. Add in the intangibles—happier customers, happier delivery people, and happier customer-service personnel—these all result from greater efficiencies, better communications, and better information sharing throughout your organization.

More information on how Location Intelligence and other data-quality improvements can enhance day-to-day and long-term business performance are available in our White Paper Special Delivery: Just-in-Time Savings or by speaking with your local PBBI representative at 800.327.8627 or via email at pbbi.sales@pb.com.