This episode from early 2018 reviews CES and NRF, highlighting emerging technologies like cryptocurrency, VR/AR, and AI's impact on retail. It emphasizes that while some tech may seem tangential, understanding consumer adoption rates and how these innovations influence expectations is crucial for ecommerce operators, even those in brick-and-mortar.
Key takeaways
Don't dismiss seemingly niche technologies; consumer adoption of new tech quickly reshapes expectations for all retail experiences, digital or physical.
Consider how supply chain and fulfillment can be reimagined beyond traditional brick-and-mortar, leveraging mobile fleets and on-demand services (e.g., CVS mobile pharmacies).
While early adoption isn't always necessary, monitoring rapid tech developments (like voice interfaces) is key to avoid being blindsided by evolving customer demands.
Focus on experiences in brick-and-mortar retail, as purely transactional models are vulnerable to disruption from continuous technological advancements.
Cryptocurrency's role for merchants in 2018 is primarily as a commodified investment, not a direct payment method; avoid integrating it as a payment option based on current understanding.
"Bitcoin isn't so much a currency as it is a commodity". 2018 is shaping up to be the year of Cryptocurrency - so we dive in a bit thanks to some news from CES 2018. Why should you care as a retailer? Plus: a preview of NRF's The Big Show 2018.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Don't dismiss seemingly niche technologies; consumer adoption of new tech quickly reshapes expectations for all retail experiences, digital or physical.
What does this episode say about ai & automation?
Consider how supply chain and fulfillment can be reimagined beyond traditional brick-and-mortar, leveraging mobile fleets and on-demand services (e.g., CVS mobile pharmacies).
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
While early adoption isn't always necessary, monitoring rapid tech developments (like voice interfaces) is key to avoid being blindsided by evolving customer demands.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Focus on experiences in brick-and-mortar retail, as purely transactional models are vulnerable to disruption from continuous technological advancements.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Cryptocurrency's role for merchants in 2018 is primarily as a commodified investment, not a direct payment method; avoid integrating it as a payment option based on current understanding.
