Data Management

HP has introduced its Retail Mobile POS Case, integrating a magnetic stripe card reader and barcode scanning with its HP Slate 2 tablet.

As if further proof was needed about the rapid rise of mobile commerce, a new survey reveals that the percentage of consumers using their mobile phones to make online purchases doubled during the past year, rising from 9% in 2010 to 18% in 2011. There's good news for retailers interested in adding customers' location to their marketing matrix: 52% of North American consumers have already shared their location via a mobile app.

Barnes & Noble expanded its third-party seller BN.com Marketplace by adding over one million new products in five new categories to its catalog as well as adding new online partners.

Cross-channel retailing refuses to mature gracefully and instead remains as disruptive as ever. Download the 2011 edition of the 5th annual RIS/RSR Research benchmark study to learn about the impact of digital commerce on stores, the rise of mobile commerce, the shifting role of e-commerce, the emergence of social networks, and strategies that convert challenges into growth and opportunities.

A QR code pilot program allows Canada Post customers to leave feedback in 40 retail locations throughout the country.

Macy's Backstage Pass allows in-store shoppers to view promotional videos and enter contests when they scan QR codes.

By the third quarter of 2012, Macy's and Bloomingdale's will begin using RFID in all stores nationwide to count items regularly stocked and automatically resupplied as they are sold to customers, representing 30% of the company's sales.

Family Dollar has gone live with collaborative sourcing and supplier management applications that will help the retailer achieve higher levels of information, product specifications and objectives within its expanding base of suppliers.

New Open Commerce APIs from Demandware streamline retailers' ability to extend enterprise and commerce functionalities, including transactions, to emerging touchpoints such as Facebook applications, shoppable blogs, mobile and tablet apps.

With year-over-year comparisons to last year’s inaugural report, the 2nd Annual Retailer/Supplier Shared Data Study offers a detailed picture of data sharing between retailers and suppliers. Download the 2011 study, co-produced by RIS and CGT, to learn how improved technology tools are deepening these trading partner collaborations.