ENTERPRISE

TODAY’S TECH-INFUSED RETAILERS ARE REDEFINING ROLES FOR
ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS

As technology of all kinds becomes ever-more integral to retail operations, the definitions and boundaries of “en- terprise” IT solutions keep expanding. At one end of the enterprise, supply chains are becoming longer, more global and more complex; at the other, customer touchpoints continue to multiply, requiring new strategies for marketing and shopper engagement.

In between, retailers are seeking technologies that will optimally price their products and manage their inventories, while also creating solid platforms for the explosion of in-store technology that’s taking place.

This year’s NRF agenda offers an appropriately varied selection for those seeking to solve enterprise-level challenges with specific, highly targeted solutions.

THE SOURCE-TO-STORE RETAIL SUPPLY CHAIN: MOVING BEYOND TECHNOLOGY AND STANDARDS Improved supply chain visibility is a key ingredient in making sourcing, logistics, inventory management and forecasting more efficient – but what’s the best way to achieve that visibility? Item-level RFID technology may be a big part of the answer. Leaders representing many points in the apparel supply chain, including retailer Macy’s, provide real-world examples of item-level tagging’s value. l When: Sunday, 1/15/12, 10: 15 AM – 11:45 AM, Room Hall A, 1A 06/07/08

RETAIL ON THE OFFENSE: DRIVING GROWTH ON MAIN STREET AND WALL STREET During the past year, forward-looking retailers have been leveraging their investments to drive sales, increase margins and speed items to market. At this session, speakers including leading analyst Deborah Weinswig and a representative from mass merchant Family Dollar will touch on key strategies for managing inflation and opportunities for retailers to offset cost increases, leverage private label and branded programs, and maximize profitability. l When: Monday, 1/16/12, 3: 15 PM – 4: 15 PM, Room Hall E, 1E 07/08

Macy’s will provide real-world examples of the value of item-level RFID in the apparel supply chain.

MARKETING: LEAVING YOUR MARK ON TODAY’S
DIGITAL SHOPPERS

With consumers exerting greater control over their shopping experience, retailers are transforming their marketing teams into “digital strategy” groups that are taking charge of new channels such as mobile and social retailing. Michael’s Stores’ Anu Gupta explores the importance of synchronizing marketing and IT, and how retailers can make the best use of predictive analytics and enhanced customer insights.