Over 42 million people were employed by the retail industry in 2011, and it is now worth over $2.5 trillion in sales. While success in retail still depends on excellent customer service and supply-chain optimization, the role of technology has exploded in the last decade. Data analysis of shopper preferences, new automation in the shopping and shipping experience, and innovative ways to reach customers all rely on integrating information technology into the retail experience. In the face of these growing trends, many Twitter accounts have devoted their feeds to helping retailers keep up with the latest changes in retail technology. Below, Retail Dive have chosen six of the best to follow.
1. @IBMRetail
Perhaps no other company is as synonymous with the technology industry as IBM. "Big Blue" was instrumental in the development of servers and software now used by thousands of companies throughout the retail industry, which means it knows a thing or two about selling products with the largest market share of the server business. With experience in developing technology in data analytics and enterprise-class databases, IBM has gathered a strong knowledge of the retail market. @IBMRetail uses this knowledge to offer insights into retail data collection developments and optimizing data architectures for service quality.
RT @SmarterPlanet: #BigData can help prevent "Showrooming" at retail stores. http://t.co/BGxUN4ig3Z #SmarterRetail
— IBM Retail (@ibmretail) March 13, 2014
2. @WalmartLabs
Besides being a significant innovation lab in retail technology, Walmart Labs—whose advances were detailed in a recent Retail Dive feature—was designed from its inception to offer insight on social media like Twitter. @WalmartLabs tweets cover in many areas of retail technology like data analytics, consumer demographics, and the importance of mobile technology for shopper experiences both online and in-store.
#mobile usage may be more important to #omnichannel retailers than to purely digital retailers. http://t.co/KYpZTcV99f via @businessinsider
— @WalmartLabs (@WalmartLabs) February 27, 2014
3. @GoogleRetail
It seems like Google has its tentacles in every aspect of our digital lives, and this is no different in the retail space. As the leading search engine on the Internet, Google collects billions of data points a day on shopping trends from searches and click tracking. Google's retail team @GoogleRetail can tell you what products are the most popular, the online retailers that are getting the most hits, and what strategies are uniting these two aspects. Following Google Trends, the Twitter account provides insight into what surprising products are popular. Google Retail also offers webinars and conversations with industry experts to give you a competitive edge in the market.
The @PlayStation 4 was the hottest searched for gadget in 2013 according to @Google #Zeitgeist2013: http://t.co/LdPiiuRb5k
— Google Retail Team (@GoogleRetail) December 17, 2013
4. @AccentureRetail
Accenture is not a retail giant. They’re not a powerhouse in IT, and they’re not an indispensable part of the digital landscape. What the Ireland-based consulting firm has that Walmart, IBM, and Google lack is incredible clout in the world market. Accenture is one of the most influential firms in the world, with operations in dozens of countries where the company works with most of the Fortune 100 companies. Accenture specializes in technology services outsourcing and improving management operations and was tapped to replace the lead contractor for Healthcare.gov. @AccentureRetail uses this vast knowledge to give insight into the retail market. Given their international recognition and broad industry involvement, chances are they know what they are talking about.
Good read on why #CMOs win when high value customers experience personalization online http://t.co/9DTGvvNxhG #ecommerce via @CMO_com
— Accenture Retail (@AccentureRetail) March 14, 2014
5. @RetailerInsight
To run the vast array of digital services that are now key to the retail experience, you need computers. Who knows computers better than Intel? A majority of point-of-sale devices, servers and web applications use Intel's hardware to power them. Intel's strength in the market is working with retailers to provide solutions for next generation shopping experiences. It's rare to find a microprocessor manufacturer that is as invested in inventory management and the possibilities of personalized, data-driven marketing. @RetailerInsight is Intel's Twitter account for "customer-centric strategies" in the retail market. If your business relies on Intel hardware, seek their advice on how to capture customers.
Software solution helps #retailers launch digital campaigns with ease. http://t.co/7kvOGDAo8B
— Retailer Insight (@RetailerInsight) March 11, 2014
6. @msretail
Like Intel, Microsoft is an essential player in retail technology. Microsoft's software solutions underpin many of the devices and services that are key to inventory management and digital shopping, and Windows and software for embedded devices remain at the heart of many of these elements. @msretail offers insight into Microsoft's experiences in retail technology. The Twitter account also publishes a digest of all the retail news they find important, leaving you with plenty of information on key trends in digital shopping.
Tech That Tracks Your Every Move Can Be Convenient, Not Creepy http://t.co/M2tHQXKW0V #IoT #Retail #BigData
— msretail (@msretail) March 11, 2014
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