零售業,,en,它,,en,在過去的十年裡,,en,他們利用互聯網了解更多關於產品的信息，或者在他們最終決定購買之前找到替代品,,en,他們也期待更個性化的購物體驗,,en,從電子郵件和短信等通訊到他們收到的實際服務,,en,無論他們是從網上平台還是實體店購買,,en,這些只是IT改變零售業景觀的幾種方式,,en,但看看零售業的具體方面,,en,IT行業的一些發展已經改變並將繼續改變人們購物和銷售的方式,,en,這裡僅僅是少數,,en,簡單定義,,en,是企業每天從客戶那裡獲得的大量非結構化和結構化數據,,en & IT
概觀
In the past decade, information technology has become a large part of a consumer’s decision-making process, especially when it comes to shopping and retail. They use the Internet to know more about a product or find alternatives before they finally decide to buy. They also expect a more personalized shopping experience, from communications like emails and text messages to the actual services they receive, whether they buy from online platforms or brick-and-mortar stores.
These are just a couple of ways that IT has transformed the retail landscape in general. But looking at specific facets of retail, there are a several developments from the IT industry that have changed and will continue to change the way people shop and sell. Here are just a few.
Big Data
大數據, simply defined, is the vast amount of both unstructured and structured data that businesses amass from their customers on a daily basis. 這為零售商提供了有關其顧客購物習慣和偏好幾乎所有方面的寶貴見解,,en,可以從消費者處收集的一些信息包括他們最可能購物的頻率和時間,,en,他們願意花多少錢，平均花多少錢,,en,他們最常使用哪些支付選項,,en,以及他們發現哪些廣告吸引人,,en,有權訪問這些信息,,en,零售商現在擁有大量資源來幫助他們滿足客戶不斷變化的需求,,en,加上聲音數據分析和數字和離線策略,,en,企業現在不僅能夠駕馭趨勢，而且能夠支配這些對他們和他們的客戶都有益的趨勢,,en,現代POS系統,,en. Some of the information that can be gathered from consumers include how often and when they are most likely to shop, how much they are willing to spend and how much they spend on average, which payment options they use most often, and what kinds of ads they find appealing.
Having access to such information, retailers now have a vast pool of resources to help them fulfill the ever-changing demands of their customers. Coupled with sound data analytics and digital and offline strategies, businesses are now able to not just ride trends but even dictate these trends that would benefit both them and their customers.
Modern POS Systems
POS系統相當於收銀機的日子已經一去不復返了,,en,銷售是“關閉”的，購物者被要求用現金支付他們的購買,,en,查,,en,或信用,,en,有各種各樣,,en,多功能POS系統,,en,超越了基本的交易管理,,en,現代POS系統現在可以跟踪庫存,,en,管理宣傳片和縮放價格,,en,生成報告,,en,甚至進行基本的會計職能,,en,以及其他各種能力,,en,這些功能對零售商非常有價值，不僅因為它們可以節省成本，而且還因為它們可以提高運營效率和員工生產力,,en,與大數據一樣,,en,從POS系統獲得的報告還為零售商提供了關於什麼在產品和促銷活動中不起作用的好看,,en,等等,,en, where the sale is “closed” and the shopper is asked to pay for their purchase using either cash, check, or credit. 今天, there are various multi-functional POS systems that go beyond basic transaction management. Modern POS systems can now track inventory, manage promos and scale prices, generate reports, and even conduct basic accounting functions, among various other capabilities. These functions are valuable to retailers not just because they can save on costs but also because they can improve their operational efficiency and employee productivity. As with big data, the reports acquired from POS systems also provide retailers a good look into what does and doesn’t work when it comes to products and promotions, among others.
增強和虛擬現實,,en,儘管有些人已經完全接受網上購物的舒適和方便,,en,還有那些喜歡逛實體店的人,,en,特別是當購物體驗在增強現實的幫助下變得更加身臨其境,,en,和虛擬現實,,en,運動器材商店可以使用VR來模擬在跑步機上跑步時在森林中跑步的體驗,,en,或者，在AR的幫助下，家具和電器商店可以幫助您創造夢想家園的外觀,,en,雖然這兩種技術已經在零售空間使用了幾年,,en,他們無疑仍處於試驗階段,,en,他們提供了更具沉浸感和體驗式購物的巨大潛力,,en
While some people have completely embraced the comfort and convenience of online shopping, there are still those who enjoy visiting physical stores. Especially when the shopping experience has become more immersive with the help of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). For example, an exercise equipment store can use VR to simulate the experience of running in a forest while you try a treadmill. Or perhaps a furniture and appliance store can help you create the look of your dream home with the help of AR. While both technologies have already been in use in the retail space for a few years, they are admittedly still in the experimentation phase. 但, with the huge potential that they offer in terms of more immersive and experiential shopping, 沒有辦法，只能在零售業中使用AR和VR,,en,智能手機和智能手機應用程序,,en,智能手機對消費者如何互動並與零售商建立聯繫產生了巨大影響,,en,無論是進出商店,,en,連同各種購物應用程序和其他相關功能,,en,智能手機使消費者處於控制地位,,en,對很多人來說是一個重要的方面,,en,特別是關於什麼,,en,怎麼樣,,en,當他們花錢時,,en,零售商可以利用這些技術不斷與客戶保持聯繫,,en,不僅是為了培養忠誠度，也是為了增強信心,,en,智能手機應用程序也可用於收集消費者的相關數據,,en,這可以幫助零售商進一步提高服務質量,,en,信息技術在我們的社會中已深入根深蒂固,,en,根本沒有逃脫它,,en.
Smartphones and Smartphone Apps
Smartphones have had a big impact with how consumers interact and form connections with retailers, both in and out of the store. Together with various shopping applications and other related features, smartphones put consumers in a position of control (an important aspect for many), especially on what, how, and when they spend their money. Retailers can leverage these technologies to constantly keep in touch with their customers, not only to foster loyalty but also facilitate confidence. Smartphone applications can also be used to gather pertinent data from consumers, which can help retailers further enhance their quality of service.
結論
Information technology is now ingrained deeply in our society; there simply is no escaping it. 什麼行業,,en,包括甚至可能特別是零售,,en,可以做的就是簡單地繼續適應，以利用這些技術發展的力量來建立商業上的成功,,en — including and perhaps especially retail — can do is to simply continue to adapt in order to harness the power of these technological developments to build business success.
