Business Trends: Retail Technology - Understanding Your Retail Customers (Customer Focus)

Published by: Datamonitor

Published: Jul. 10, 2006

Table of Contents

ABOUT DATAMONITOR

OVERVIEW

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Introduction

Scope of this report

Research and analysis highlights

Key reasons to read this report

Abstract

In Q2 2006 Datamonitor carried out an in-depth primary research project. It spoke to business and IT leaders at 100 retailers in EMEA, exploring a wide range of business and technology issues.

• Countries represented: France, Germany and the UK (25% of sample each), RoMEA (25%)
• Business outlook - retailers' view on the challenges they face regarding customers, supply chain and competitors is explored.
• Technology outlook - retailers' opinions are examined across a range of technologies, from both a strategic and investment viewpoint.

Comparing the sample's 2004/5 and 2005/6 IT budget growth gives cause for optimism. 40% of the sample stated their IT budget was increased in 2006 compared with 2005, whereas 36% stated their budgets had grown between 2004 and 2005.

Evolution of the retail market is forcing retailers to examine their existing systems: there is a difference between 'fit for use' and 'fit for the future'. The challenge is to combine existing systems with incremental projects designed to leverage and add value, creating 'evolving hybrid' retail systems.

Three quarters of the sample stated they planned on consolidating existing systems in 2006, while nearly 50% stated they would address major, end to end business transformation and tactical process automation projects, as well as moving customers to lower cost channels such as self service.

• Study findings are presented alongside 'analyst notes' which discuss each topic and add context and value to the data
• IT vendors need relevant information upon which to base their customer approaches. Fresh, new market intelligence is the way to do it.

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