Retail has changed dramatically since the days of the department store and mail-order catalog. Thanks toa proliferation of quality brands, customers have more choice than ever — and retailers have to compete harder for their loyalty.

Meanwhile, new technologies are changing the way customers learn, experiment with, and purchase products. Today, it's hard to imagine a world without e-commerce Websites or in-store listening stations, but both were virtually unheard of just two decades ago.

These four cutting-edge retail technologies could prove just as revolutionary for the retail environment's next two decades:

1. Computational Imaging and Data Visualization

The National Retail Federation* reports an increase in the emergence of visualization technologies that allow retailers to monitor customers' physical interactions with shelving, individual products, and sales associates. This produces data-driven insights that have a high impact on merchandising and sales decisions.

Computational imaging systems use small, well-placed cameras to monitor departments, shelves, and individual fixtures. "Smart" system elements monitor such metrics as customer traffic, customer-representative interactions, and customer interactions with specific products.

Data visualization programs parse the raw data in a variety of ways, including "heat maps" that identify popular product types and "people-less" images that comply with local privacy laws. Listen to this podcast with Intel IT’s David Schaefer to learn more about such visualization tools.

2. Omni-Channel Loyalty Programs

Now that the retail environment is truly omni-channel, loyalty programs must evolve to reflect the myriad touchpoints through which customers interact with retailers and inventoried brands. Omni-channel loyalty programs aggregate data from e-commerce platforms, in-store points of sale, email lists,social media, CRM systems, and other points of contact.

Since even convenience-oriented retailers fail to close 100% of sales opportunities at the first point of contact, omni-channel loyalty programs are critical for nurturing leads to conversion.

3. The Connected Store

Few retail technologies are better suited to the new retail customer experience than the Connected Store. Using next generation Intel® Core™ processors, the Connected Store blends online and in-store operations and allows the retailer to provide targeted content and information across a variety of devices.

Through the use of digital signage, intelligent vending machines, seamless point-of-sale systems, and more, the customer experiences a more personalized and satisfying shopping experience.

Watch this short video to find out more about the Connected Store.

4. MemoMi* Memory Mirror™

The MemoryMirror™ from MemoMi* is a "smart mirror" that integrates directly with mobile technology to give a whole new meaning to "try before you buy." The MemoryMirror™*is a real-time, true-vision digital imaging system that allows customers to view the outfit they're wearing from different angles, and share imagesvia social media for real-time feedback.

Customers can even review previous clothing tried on at a remote location on their smartphone or tablet. The result is a richer in-store experiencethat doesn't end when customers leave the store. The use of such technology makes it more likely they’ll complete the sale.

Technology continues to reshape the retail landscape as customers look for innovative, customized shopping experiences in a variety of settings across a variety of devices. Retailers must take advantage of new technologies in order to provide a complete and successful customer interaction.

PC retail managers and sales representatives take advantage of the Intel® Retail Edge Program to learn about the latest Intel® processors and technologies. It’s tailor-made for training retail sales teams about devices powered by Intel and which of those best meets the needs of each customer.

Use the wide variety of educational materials, interactive features, and live components of the Intel® Retail Edge Program to inform and excite your sales reps about the possibilities of Intel® devices — and help them peek into the future of the next big technological innovations in retail.

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*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

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