How wireless is boosting the retail sector

The retail industry overall, except for notables such as Wal-Mart and some innovative e-commerce sites launched by traditional brick and mortars (think Lands End), has long been a laggard in IT adoption when compared to other sectors (financial services, for example). But more stores are discovering how mobile and wireless applications and services can boost sales and production and deliver better customer service. While hurdles still exist, specifically in determining wireless standards and security issues, a recent study reveals that just a little over half are using some sort of mobile device or service; and, maybe even more encouraging, another 37 percent are deploying mobile software in the next year.

On the return on investment end, wireless technologies are clearly benefiting the consumer shopping experience -- both in traditional storefronts through kiosks and self service and mobile post of sale applications -- offering stronger transactional support and delivering deep customer relationship management and supply chain data and systems. There's even a decent number of retailers who are establishing wireless hotspots for customers. A key statistic is that improved customer service and productivity gains are big benefits cited by more than 60 percent of organizations using mobile applications.

For more on retail wireless deployments:
- read this article at Mobile Pipeline