We at ART Software group have been working closely with retail and leisure destinations for 20 years, and the need for faster understanding for teams to capitalise and adapt strategies is only increasing, so here we layout some practical pillars for retail’s road ahead. 

To innovate requires sharp understanding of the reality

Metrics that provide visibility on how a site or a portfolio of retail destinations are working, where they can be improved and what is missing is essential. Without the right reporting in place teams cannot scout or measure innovations that truly add value. 

Our mission has always been to deliver practical connection through the right tools for each task or role, and this people-centric approach is proving even more important as digital environments evolve. Our experience has helped us craft a blend of different reporting features that generate better results by pulling in key components that fuel understanding and drive performance in retail and leisure spaces. There is pressure to innovate, but the foundation for this starts with effective measurement of what is really happening on the front lines.

A dashboard is only as good as the data that is powering it

Dashboards may be a great way of seeing status at a glance, but a dashboard is only as good as the data that is powering it. Our PropTech solution Retail Advantage includes dashboards of course, but what sets the product apart are the different industry focused tools with accurate presentation and correlation of useful data that enables people to quickly get to important detail. 

In February’s edition of RLI, ART’s Director Gareth Jordan highlighted the potential opportunities offered by taking a pragmatic view with accurate data: “With our history in solutions that support performance-linked leases, Retail Advantage has been particularly beneficial for those that are testing and implementing new lease structures, where clearly measuring different metrics and their impact on performance may well be the way forward for the industry.”

In touch but touchless 

The trend towards touchless environments also featured in RLI in their ‘Global 2021 Retail Forecast – A Case For Optimism.’  The report highlighted the acceleration of consumers using their smartphones to interact with store environments. We absolutely see this happening, but this is not only the age of the connected consumer, we are also big advocates of more connected working for tenants, leasing, marketing and management teams. The productivity and performance of any brand or retail site relies on efficient access to strategic detail; through analytics. Now you can expect insights that drive decision making, share understanding with brand partners and access engaging communication feeds that support strategy and operational efficiency, from on or off-site. 

2021 will be about helping people emerge with keen plans to build on and develop the successes that lie ahead. Get in touch to discuss your roadmap.

We started MAPIC 2018 early at the International Outlet Summit, where ART Software Group director, Gareth Jordan took the stage for a panel discussion on The Connected Consumer Experience in Outlet Destinations.  The lively debate hosted by Mark Faithful, editor of Retail Property confirmed the importance of sharing information and connected working in order to satisfy the new connected customer.

Neinver’s European marketing and retail director, Sebastian Sommer commented “We need to provide a stage where guests and consumers want to be loyalty customers… This requires a lot of data sharing between outlets and retailers. We cannot underestimate how important this will be.”

There was also discussion about connections between outlet and full-price retail.  Nike’s senior director of real estate, construction and facilities EMEA, Fabien Stultz said the company was redefining its outlet store model and becoming more experience-led. “Discounts are no longer just in outlet centres,” he added.

ART’s director Gareth Jordan also commented on how changes in consumer patterns, with more focus on positive experiences are changing the way outlets and traditional retail portfolios are interacting with brands: “The gap and the difference between outlets and full-price retail is changing now. Brands that are in full-price retailing are more willing to work with shopping centres to share data. But the key is not how much you have to share – it’s what you do with it.”

Gareth elaborated on this point at the Innovation Forum on the opening day of MAPIC – showcasing ART’s data analytics and management solution Retail Advantage.

In this session, Gareth spoke about data with purpose: “Retail environments have access to more data than ever. In theory, this should be fuelling insights and informing decisions, but you have to treat it with purpose.” He expanded on the importance of connecting the right person with the right information at the right moment. 

“There has rightly been a huge push to deliver a connected customer experience. Retail Advantage expands this concept, communicating and sharing live information to create connected stores; supporting retail efforts. The aim is to help create a community where shopping centres and outlets can work together with tenants to get the best performance based on up-to-date information,” Gareth added. 

Reiterating the mood across MAPIC 2018 that tech may be transforming our reality, but it is also transforming our culture as we move into the future of connected retail.

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