Talking Retail Technology

Eat better. Live better.

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In the modern age technology is an integral part of almost every business. In the retail industry where efficiency is critical retailers have been early adopters of technology, many innovations used in other industries have been developed specifically to address problem areas in the retail supply chain. This is a trend that will no doubt continue and while developments in many of the processes of retail - logistics and point of sale – are slowing there is much activity in the “soft” elements such as marketing and customer interaction.

Recently, the Intel Corporation launched its Connected Store concept in New York. Dubbed by some as ‘the future of retail’, it looks to show off the best of current technology and how it could affect retailers and consumers alike.

Using various Intel processors makes it possible for retailers to integrate several services, monitor statistics with ease and offers the luxury of remote manageability. In addition to this, Intel has also unveiled the Intel AIM Suite, a video analytics technology for anonymous audience measurements, this enables retailers to monitor age, gender and length of attention of each customer in the store. If used properly information will revolutionise customer interaction as we know it. Imagine the possibilities for marketing and advertising teams.

Although widespread adoption and implementation may still be a way off, the point is that it’s coming. Retailers need to embrace the change and invest prudently in technology in order to ensure the long term sustainability of their business. The future of retail really is an exciting place for those with an open mind.

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On the 24th of October the Consumer Protection Act takes effect, and everyone’s waiting in anticipation and wondering who it will affect, and how. Will it breathe some life into consumer’s rights in the local market or will it fall by the wayside onto the ever increasing pile of consumer formalities?

As its name suggests, the act sets out to protect the rights of consumers. And manufacturers, suppliers and retailers should take note that ‘consumer’ is a very broad term in this case and encompasses any user, recipient or beneficiary of goods or services, even if they were not part of an agreement relating to the supply of goods.

Furthermore, the legislation dictates that formal policies and documents be written in plain, simple language to the effect that, “an ordinary consumer with average literacy skills and minimal experience as a consumer…can be expected to understand the content, significance and import of the document”. This could prove to be quite a significant ruling as organizations’ liability risk will increase significantly.

The CPA will have far reaching impact and will influence all aspects of the consumer industry. Look at a case currently taking place in the US where a public interest group is suing soft drink giant Coca Cola for making unjustifiable claims about its vitamin water. This is the kind of power that the CPA hopes to bring to local consumers.

And the cost for breaching the legislation? The penalties are harsh, and an organization which is found by the Tribunal to have contravened the Act, may face:

• An administrative fine up to 10% of annual turnover or
• An administrative fine of up to R1 Million, whichever is the greater.

Organizations have, or should have been, aware of the implementation of the CPA for the last 18 months and if they haven’t begun to assess the implications of this yet, now would be a good time to consider doing just that.

For a concise breakdown of the CPA and its implications take a look at the primary source for this article here.


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