VMSD - February 2018 - 4
FROM THE EDITOR
We're Only Human
Technology's finest was on display at NRF's 2018 Retail's
Big Show, but the buzz was about customer experience.
As I worked my way down the jam-packed aisles of New York's Javitz Center navigating the behemoth show that was NRF 2018: Retail's Big Show, one thing became clear. Last year's concerns about
the future of brick-and-mortar retail and whether physical stores would survive the "retail apocalypse" have given way to an excited conversation about how best to merge the digital/physical worlds
to deliver the ultimate customer experience.
Held Jan. 14-16, the show had a distinct technology focus, drawing nearly 40,000 attendees to New
York to kick off the new year with a look at the latest innovations and trends. Though past events
have seen many of these developments geared toward improving operations efficiencies or optimizing supply chains, this year's show put the customer front and center.
"The way customers want to live their lives today brings the store and e-commerce experiences
together," Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told attendees at the NRF Foundation Gala. "I think 'big picture' what everybody here who is a retailer knows is true is [that] this is a people business. The way
customers feel when they leave your store or your website or your app determines how fast they're
going to come back."
As someone who studies the influence of store environments on the shopping experience,
this is music to my ears. Whether a retailer is employing machine learning to curate the
perfect product selection online for an individual consumer, or using facial recognition
technology in store to greet the loyal shopper as she crosses the threshold, in the
end, the most important component is the emotional connection the brand has
made with that customer.
Engaging customers using data gathered by smart tools embedded in lighting
or fixtures to better understand their needs, wants and behaviors holds much
promise, as does mobile technology that empowers associates on the sales floor
to assist shoppers more effectively.
If NRF 2018 is any indication, this will be an exciting year for both the retailer
and the consumer.
Jennifer Acevedo
Editor-in-Chief, VMSD magazine
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of VMSD - February 2018
Vmsd - February 2018
Contents
From the Editor
Vmsd Editorial Advisory Board
The Goods
Next Store
Peace. Joy. Windows
Life on the Road
Rapid Innovation
Speaking Intimately
Showroom
Ad Index
Checking Out
VMSD - February 2018 - BB1
VMSD - February 2018 - BB2
VMSD - February 2018 - Vmsd - February 2018
VMSD - February 2018 - Cover2
VMSD - February 2018 - 1
VMSD - February 2018 - Contents
VMSD - February 2018 - 3
VMSD - February 2018 - From the Editor
VMSD - February 2018 - 5
VMSD - February 2018 - Vmsd Editorial Advisory Board
VMSD - February 2018 - 7
VMSD - February 2018 - The Goods
VMSD - February 2018 - 9
VMSD - February 2018 - 10
VMSD - February 2018 - 11
VMSD - February 2018 - 12
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VMSD - February 2018 - 14
VMSD - February 2018 - 15
VMSD - February 2018 - Next Store
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VMSD - February 2018 - Peace. Joy. Windows
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VMSD - February 2018 - Life on the Road
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VMSD - February 2018 - 39
VMSD - February 2018 - Rapid Innovation
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VMSD - February 2018 - 43
VMSD - February 2018 - Speaking Intimately
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VMSD - February 2018 - Showroom
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VMSD - February 2018 - Checking Out
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