Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 16

TECHNOLOGY ROUNDTABLE

Q

WARNER: Continuing with
our theme of prognostication, what might the retail
store of the future look like? What
kind of technologies will we integrate
into the experience to enhance it
for the customer and to build better
relationships with them?

Connell: We're in a unique situation at Roots where having a lot
of visible technology in our physical retail space is the antithesis
of our brand. Our customers typically view Roots as an escape
into the open air, being comfortable and natural and not being
exposed to all the digital noise. When we consider technology, we
consider how it will be integrated into the overall experience in a
subtle, helpful way; it's not noticed as technology it's recognized
as a service. It needs to be very
seamless, organic and human
in scale. Our store experience
emphasizes interaction with
people. Otherwise you might as
well shop exclusively online.
Simpson: We are also very

85%
The vast majority of
respondents agree that
retailers will repurpose
and right-size retail
store space allocation
to enable experiential
shopper experiences.

much about the human to human relationships that we build
with our customers. For us it's
about educating and walking
customers through the latest
designs from established and
emerging designers, keeping
our customers up-to-date on
key trends and romancing the
product. Our fashion engaged
customers see fashion as entertainment, which
means we'll always need engaged, highly knowledgeable sales associates who share that passion and
curiosity and want to stay on top of fashion. It helps
us connect with customers.Technology that can
enable and complement the efforts of our associates
can strengthen the bond we have with customers.

Dawson: A lot of retailers have adopted digital
screens and other technologies in-store and we also
see potential value for the customer in these approaches, but we want to strike the right balance between
hi- and low-tech solutions inside our stores. Rather than jump on the bandwagon, we want to first figure out what the role of this technology should be in
our stores and across the entire purchasing path. Our use of technology will
always be driven by what our customers want and the way they engage with
us. We'll also continue to strive to eliminate some of the pain points in the
customer's shopping journey. If there's a technology solution that can help us
do that, we'll consider pursuing it.
Nelson: I don't think that the core of our strategy will change too much

fifteen years from today. Our stores will have bi-directional touchpoints that
allow for open dialogue between our customers and our merchants. But we
will continue to be focused on our customer. The customer should always
guide all decisions across the organization from IT to merchandising.

16 |

CANADIAN RETAILER | FALL 2016



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016

Publisher’s Desk
Retail Currents
Retail Research
Independents’ Corner
Retail: At Issue
The Future of Retail
Technology for the Good
E-Commerce Next Practices
The State of Mobile Payments
Aldo Launches ‘Store of the Future’ at Westfield World Trade Center
The Hottest Summer in Half a Century
Once More Unto the Breach
Advertiser’s Index
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - bellyband1
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - bellyband2
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - cover1
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - cover2
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - insert1
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - insert2
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 3
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Publisher’s Desk
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 5
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Retail Currents
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 7
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - insert3
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - insert4
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Retail Research
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Independents’ Corner
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Retail: At Issue
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 11
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - insert5
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - insert6
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - The Future of Retail
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 13
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 14
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 15
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 16
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 17
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 18
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 19
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Technology for the Good
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 21
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 22
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 23
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - E-Commerce Next Practices
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 25
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 26
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 27
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - The State of Mobile Payments
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 29
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 30
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 31
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Aldo Launches ‘Store of the Future’ at Westfield World Trade Center
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 33
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - The Hottest Summer in Half a Century
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 35
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 36
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 37
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Once More Unto the Breach
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 39
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 40
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - 41
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - Advertiser’s Index
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - cover3
Canadian Retailer - Fall 2016 - cover4
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