Category Archives: Retail Systems

The automated retail industry is one of the two core technology showplaces today (financial Services being #2).

    • Emerging technologies such as robotics, lockers, digital signage, vending and automated vending lead the way.   Amazon and Google revolutionize physical delivery. OuterWall has another great idea (or not).
    • More mature retail technology includes interactive displays, next-generation POS,  mobile interplay, multi-touch, kiosks for self-service, video services, and customer service technology.
    • Companion technologies include ATMs, kiosks, Advanced ATMS,  NFC and thin client.
    • Standards – here we have more regulatory guidelines in play along with more standards than any other industry. PCI, OPOS, JPOS, MPOS,  HIPAA, ADA, UL, CE just to name a few.

RetailNOW 2026 – Discovery and execution call for stronger tech partnerships: 10 takeaways

Retail author Carl Boutet describes challenges facing tech providers to RSPA’s Jim Roddy during the general session. Show Report The pace of change in retail technology is coming faster than many people realize. That much was evident at last week’s RetailNOW 2026 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Those who attended came away better prepared to take on… Read More: RetailNOW 2026 – Discovery and execution call for stronger tech… »

Technology drives vending use cases, tasks equipment service teams

Service and Vending Much has been reported about new capabilities of self service equipment thanks to technology, but when it comes to vending, one maxim has never changed since the time Hero of Tesibus is believed to have invented a coin-operated machine to dispense sacrificial water in ancient Egypt: Service makes the difference. In vending industry parlance, “service”… Read More: Technology drives vending use cases, tasks equipment service teams »

Out of the warehouse, RFID sows new uses

Customer experience, theft prevention, inventory transparency and more take center stage RetailNOW panel explores rising RFID use cases With technologies improving many aspects of retail operations, one longtime standby not to be overlooked thanks to its convenience and versatility is radio frequency identification (RFID). Best known for simplifying inventory management, RFID has evolved to improve the customer experience… Read More: Out of the warehouse, RFID sows new uses »

LAX Metro Transit Center deploys VenHub robotic smart store

VenHub launches Smart Retail Store at LAX/Metro Transit Center at Los Angeles International Airport June 6, 2025. Photo provided by VenHub.

The launch marks VenHub’s first deployment in partnership with LA Metro, with additional locations planned VenHub Global, Inc., a provider of an autonomous, AI-powered retail store, unveiled its flagship Smart Store at the LAX/Metro Transit Center at Los Angeles International Airport earlier this month, the company announced in a press release. The Smart Store brings secure, frictionless, and… Read More: LAX Metro Transit Center deploys VenHub robotic smart store »

Retail against the Coronavirus

Retail Strategies Amazon

From Bain.com March 2020 — Companies can brace themselves for lasting changes to the sector even as they grapple with short-term disruption. At A Glance We’ve put together an operational checklist to help retailers frame their immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic and their medium-term planning for an eventual recovery. Key actions include empowering your emergency response team,… Read More: Retail against the Coronavirus »

Ten Rules Innovation Amazon

Amazon executive Doug Herrington can sum up the formula for his company’s rapid innovation in ten rules. Herrington, a 1988 Princeton alumnus, shared those rules, along with reflections on his own career journey, during a talk on campus Nov. 30. Students, faculty, staff and community members packed McCormick 101 to hear Herrington, senior vice president for North America retail… Read More: Ten Rules Innovation Amazon »

Toys R Us returns to Houston with interactive store

Excerpt from Houston Chronicle Toys R Us, the beloved toy retailer that went out of business last year, has returned to Houston with a revamped store that aims to offer a more interactive shopping experience than its failed predecessors. Customers at the new Toys R Us, which opens Saturday at the Galleria mall, are greeted by corporate mascot… Read More: Toys R Us returns to Houston with interactive store »

Retail Stores Adding Food To Drive Traffic

Reference link Food Coming to a Retail Store Near You LONDON, United Kingdom — In a grand restaurant in central London, customers tuck into classic British delicacies such as afternoon tea topped off with a glass of champagne. Since opening this spring, Thomas’s on Regent Street has become something of a destination. But the space isn’t one of London’s… Read More: Retail Stores Adding Food To Drive Traffic »

‘Retail apocalypse’ now: Analysts say 75,000 more U.S. stores could be doomed.

retail apocalypse

Reported on Washington Post April 10th. Overall, retailers have closed more than 15,000 stores since 2017, according to UBS. Among them: Radio Shack (which closed 1,470 stores), Toys R Us (735 stores), and Mattress Firm and GNC (700 stores each). By Abha Bhattarai April 10 Widespread closures have roiled the retail industry, but many more stores are likely to… Read More: ‘Retail apocalypse’ now: Analysts say 75,000 more U.S. stores could… »