Apex and STORES Magazine Present Roundtable: “Satisfying Consumer Expectations for Real-Time Retail”
As Released on Business Wire
Global Retail and Distribution Leaders Offer Insights
NEW YORK – (Jan. 18, 2016 11:50 AM Eastern Time) – Apex Supply Chain Technologies and the National Retail Federation’s STORES magazine partnered to produce an executive roundtable discussion, “Satisfying Consumer Expectations for Real-Time Retail” at the NRF’s annual Big Show Convention and Expo in New York.
The roundtable brought together executive leadership of global retail and supply chain companies, including Choice Logistics, Quest Solution, Manhattan Associates, the Herbert Group and Apex Supply Chain Technologies, to discuss how evolving consumer preferences are driving change in retail stores and distribution centers. STORES editor Susan Reda was the moderator.
“Consumers’ expectations for how to buy, collect and pay are leading to major changes in how retailers and distribution centers operate,” said Kent Savage, president and CEO of Apex and a speaker on the panel. “Our discussion focused on technology that’s available right now for retailers and DCs to better deliver on the promise of real-time retail.”
Another panelist was Tom Miller, president and chairman of Quest Solution Inc., field mobility, data collection and wireless system integrator.
“With retail’s omnichannel movement of the past several years, customers’ options to buy have grown exponentially, this panel uncovered great insights into ensuring the smooth flow of both data and products, which is critical in an omnichannel world.”
Tom Miller, president and chairman of Quest Solution Inc.
Panelists reviewed how the multitude of buying channels available to consumers impacts stores and DCs. Retailers are finding new ways to deliver by offering automated click-and-collect, buy online pick up in-store (BOPIS) and remote pickup locations.
Panelists also discussed how to efficiently manage handheld electronics in retail stores and DCs to end the pattern of lost scanners, tablets, smartphones and headsets. These savings in replacement costs and labor time help to keep the flow of goods moving.
And with handheld electronics a part of the brick-and-mortar store setting, panelists offered their expertise on how to make sure these devices can be managed for front-of-house sales associates to improve store operating efficiencies and inventory accuracy.
Apex solutions for each of these scenarios, including cloud-based lockers for management of handheld electronics, plus retail self-serve lockers for retail shopping, are on display this week in booth 825 at the NRF’s Big Show in New York City.
About Apex Supply Chain Technologies: Mason, Ohio-based Apex Supply Chain Technologies is a global leader in automated dispensing systems for applications in retail, professional, service and industrial settings. CEO and founder Kent Savage is widely recognized as an international expert on automated dispensing and technology solutions and a visionary for innovative applications of the technology. Apex has managed more than one billion automated vending transactions and serves thousands of global clients, including more than 300 Fortune 1000 companies. For more information, email info@apexorderpickup.com or call +1 (800) 229-7912.