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August - 2013 - issue > CIO Insights

Embrace Omni Channel Retailing

Sunil Kunders
CIO-Arvind Lifestyle Brands
Friday, July 26, 2013
Sunil Kunders
Arvind Lifestyle Brands is a subsidiary of Arvind Limited (NSE : ARVIND). Headquartered in Bangalore, it is India's largest denim manufacturer.

New trends in retail Sector

The Retail Industry in India has come forth as one of the most dynamic industries with several players entering the market. The total concept and idea of shopping has undergone an total change from 4 or 5 years back. Today, retail in India is observed in the forms of shopping centers, multi-stored malls and big shopping complexes that offer entertainment hand in hand with shopping. There is a growing number of “Digital Natives” in India and its impact on retail is really high. Digital natives are the new generation of shoppers who rely exclusively on the internet for product information, product user opinions, and feedback and more often than not buy on the internet. This behavioral aspect impacts the way in which IT will have to present a set of services to its users and end consumers. IT in retail will have to focus on supporting an Omni Channel Sales model.

Challenges in Retail today

Lots of challenges are arriving today in retail sector. Managing Big Data and providing a platform that uses Big Data to provide insightful data to business users is one of the major challenges today. Such data should be of immediate actionable value and have a positive impact on improving business performance. The next challenge is to provide a remarkable effect for consumers at all touch points during the shopping experience. Particular emphasis would be on in-store experience that will convert the consumer into a brand evangelist. Some of the major challenges include seasonal cash flow, crime related losses, protecting customer information, high worker turnover and others. These are the high challenging factors that should have to be looked over with sincere priorities.


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