Commerce is continuously developing automation technology and artificial intelligence

In many cases, it was necessary to quickly introduce or optimize multi-channel services, such as in-store pick-up online ordering, to reorganize the cash register and payment processes, to digitize customer communication and to transform the entire internal work organization. Due to disruptions in supply chains, it was also often necessary to make systems more flexible and digitize many processes in procurement.

After the end of the pandemic, many new developments that put technology even more to the fore appeared. Due to the exponentially rising energy costs, it is necessary to focus even more on the processes that control and monitor energy consumption. The ubiquitous shortage of staff in stores accelerates projects aimed at automating and simplifying processes in stores in order to employ the available staff more efficiently. Due to the unprecedented proliferation of cyber attacks, cyber security projects must be uniformly prioritized in order to protect companies to the greatest possible degree and to develop scenarios that ensure rapid response.

The EHI Retail Institute published the latest edition of its biannual study on retail technology trends on the occasion of EuroShop. The survey was based on personal interviews with IT directors and department heads of more than 90 German, Swiss and Austrian companies.