New Study Shows Shrinking Payrolls Drive Continued Store Technology Investments

In RSR's latest benchmark research, more than two thirds of retailers surveyed have reduced their payroll budgets due to economic conditions, and 40% have decreased those payrolls by an amount greater than their changes in sales. However, less than 10% of retailers report any project postponement for in-store technologies due to economic conditions. RSR's research found a great degree of unanimity across respondents: retail employees need to be empowered with better tools and information, with better-performing most clearly demonstrating an understanding that better productivity is linked to better service to consumers.

Walking the Razor's Edge: Managing the Store Experience in an Economic Singularity

Perhaps one of the biggest turn-arounds compared to previous studies on this topic is the full-blown recognition within the retail enterprise that store technologies really do matter

Retailers understand they cannot efficiently maintain or improve the customer experience without it.

Retailers still have a long way to go in unlocking the potential of these technologies

Retailers selling General Merchandise and Apparel have been hardest hit by the economy, and also have the most to gain from taking better advantage of store solutions.

Walking the Razor's Edge: Managing the Store Experience in an Economic Singularity

Miami, FL (PRWEB) June 10, 2009 -- RSR's newest research study, "Walking the Razor's Edge: Managing the Store Experience in an Economic Singularity," sponsored by Epicor and SAP, shows retailer recognition that low price alone will not help them gain or maintain market share.

"Perhaps one of the biggest turn-arounds compared to previous studies on this topic is the full-blown recognition within the retail enterprise that store technologies really do matter," said Paula Rosenblum, managing partner at RSR Research and co-author of the report. "Retailers understand they cannot efficiently maintain or improve the customer experience without it."

"Retailers still have a long way to go in unlocking the potential of these technologies," added Brian Kilcourse, managing partner at RSR Research and co-author of the report. "Retailers selling General Merchandise and Apparel have been hardest hit by the economy, and also have the most to gain from taking better advantage of store solutions."

RSR's new study, "Walking the Razor's Edge: Managing the Store Experience in an Economic Singularity," explores the challenges retailers face in the worst economy of our lifetimes. The report, with benchmark data captured from April and May 2009, provides recommendations on how to improve the in-store experience even in an economic downturn.

To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, click here or:
http://www.retailsystemsresearch.com/_document/summary/935
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retail retail it store store technology rsr paula rosenblum brian kilcourse retail employee

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