Latest news from Real Wireless: The future of retail is wireless

Making the most of wireless this Christmas | Smartphone users spend more in-store – but only if they’re connected | The wireless future of retail | Industries see the benefit of 5G | Real Wireless giving evidence on BBC Charter Renewal

Making the most of wireless this Christmas

Making the most of wireless this Christmas

For many businesses, Christmas is a make or break time, particularly as the high street struggles to compete with the online sector. We recently launched a report on the opportunities for retail businesses that take advantage of wireless technology to support their business – and now is the perfect time to react. At Christmas wireless can provide the connectivity for shop floor staff to display personalised information such as recommendations on shoppers’ preferences on their tablets, which will more likely result in a sale. Wireless can also help cut queues in the festive period, and a number of retailers and restaurants now accept payments via dedicated apps. According to Joanne Denney-Finch, CEO of IGD, there are also opportunities for “automated replenishment, smart queuing systems and enhanced click and collect services”, enhancing the store experience by “allowing consumers to engage with brands and avoid perceived mundane shopping processes.” All of these are services that require wireless connectivity to function efficiently. However, wireless isn’t always an easy challenge to address — from provision across a complex building to the business case for the investment. For more information on the opportunities enabled by wireless and the business case to support them, download our guide here.

Smartphone users spend more in-store – but only if they’re connected

Seventy-nine per cent of smartphone owners are now smartphone shoppers. And of these 84% use their phone to shop while in-store. That’s why Real Wireless has been working to support the retail sector, as more forward-thinking retailers are aware of the need to invest in technology to stay afloat. Many retailers are innovating hard to attract and retain shoppers by finding ways to engage with customers in-store. And they’re right to do so – a recent Google survey found connected shoppers spend more than the unconnected. But with this comes a challenge – massive data use overloading business critical infrastructure. Outside-in wireless is not a long-term solution any more, and retailers need to embrace wireless to deliver mobile-payments, personalised offers, price comparisons and stock control. Find out how Real Wireless can help future-proof your business with our free report on the value of wireless to the retail sector

The wireless future of retail

We’ve taken a look at some of the ways retailers are making use of technology to enhance the customer experience. For example, Westfield shopping centre’s app give customers offers from their favourite store and ‘express parking’, while Wagamama’s new payment app lets customers pay directly from their smartphone. Heidi.com in Switzerland has created an ‘endless shelf’ concept by stocking a broad range of products in-store, allowing customers to view products and then use touch screens to order the item in the exact variation they need. William Hill is an example of a company using virtual reality to give punters the opportunity to view races from the PoV of the rider in full, interactive 3D. All of these applications require data connectivity, and the vast majority will rely on wireless connectivity. Often the best solution will be a dedicated in-building wireless system, one that provides a clear business benefit to staff and customers alike. Read the full blog post here

Industries see the benefit of 5G

Real Wireless giving evidence on BBC Charter Renewal

Last week in Brussels, Real Wireless helped deliver the second and final workshop of the "5G Socioeconomic study" for the European Commission. Attendees from four sectors including automotive, healthcare, transport and utilities were tasked with validating 5G for their own sector and identifying the top three 5G capabilities for their industry.

For all sectors, the ability to deliver a scalable Internet of Things or sensor solution was key but there were concerns about trust and the potential lack of control businesses have over their 5G network slice or solution. However, the findings clearly highlight a willingness for industries to embrace 5G. Read more about the workshop here.

Real Wireless’ director of technology has been invited to give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 11 November 2015 regarding the role of the BBC in technological development. This underlines the role of Real Wireless experts as sources of credible, relevant independent wireless advice.

Watch @real_wireless and @CommonsCMS for updates: and we’ll be reporting on the outcomes after the event.

Meet Real Wireless at these events

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