Nick Mavrokordatos
Vodafone UK Head of Sales - Consumer Goods - Retail, Aviation, FMCG
2 minute read
31/07/2023
Times of adversity can also be moments of opportunity. Here are some technologies that can help retailers stem the tide of rising costs.
Just when the retail sector thought it had survived the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been hit with a wave of new challenges. Now retailers are contending with the impacts of a tough economic landscape, including rising inflation and interest rates, all of which are reducing footfall and squeezing margins to breaking point.
At the same time, they are having to react to the rapid changes that are transforming the sector – improving ecommerce capabilities, expanding delivery services and digital transformation to take advantage of new opportunities to collect and harness customer data.
As if that wasn’t enough, UK retailers face a bill for an estimated £3 billion in increased business rates on top of a massive rise in energy costs.1 While the government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme helped mitigate some of this burden, its successor, the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, is more limited in scope and most retailers are having to swallow the extra costs themselves. No wonder, many are feeling increasingly gloomy about the prospects for their high-street operations. 40% say rising costs will be their biggest challenge in 2023.2
Some high-profile casualties in the retail sector in the last few years have highlighted the critical need to change. It has become increasingly clear the businesses that survive this challenging period and go on to future prosperity will be the ones that adapt fastest.
The most forward-looking retailers are looking at technology-based solutions to the problem of rising costs. New technologies and advances in connectivity, IoT and analytics offer the biggest opportunities for transformation and increased efficiency.
Take premises for instance. Heating and lighting stores, offices and warehouses are a massive overhead, especially as energy costs are only getting higher. So, retailers are looking at Smart Building Technology that can measure precisely how buildings consume gas, electricity and water. Facilities teams monitor this data on a dashboard, which offers actionable insights on optimising energy usage. For example, reducing heating or air conditioning in areas of stores near doors and windows that are naturally warmer or cooler.
IoT sensors can be fitted to an existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In warehouses or office buildings, where the introduction of hybrid working has reduced occupancy, facilities teams can direct heating and lighting levels only to the areas that are being used. This occupancy tracking can also help optimise everything from desk usage to car parking. At a time when energy costs are eating into profitability, this can have a huge impact on costs.
As well as bricks and mortar premises, retailers are looking at every aspect of operations, from their supply chain to fulfilment and delivery, to see where savings can be made. Using Asset Tracking and Monitoring technology is becoming increasingly important as it automates tracking of stock at every stage in the supply chain and uses geofences to create alerts.
Through labelling with an embedded SIM, integrated connectivity and cloud applications, Asset Tracking and Monitoring gives complete visibility of stock at every stage of the journey. This can have a major effect on reducing supply chain inefficiencies, minimising loss and protecting margins by getting the right stock on shelves at the right time, at the right price.
Connectivity through 5G and IoT is the future of retail and the key to tackling rising costs.
Transformation now will ensure that retailers have the infrastructure in place to take advantage of breakthrough technologies that are just around the corner.
Nick Mavrokordatos, Vodafone UK
Advances in connectivity have the potential to deliver huge operational efficiencies and improve sustainability too. Sustainability is a crucial topic within the retail sector and one that cannot be overlooked as data shows that the retail supply chain currently contributes to 25% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) globally.3
Consequently, more and more organisations are integrating sustainability principles into their core values – and taking immediate action. One example is how retailers are now using 5G and real-time analytics of data to establish a true picture of how sustainably they manage waste and, most importantly, how they can take corrective steps now to benefit the future.
Indeed, connectivity through 5G and IoT is the future of retail and the key to tackling rising costs. Transformation now will ensure that retailers have the infrastructure in place to take advantage of breakthrough technologies that are just around the corner. For instance, it may not be long before your food deliveries are being brought to you by miniature autonomous vehicles, communicating in real-time, to avoid congestion and self-plan the fastest routes – as was seen in the recent tests by Starship Technologies in Milton Keynes.4
Ultimately, it’s about improving the all-important customer experience. Technology can help us achieve this while also having a significant impact on tackling rising costs. This can only become more beneficial and relevant to retailers in the future as margins become increasingly tighter.
Vodafone Business works with retailers of all sizes to future proof their operations through innovative solutions.
