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What IoT technologies will be deployed in Walmart stores ?
Walmart will deploy for the first time ever the latest-generation VUSION platform , which has been developed by SES-imagotag labs through a ten-year R & D program , with first patents filed as early as 2013 . The upgraded VUSION platform features many major innovations to further digitize shelves , such as : smart rails combining connectivity and energy , battery-less digital labels with enhanced performance , a new transmission protocol based on the ultra-low-power new Bluetooth standard , Bluetooth Low Energy enabled new features based on advanced interoperability with compatible devices , and a substantial carbon footprint reduction compared to any existing Electronic Shelf Labels ( ESLs ) solution .
What benefits can IoT technologies bring to retailers ?
The key benefit is greater visibility into operations combined with the ability to execute efficiently , as IoT technologies enable retailers to access data they need to make informed , considered decisions . Insights such as what is selling particularly well and needs to be replenished , which products need to be dynamically priced or promoted due to their use by date , or which items have not been in high demand and therefore do not need to be reordered , are critical for optimizing store operations .
IoT technologies also play an important role in decreasing the volume of products that stores would otherwise have to
By digitizing physical stores , retailers can produce real-time , accurate in-store data analytics consider for disposal . Triggering purchases when they matter , delivering impactful messages at the shelf , and targeting shoppers when products are within reach all generate in-store sales uplift .
Increasing the efficiency of replenishment and order picking can also help retailers meet their sustainability goals . With clear insight into which products are popular , how frequently they are purchased , and when sales are slowing down , retailers can reduce over-ordering on certain items . Together with optimizing in-store production to meet demand , retailers can avoid excessive mark downs and waste .
You mentioned sustainability , could you tell us more about the role of these technologies in helping retailers achieve their broader sustainability goals ?
The retail sector faces a widespread product disposal and food waste issue . Stores are constantly dealing with the need to rid their stores of products that are unfit for consumption , past their expiration dates , or not wanted by their customers , hurting both the environment and their bottom line .
By digitizing physical stores , retailers can produce real-time , accurate in-store data analytics , opening an era of enhanced collaboration between suppliers and retailers to improve supply chain efficiency , transparency , safety , and sustainability . To support waste reduction , data insights from stores can even help create accurate fresh food production plans .
The more visibility retailers have into their stores and shelves , the easier it can be for them to adapt their deliveries and logistics . They can re-order when it ’ s necessary and avoid too many deliveries if products are still on shelves .
Implementing digital technologies in physical retail is a key sustainability enabler . These technologies encourage
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