Retail executive survey focuses on store technology use and provides perspective on current and future direction of retailer technology spending.

BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2011—Retailers are bullish on the economy.  After a difficult few years, retailers are beginning to move tentatively towards a brighter future where a mobilized, connected customer interacts easily with the store associate, their own social network, the store’s home office, and even perhaps the merchandise vendor.  All this, and there may not be a Point of Sale (POS) terminal anywhere in sight.

Retailers identified mobile POS technologies as a quickly emerging trend, with more than half planning to launch mobile solutions within the next two years.  Leveraging the growing proliferation and acceptance of smartphones and consumers’ need for instant access to information,  untethered mobile devices are becoming an important tool for retailers to connect with customers and grow their business.

Retailers are also looking to the future as they consider options to replace their current generation of POS equipment.  More than three-quarters of the retailers indicated plans to replace POS terminals within the next four years.  Also, sixteen percent are currently running “thin client”  solutions, which rely on dedicated Internet based connections rather than information stored on a local computer.  With networks becoming faster, less expensive, and more reliable, the ability to use simpler (and less expensive) POS equipment at the store has been recognized.

“We are at a strategic inflection point where the network is taking center stage,” said Ken Morris, Principal of Boston Retail Partners.   “This enables a mobile world where consumers drive self checkout through smartphones, interact with friends in real-time on purchasing decisions, and receive personalized pricing and discounts as they are shopping.  This creates a win for the consumer, and also for the retailer who may use less POS equipment avoiding additional costs.”

Boston Retail Partners released the 12th Annual POS Survey of top U.S. retailers at the NRF Big Show Retail Exposition in New York this week.

For more information and to have the 12th Annual POS Survey results emailed to you, visit www.bostonretailpartners.com.

About Boston Retail Partners: BRP is an innovative and independent retail management consulting firm dedicated to providing superior service and enduring value to our clients.

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