The retail landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and smart connected store solutions. In the latest Retail Tech Talk, Justin Rice, CBTS SVP of Solutions, and Jon Lloyd, CBTS Field CTO, shared key insights on the future of retail technology solutions and what they mean for your organization.
The power of AI and automation in retail
Retailers are embracing AI and automation to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences. At this year’s National Retail Federation’s “Big Show,” industry leaders showcased groundbreaking technologies that are transforming in-store experiences and fortifying security.
From digital signage and dynamic pricing to AI-driven customer interactions and wayfinding applications, these innovations are redefining retail operations. Retailers are integrating e-commerce with physical stores using AI-powered tools that enhance consumer tracking, targeted advertising, and inventory management—ensuring a seamless, personalized shopping experience.
Despite ongoing challenges in the retail sector, brick-and-mortar stores remain a critical part of the shopping experience. To stay competitive, retailers are investing in technology that enhances in-store engagement, drives foot traffic, and creates a frictionless shopping journey.
Dynamic pricing and AI-powered inventory management strategies are also gaining traction. By leveraging real-time data, businesses can optimize stock levels, stay competitive, and maximize profit margins while offering customers fair and transparent pricing through relevant retail technology solutions.
Read more: AI in retail: Seven steps retailers can take right now to improve customer experience with AI
CBTS and RTI: A strategic partnership in retail technology
A key highlight from the webcast was the collaboration between CBTS and Retail Tech Inc. (RTI). Together, they are offering comprehensive in-store retail technology solutions, including network infrastructure, point-of-sale systems, and security solutions.
Jon Lloyd emphasized the value of this partnership, stating, “Whether we call it front of house, back of house, whether you call it day one, day two, we are going to handle it soup to nuts, and that’s the value proposition of the partnership with RTI.”
Strengthening security in retail
As cyber and physical security threats increase, retailers must adopt robust security measures to protect both their operations and customer data. Businesses are implementing advanced security frameworks, including:
- Firewalls and breach detection systems.
- 24×7 monitoring through managed security services (MSSP).
- AI-driven security solutions for anomaly detection and fraud prevention.
AI is playing a crucial role in modern security strategies, helping retailers safeguard consumer data, optimize workforce management, and proactively detect threats. CBTS is leading the charge in AI-driven security infrastructure, automating routine tasks and improving operational efficiency to reduce risks and costs.
Read more: The future of retail connectivity: Embracing SD-WAN and SASE solutions
CBTS: A trusted partner in retail technology solutions
CBTS positions itself as a “general contractor” for retail technology solutions, offering AI-driven networking, managed IT services, voice solutions, and cybersecurity tailored for the retail sector.
Justin Rice highlighted AI’s critical role, stating, “AI integrated at the customer experience level, AI integrated at the employee level, and managing POS, and then for us AI is our bread and butter. AI is integrated at the network and security layer meaning we know that downtime is very expensive for retailers because you’re literally missing revenue every second to zero down.”
He continued, “How can we leverage AI to help find anomalies and proactively fix issues or detect issues more rapidly? So, I think that means vertically integrated AI across all those three pillars, I’m excited to see how much that matures over the next calendar year.”
The future of a successful retail operation hinges on the ability to harness AI, automation, the Cloud, and strategic partnerships to create seamless, efficient, and engaging shopping experiences. Retailers must stay ahead by embracing the latest innovations and leveraging expert solutions.
Explore how CBTS and RTI are transforming the retail industry. Visit CBTS Retail Solutions to discover cutting-edge applications, scalable platforms, and integrated security that will keep your business ahead of the curve.
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