Day One at the Online Retailer Conference: A Tech Led Future For Retail

Day One at the Online Retailer Conference: A Tech Led Future For Retail

Today, I had a fascinating day at the Online Retailer Conference & Expo , learning about the latest trends and technologies shaping the retail industry here and abroad. Here are some of my observations from the sessions I attended:

Session 1: Delivering a better tomorrow through technology

Gary Starr from @AusPost discussed the importance of using technology to deliver a better customer experience. He said that retailers need to use data and analytics to understand their customers' needs and preferences and then use that information to personalise the shopping experience. He also discussed using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate tasks and improve customer service.

Session 2: Unleashing a Fur-First CX strategy

Jon Wild from Pet Circle talked about how the company's "fur-first" customer experience has helped them to achieve significant growth. He said that Pet Circle focuses on understanding the needs of pet parents and their pets, and they use this information to create a personalised and engaging customer experience. He also discussed the importance of building relationships with pet parents and providing excellent customer service.

Session 3: The customer retention playbook

Carney Nir from Orveon Global talked about the importance of customer retention. She said that customer acquisition costs much more than retaining existing customers, so it's important to focus on keeping your customers happy. She also shared some tips for improving customer retention, such as personalising the customer experience, offering loyalty programs, and providing excellent customer service.

Session 4: Panel: A new vision for your online retail business

Peter Knock , Kirsten Kore , Michael Fox , Dan Ferguson and Paul Greenberg discussed the future of online retail and how businesses can stay ahead of the curve. They talked about the importance of using data and analytics to drive growth, personalising the customer experience, and building a strong brand. They also discussed the importance of being agile and responsive to change and the need to invest in new technologies.

Session 5: Driving resilience through technology and innovation

Huw Griffiths , Sergio Balmes and Asheesh Chacko discussed how technology could help retailers to become more resilient and responsive to change. They talked about using AI and machine learning to improve customer service, using big data to drive growth, and investing in new technologies. They also discussed the importance of having a data-driven culture and using data to make decisions.

Session 6: Panel: Capitalising on the opportunities of marketplaces

Sam Wood , Martin Cerantonio and Hamish Conway discussed how retailers can use marketplaces to grow their business. They talked about the importance of choosing the right marketplaces, the need to create a compelling product listing, and the importance of providing excellent customer service. They also discussed the importance of being active on social media and using other marketing channels to drive traffic to their marketplace listings.

Session 7: The Future of Retailers and Marketplaces

Mark Mansour GM Everyday Market,?@Woolworths?and Vic Gigliotti Founder,?Muscle Republic, talked about the future of marketplaces and how retailers can use them to grow their business. He said marketplaces are a great way to reach new customers and expand your product offering. He said that customers expect the same level of service on marketplaces as on a retailer's website, so it's important to be responsive to their needs and resolve issues quickly.

Session 8: How brands can implement a growth strategy on marketplaces

Christian McKelvie discussed how brands can implement a growth strategy on marketplaces. He said it's important to understand your target audience clearly, choose the right marketplaces and create a compelling product listing. He said customer service is one of the most important factors in determining whether a customer will return to marketplaces.

Session 9: Future or fad: technologies and trends shaping the retail landscape

A great panel including, Brian Walker , Murdo Wallace , amongst others, discussed the latest trends and technologies shaping the retail industry. They talked about the rise of artificial intelligence, the growth of social commerce, and the importance of creating immersive shopping experiences. They also spoke about the importance of being open to change and willing to experiment with new technologies.

Highlights of the Day

• Christian McKelvie from Catch gave a great talk on how retailers can use marketplaces to grow their business. He shared valuable insights on choosing the right marketplaces, creating a compelling product listing, and providing excellent customer service.
• Gary Starr from Australia Post discussed the importance of using technology to deliver a better customer experience. He shared some interesting examples of how Australia Post uses data and analytics to improve the customer experience.
• Jon Wild from Pet Circle shared her insights on creating a "fur-first" customer experience. She talked about the importance of understanding the needs of pet parents and their pets and how Pet Circle uses this information to create a personalised and engaging shopping experience.

I also had the opportunity to meet with old friends, and partners and meet new people, and I was inspired by the passion and enthusiasm of the speakers and attendees. I'm looking forward to day two of the conference and excited to see what the future holds for the retail industry.

Here are some of the key points from the conference:

• The importance of using technology to deliver a better customer experience.
• The need to personalise the customer experience and build relationships with customers.
• The importance of providing excellent customer service on your website and on marketplaces.
• The need to be agile, responsive to change, and invest in new technologies.
• The importance of having a strong brand and being active on social media.

#OnlineRetailerConference #retailtech #retailinnovation #futureretail #ecommerce #customerexperience #marketplaces #ai #ar digiDirect ChannelEngine SHOPLINE Frank Nesci Shopline Australia Raj Mukherjee David Campbell Marketplacer

https://www.onlineretailer.com/en-gb.html