Oracle Media Resource

"We are committed to providing a consistent shopping experience and to meeting customer expectations across channels by aligning pricing, promotions, and inventory availability online and in-store," said Luis Paez, chief information officer, Perry Ellis International. "With Oracle Retail Release 14, we have a consistent view of all inventory, so we can offer customers any product we have in stock regardless of where it resides."

A global consumer survey by Oracle has found that consumers are increasingly demanding a more technology-driven and global shopping experience.

The study highlights that there are opportunities for retailers to differentiate themselves and win customers through better in-store experiences, more-effective mobile strategies, and increased access to information regarding inventory and pricing. Key findings are broken into the following categories:

Apparel retailer and wholesaler Perry Ellis International has updated its retail systems to Oracle Retail Release 14 to ensure inventory is available and can be fulfilled across all channels.

An overwhelming majority (70%) of consumers around the globe say that the best way retailers can add value to their shopping experience is to provide easy access to information about their products and services, both online and in stores. That's one of the key takeaways of a new consumer research study by Oracle.

Enabled by technological advances, today's consumers are reaching across borders and channels for shopping experiences that provide unprecedented choice and convenience. A new consumer research report, "Retail Without Limits - A Modern Commercial Society," explores how a technology-powered "invisible hand" has transformed the retail environment and reveals lessons for retailers as they adapt to this new, nearly limitless retail marketplace.

"We are committed to providing a consistent shopping experience and to meeting customer expectations across channels by aligning pricing, promotions, and inventory availability online and in-store," said Luis Paez, chief information officer, Perry Ellis International. "With Oracle Retail Release 14, we have a consistent view of all inventory, so we can offer customers any product we have in stock regardless of where it resides."

For these global consumers convenience and converged commerce is underpinned by mobile. The report found that this is the fastest growing method of shopping in all countries, with 67% of people stating they are using smart-phones and other mobile devices to enhance their shopping experience.

Significantly more consumers than last year are using smartphones to help them shop and now they have specific needs and desires from retailers.

Last week, Oracle hosted its second annual Oracle Industry Connect conference in Washington, D.C. This seat of world power was an appropriate setting for a two-day summit explaining how retailers can use technology to obtain better control of every aspect of their enterprises.

For fast-growing retailer Ulta Beauty, having an omnichannel presence does not just mean selling products across multiple touch-points. As Ulta Beauty executives explained during a presentation at the recent Oracle Industry Connect 2015 conference, the retailer uses an Oracle Retail technology platform to support a range of omnichannel experiences that engage customers at a highly personal level.

With a worldwide operation, complicated supply chains and retail outlets on top of manufacturing responsibilities, getting product to the buyer is not as easy as Adidas makes it seem. But through a data mining and loss prevention program powered by Oracle MICROS XBRi, the company has harnessed its point-of-sale data to cut down on preventable losses and build a leaner business.

Adidas, which was an existing Oracle financials user, initially implemented XBR in its North American operation, where the retailer felt there would be the best commercial and functional fit. Satisfied with the comprehensive visualization XBR provided into North American loss prevention data, Adidas launched XBR in Europe in 2009, but encountered initial difficulties.

"Our customers are the most important part of our business and finding new ways to engage with them in beauty and building our authority in that space is critical to us," said Dave Kimbell, Ulta's chief marketing officer at Oracle Industry Connect in Washington, D.C..

A tech-led "invisible hand" is transforming the retail marketplace as consumers reach across borders and channels for new shopping experiences, says a new report. The report from IT provider Oracle, entitled "Retail Without Limits - A Modern Commercial Society", surveyed 500 shoppers in each of ten countries: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US.

Ulta communicates with shoppers across many channels: mobile, guest services, direct mail, online, email, point of sale and social. So consistent messaging across all platforms is key. "Our core guest is very engaged so she's always looking for new ways to learn more. Integrating all of these touch-points into a unified experience and ensuring she's having a consistent experience from a branding and communications standpoint helps elevate our approach," Kimbell told attendees at the Oracle Industry Connect conference in Washington, D.C. last week.  

Oracle Industry Connect 2015 wrapped recently, and best-of-breed retailers and brands including Nordstrom, ULTA Beauty, Adidas, Lilly Pulitzer, Gap, Charming Charlie, and more presented their paths to omni-channel, or as Mike Webster, senior VP and GM retail and hospitality, put it "evolved omni-channel, as it blends digital and physical, because 'it's all retailing.'"