Internet Of Things (Iot) Will Change Retail Future- Find Out How?

IOT is abbreviated as the Internet of Things. Want to know the Internet of Things definition? Internet of Things or IoT is a network of the internet in which different objects are connected for collecting and exchanging the data files. The term Internet of Things contains two primary substitutes that are internet and things. Internet means the connectivity, and that thing means the objects or devices that are connected.  Hence these objects are connected with the help of the internet and complete the term Internet of Things (IoT).

Let’s understand the concept of IoT with an Example

Internet of Things (IoT) examples, suppose you have a smart TV unit in your home that is connected to the internet connection. Now if you went somewhere by locking Up your house or store, and then you realize that you forget switching off the television. Now with the help of your mobile phone, you can easily switch off the television because of the connectivity that the device is having. Now in this whole situation, your mobile phone and the smart TV is the thing that is the object, and the internet connection that you are using to control the smart TV from your mobile phone is the connectivity.  Show with the help of this internet connectivity both the mobile phone and smart TV are connected and working correctly. This is the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Now we know that what IoT or Internet of Things is?  Let’s come to the next. Now the question that arises is how the Internet of Things works. Or we can say what the working of the Internet of Things is. In the below section of this article, we have discussed the working theory of the Internet of Things that is IOT. You are suggested to take a glance.

Working of IOT (Internet of Things)

Devices that are having inbuilt sensor get connected at the Internet of Things platform.  Letter on the IOT platform integrates information from several objects and then share the important and desired data with the applications that are designed with the purpose of fulfilling the requirement of the user. The best part of the IoT platform is that they know what information is required and what information is not required. Furthermore, we can also say that they can easily categorize between the useful and to be ignored information. The information is stored in the device is becomes helpful in detecting the pattern and making recommendations for removing the possible problems before the damage the connection or the device.

Well, the Internet of Things is an excellent platform through which you can make your life and work simple and great. Moreover, the Internet of Things has impacted the retailers also.

As per the study, more than 77 % of the retailers in the retail market have agreed to the situation that the internet of things helped them a lot. Due to IOT technology, it becomes easier for them to serve their customers in a better way. Furthermore, several early movers in the retail market believe that the level of cooperation with partners in delivering the quality product has increased due to the internet of things.

Fundamental Components of the IoT System

There are four essential components of IoT system that provides the functioning of IoT Platform.

Sensors/Devices

Connectivity

Data Processing

User Interface

Sensors help in collecting all the data. Connectivity acts as a medium of transport of carrying data from one point to another. Once the information is gathered by the devices and it gets to the cloud, the software performs processing on the acquired data that is data processing. And finally, the collected and required information gets transferred to the end-user through any particular medium. Information can get transferred either in the form of alarm triggering or texts or emails.

How Internet Of Things (IoT) Will Change Retail Future

Amalgamation of Beacons with IOT

Beacon technology is one of the major supporters of retailers in the market. It is a small Bluetooth radio transmitter that uses low energy Bluetooth connections. Through this technology, the customers receive push notifications as they approach the stores. Furthermore, the Beacon technology is considered as one of the most important and closest components of IOT. The primary benefit of this technology is that it helps in increasing the productivity and the experience of the user.

Beacon are small devices that can be installed anywhere in the store. As the potential customer comes closer to the proximity, this device starts informing them about the attractive offers, rewards, and discounts they can get in real time. Furthermore, this device also helps the customers in getting in-store navigation. On the other hand, retailers also get the advantage to gather all the essential data of the customer so that they can use it further in increasing their sales. Beacon technology is one of the easiest and the fastest method through which the retailers can reach their audience.

By IoT Data, It Becomes Easier To Run The Store

The Beacon devices and the IoT sensors help the retailers in collecting the data and run the store efficiently and successfully. Additionally, retailers can also manage their store employees skillfully and that too with reduced energy. With the help of this technology, in-store marketing and Advertising have also become advanced. Furthermore, the smart cameras and sensors also help the retailers in getting the real-time tracking of the location of the customer.

This device also helps the retailers in getting details about the shopping behavior of the consumer. The sales employees and the attendees available in the store also get helped in focusing on the products which the consumer visits for purchasing. This technology helps both the customer and attendant in getting the right product with less time. It also helps in saving the time of both the customer and the attendant.

Smart self-concept is also an added advantage

Nowadays it becomes a bit difficult to operate the business single-handedly with the traditional methods. But now with the advancement of Technology and innovative approach, the concept of the smart shelf has been introduced. The smart shelf system is dependent upon three elements namely RFID tags, RFID readers and antennas.

The RFID tag will be given on the product; this bag contains an integrated chip and antenna that helps in transferring the data to the RFID reader.  The information that is gathered by the tag directly gets sent to the IOT device. After that, the data gets analyzed.  The second important element is the RFID reader.  It is a device that helps in collecting the information from the tags.  This information helps in tracking the objects easily.  The last element is an RFID antenna.  It helps in detecting the frequency, i.e. high, low or ultra-high.

Optimizing supply chain management

Well, IOT has brought several changes in the retail market, but one of the most specific areas that are changed is Supply Chain Management and Logistics. This management helps the retailers a lot in tracking the goods shipment along with all the crucial and sensitive information regarding the goods.

Let’s understand the concept along with an example. Suppose you are a retailer dealing with food items. In the food business, most of the products are perishable and it is essential to store them in a cool place. Now suppose you receive a notification that the temperature of the storeroom where you have stored all the food items have risen or fallen and it is essential to take necessary action.  This notification will help you a lot in avoiding the huge loss that may occur in the future. This is one of the significant advantages of IOT.

Furthermore, the internet of things has also improved the fleet management system. Due to this, a stable connection can quickly be established between all the transport companies, manufacturers, stakeholders, and retailers. Everyone can easily share relevant information. Three aspects of fleet management are RFID, GPS, and onboard diagnostics.

The use of robots gaining popularity

In the retail sector, humans are being replaced by robots. Yes, this is one of the most significant transformations done due to the internet of things. As per the sources it is expected that within the next five years around 2.8 million robots will be shipped. Even several retailers have started testing the robot in taking inventory or managing shelves.

Advertise cost-effectively with digital signage

In the Advertising and Marketing industry, digital signage has its importance, and when the digital signature gets combined with the internet of things, the result is a cost-effective advertising facility for retailers. It is a supplement of electronic sign displays or electronic signatures like LED projections or e papers of digital images or web pages or videos and several others. It is used in public places for marketing and outdoor ads. Know the question is how it is saving money? Well due to this method there is no need to get indulged and spend money on traditional advertising methods including print or electronic media and others. The print or electronic media are most costly than electronic sign displays.

Hence these are some of the points that prove that the Internet of Things has changed the retail future.

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