Inside Retail Technology Show 2023: Worldline Wraps Up!
This year’s Retail Technology Show (RTS) demonstrated a triumphant return to “normal”. On 26 and 27 April at Kensington’s Olympia, Worldline exhibited alongside 300+ innovators, tech behemoths, industry disruptors, and forward-thinking start-ups.
Showcasing an astonishing variety of cutting-edge solutions—powering every part of the retail industry—RTS championed the latest technologies helping retailers secure a competitive advantage across their entire business. Including e-commerce, supply chains, innovative marketing initiatives and emerging channels like the metaverse. No stone was left unturned.
Delegates had the opportunity to witness the latest advancements in retail through a range of technologies, such as unified and omnichannel commerce, intelligence, and robotics. The demonstration of virtual and augmented reality as a means to provide customers with an immersive shopping experience was a hugely popular attraction at the show. Worldline showcased their offering by providing delegates with the opportunity to explore an augmented reality (AR) environment up-close and engage in hands-on experimentation.
The event strongly emphasised the significance of community collaboration among retailers to effectively tackle major industry challenges. These challenges encompass intensified competition, ever-changing customer preferences, and disruptions in the supply chain. To overcome these obstacles, retailers have actively embraced diverse innovative solutions, including using AI-powered inventory management systems, implementing personalised marketing strategies, and adopting blockchain-based platforms.
This year’s RTS showcased phenomenal insights, technology, and creativity. Here are just some of the standout themes:
Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to enhance growth
AI has quickly become an essential tool for the retail industry, enabling merchants to streamline their operations, elevate customer experience, and make well-informed decisions by leveraging data-driven insights. And the technology is poised to further transform the sector in numerous other ways. From personalisation to inventory optimisation and fraud detection, AI offers a whole host of additional benefits, enabling brands to thrive in the future.
Customer experience is king!
Concerned shoppers, worried about their ability to afford their preferred products, are becoming increasingly selective in their choice of brands to engage with. They are opting to spend their money, both online and in-store, with companies they trust. In light of this trend, companies that prioritise the overall customer experience, invest in robust loyalty programs, and offer superior services are most likely to thrive.
During the event, Worldline showcased their range of our products and services that were specifically designed to enhance the customer experience. These solutions, such as Tap on Mobile and Scan & Pay, were created to make the purchasing process as seamless as possible.
The power of the micro-donation
Micro-donations are offering merchants and their customers a straightforward yet impactful method to swiftly and effectively create a meaningful difference during challenging times. Payment providers, like Worldline, are leveraging their existing infrastructure to generate millions of pounds of social impact annually, while simultaneously providing substantial value to their merchant partners.
On the second day of the event, Worldline’s Leila-Van Herbert led a ‘Tech Talk’ in collaboration with Pennies, discussing the advantages of implementing micro-donation solutions for brands. In this session, she explored how merchants can engage and retain employees and customers, extend valuable support to charities, and foster stronger communities.
RTS 2023 was an event to be remembered. Thank you to everyone who visited Worldline’s stand and to their customers and partners for taking the time to discuss how they can work together to make the industry even better. Worldline looks forward to seeing faces, both old and new, next year.
Comment from Matt Bradley: Director – Retail Technology Show
“With the amount of payment options open to consumers these days, companies such as Worldline play a vital role in helping educate retailers of the opportunities available to them. I’ve always been impressed by how quickly they innovate to meet the ever changing needs of this fast paced industry and I’m proud that they continue to showcase this at the Retail Technology Show”
