Evolve has been heavily engaged in several events over the past two weeks. The first event was The Retail Technology Show at London’s Olympia, and the second week they attended The Forecourt Show at Birmingham’s NEC, which included The National Convenience Show alongside other exhibitions. During the same week, Evolve was present at the Completely Retail Marketplace event held at Old Billingsgate Market in London, as well as the Association of Convenience stores Conference24 in Birmingham.
Here are the headlines…
The Retail Technology Show offered a dynamic collection of businesses showcasing cutting-edge technical advancements advancing the retail scene. The event was a monument to the limitless possibilities driving the industry, from fighting shrink and crime to utilising AI’s revolutionary potential, exploring the immersive worlds of AR and VR, and embracing the power of digital signs.
The most significant lesson we encountered during our immersion in the Retail Technology Show is how crucial it is to build and maintain a strong base of dependable, secure, and consistent bandwidth-capable connectivity to successfully adopt these state-of-the-art technologies. As we have personally seen, every innovation depends on the principles of flawless connection, whether it be using AI for analysis or creating immersive AR and VR experiences.
Furthermore, the demand for dependable connectivity increases at a time when customer expectations for speed, convenience, and personalisation are rising. Every aspect of the retail ecosystem depends on seamless connection to operate at its best, whether it is supporting inventory management systems, allowing frictionless transactions, or powering interactive displays.
During the event, some of the biggest brands in the industry, like Primark, River Island, Ann Summers, SWAROVSKI, and more, shared their experiences with technological advancements in retail, the rise in crime, and using AI to create a seamless customer experience. It was great to hear from them all.
The Forecourt Show provided an invaluable platform for businesses to gain profound insights into the critical importance of reliable, secure and adaptable connectivity solutions in today’s landscape, which is witnessing a surge in both digital transformation and criminal activities.
With the proliferation of digital technologies, businesses are increasingly reliant on robust connectivity infrastructures to support their operations efficiently and securely. From managing transactions to monitoring security systems, seamless connectivity such as Evolve’s ISP solution is indispensable for ensuring smooth operations and safeguarding against threats.
Additionally, the event offered attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with leading forecourt and big oil companies, fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry. Through networking sessions, product demonstrations, and expert panels, visitors had the chance to explore the latest advancements in technology and best practices for enhancing operational efficiency and security in the forecourt sector.
By bringing together industry stakeholders and thought leaders, the Forecourt Show catalysed driving progress and shaping the future of the sector. It provided a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and partnership building, empowering businesses to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment.
Whilst at the Forecourt Show, Evolve launched their latest innovation, Vision. A host monitoring platform that allows businesses to view and monitor any devices that pass through the Evolve SD-WAN device, ensuring quick resolution and increasing operational efficiencies.
Association of Convenience stores– Conference24
At the Conference24 event hosted by the Association of Convenience stores, Evolve absorbed crucial insights from industry leaders on pressing issues like community engagement, sustainability, and communication challenges. Presenters highlighted a concerning 44% year-on-year increase in crime within the sector, with an alarming 1,000 daily instances recorded at convenience stores nationwide. Discussions emphasised the interconnected nature of these challenges, stressing the importance of proactive measures and collaborative efforts among businesses, local authorities, and communities to address security vulnerabilities and foster resilience.
The Completely Retail Marketplace stood out as a pivotal event where forging connections and nurturing relationships were paramount, distinguishing it as an unparalleled experience in the industry. Attendees seized the opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals, fostering meaningful connections and cultivating partnerships that could propel their businesses forward. This emphasis on networking not only facilitated the exchange of ideas but also fostered an atmosphere conducive to collaboration and innovation, laying the groundwork for future growth and success.
The event brought with it several topics, including technological advances, shop environment improvements, and customer journeys and experiences.
The amount of criminality in every business was the most recurring subject throughout all four events; in fact, shoplifting is on the rise in retail stores, where 9% of frequent customers are now involved in theft. One of the primary topics of conversation at every event was how to counteract the increasing number of offences. While some companies chose to use more tangible tools like body cameras, AMPR, CCTV, and other equipment, others chose to use artificial intelligence (AI) software to study patterns and behaviour.
Whichever route businesses take to combat the rise in crime, the rise of devices whether that be advanced CCTV or AI requires a significant increase in connectivity. Evolve’s solutions are designed to be flexible, working to scale with your business as you increase the number of internet-dependent devices and software.
End
About Evolve Business Group and Evolve
Evolve Business Group is an independently owned company that specialises in providing end-to-end IT and managed network solutions to a range of businesses. Evolve is helping businesses to reduce costs and simplify the management of services and give business owners and their teams more time to do what they do best.
Founded in 2005, it has worked with a variety of customers across different industries around the world, building a team of highly experienced specialists to help create effective and efficient packages using any combination of different offerings. It keeps a range of cross-sector networks protected and connected.
