Prioritize Retail Technology Management Investments To Stay Competitive

Retailers expect more industry change in the next five years than they experienced in the last 50. They plan investments in infrastructure and expect to spend more on people, contractors, and outsourcing, but from a business perspective the most critical category of spend is software. Software applications that deliver quick returns and those with deep balance sheet impact, driving faster inventory turn, are critical to retailers racing against new online-only or international competitors and the direct-to-consumer offerings of consumer brand manufacturers. Our Forrester panel and merchandise professional research shows how application development and delivery (AD&D) professionals play a key role in organizing their colleagues and preparing for the race ahead.