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After enjoying several years of sales growth well beyond the EU average, the Irish retail sector is experiencing contraction, with 2008 sales down 3.4% over 2007. Consumer confidence has fallen sharply from the heady days of 90%+ throughout 2006 to consistent levels now below 50%, indicating declining sales. Operating costs in Ireland remain amongst the highest in Europe.

Combine these challenges with the familiar retailing pressures of more demanding and promiscuous consumers, staff retention, compliance requirements and the growing trend towards ethical retailing, and it is clear that the trading environment in Ireland will continue to be testing. Yet, the market remains attractive to both domestic and international retailers, who continue to open stores and execute expansion plans, albeit at a more conservative level.

We believe that technology has a crucial role to play in addressing the above challenges. With the advent of internet protocol (IP), the proliferation of broadband and the continuing convergence of IT and communications, there is a huge opportunity for retailers to exploit technology to improve in-store and back-office performance.

eircom has identified retail as a key market vertical and has designed specific propositions in four areas, all based exclusively on delivering increased value to the retailer and addressing the challenges they face:

• Reducing cost and simplifying operations: a secure IP network is becoming a strategic asset that is capable of delivering a wide range of benefits. For example, an IP-based network can carry not just critical data traffic, but also all voice and video, negating the need for running separate networks. This platform can then be the basis for carrying a host of additional services that further address cost reduction and operational improvements e.g. telemetry solutions to control spiralling utilities spend. Right now, eircom is managing flexible and agile IP-based infrastructures for both Tesco and Musgrave that are dramatically improving the communications and operational performance of both retailers.
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• Growing revenue and market share: from Meteor in mobile, to broadband solutions packaged with content services (including Setanta Sports online), eircom has a strong portfolio of cutting-edge consumer products and content services to help the retailer to increase sales and diversify into new categories. eircom also provides in-store services such as public internet access kiosks and Wi-Fi networks that improve the overall customer experience and drive in-store footfall.
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• Improving the buying experience: an IP network can provide the core platform to deliver a range of customer-facing tools, from digital signage to shelf-edge labelling, all run from a central system. It can also support electronic funds transfer (EFT) processing to enable speedier transaction times, as well as supporting speech enabled voice response systems to handle routine call queries and free up valuable sales staff time. Using its web design and development expertise, eircom can also help retailers ensure a profitable and consistent brand experience through online channels.
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• Optimising the supply chain: eircom is already market leader in electronic data interchange (EDI) solutions that can control the complexity and costs of supplier management. Our IP networks can also be extended to accommodate key external customers or suppliers, creating a secure digital supply chain that increases efficiency and profitability. Our managed RFID solutions (at pallet, case or item level) represent leading edge industry capability technology. eircom’s Advisory Services experts are also experienced in helping retailers achieve ongoing compliance with the PCI data security standard (PCI-DSS).