Cost-Effective Analytics Integration Requires Forward Thinking

February 2012 Integrated Solutions For Retailers

By Brad Fick, business and sales operations, Direct Source, Inc.

When utilized properly, analytics offer actionable information.

There are many compelling reasons to include analytics in any retailer’s strategic plan. Anyone looking to cut operational expenses can benefit greatly when it comes to workflow management, traffic conversion, advertising, promotional effectiveness, and store planning.

However, many retailers put analytics on the back burner. As an integrator, we often hear that “analytics are great but we can add that later” or “beyond people counting, I’m not really sure how to justify the ROI of analytics.” To help make understanding analytics easier (and how and when you should implement them), here’s a basic primer.