IDC Retail Insights Report Reveals How Retailers Can Monetize Big Data

Research finds omnichannel retail business and IT strategies will continue to rapidly evolve

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IDC Retail Insights today released a new report that addresses the big data and analytics needs of retailers. The study, Business Strategy: The Big Data and Analytics Pillar of 3rd Platform Retail IT (Document #GRI236643), examines the big data and analytics pillar of the 3rd Platform of Information Technology in the context of omnichannel retail.

“Four quadrants of the intelligent retail economy—customer data sources, social data sources, market data sources, and supply data sources—produce constant streams of data creating millions of transactions and billions of interactions”

The 3rd Platform of information technology and its four pillars—big data and analytics, mobility and broadband, social business, and cloud services – is creating an ecosystem within which retail business and IT strategies will continue to rapidly evolve. The 3rd Platform is already playing out in retail, creating new line of business roles, bases of competition, applications and analytics, and the adoption of consumer and associate online devices inside stores.

Together these forces create an information environment within which retailers earn customer loyalty, bring successful new products to market, collaborate through supply chains with business partners, enable associates, reduce risk, ensure compliance, promote their brand. However, to do this effectively, retailers need to capitalize on big data and analytics.

"Four quadrants of the intelligent retail economy—customer data sources, social data sources, market data sources, and supply data sources—produce constant streams of data creating millions of transactions and billions of interactions," said Greg Girard, program director at IDC Retail Insights. "The returns on investment in big data and analytics can be monetized through traditional levers of customer loyalty, revenue growth, cost reduction, and new business models. Value creation requires aligning big data and analytics projects with three imperatives of omnichannel retail – insight, personalization, and personalized community engagement with the brand. Retailers will derive more value from big data and analytics as they successfully manage five dimensions of change – intent, process, people, data, and technology."

In addition to addressing the value big data and analytics can bring to retailers through insight, personalization, and community, the study also identifies barriers to big data value monetization, and presents considerations for charting a path to big data and analytics value in the context of retail.

For additional information about this report, or to arrange a one-on-one briefing with Greg Girard please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or [e-mail]. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact [e-mail]; reporters should email [e-mail].

About IDC Retail Insights

IDC Retail Insights assists retail businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them, in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing the retail industry. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-ri.com, email [e-mail], or call 508-935-4490. Visit the IDC Retail Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/retail.