Importance of Information Technology in Retail - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theImportance of Information Technology in Retail for ICT. Answer: Introduction: The assignment discusses the advantages of information and communication technology (ICT) in todays world and the substantial changes brought by ICT in retail business of Australia. The chosen organization for this assignment is stelly, situated in New South Wales, Australia. The chief aim of this assignment is to discuss why the chosen boutique needs to understand the importance of using technology in order to cope with this digitalized world. Discussion: Stelly has been producing fashionable outfits for the ever-changing Australian lifestyle since 2005. As the website of the store says,Stelly has outlets in fourdifferent locations acrossAustralia. The store specializes on women apparels. They have specialty fashion group who continue experimenting and offer fresh and unique fashion. After spending successful years in this sector, Stelly Onlinewasborn. A company is not accepted competitive if it does not have website. According to the experts, the capability to integrate online and offline sales helps the sellers to offer more products and meet the customers exact requirement (Blzquez 2014). As more people spend as much time on the internet, the retailers much understand the importance of sales channel integration (Doric Primorac and Kozina 2016). The traditional way of shopping enables the buyers to see, feel and try the product before buying. There is no need for queuing in front of the trial rooms. In online retailing, the purchase is much simpler and faster. In offline stores the factors bothering the sale is not only the quality of the product but the staff and the ambience of the store, while in digital era the factors concerned are transparency, service, diverse choice and obviously brand name associated with the product. Online business can reduce the cost of the retail store, as it needs fewer staff with no particular working hours. The consumers do not need to stand on queue before the cash counter. In online services, the customers can evaluate and review a product, which helps the seller to take care of the quality and understand the trend or requirement of the buyer. This can never be possible in offline business where the customers discontinue without giving any feedback. Online shopping is always time saving. The online website has the price comparison option that manipulates purchase decision also saves money and time. Product price is the main decision maker of online purchasing. Online shopping offers affordable prices as the cost of maintain a shop is absent. The question of security and privacy of personal information always remains in case of online business but the buyer can opt for cash on delivery option just like a bricks and mortar store. The delivery or shipping charge has replaced the cost of physical visiting to the stores. Many online stores offer free shipping option in order to attract and retain customers. The survey in Australia has revealed the consumers who prefer buying online, generally purchase shoes and clothes. As a boutique, Stelly should utilize these customer preferences. In case of advertising the products or specialization, digital marketing is the simplest and effective option for the online sellers. Considering all these facts supporting advantage of ICT in there is a fact noticeable, that the consumers tend to visit to a nearby physical store over online stores if there is similar price condition (Christopher 2017). It is because of delays in product delivery and experience the purchased product physically before buying. Recommendation: Stelly has its personal website where consumers have shop by category option like other internet service companies (stelly.com.au. 2017). They should keep try and return options where the customers can try the product at home and return if they do not like the product. They should also take care of maintaining their website and update fresh arrivals. Conclusion: From the above discussion it can be concluded that it is just the matter of time that technology it completely take over the physical stores. The integration of online and offline store is an inevitable step to survive. Stelly must utilize its website to increase its popularity and increase business. References: Blzquez, M., 2014. Fashion shopping in multichannel retail: The role of technology in enhancing the customer experience.International Journal of Electronic Commerce,18(4), pp.97-116. Christopher Horvers, C. 2017.Hardlines/Broadlines internet. New York: JPMorgan Chase Company. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1900793828?accountid=30552 Doric B., Primorac. D.and Kozina, G. 2016 "THE NECESSITY OF ONLINE AND OFFLINE SALES INTEGRATION", Varazdin Development and Entrepreneurship Agency (VADEA), Varazdin, Dec, pp. 39. Stelly.com.au. (2017).Women's Clothing | Online Women's Fashion Boutique | Online Shopping Australia - Stelly. [online] Available at: https://stelly.com.au/ [Accessed 20 Sep. 2017].