RSR and Extreme Networks Report: 63% of Financially Lucrative Retailers Say Wi-Fi Has Dramatically Improved Store Operations and Customer Experiences

Rhea-AI Summary

Extreme Networks™, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR) and Retail Systems Research (RSR) released a report highlighting the value of network investments in improving store operations. The report emphasizes the growing consumer demands for in-store mobile experiences and the challenges faced by retailers in meeting these demands. Key findings include the integral role of Wi-Fi in offering a cutting-edge in-store shopping experience, the challenges of technology adoption, and the opportunities presented by Wi-Fi in improving store operations. The report also highlights the strategic investments made by retailers with above-average year-over-year sales growth.

Report Uncovers Value of Network Investments in Improving Store Operations; Highlights Growing Consumer Demands for In-Store Mobile Experiences

MORRISVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Extreme Networks™, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR), and Retail Systems Research (RSR) today released a new report titled “The World is Connected: The Store Must Be Too,” which found that retailers are most challenged by creating innovative in-store experiences that meet consumer expectations, the increasing demands on network bandwidth and emerging cybersecurity threats. However, despite 75% of respondents saying demands on network bandwidth were a major concern, the study found that the most successful retailers have leaned into Wi-Fi solutions to improve both in-store experiences and overall store operations. The survey polled 114 executives of global retail operations ranging from $100M to $5B+ in annual revenue.

Key Findings and Trends

• The In-Store Experience Remains Paramount: Retailers believe a cutting-edge in-store shopping experience is critical to success.
  • 92% of retailers say that Wi-Fi is integral to offering a cutting-edge in-store shopping experience. 54% say it has significantly improved in-store experiences.
  • Only 32% of retailers say their Wi-Fi network is state of the art, while 57% say it’s just “good enough.”
  • 72% of retailers are using Wi-Fi to drive store operations.

• Technology Adoption Can Be a Challenge: Though retailers understand the need for technology to remain competitive, deploying and managing new technology is a challenge.
  • 94% of retailers said there is endless demand for bandwidth on their constrained networks, creating technology adoption challenges; 75% list this as their top challenge.
  • 88% of retailers say that adding and managing new devices on the network is one of their biggest challenges.
  • 72% of retailers say they would prefer a single network that can handle any/all future devices and deployments, yet only 17% say they strive for a consistent technology profile across all their stores.

• …and an Opportunity: 96% of retailers claim that Wi-Fi has been instrumental in improving store operations to automate and streamline key processes such as virtual warehousing, loss prevention, electronic shelf labeling, digital displays, temperature monitoring, inventory management and more. When asked to prioritize the most important technology to improve store operations:
  • 66% cited corporate WAN.
  • 65% said network connected IoT devices.
  • 62% said inventory management tools.

• Retailers with Above Average YoY Sales Growth are Investing Strategically: Retail Winners are defined by above average YoY sales growth (industry average comparable store/channel sales growth of 7%). When compared to retail respondents with average or lagging sales, it’s clear that Winners think about technology differently.
  • 63% of Winners say in-store Wi-Fi has improved both customer order fulfillment and returns handling, while just 26% of all other retailers agree.
  • Winners ranked cashierless checkouts (70%) and self-service kiosks (66%) as most important after Wi-Fi, compared to 41% and 43% of all other retailers, respectively.
  • 55% of Winners said they had satisfactorily implemented in-store Wi-Fi for consumers, compared to just 31% of all other retailers.

To download the complete survey, click here. Or, to learn more about how technology can help retailers find better success, visit www.extremenetworks.com/solutions/retail.

Extreme will be participating in NRF: Retail’s Big Show, taking place from Jan. 14-16, 2024, in New York City. Visit us at Booth #309 for a demonstration of how technology can help your retail business grow.

Executive Perspectives

Brian Kilcourse, Managing Partner, Retail Systems Research
“Our research found that the most successful retailers have leaned into Wi-Fi in a way that helps them overcome challenges like employee communications, merchandise management, customer order fulfillment and an increasing demand from consumers who want the in-store experience to be modern and dynamic. It’s clear that those that have made the investment in their network as a strategic hub are seeing that directly impact both the top and bottom line of their business.”

Norman Rice, Chief Operating Officer, Extreme Networks
“The results of the research are clear: leaning into technology to create engaging and impactful in-store experiences drives better financial results. Extreme helps retailers create the store of the future – with the network as the strategic hub of experiences and efficiency. This includes everything from connecting temperature sensors to the network to avoid food and drug spoilage, to automating electronic shelf labels based on supply and demand, to delivering real-time offers through the store app. The connected store is no longer the future, it’s the now.”

Did You Know?

• Kroger, one of the largest grocery retailers in the US, relies on ExtremeCloud™ IQ to manage 110,000 AP3000 Wi-Fi 6E access points across several of its stores, making it one of the largest cloud-managed networks in the world.
• Retailers such as Bemol, Leen Bakker, Savers and Colruyt rely on Extreme to drive engaging in-store experiences and streamline store operations.
• Extreme helps retailers build smarter stores primed for the future, delivering innovative retail solutions that enable immersive in-store experiences, boost sales and inventory tracking, optimize operations and safeguard every touchpoint.

About Extreme Networks

Extreme Networks, Inc. (EXTR) is a leader in cloud networking focused on delivering services that connect devices, applications, and people in new ways. We push the boundaries of technology leveraging the powers of machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation. 50,000 customers globally trust our end-to-end, cloud-driven networking solutions and rely on our top-rated services and support to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and deliver progress like never before. For more information, visit Extreme's website at https://www.extremenetworks.com/ or follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Extreme Networks, ExtremeCloud and the Extreme Networks logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States, and other countries. Other trademarks shown herein are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231206248739/en/

Blair Donald

(603) 952-5662

PR@extremenetworks.com

Source: Extreme Networks, Inc.

FAQ

What is the title of the report released by Extreme Networks™, Inc. and Retail Systems Research (RSR)?

The title of the report is 'The World is Connected: The Store Must Be Too'.

What is the ticker symbol of Extreme Networks™, Inc.?

The ticker symbol of Extreme Networks™, Inc. is EXTR.

What are the major concerns of retailers according to the report?

Retailers are most concerned about creating innovative in-store experiences, increasing demands on network bandwidth, and emerging cybersecurity threats.

What percentage of retailers believe that Wi-Fi is integral to offering a cutting-edge in-store shopping experience?

92% of retailers believe that Wi-Fi is integral to offering a cutting-edge in-store shopping experience.

What percentage of retailers say their Wi-Fi network is state of the art?

Only 32% of retailers say their Wi-Fi network is state of the art, while 57% say it’s just 'good enough'.

What are the top technology adoption challenges faced by retailers according to the report?

The top technology adoption challenges faced by retailers include endless demand for bandwidth on constrained networks and adding/managing new devices on the network.

What key processes have been automated and streamlined by Wi-Fi according to the report?

Wi-Fi has been instrumental in improving store operations to automate and streamline key processes such as virtual warehousing, loss prevention, electronic shelf labeling, digital displays, temperature monitoring, and inventory management.

What technology is cited as the most important to improve store operations by retailers?

Retailers cited corporate WAN, network connected IoT devices, and inventory management tools as the most important technology to improve store operations.

How are retail winners defined in the report?

Retail winners are defined by above average year-over-year sales growth, with an industry average comparable store/channel sales growth of 7%.