WASHINGTON, April 3 -- New technologies may have forever
changed the retail landscape, but the core components of retail success
remain. Success in today`s retail environment is driven by the strategic use
of technology to streamline operations, reduce costs and create efficiencies
through multiple channels, systems and business functions.
With this in mind, the National Retail Federation today announced that it
will launch a new conference, NRFtech, that employs a synchronized approach to
educational programming. The conference schedule facilitates a clear path
from education to product demonstrations within a given functional area, to
networking opportunities with decision-makers and suppliers.
NRFtech is dedicated to helping retail CIOs and other senior executives
identify and evaluate technology solutions that will contribute new
efficiencies to core business processes and help retailers get closer to their
customers.
Retailers will gather for NRFtech October 14-17, 2001 at the Ernest Morial
Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
"I`m looking forward to the opportunity of hearing about the technologies
that will impact my business in the next 12-18 months, and trying them out in
NRFtech`s interactive format," said Paul Singer, SVP and CIO, Target
Corporation. "NRFtech should be a high-energy show with specific educational
takeaways on increasing revenues and customer satisfaction."
NRFtech will be divided into 5 distinct tracks,
* Retail, the Business -- a how-to track to educate IT people and vendors
who are new to retail; sessions will cover core functions such as
inventory, merchandising, accounting, etc.
* Infrastructure / Architecture -- addressing issues related to
telecommunications, connectivity, wireless, standards, among others.
* Managing the IT Function -- aimed at the CIO; track to cover topics
such as retention, project management, outsourcing, ROI.
* Technology Solutions -- this track will take a look at new technologies
being marketed to retailers, such as Internet-enabled point of sale
applications, location-based marketing/GPS, etc.
* The Future -- will explore interesting new alpha or beta developments
from leading labs.
NRF`s approach to IT education is drawing praise from leading retail
vendors. "Retek is dedicated to NRF and its focus on the retail industry,"
said Tom Redd, Vice President, Retek, Inc. "We`re excited about the
confluence of knowledge and technology facets in this conference and know that
they will provide more value for the retailers who attend. We are confident
that this will be a great event because it addresses those elements of retail
that will never leave: the overall retail technology platform, and the power
of people."
The National Retail Federation (NRF) is the world`s largest retail trade
association with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of
distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet and
independent stores. NRF members represent an industry that encompasses more
than 1.4 million U.S. retail establishments, employs more than 20 million
people -- about 1 in 5 American workers -- and registered 2000 sales of $3.2
trillion. NRF`s international members operate stores in more than 50 nations.
In its role as the retail industry`s umbrella group, NRF also represents 32
national and 50 state associations in the U.S. as well as 36 international
associations representing retailers abroad.
For more information about NRF and NRFtech, visit the web site at
http://www.nrf.com .
CONTACT: Pamela Rucker, 202-783-7971, or ruckerp@nrf.com, orSarah Scheuer, 202-783-7971, or scheuers@nrf.com, both of the National Retail Federation
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