Retail

Distribution centers (DCs) are the foundation of modern retail fulfillment. In a landscape defined by speed, precision, and customer expectations, DCs largely shape how quickly and accurately inventory flows across the entire retail network. As fulfillment complexity grows, there is no room for bottlenecks, blind spots, or outdated systems.

In unified commerce, the store has become more than just a point of sale—it's now a fulfillment hub, a service point, and a brand experience center. Store teams play a critical role in retail transformation—but they can only succeed when empowered with timely data and adaptive technologies. Empowering store execution means bridging the gap between business vision and day-to-day execution.

Continuing from our previous discussion on item-level tracking and digital transformation, this article explores how GS1 Digital Link and item-level tracking work together to connect physical products with rich digital data. Adopting these new standards can help retailers stay competitive in today’s retail landscape by unifying operations, improving traceability, and enhancing customer engagement.

In our previous blogs, we explored how seamless shopping and swift fulfillment are reshaping retail. Driving these changes are key digital initiatives—like item-level tracking with RAIN RFID, Digital Product Passport (DPP), Digital Link, and Sunrise/ Ambition 2027 (2D barcodes)—that enable real-time visibility, compliance, and stronger customer trust. As retailers move toward unified commerce, these capabilities are no longer optional but essential to staying competitive.

As a retail DC operations manager, how do you imagine fulfillment evolving? With unified commerce blurring the line between in-store and online shopping, distribution centers (DCs) must keep pace with real-time inventory demands and enable faster fulfillment and seamless customer experiences. Smart DC solutions make this transformation possible.

Imagine finding the perfect pair of shoes online and checking the retailer’s app for availability. It shows they’re in stock at a nearby store, so you head over there, confident that your trip won’t be in vain.

In today’s fast-evolving retail landscape, data is the key to unlocking unified commerce. AI, cloud computing, and automation are transforming retail operations—and they all rely on accurate, real-time data. This is where AIDC technologies play a crucial role, enabling seamless data capture, automation triggers, and intelligent decision-making. By integrating and analyzing data across channels, retailers can streamline operations, enhance consumer engagement, and drive long-term loyalty.

Retailers today face rising customer expectations, mounting operational costs, and constant supply chain disruptions. To stay competitive, businesses must embrace technology to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Here are three significant challenges retailers face and how technology—powered by AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture)—is unlocking a more unified commerce experience.

As e-commerce and brick-and-mortar continue to merge, retailers face increasing complexities with omnichannel pricing strategies. Recent studies show that 85% of Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) customers make additional purchases when picking up their orders in-store. Another common customer behavior is showrooming, where customers visit stores to experience products firsthand before purchasing online. These demands require retailers to maintain competitive pricing across both online and offline stores to retain potential customers.

Linerless is emerging as a favored labeling solution. Whether in retail, logistics, healthcare, or beyond, enterprises are seeking a greener, more efficient labeling experience. Dive into our ultimate Q&A guide below to help you make informed decisions on integrating Linerless Labeling into your operations for sustainable and streamlined labeling.