Technology and the retailer

This wide‐ranging paper answers some of the questions which the retailer might like to ask about the effect of data processing on the retail trade. And the author does not start with the assumption that everyone recognises the benefits of data processing: the first question he asks himself is why should the retailer invest in this area at all? He also goes into the cost effectiveness of data processing, and the need for very flexible computer systems in the fast‐changing world of retailing. Moreover, it is not just the retailing giants who concern him. With the drop in the cost of computer hardware, he believes that the availability of hand‐held scanning devices could be good news for the small retailer. What with the benefits of UPC and EAN for stock control. This paper was presented in November in Paris at the CIES conference, EDP: focus on store operations.