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By Erin Harris, associate editor

What a difference a year makes. Not only was Mother Nature kind to NRF's 101st Annual Convention & EXPO this year, the tone was even more optimistic than at last year's BIG Show. Indeed, while much of the economic picture remains bleak, NRF reports that retail sales are expected to increase 3.4% this year. The smiling faces of retailers and vendors alike on the BIG Show floor were telling of this projected sales increase. While at the show, I had the opportunity to speak to retail executives from Boscov's, Pier 1 Imports, Hibbett Sports, Guitar Center, and more. Despite the differences among their product assortments, these retailers were at NRF to learn which integrated solutions can improve their operations, customer loyalty, and their overall brands.

More than 400 vendors, including Infor, Star Micronics, Oracle, Epicor, Dayforce, and Elo TouchSystems, were present and demonstrating their product offerings that focus on brand recognition and helping retailers better connect with their customers.

Overall, retailers who walked the show floor were looking for various solutions — from POS to CRM to digital signage and much more — and retailers had many, many options to review. Retailers looking to purchase a solution in 2012 will need to do their homework, as some solutions have only subtle differences. Before you try to drain the ocean, when looking for solutions that will improve your business, remember that customer service is as old as retail. Today, there are new ways of gaining and maintaining customer centricity. The customer sees you not via any specific channel but as a brand. Figure out how to get your product in the hands of your customer no matter how they shop, and you could have a customer for life.