NOVEMBER 2024Retail Business Review8In My OpinionTHE TRANSFORMATIVE ROLE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN RETAIL By Ajlal Khalid, Retail Systems Support Manager, Total ToolsAs a postgraduate student studying IT at Monash University, I worked part-time for one of Australia's biggest retailers, Woolworths Limited. By the time I graduated, I had gained extensive experience in all aspects of retail operations, from stock receiving to replenishment, from operating back-end store systems to point of sale operations, from managing the entire store as a store manager to closing daily cash. Right after graduation, I had the opportunity to join the retail system support department for one of Australia's biggest tool retailers, Total Tools Importing. I now had the opportunity to bring my on-floor experience to a support office. Currently, I am managing the retail system support team at Total Tools, and part of my role involves assisting the IT team in streamlining all IT processes with the end goal of increasing both customer satisfaction and company revenue. The Need of the HourIn today's rapidly changing environment, retailers face an urgent need to overhaul their technical architecture and operating model to keep pace with the changing landscape. Additionally, I aim to enable the future and be a pioneer in leading the advancements in all areas within a retail environment. Most importantly, to realize the importance of data and digital, complemented by the implementation of the right technology that will ultimately benefit customers. In my profession, I have recognized the importance of sustainability and digital enablement. If technology can help save the planet and save retailers dollars, that technology is certainly going to be the winner. A visionary leadership
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