Digital Innovation in Retail

The Digital Innovation in Retail Observatory is concerned with studying the main digital innovations that can reshape the processes used by retailers, with the ultimate aim of sharing knowledge and creating wide-spread culture as regards the sector’s digitalization opportunities.

The Observatory’s 2021 Research covers the following points:

Study the evolution of the Retail infrastructure context in Italy and worldwide, focussing the attention on the main elements that are transforming the sector and on the impact of the medical emergency;
Analyse the adoption of main digital innovations by top and middle Italian retailers, and closely examine certain important technology trends that may generate opportunities in the Retail sector (Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, …);
Study the presence and type of online and mobile initiatives of leading Italian retailers, analyse the omnichannel models that address online and offline integration and look into the elements on which omnichannel strategy is based;
Analyse sales point innovation building projects (digital and non-digital) across product sectors and new variable based store formats (goals, location, …), also based on transformations caused by the medical emergency. Follow up on the evolution of store related KPIs;
Map and categorize IT players (structured service providers and startups) and Retail digital solution offering, study the market’s main distinctive features and analyse relationships between retailer and service provider that aid the development of innovative projects;
Analyse startups (hi tech service providers) at national and international level, to identify innovation drivers, successful Open Innovation mechanisms, and study relationships with retailers for the development of innovative projects;
Analyse the evolution of current and future Retail service values and meaning, and innovative instruments for the development of different touch points;
Study consumer behaviour in Retail and the impact of post Covid social and cultural changes on interaction and sales processes.

The events planned by the Observatory for the 2021 edition are:

A Research setup meeting with Partners and Sponsors;
Two meetings with the Observatory Advisory Board to organize and setup the Research and to compare thoughts on specific topics. The Advisory Board consists of the following Retail sector professionals:
- Nicola Antonelli, CMO, Luisaviaroma
- Alessandro Barchetti, Digital & Innovation Director, Unes Supermercati
- Riccardo Boccalero, CIO, Gruppo Cisalfa Sport
- Paolo Ciceri, CIO, Rinascente
- Marcello Colombo, Digital Solutions Manager in Retail & Client Experience, Valentino
- Erika Finkelberg, Global Head of Digital & eCommerce, Harmont & Blaine
- Emanuela Formicola, Head of Digital & Marketing, Euronics Italia
- Paola Francesca Giua, Innovation Manager Digital Transformation, Unicoop Firenze
- Oscar Grignolio, Information & Communication Technology Group Director, Dolce & Gabbana
- Marco Magnocavallo, Co-Founder & CEO, Tannico
- Diego Morgandi, E-Commerce Director, Kiko
- Alice Morrone, Chief Innovation Officer, Leroy Merlin
- Emna Neifar, Chief Commercial Officer, Cortilia
- Luca Panattoni, IT Director – Core Retail, Carrefour
- Marco Pieri, Head of Digital & eCommerce, Selex Gruppo Commerciale
- Alessandro Pozzi, Chief Operation Officer, Boggi Milano
- Marco Proserpio, Head of Organization & Business Process Transformation, Esselunga
- Leonardo Raineri, Innovation Manager, Gruppo Miroglio
- Francesco Riganti, Direttore Marketing e Comunicazione, Mondadori Retail
- Jacopo Sebastio, Co-fondatore & CEO, Velasca
- Giulia Staffieri, Global Head of Digital, MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group
- Fides Tosoni, Country Business Development Manager, Ikea
Three follow-up workshops with the retailer community, the Advisory Board, and Partners and Sponsors to discuss and share Research results to create interaction and sharing opportunities between demand and offer. The workshops will focus on the following topics:
- Innovation of meaning in Retail and omni-experience sectors;
- Omnichannel: strategy, technology and organizational impact;
- Mapping the digital solution offering for Retail in Italy.
A public Conference to present Research activity results with round tables and talks from the leading roles of Retail.

Field Research will involve the market’s major players: top retailers (top 300 retailers by revenue operating in Italy), medium-small retailers (sample of retail SMBs operating in Italy), and solution offer players (ICT providers, logistics operators, bank institutes, consulting companies, …). The methodologies used in Research, that will involve a variety of people, are surveys, censuses, direct interviews, workshops. Lastly, secondary source analyses and news collection and categorization.

The Observatory will produce the following content:

A Report with main 2021 Research results, produced on occasion of the conference;
Some online follow-up Reports, Videos, Graphs and Infographics on the topics covered in the 2021 Research;
A weekly press review for Partners and Sponsors, the Advisory Board and the retailer community that collects the most significant news at national and international level on the Retail sector;
An editorial plan on LinkedIn to actively involve Observatory Partners and Sponsors.

Emilio Bellini

Scientific Officer

Giuliano Noci

Scientific Officer

Andrea Rangone

Scientific Officer

Alessandro Perego

Chief Scientific Officer

Valentina Pontiggia

Research Director

Valeria Portale

Senior Advisor

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28 May 2021

Reports

Digital Innovation in Retail: the pandemic precipitates change Digital Innovation in Retail: the pandemic precipitates change

Digital Innovation in Retail 110.00 €

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21 Feb 2022

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Over 300 companies each year choose to support research and participate in the activities of the Digital Innovation Observatories, entering into direct contact with the decision makers of the corporate, institutional and academic world. Become our partner!

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Contact Us

For further information, collaboration and support requests for the other researches of the Digital Innovation in Retail Observatory, please contact Elisabetta Puglielli (email: elisabetta.puglielli@polimi.it)