IT in Retail IT in Retail

Many IT and computing graduates find their calling in the banking world.

Nearly every function in the retail industry – sourcing of new products and managing distribution networks, to in-store point-of-sale systems and administration responsibilities such as human resources (HR) and finance – requires the involvement of IT and technology to a degree.

In most cases, IT’s used to achieve a couple of objectives: to improve the accuracy and availability of information on every level, and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the business.

The emergence of online retailers, however, have brought the use of IT in retail to a whole new level.

Career overview

Many retailers, especially international ones, have their own in-house IT team or department to cater to their needs and projects.

However, complex problems that require more advanced or specialised skills are usually outsourced to third-party IT services providers, with internal IT teams coordinating and assisting as and when needed, such as when identifying services, initiating interaction with service providers and merging new software with existing systems.

Depending on their skills and preference, graduates may seek employment in in-house teams or third-party service providers. There’s also the option to move from one to the other in the future as well.

Graduate hires can find themselves positioned anywhere along the chain of business to help improve the flow of information and integrate different functions within the business. However, responsibilitywise, there’s a lot of programming involved, regardless of station.

Most large retailers offer graduate recruitment schemes once a year, with these programmes lasting about a year or more. Rotations through several roles and departments are typical, and recruits will be able to gain a broader view of the business as a whole, as well as take in a variety of programming and business analysis skills before deciding on a permanent role.

Teams are multidisciplinary, and career progression may take some time as quite a bit of experience is needed to move on to roles such as senior programmer or analyst.

If a more people-oriented role is favoured, graduates can consider management opportunities.

Trends and developments

The e-commerce disruption has resulted in a new playing field for IT specialists in retail as companies shift from concentrating on brickand-mortar stores alone, to maintaining a complementary online presence to drive brand awareness. Big data has also made a splash in the industry, leading to more personalised services.

Omni-channel retailing is a major trend presently driving the sector in Singapore, with physical stores increasingly enhancing customer experience with tech-enabled product personalisation and augmented reality, along with combining offline retail with online stores, social media and mobile applications.

Still, this doesn’t mean that e-commerce is burgeoning in the city-state. On the contrary, localised malls within heartland areas are still preferred for their accessibility and convenience. Instead, e-commerce expansions mostly take place with nonexperiential products like household goods and groceries.

Experiential retail is on the rise, too, and malls are increasingly incorporating elements of this retail trend to attract consumers and lure higher footfall. More recent developments include Funan’s indoor cycling track and rock-climbing facilities, and the NERF Action Xperience in Marina Square.

Pros and cons

Wide exposure

Programmers working in this industry often tout the variety in their work as one of the pros because they can move between functional areas relatively easily.

Slow career progression

On the other hand, a common grouse is that career progression tends to be slower compared to other sectors, although that may be eclipsed by a desire to make a difference.

Required skills

• Analytical skills

• Commercial awareness

• Able to work in a team

• Interpersonal skills

• Adaptability