The Retail & Technology Show 2025 brought together the biggest names in retail technology to showcase the industry’s latest advancements. This circus-themed event immersed attendees in the excitement and wonder of the big top.
Inspired by how the circus finds unique ways to keep an audience coming back, retail stores are choosing to do the same. From AI-powered customer engagement to interactive digital signage, this event reinforced how connected retail is no longer a trend – it’s a necessity.
What is connected retail? It’s a modern approach that leverages advanced technology and connectivity to create an advanced shopping experience for customers.
At the heart of this retail digital transformation, solutions within the SOTI ONE Platform are enabling retailers to stay competitive. With intelligent mobility, real-time analytics and secure device management, retailers can optimize every touchpoint to elevate customer experiences.
In this blog, discover the retail technology trends in 2025 identified at the Retail & Technology Show and how SOTI products can help.
Digital Signage: The Key to Engaging In-Store Experiences
The role of a circus ringmaster is to introduce each act, engage the audience and create a sense of excitement. Similarly, a sign introduces a business, engages customers and generates interest in what it’s promoting.
Digital signage solutions are the ultimate ringmasters, extending promotional efforts beyond their traditional capabilities. These dynamic, AI-powered engagement platforms have the power to show your customers what they want to see.
Retailers can use digital signage to:
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Deliver personalized product recommendations based on real-time data.
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Reduce customer wait times by enhancing self-service through interactive kiosks.
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Synchronize promotions across locations using cloud-managed content updates.
With hundreds of screens deployed in multiple locations, retailers need a secure, centralized management system to ensure smooth operations.
How SOTI Supports Digital Signage
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SOTI MobiControl remotely manages and secures in-store displays, ensuring that updates happen in real-time with zero downtime.
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SOTI XSight offers advanced diagnostics for each display, which allows for proactive management and maintenance that empowers continuous operation.
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SOTI Snap enables retailers to develop interactive apps that connect customers to digital signage through QR codes and mobile touchpoints.
AI-Powered Automation: Retail’s Invisible Advantage
AI is transforming the retail industry like magic by identifying and reducing inefficiencies, optimizing inventory and improving personalization.
Significant AI-powered solutions include:
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Predictive analytics for smarter inventory management and reduced stockouts.
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AI-driven customer service bots for faster, more efficient interactions.
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Automated device monitoring and issue resolution, reducing IT downtime.
But like all magic, retail automation cannot function on its own – it needs a magician to set up tricks in the background. In other words, AI-powered systems must be managed, secured and continuously optimized to be effective.
How SOTI Supports AI-Powered Retail Operations
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SOTI XSight provides real-time diagnostics and analytics, allowing IT teams to proactively resolve issues before they impact store operations.
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SOTI Connect simplifies printer management with a single console, regardless of multiple printer manufacturers and operating systems.
Integrating AI with smart device management can unlock retail analytics and predictive insights, which keeps the magic alive through minimal operational disruptions and maximum uptime.
Social Commerce: The Bridge Between Digital and In-Store
Social media is driving new shopping behaviors, with 49% of consumers discovering products through Instagram and TikTok. Retailers must ensure that online engagement seamlessly translates into in-store experiences.
Retailers can bridge this gap by:
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Integrating social media content into digital signage, featuring real-time reviews and influencer recommendations.
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Allowing customers to make in-store purchases through QR codes that connect to social commerce platforms.
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Creating a seamless omnichannel retail strategy, which enables customers to start their journey online and complete it in-store.
How SOTI Can Help Omnichannel Integration
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SOTI MobiControl ensures mobile devices and in-store technology are always secure and functional.
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SOTI Snap helps retailers build digital experiences that support social commerce campaigns.
With connected retail technology, retailers can turn social engagement into physical store visits and purchases.
The Importance of Security and System Reliability
Trapeze artists are known for swinging through the air, completing mind blowing tricks before returning safely to the ground. However, without proper security and system reliability, these artists wouldn’t take the risk.
Similarly, each time a customer makes a mobile purchase, they trust retailers will keep their information safe. With an increasing reliance on connected retail technology, security has become a critical factor in building customer trust.
The following retail security concerns were highlighted:
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82% of consumers worry about their personal data when using in-store technology.
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60% of shoppers abandon purchases if they don’t trust the payment system.
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From 2021 to 2023, there was a 72% rise in data breaches, marking a new all-time high.
How SOTI Strengthens Security and Compliance
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SOTI MobiControl secures retail IT infrastructure by ensuring devices are encrypted and regularly updated.
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SOTI XSight offers advanced system monitoring, allowing retailers to detect and prevent security breaches before they happen.
Proactive retail security and compliance management helps to build trust and protect a brand’s reputation.
The Next Act: A Fully Connected Future
Just like the circus, the retail industry is always planning its next act. The Retail & Technology Show 2025 reinforced that retail is no longer just about transactions – it’s about creating fully connected experiences.
Retailers who embrace the future with open arms can:
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Deliver personalized, engaging experiences that drive in-store traffic.
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Optimize omnichannel operations by marrying digital commerce and physical store experiences.
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Ensure real-time security and performance monitoring to prevent downtime.
By leveraging the SOTI ONE Platform, you can streamline operations, enhance security and build an ecosystem that encourages growth. Discover how SOTI products can benefit your retail business by reaching out to us today.
