Technology & E-Commerce

In today’s always-on environment, connectivity is no longer a convenience. It is a dependency. Modern connectivity depends on a layered system of infrastructure, including carrier networks, backhaul systems, maintenance cycles, environmental conditions and localized congestion.

The modern definition of content marketing has been hijacked by trends that reward spectacle over substance. But for most retailers, especially independent and community-based businesses, the goal of content is not entertainment. Content should help customers make better decisions, feel more confident and understand why your business is worth trusting.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been part of the beverage alcohol logistics conversation for years. Predictive analytics, demand forecasting and route optimization tools are no longer novel concepts; they are increasingly expected capabilities across beer, wine and spirits distribution.

Small retailers face many challenges as the market grows and technology advances, including rising costs and improved competition. AI tools can make it easier for retailers to compete in the new business market by allowing them to use the same resources as industry giants. AI enhances the customer experience while making a small retailer's operations smarter and more efficient.

In late January, the House passed a bill that would direct the SBA to provide education and support to small businesses to help them adopt AI technologies. Put together by Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) H.R. 5784, the AI-WISE Act received overwhelming bipartisan support.

This tension between stability and agility is one of the defining struggles of business modernization. Companies want to innovate quickly, but they can’t afford to disrupt the core systems that manage their inventory, supply chains and transactions. So how can these businesses move forward? The solution can be found in low-code development.

For independent retailers especially, email marketing offers a direct, reliable way to communicate with customers and keep the store top of mind. Unlike social media, where algorithms control visibility, your email list is an asset you own.

American Express released its latest Amex Trendex: Small Business Edition, which revealed that small businesses are accelerating Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption, with 66% now using AI. This is a 10 point increase from the May 2025 Trendex.

Big-box retailers have long leveraged technology to streamline operations, engage customers and drive sales. Today, many smaller, independent retailers – like jewelers and pet store owners – are following suit as technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), is hitting Main Street.

Mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) technology is turning a long-standing pain point into a competitive advantage. By putting the entire POS system onto a mobile device, retailers can meet customers where they are and complete transactions anywhere on the sales floor.