NAVIGATING THROUGH TURBULENT TIMES

Worldwide, the retail industry employs more workers than any other industry and generates a significant share of gross domestic product (GDP) for the global economy. Being such a large sector of the economy and operating at the front line of consumer spending, it is no surprise that retailers are bearing the brunt of the economic slowdown and weakened consumer spending.

While the downturn has been both broad and deep across all of retailing, some segments have suffered more than others. In general, retailers that sell discretionary goods are suffering more than those that sell non-discretionary or staple goods.

Retail Struggle

Two issues are greatly impacting retailers in this economy. First, fewer consumers are shopping and those who are, are spending less. Second, at the same time, the tightening of credit markets has put required operating capital out of reach.

In an economic environment like this, retailers would be expected to cut all capital investments until the storm passes. However, retailers today are investing in technology in a more focused way. Smart management teams realize that you cannot cut your way to profitability and the right investments can yield significant benefits and help control costs.

There are a number of areas that retailers can focus on to deliver an affordable solution that generates immediate value. Learn how the SAP Workforce Management application, SAP Price Optimization and SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Solutions for midsize businesses and enterprise companies can help power you through the economic downturn. You can tailor these solutions to best fit your company's current needs and adapt them as your needs evolve.

Bottom-Line Benefits

Retailers these days are under increasing pressure to justify and deliver on the value of their IT investments. As a result, identifying and tracking IT benefits is critically important. Join us for this one-of-a-kind Webex session to learn how you can navigate your company through these turbulent times.

Key Takeways:

• Show Me the Money - Learn how SAP collaborates with our customers to develop business cases that help companies gain quick approval for their SAP initiatives.
• Protecting Your Investment - SAP has developed a maintenance strategy that allows customers more time for extended value that will enable them to become best-run retailers.
• Innovation Without Disruption - Lean how SAP introduced its enhancement-package strategy for SAP ERP as a means to simplify the way customers manage and deploy new software functionality. Customers can electively implement these software innovations and selectively choose the functions to implement based upon business demand. As a result, customers can isolate the impact of software updates and bring new functionality online faster through shortened testing cycles.

Featured Speaker

Isaac Krakovsky, Vice President, SAP Retail

As vice president of retail, Isaac Krakovsky leads business development and thought-leadership activities for SAP America's retail vertical. Isaac has more than 20 years of retail experience with a focus on retail business processes (planning, merchandising, store operations, supply chain) and leveraging technology to drive performance improvement. Isaac is a recognized industry thought leader and regularly speaks at industry events.

Regards,

SAP Retail, Inc.