ABI research: People counting retail market to surpass $3B by 2018

ABI Research's report, “Retail Customer Analytics: Technologies, Markets, and Revenues”, has forecast all major analytics technologies across 10 major retail sectors. Traditionally this market has focused on footfall/people counting and queue management, largely based on thermal imaging and camera analytics technologies. New smartphone-based technologies will work in synchronization with existing systems, enabling a much higher level of analytics including pathing, dwell times, repeat customers, and aisle-level product interaction. In turn, this will form the basis on which to build highly personalized shopping experiences, rewards programs and offers/coupons.

“A range of indoor location and smartphone-based analytics technologies and tools have emerged based around Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, small cells, 3-D motion sensing and so on,” commented senior analyst Patrick Connolly. “For retailers looking to develop shopper marketing strategies, stave off online retail/showrooming, and maximize brick and mortar revenue, these tools are essential. As a result, we see the analytics market growing to [surpass] US$3 billion by 2018.”