Hector Almaguer

The retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as the IoT introduces new levels of intelligence, automation, and insight. From connected shelves and smart inventory systems to personalized in-store experiences and supply chain optimization, IoT is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a present-day differentiator. This session will explore how IT leaders can harness IoT technologies to drive operational efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and create competitive advantages in an increasingly digital-first world.

·        Discovering how IoT enables real-time inventory management, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization, reducing costs and improving backend operations

·        Learning how connected devices like beacons, smart mirrors, and mobile integrations deliver seamless, personalized shopping experiences that drive loyalty and engagement

·        Understanding how IoT data can be aggregated and analyzed to provide actionable insights, enabling proactive merchandising, demand forecasting, and customer behavior analysis

·        Crafting a roadmap for building a scalable IoT architecture, including network requirements, integration with legacy systems, and strategies to mitigate security risks

Retail moves fast, but technology moves faster. With all of the “latest and greatest” solutions hitting the market, IT leaders are feeling the pressure to keep up and stay ahead of the competition. But not every decision has led to success, and some have even ended in failure. Now is your chance to hear from industry peers about technology “swings and misses”, and even join in the conversation yourself! Dive into the fishbowl and get real about tech, innovation, AI, and more. 

• Learning from real-world missteps to make more informed decisions in the future
• Exploring which emerging technologies lived up to expectations and which fell short, helping you separate true innovation from fleeting trends
• Discovering how to balance innovation with thoughtful implementation to avoid moving too fast and making costly mistakes
• Gaining insights into the practical applications (and limitations) of AI and automation
• Engaging in candid conversations with industry leaders to refine your approach to tech adoption and avoid common pitfalls