FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Retailers will require the centralization and integration of demand-intelligence technology, according to “Worldwide Retail Industry 2008 Top 10 Predictions,” released yesterday by Global Retail Insights, a division of IDC here. “It is imperative that retailers evaluate vendors and solutions with the lens that real-time demand, supply and customer intelligence is a basic requirement when upgrading or replacing legacy merchandising or planning systems,” said Global Retail Insights in a statement. Examples of demand-intelligence technology include price and promotion optimization, inventory optimization and perishables management, Scott Langdoc, vice president of research and business leader for Global Retail Insights, told SN. The report also predicted that newspaper circulars will succumb to personalized promotions and narrowcast advertising, and that corporate social responsibility and "Green Retail" will be on the top 5 list of priorities for retailers.

Read More of Today's Headlines