In the battle against e-commerce, new tech unshackles store associates

While stores still account for the vast majority of retail sales, digital interactions are becoming increasingly influential in purchase decisions, meaning stores need to be more Amazon-like in their understanding and handling of customers. Much of the new tech being offered to retailers in this battle to compete for customer loyalty is designed to free store associates and managers to be more mobile, so they can work "hip-to-hip" with customers instead of being tied to checkout desks.