Retailers need access to consumers’ personal data in order to optimize their offers, anticipate needs, customize products and services, connect channels … and ultimately increase traffic and transactions. Consumers have been OK (or blissfully unaware) that they have traded their personal information for a better shopping experience. The Facebook data breach will result in a new “data-wakening” among consumers. They will give away less, and be sensitive to devices like smart speakers that passively gather behavioral and shopping data. Otherwise, the shiny new technologies in the near future of retail will be undermined by the dark side of data.

Source: Forbes March 23, 2018 19:37 UTC