IoT in eCommerce – Possibilities and Challenges

Dear Colleagues,

The pervasive and ubiquitous nature of the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionised ecommerce. IoT fundamentally underpins and facilitates commerce (both traditional and online).

Collecting data from IoT-connected devices allows for the analysis of consumer preferences and targeted marketing. This presents businesses with endless possibilities to provide a personalised approach for recommending products and services, thereby uniquely meeting their customers’ needs. IoT can also facilitate and manage relationships between the business and consumer over the life of the product or service.

One of the historic and now entrenched approaches of IoT in commerce is for inventory tracking and management. RFID tags, IoT tags and other sensors provide near real-time data on inventory levels and order fulfilment. Likewise, IoT systems can automate supply chain logistics by reordering inventory and tracking the location of the supply order. Additionally, monitoring and controlling ambient conditions and equipment maintenance can help businesses monitor the status of perishable items and sensitive equipment.

IoT in ecommerce has now enabled cashless and cashierless brick-and-mortar stores. Smart shelves and sensors monitor customers and merchandise. Consumers merely collect their items and exit the store with their account automatically being charged. However, with all of these possibilities, IoT/ecommerce security and privacy concerns still need to be addressed.

Dr. Jarrod Trevathan
Dr. Wayne Read
Dr. Neil Bergmann
Guest Editors 

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• customer and market analysis
• personalised recommendations
• continuous and consistent marketing
• customer relations management
• inventory tracking and management
• supply chain and logistics management
• monitoring and controlling ambient conditions and equipment maintenance
• cashless and cashierless brick-and-mortar stores
• smart shelves
• IoT/ecommerce security and privacy concerns