Whether you prefer to shop 'til you drop — or until your laptop battery dies, technology shapes your experience. A host of companies work behind the scenes for retailers, malls and digital companies, collecting data from the moment you walk in (or log in) to the moment you check out.
Their analyses help companies optimize in-store shopping and stay ahead of the continually evolving digital shopping landscape. And their work makes it easier for consumers to find the products they need.
In addition to Chicago's e-comm giants like Groupon, these three companies are changing the way we shop in a big way:
Cleverbridge helps online businesses navigate the tricky terrain of global commerce. They provide flexible commerce solutions, simplify recurring billing and help businesses keep up with the new ways customers shop online. Its work allows businesses to focus on the consumer. The company emerged in 2005 out of a living room in Cologne, Germany, and today has offices around the globe, including in Chicago. It was named to Chicago Inno’s 2016 Coolest Companies list.
Before e-commerce, there was Gorilla Group. Founded in 1994, this Chicago tech company has grown with the evolution of shopping from storefronts to the web. Today, the company uses that experience to help businesses navigate their own transition into a digital economy. They work with B2B and direct-to-consumer brands, providing consumer data analyses, brand strategy and web design to help them deliver products to the customers who need it.
Launched in 1995, ShopperTrak uses its technology to track consumer data throughout the shopping lifecycle for thousands of retailers, malls and entertainment venues. They help businesses understand when shoppers enter their store and where they’re going in order to optimize their experience. It also provides businesses with checkpoints and comparisons to similar retailers to help them find ways to grow and improve. ShopperTrak was founded in Chicago, but now has offices around the globe.
Photos via Gorilla Group, ShopperTrack and Cleverbridge.
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