Wi-Fi vs Cellular for Retail Analytics
Retail analytics is a growing field that helps retailers make data-driven decisions to optimize their operations, improve the customer experience, and increase sales. One key component of retail analytics is the collection of data through Wi-Fi or cellular networks. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of Wi-Fi and cellular networks for retail analytics.
Wi-Fi for Retail Analytics
Wi-Fi has been a preferred choice of retailers for collecting analytics data due to its stability, faster speed, and wider range. Wi-Fi access points can be easily set up in a retail store, and the data collected can be processed efficiently to provide actionable insights that retailers can use to improve their operations. Wi-Fi can also provide more granular data such as the location of the customer in the store, their dwell time, and the aisle they're currently in.
On the flip side, Wi-Fi has some limitations. Wi-Fi signals can weaken or be obstructed by physical barriers such as walls, furniture, or metallic objects. This can lead to inaccurate data collection, making it difficult to provide reliable insights.
Cellular for Retail Analytics
Cellular networks also provide a means to collect data for retail analytics. Cellular networks have a broader coverage area compared to Wi-Fi, which means that retailers can collect data from a larger geographic area. Cellular networks are also more resilient against signal obstructions, which means that retailers can collect more reliable data compared to Wi-Fi.
However, cellular networks also have some limitations. The data collection speed is slower compared to Wi-Fi, which could lead to delays in data processing and analysis. Additionally, cellular networks do not provide granular data such as customer location like Wi-Fi does.
So, which one is better?
It depends on the specific needs of the retailer and their store environment. Wi-Fi is ideal for locations that need granular data such as a large department store or an airport. On the other hand, cellular networks are ideal for large geographic areas where Wi-Fi coverage is limited.
Overall, both Wi-Fi and cellular networks can provide significant insights that retailers can leverage to optimize their operations and customer experience.
References
- Gessner, A. (2019). Wi-Fi vs. Cellular: Which One Is Best for Your Business? [Blog post]. CRADLEPOINT. https://cradlepoint.com/resources/blog/wi-fi-vs-cellular-which-one-best-your-business
- Salinas, S. (2019). Wi-Fi vs Cellular Networks: Which One Is Right for You? [Blog post]. Connecteam. https://connecteam.com/wi-fi-vs-cellular-networks-which-one-is-right-for-you/