NEW YORK—Retailers are increasingly using computer technology and software to track shopping behavior, reports the New York Times. They said the amount and types of digital data that retailers can now use are increasing.
The new data sources include internal sources including point-of-sale and shipment-tracking information, census data and syndicated services. Stores are also tracking online visitors to Web sites, members of social networks and browsers using smartphones, the New York Times reported. These data help retailers make decisions about pricing, shelf stocking and product offerings.