When Will Emerging Retail Tech Become the Norm? with Stuart Armstrong of ComQi

 

Over the years, e-commerce has become a large entity in the Retail industry. It’s availability and ease-of-use have made it top competition for traditional brick-and-mortar stores, forcing retailers to lean into experience versus convenience. It’s evolved so much so that large retail stores are struggling to remain relevant (i.e. Toys R Us, Sears).

At what point will all of these new techniques and technologies become the new normal? On today’s podcast, we sat down with Group President for ComQi Stuart Armstrong. Retailers who are thriving are doing so by adapting similar technology into their brand, and online stores are now opening up physical stores, making the distinction between brick-and-mortar and e-commerce less apparent.

“If we just invented retailing today, with all the technology, we wouldn’t have that separation. The term ‘omni-channel’ wouldn’t exist. The term ‘e-commerce’ wouldn’t exist,” Armstrong said.

“It would simply be ‘shopping’ and ‘retailing’. Shoppers would have one view of the brand. They wouldn’t have a separate view that’s their website, a separate view that’s their mobile, a separate view that’s their brick-and-mortar. They would see that brand and the continuity between the various channels. And very importantly, that brand would have one view of the consumer and not different views, based upon the channel in which they shop.”

On the podcast, we discuss the mindset of branding, and how digital signage helps to recreate the model of ‘The Local Grocer.’ Armstrong reminds us that Retail isn’t about the technology, but creating the customer experience, even if it’s happening online.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Retail Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @RetailMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

customer movement
Bonfire Branding: How Solo Stove Sparked a Customer Movement with Liz Vanzura (Episode Three)
January 22, 2026

As audiences tune out polished ads and lean into trust, brands are being forced to rethink how they show up for the customer. Research consistently shows that consumers rate peer-created content as more credible than traditional brand messaging, and algorithmic discovery is increasingly rewarding authenticity over polish. With AI reshaping how people search and…

Read More
supply chains
Why the Best Careers Are Designed Like Resilient Supply Chains
January 22, 2026

What do supply chains and community have in common? They both deliver value—when managed with purpose. At their best, they show how intentional systems, meaningful connections, and consistent action turn effort into lasting professional growth. This week on Professional Quotient, listeners hear from Nathan Chaney, founder of Supply Chaney, whose insights bridge the mechanics…

Read More
brand
Bonfire Branding: How Solo Stove Sparked a Customer Movement with Liz Vanzura (Episode Two)
January 22, 2026

As people seek relief from constant digital noise, the backyard has quietly become a modern “third space” in everyday life. Outdoor living, fire pits, and at-home hosting continue to grow as consumers prioritize connection, ease, and experiences that feel meaningful without requiring more complexity. Brands that understand this shift aren’t just selling products—they’re offering…

Read More
Image
The Retrofit Advantage: B2B Renovation Strategies Powering Retail, Healthcare, Sports, IoT, Energy, ProAV, Engineering, and Construction
January 20, 2026

Innovation is no always a new build. In B2B, the fastest return often comes from upgrading existing facilities without pausing operations for months. Renovation and retrofit projects have become a core business lever because they influence measurable outcomes: energy consumption, staff productivity, customer throughput, uptime, safety, compliance, and lifecycle maintenance costs. Below is a B2B…

Read More