Retailers are integrating new functions into their online stores, such as virtual try-on, AI mirrors, ‘click and collect’, and sustainable fashion platforms. More and more retailers are also seeking to attract international shoppers and integrating with multi-currency payment gateways. In-store operations are also highly-technology dependent. Retailers need to secure technology adoption by validating secure design principles are being followed by technology suppliers, and by thoroughly testing new technologies post-integration with adversarial tactics.

The growing adoption of technology, use of customer-facing applications, and increasing integration with third-party platforms have all necessitated a significant increase in supply chain integration. Retailers that previously had a relatively limited attack surface to defend are now exposed to a much broader range of cyber-attack vectors.  This increased exposure underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect against potential digital supply-chain threats and vulnerabilities.

Given the broad the scope of personally identifiable information (PII) they collect, to include not only transactional data, such as name, address, and payment details, retailers must secure against data breaches. Retailers are now subject to a broader array of regulations, including the GDPR and NIS2 in Europe, the CCPA in the United States, and various country-specific regulations.  Therefore, in addition to reputational damage, loss of customer trust and financial losses, consequences of retail data breach also include regulatory fines and penalties. This increased regulatory landscape underscores the importance of robust data protection and compliance strategies.