In this paper the authors explore the implications for higher education of the disruptions caused by changes in the retail sector resulting from rapid developments in technology. Industry 4.0 technologies such as big data, the Internet of Things, blockchain, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and virtual reality are increasingly evident in the retail sector. While predictions vary as to the extent of the disruption, retailers agree that embracing technology is now a necessity. The evidence in the paper is taken from a diverse sample of 60 senior managers across 24 retail companies in Ireland. The authors adopt a mixed-methods approach to data collection. They report that the skills required to perform in retail now and in the future will be a combination of human, digital and traditional skills. What emerges from the study is that advances in technology necessitate the provision of new hard skills, but importantly reinforce the necessity for soft skills so that the potential of the new technology can be fully understood and utilised. Helping retail employees upskill and future proof is a major challenge for higher education. Retailers need to proactively develop their employees by identifying clear progression pathways and promoting careers in retail.

在本文中，作者探讨了由于技术的快速发展而导致的零售业变化所造成的破坏对高等教育的意义。大数据，物联网，区块链，自动化，机器人技术，人工智能和虚拟现实等工业4.0技术在零售领域越来越明显。尽管对破坏程度的预测各不相同，但零售商一致认为现在必须采用技术。本文中的证据来自爱尔兰24家零售公司的60名高级管理人员的不同样本。作者采用混合方法进行数据收集。他们报告说，现在和将来零售业所需的技能将是人类，数字和传统技能的结合。该研究表明，技术的进步需要提供新的硬技能，但重要的是要加强对软技能的必要性，以便可以充分理解和利用新技术的潜力。帮助零售业员工提高技能和适应未来需求是高等教育的主要挑战。零售商需要通过确定清晰的发展路径并促进零售事业来积极发展自己的员工。