Jim Barnes, president and chief executive officer of enVista Corp., discusses how retailers and distributors are addressing the unique challenges posed by the emergence of the omnichannel.

There are several overarching themes driving the push for more automation inside the four walls. Some relate to changing demographics in the labor force, others to how consumers are shopping today, and let's not overlook the constant striving for more efficiency, productivity and cost reduction.

Arguing that "the line between stores and the internet is blurring so much," Macy's has become the first major publicly held retailer to stop reporting its e-commerce stats.