Here's how Main Street retailers can use technology to save their businesses

The U.S. maintains its leading edge in many industries of the future. But when it comes to tech-infused retail, the rest of the world is outpacing the U.S., digitalizing stores in huge swaths while America stands still.

Why it matters: Wealthy retail chains everywhere are surging ahead in digitalization, luring shoppers with custom applications. But howthey are doing it has divided the world of retail between the haves of new tech and the have-nots.