Shopping, online experiences, and even consumer expectations in physical shops have all undergone a radical transformation due to changes in the digital world. The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has flipped the industry on its head and given rise to never-before-seen technical advancements
By recognizing the technological trends that have led us through 2020 and 2021 and will continue to do so in the years to come, we can see where these breakthroughs are leading us next. As a result of our extensive software development expertise, we’ve recognized vital technological developments that will affect the retail sector in the long term.
Pop-up Stores and In-store Experiential Marketing
Portable stores and in-store experiential opportunities are in high demand. Physical retail shops should not be seen as a primary means of selling or even a place to keep goods; instead, they should be viewed as a marketing opportunity. Thus, pop-up shops and in-store experiences, such as those focused on the senses of touch, smell, and sound and those using high-end technology, will be used to boost online sales and raise consumer awareness.
As a result, brand loyalty can be tough to develop if you just utilize online sources for your marketing. With a pop-up, you can establish a more personal connection with your consumers by putting a name to the product, which can help increase your online sales in the long run. Department stores and grocery store franchises for sale have a lot in common when it comes to this.
A POS System That’s Perfect for E-commerce
Due to limitations and concerns about in-person purchasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce has risen dramatically. To improve their online sales operations, company owners have been encouraged to optimize their e-commerce platforms.
Due to lockdowns and health concerns caused by the pandemic, a record number of retail establishments will have to close their doors in 2020. Microsoft Store and Pier 1 were among the businesses that were forced to close their doors permanently. The number of open sites has been decreased or temporarily shuttered at JCPenney and Macy’s. On the other hand, some industries, such as Walmart and Target, made much money in 2017.
Having an online and an in-person alternative isn’t sufficient in and of itself. Businesses will require e-commerce and point-of-sale connectivity at some point. This will enable them to integrate better online and offline transactions, inventory, and promotions across all in-person and online shops before, during, and after the pandemic outbreak.
Alternate Reality Dressing Rooms
Gartner projected that by 2020, augmented reality would be used by 100 million people, and they were right. AR-engaged consumers will see a 90 percent boost in customer conversion rates by 2020, according to Gartner. In 2021, it will be impossible to overlook the promise of augmented reality in the retail sector.
One of the most exciting uses of augmented reality in retail is virtual fitting rooms. Augmented reality is uniquely positioned to assist consumers in making product selections during the COVID-19 pandemic since it’s more challenging to handle the “try-before-you-buy” strategy while complying with public health requirements. Despite the pandemic, Sephora was able to profit because of the company’s usage of augmented reality technology in 2020. Customers can use their cellphones to ‘try on’ jewelry and cosmetics by utilizing virtual fitting rooms. Other businesses are using virtual fit room technology like Kendra Scott and Etsy.
No-staff and No-cashier Stores
Stores without cashiers or employees are an important retail trend to examine in 2021 because the social distance will still be vital in safeguarding public health. Customers of Shekel Brainweigh Ltd were asked about their buying habits after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the results showed that there had been changes in purchasing patterns. Eighty-seven percent of consumers said they preferred shops with self-checkout or contactless payment alternatives.
RFID tags, computer vision systems, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and face recognition software can all be used to help in this effort. When a consumer leaves a shop, the credit card on file for the purchase is immediately charged. Consumers’ health can be enhanced in the future by decreasing the usage of touch in retail establishments. Smartphones can read barcodes and QR codes to get extra product information without the need to touch or examine the item physically.
Final Thoughts
Retailers have a massive problem with COVID-19, but technology has made significant development and improvement over the next two years. With the use of cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, data analytics, computer vision, and augmented reality, the problems of 2020 have been shown as a chance for progress.
