In 2022, businesses will look and operate very differently than they did three or four years ago.
Many stores have gone digital and redesigned areas, including fulfillment areas or, in some cases, entertainment areas.
Advances in retail technology include:
Convenience will be the decisive factor in retail in the coming year. The growth of new contactless and mobile technologies is shaping the retail sector, creating better online shopping experiences and payment processes.
Our Retail Trends 2022 E-Book will be looking at these technological upgrades that will both benefit the customer and pave the way for new travel in the year to come.
Customers are coming back to the stores
Retail trends show customers are returning to stores as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
However, customers cut their time in stores by researching items in advance and coming with a specific purpose. Data shows that 58% of shoppers in store say it’s faster to look up product information on their phone than to ask an employee; 64% of employees agree.
More retailers are migrating to mobile POS systems to allow associates to verify customers on the store floor and quickly look up product features.
Online shopping remains strong
Online shopping behavior will continue to accelerate 75% of customers shop online at least once a month and 20% shop once a week.
With that, many retailers are adding virtual selling as a feature for 2022. Virtual selling allows associates to drive online sales and meet in person with a customer for a personalized shopping experience.
Payment and fulfillment will be contactless
COVID-19 has accelerated the demand for contactless payment options. Now shoppers are using their mobile devices to pay through apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Paypal and Venmo.
Self checkout is very popular in grocery stores, with many brands working almost exclusively with self-checkout. Retailers expect to expand their self-checkout systems at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% by 2027.
There is also a growing trend for retailers to offer Buy Online, Pick-up In-Store (BOPIS) to offer customers the convenience of online shopping with the freedom to avoid shipping costs and pick up the product at the brand’s nearest location . Similarly, retailers are offering online buy and return in store (BORIS) to attract more customers to the store and give them the opportunity to easily return or exchange an item.
The changing look in the shops
This new year brings a shift in store appearances with additional features and ways to attract customers.
New concepts emerged, such as For example, sporting goods stores that configure their store layout to add interactive experiences like climbing walls or putting greens so customers can try products.
Stores are also embracing new advances in technology such as implementing interactive digital signage to allow customers to access product information, purchase items, make payment and select fulfillment or delivery options without the assistance of a staff member.
Would you like to find out more? Download Mad Mobile’s eBook Retail Trends 2022: New Store Challenges, Concepts and Insights here.
