Modern consumers are quite informed about the products they want to purchase. They are extremely tech savvy and have an indirect control on how retails operate. The customer today thoroughly conducts research before stepping into any retail store.
Nowadays consumers have an access to a wide array of tools that can help them gauge the value of products that they are looking to purchase. They are just a click away from alternative products and can easily compare prices, choosing the deal that’s best for them. They are bombarded with coupon codes and push notifications from competitors, so they turn to other products.
On the other hand, retailers have the chance to be better connected to their consumers. They can communicate with their clients on a personal level. Technology has altered the face of traditional transactions; however, it has also opened many venues for retailers to approach their customers more effectively.
If we just compare the way transactions happen now to what retail experience looked in the previous decade, we know that technology has become an integral part of retail shopping experience. Now retail and technology go hand in hand and this interdependency will be getting bigger in the coming years.
Smartphone Wave
Smartphones have had the biggest effect on the way retail outlets operate because they have opened a whole new dimension on the way retailers and consumers interact now.
Before smartphones took over a major chunk of the digital industry, consumers would go to different stores and search for the best products and when they found the item they were looking for, they would pay the price and walk out. Nowadays, consumer walk into a store they know displays the items they are looking for. They are already aware of its features and its quality, as they have scanned reviews and testimonials and after being satisfied that the product is what they are looking for, they venture into the store.
So basically, now the consumer is more in control of his shopping experience, paying a price for what he really wants. This is good news for the retailer who is able to cater for the specific needs of his customer and builds on his customer’s confidence.
Smartphones also enable retailers to engage in meaningful conversations that can increase customer satisfaction and strengthen consumer base.
Mobile Apps
Apps come with great utility. While smartphones have revolutionized the way retailers and consumers interact, apps act as a direct connection between the purchaser and seller. Retailers can directly send updates to their consumers and form a connection that lasts long after their physical visit to the store.
So when the consumer is busy elsewhere, he can be informed about an upcoming event that he would consider taking part in or he can simply communicate with the retailer.
QR Codes
Retailers are also at liberty to provide their consumers with worthwhile product information, or advertise to them by scanning through QR codes. These codes are useful for providing ample opportunities for retailers to prove that their product is worth purchasing.
Staying On Your Consumer’s Mind
Email marketing may not be the most popular method of grabbing your consumer’s attention. However, push apps directly require attention from the customer. With the help of this technology, retailers can ensure that their message has been delivered and has not been filtered out as spam.
Smartphones provide a common platform for retailers and consumers to connect in a way they have never done before. However, in order to reap its benefits it’s necessary to embrace a model that fully utilizes various technological based aspects such as push notifications and QR codes.
Conclusion
There are is no denying that technology has become an integral part of present day retail shopping experience. The future of retail relies heavily on how it chooses to utilize this powerful tool. In order to ensure growth and to combat competition effectively, retailers need to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of digital world. If a consumer is presented with tools to assess whether he is making the right decision purchasing the product, he can become your loyal customer, once he is satisfied with the quality that you are offering. Retailers can greatly benefit from repeat sales and hence, a win-win situation can be arrived at, for both buyers and purchasers.
