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What does it take to remain competitive in an ever-evolving retail industry: agility, innovation, mindshare? Yes, these are all valid strategies in some shape or form.
But we posit that in a world where change is the only constant, knowledge of the consumer and an understanding of the existing and upcoming trends is key to remaining relevant.
In this article, we will discuss forces that have had an impact on retail as well as emerging trends that are shaping the industry's future.
Over the past decade, the retail landscape has experienced significant changes thanks to the proliferation of smartphones and increased internet adoption.
The pandemic has also been a major catalyst for adaptation, requiring retailers to embrace a digital-first approach to keep their businesses afloat. In fact, according to IBM data, the pandemic accelerated the shift to e-commerce by approximately five years.
This digital trend shows no signs of slowing down, as seen by the growth of e-commerce sales in Southeast Asia, which increased fivefold from 2016 to 2021. E-commerce now accounts for 20 percent of all retail sales in the region, up from 5 percent.
Consumers are now shopping online more frequently across all retail categories, prompting retailers to reevaluate their operations. This has resulted in the growth of “buy online, pick up in the store” (BOPIS) models, virtual experiences, as well as omnichannel consumer engagement.
Additionally, the pandemic has shifted consumer demographics, with nearly half of Baby Boomers shopping online more frequently. In response, many large retailers have transformed their store layouts, converting floor space into fulfilment centres.
Physical retail spaces are undergoing a transformation, with unique shopping experiences at the forefront. These experiences may include brand billboards, immersive entertainment, and service touchpoints. The future of retail will be a seamless blend of physical and digital, necessitating a shift from an "omnichannel" to a "metachannel" strategy. Retailers must integrate and coordinate experiences around the consumer, ensuring that physical and digital spaces work together to create more value than a single channel can provide.
Furthermore, physical retail spaces must be reimagined to remain relevant in the wake of increased online shopping and home delivery. By creating flexible, multifunctional spaces that showcase products and host a variety of services and events, retailers can attract shoppers and encourage them to stay and make purchases. Examples of successful retail spaces include House of VANS skateparks, Nike Unite community stores, and grocery retailers hosting in-store cookery classes.
Retailers will continue to curate brand experiences to generate demand for goods and services, regardless of the channel. Market share and share of wallet are being replaced by share of attention. In order to compete for consumer attention, retailers must create spaces that people will visit and engage with.
Some emerging retail trends that retailers should keep an eye on include sustainable and ethical retail practices, personalisation and customisation and voice and conversational commerce.
As consumers become more environmentally and socially conscious, their purchasing decisions increasingly reflect these values. This has led retailers to prioritise sustainability and ethical practices in their operations. These practices may include sourcing eco-friendly materials, ensuring fair labour practices throughout the supply chain, minimising waste and packaging, and promoting transparency in business dealings. Retailers adopting such practices not only cater to the growing consumer demand for sustainable and ethically produced goods but also contribute to a more responsible retail landscape.
In an effort to differentiate themselves and build customer loyalty, retailers are turning to data and analytics to deliver personalised product recommendations, offers, and experiences for each customer. By analysing customers' browsing and purchase history, preferences, and other behaviours, retailers can create targeted marketing campaigns and tailor their product assortments to better match customers' needs. This level of customization can lead to increased customer satisfaction, higher conversion rates, and improved long-term loyalty.
The continuous advancement of voice assistants, such as Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri, has opened up new opportunities for retailers. These sophisticated virtual assistants enable consumers to search for products, ask questions, and complete purchases using voice commands. To capitalise on this trend, retailers are integrating voice commerce capabilities into their online platforms, allowing customers to shop more conveniently and seamlessly. As voice technology continues to improve and gain widespread adoption, retailers who adapt to voice and conversational commerce will be better positioned to meet the evolving needs of their customers.
Looking ahead, retail will continue to evolve in response to shifting consumer preferences, growing retail markets, and digital-first shopping platforms. TaF.tc’s Future of Retail course offers an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve.
This course provides insight into the current retail environment, changes and trends, and the post-pandemic landscape, covering topics such as BOPIS, reduction in retail square footage, and digital platforms for retail. Participants will explore the growth of e-commerce, technology-driven customer engagement, and unique shopping experiences in physical retail spaces.
By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the future of retail and be prepared to thrive in this dynamic industry.
Armed with knowledge and insights, they will be ready to navigate the challenges and develop in tandem with the ever-evolving retail industry.
The retail industry has come a long way, adapting to changing consumer preferences, expanding retail markets, and digital-first shopping platforms. As technology continues to reshape the customer experience and physical retail spaces transform to offer unique, immersive experiences, retailers must stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive.
Investing in education via upskilling through courses such as TaF.tc’s Future of Retail course, is crucial for understanding the changes and trends shaping the retail landscape. By keeping a finger on the pulse of emerging trends and embracing a metachannel strategy that blends physical and digital experiences, retailers can position themselves for success in the ever-evolving world of retail.
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