When you ask people to think of a high-tech shopping experience, online shopping is what automatically pops up their mind. Not knowing that for years, the ecommerce shopping experience has already evolved to include personalized recommendations based on purchase history, up-to-the-minute inventory trackers, and more advancement that feel like we’re living in the future.
In contrast, much of the brick-and-mortar shopping landscape seems to have stayed pretty much the same. But, if you look more closely at a few stand-out retailers, in fact, high-tech shopping is driving customers back into stores for personalized shopping trips.
In this competitive field, retailers need to offer an exceptional experience to draw the crowd. Obviously nothing could do it more than by providing high-tech shopping. So, what kind of high-tech advancements are retailers currently using? Let’s take a look at some of the available technologies that your retail business could integrate to create a better shopping experience for your customers.
Enhanced Visual Tech
In a certain instance exploration of high-tech shopping, one customer at a high tech store was able to eye clothes on the rack like at a traditional store, but the difference is that he can also use touchscreens around the store and in fitting rooms to select the size and color for any item. This is where you provide them with a feeling and sight of the future. You can do a lot of things with today’s modern technology and augmented reality.
For some instance, minimalist aesthetic can be used so when customers walk in— it won’t overwhelm them instead it will allow them to interact with the clothing without having to flip through large racks looking for the correct size. Additionally, the intuitive, digital interface and clothes that arrive almost magically in the changing room help anyone overcome social anxiety that they may have speaking directly with a sales associate.
Augmented reality shopping isn’t limited to in-store installations either. As demonstrated,, augmented reality is a useful high-tech tool that allows shoppers to better envision how your products fit into their lives. The more clearly customers can see your products meeting their needs, the more likely they are to make a purchase.
Interaction
Without embracing technology, only time can tell when will the doors will close for you, especially if you are going into brick and mortar. Because as many shops close, it is being more obvious that now is the time to embrace technology and figure it out.
One of the newest trends nowadays is the use of fitting rooms with interactive mirrors, which make personalized recommendations, allow customers to connect with sales associates to request new sizes and ask questions, and even make purchases. Whiles providing your customers with a customized, tailored shopping experience, these interactive mirrors also provide you with valuable customer data to help predict sales and order inventory accordingly.
High-Tech Data Collection and Storage System
Video displays showing product commercials, express coupon distributors, and digitized prices and product information are just some of the high-tech advancements that you’ve probably seen in aisles and shelves of retailers over the last few years.
“Smart shelves” are digitized and connected to retailer’s inventory management system. So, when an item runs out of stock, you’re notified to replenish your shelf. Retailers can also use these sensor-powered shelves to collect other engagement data like what products are and aren’t selling.
The future of smart shelves could include targeted recommendations based on customer data and accounts. With this kind of technology, retailers could make recommendations based on previous purchases, track what items customers remove from shelves, and collect invaluable customer data based on activity over time.
User Experience
A high-tech customer experience is today’s real deal. If the sales associate helping you already knows your shoe size, and can accurately predict your problems and needs when they approach are you more likely to try on a pair of shoes to see if they’re correct? Are you more likely to make a purchase? Many of the big retailers are betting on this kind of high-tech personalization to help boost in-store foot traffic and sales.
However, remember that high tech shopping isn’t about fancy gizmos and gadgets. High-tech toys may certainly help, but the real thing is they just help retailers work toward a greater goal which is to provide an unparalleled retail experience for your customers and attracting new people your shop.