People think in-store shopping is dead, but after the pandemic rattled the global industry and the world returned to normal conditions, people started flocking to physical stores. While many prefer eCommerce shopping, brick-and-mortar stores haven’t gone out of trend. In fact, the future of retail shopping is entering a new era.
Phygital retail is bridging the gap between online and offline purchases, engaging customers with smoother interactions. So, how do retailers combine digital and physical retail experiences? Let’s explore the exciting world of phygital retail.
Phygital – The New Retail Disruption
Blending physical and digital retail is a challenging task. Offline stores or digital experiences no longer define the future of retail shopping. Retailers must build a consistent customer journey across every digital and physical touchpoint. Many brands have opened their first physical stores strategically to attract different types of customers.
Retail brand ambassadors have shoved the way for fashion influencers to target the younger generation through seamless digital experiences. This translates into increased physical sales. Imagine Phygital as AR/VR glasses, kiosks, self-checkouts or tap-and-go tools to enhance the customers’ buying journey.
Next, let’s look at the best phygital solutions to redefine the future of retail shopping.
The Future of Retail Shopping – Key Solutions
Many brands offer innovative solutions to attract consumers through a seamless hybrid experience. Here is a list of the top solutions implemented by major industrial players.
1. Smart Fitting Rooms
These rooms are equipped with modern technologies like RFID(Radio-Frequency Identification), interactive screens, sensors and Artificial Intelligence(AI) to offer an unforgettable try-on experience for the customers.
- Mirrors are integrated with touch screens and smart glass to display information about a specific product.
- Customers can view details like size, colours, and styling suggestions.
- The attached devices allow instant on-screen and audio notifications, altering the stuff about the customer’s requirements. Furthermore, the rooms are integrated with the store’s inventory app to leave suggestions and ask for changes if needed.
- AI algorithms offer personalised recommendations and styling suggestions based on past purchase history.
- Virtual assistance gives a sneak peek into the ideal before and after trials without changing clothes.
- On the other hand, retailers track operations through RFID and use advanced data analytics tools to improve inventory management, sales, and marketing campaigns.
2. Self-Checkout Kiosks
The future of retail shopping is giving convenience and flexibility to customers. One of the best phygital retail examples is self-checkout systems. It responds to contactless transactions and faster loading times. Customers scan and pay for items on their own using mobile apps and in-store POS systems.
The intuitive interface guides them through the checkout process step-by-step. The barcode scanner scans the items, registering the price to the shopper’s virtual shopping cart. The payment terminal accepts various payment methods securing transactions and eliminating longer queues.
Some kiosks include security features like cameras and weight sensors to prevent theft and scaling machines to weigh bulk items.
Kiosks are great options for retailers to reduce labour costs and empower customers preferring self-service options.
3. Digital Shelf Edge Displays
Traditional paper price tags are outdated, and the future of retail shopping depends on digital shelf-edge displays. Using LED, LCD, and e-ink technology, the displays serve as interactive tools, providing real-time information to the consumers. They deliver multimedia content at the time of purchase to increase sales.
Prices, promotions, and product information are updated in real-time to ensure accuracy and consistency. Edge displays offer touch functionality to customers, increasing engagement and providing additional information.
4. Interactive Product Discovery
The significant benefit of augmented retail in the retail industry is interactive product discovery. It combines the physical elements of retail shopping( feeling fabrics, finishes, and picking clothes) with digital elements boosting the future of retail shopping.
This process goes beyond traditional search and filter methods by incorporating quizzes, augmented reality, and virtual add-ons. For example, a product is lifted and placed inside a platform equipped with sensors to trigger the digital screen to display information. Customers can compare different branded items to make the final purchase decision.
Furthermore, smart mannequins deploy fabric sensors to alert nearby screens to display detailed product information. Likewise, AR technology allows users a digital retail experience through virtual visualisation in their environment.
5. Interactive Kiosk
Standalone devices enable users to interact with digital content, allowing them to navigate through multiple options by touching the screen. These devices are the future of retail shopping used to access digital catalogues, products, and apps for deeper product discovery.
Most kiosks are connected via cellular networks to display videos, images, and audio output for multimedia engagement. Ideal for round-the-clock operations, interactive kiosks automate routine tasks helping retailers boost efficiency while reducing overhead expenses.
So, you understand the 5 trends reshaping the future of retail shopping. Next, let’s delve into key phygital strategies you can implement in your physical store.
Phygital Strategies to Boost Your Success
The retail industry is moving to customer-first experiences, allowing them the flexibility to choose their preferred channel for purchasing items. Whether it’s in-store, online, or social media, simplify the journey to attract older and new customers. Here’s a guide to get started.
1. Give Multiple Options
Customers no longer want simple pick-and-pay options. They ignore brands that don’t offer convenience and flexibility. Users shopping on your eCommerce website want to also pick up their goods in-store or at a prearranged pickup point by using the BOPIS (Buy Now Pay Later) option.
Additionally, curbside pickup is also a popular choice to boost order fulfilment. The customer places his order online and alerts the staff via text or notification about his arrival. Your sales team takes the order outside to the curb delivering the package straight to the user, thereby increasing his satisfaction.
2. Personal Shopping Experience
The future of retail shopping depends on this basic psychology – something personal is something special. Offer customised product recommendations by studying past user behaviour and product data. Implement loyalty programs rewarding customers for their online and offline shopping decisions.
If you offer something extra and specific, consumers remember these happy experiences creating a positive brand value in their minds. This will help you boost your customer retention rate.
3. In-Store Mobile Apps
Mobile apps are the future of retail shopping, enhancing in-store experience. Include features like store maps, personalised offers, and mobile payment options.
4. Omnichannel Loyalty Programs
Utilize omnichannel marketing to delight, attract, and engage customers at multi-level checkpoints. Single-door interactions aren’t enough, go where your customer is to gain their trust and loyalty.
5. Virtual Assistants and Chatbots
Fuel your customers’ interest through chatbot integration in your website and in-store apps. These act as virtual assistants offering real-time solutions, resolving questions and guiding them through their shopping journey.
6. Experiential Retail
Do you want to attract bigger crowds at your physical store? Include experiences that cannot be replicated online like workshops, product demonstrations and entertaining events.
7. Payment Flexibility
Imagine a user ready to pay through a UPI-enabled app, however, he reads the sign – “only debit/credit cards are accepted”. This creates a negative brand tone making you lose your customers. Whether it’s mobile wallets, contactless payments or UPI apps, offer the flexibility of multiple payment options to your target user.
That’s a wrap, folks! It’s time to head to the last blog section.
FAQs – Future of Retail Shopping
What is the future of retail shops?
The future of retail presents a contrasting picture. While online penetration will boom in the coming years, the need for in-store immersive experiences will trigger the growth of physical stores.
What is the difference between phygital and omnichannel?
Phygital retail is the fusion of online and offline shopping journeys. On the other hand, omnichannel offers a consistent consumer journey across multiple touchpoints.
What is the future of phygital?
The future of retail shopping and phygital holds immense possibilities. Customers will virtually experience the product sitting at home, and come and buy it using flexible pickup, and payment options.
Conclusion
The future of retail shopping has the power to transform buyer-seller interactions. With the integration of personalised payment options, virtual assistant and in-store applications, you are creating the path for experiential retail to take a giant leap forward. In the hustle and bustle of seamless customer experience, don’t forget to enhance your supply chain visibility. Are you feeling lost? Consult an expert like Qodenext to fuel your inventory operations.
