5 Retail news and trends you need to know about
The shopping experience is evolving, and so are consumers. That is why knowing the latest developments and trends in the retail sector is key for brands. As commerce becomes increasingly digital and consumers demand faster and more personalized shopping experiences, retailers must adapt to stay competitive and relevant.
Technologies such as Artificial Intelligencethe the rise of sustainability, the increasing concern for the human factor in manufacturing, and theamong other trends, are transforming the way brands manufacture and market their products and, at the same time, connect with their customers.
In today's article, we will analyze the main developments and trends in retail. And how technological innovation is impacting all these developments within the sector.
Retail transformation in the digital era
As we have already mentioned, the retail sector is constantly changing and is digital transformation. Today, we are living in a golden age of digital commerceThe digitalization of the retail industry is also reaching the more traditional physical stores, reinventing the customer experience through phygital proposals. But in addition, this digitalization is also reaching the more traditional physical stores, reinventing the customer experience through phygital proposals.
Consumers prefer purchasing processes that integrate several channels, looking for an integrated, seamless seamless, consistent and omnichannel user experience. In fact, recent studies indicate that the 75% of Spaniards make purchases via their cell phones, highlighting the importance of adjusting marketing strategies to reach consumers anytime, anywhere.
5 technology trends in Retail
Technology is redefining the way organizations interact with consumers. From the use of Artificial Intelligence for business in order to improve the customization to the implementation of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality for the enriching the experience in physical and online storesThese technological innovations allow retailers to surprise and anticipate the expectations of the modern customer.
Today, knowing about and applying these trends is crucial for to offer an efficient, attractive and differentiated service in a highly competitive market.
Integration of new technologies
Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, the concept phygitalBig Data... are technologies that, individually, are transforming the retail world. However, if they are integrated with each other under the same strategy and objectives, the result is much greater. Both at the management level and at the level of data generation, engagement y real-time updates.
An example of this can be found in La Torre Outletthe Spain's most digitized shopping center. Where the website, the mobile application, the interactive totems distributed throughout the facilities, the 30 m² screen and the 3D virtual recreation of the shopping center have been integrated into a single content manager.
Personalized customer service
The Artificial Intelligence is transforming the interaction between brand and customer, enabling a more human and personalized connection. With the help of AI and hyper-realistic avatars, brands can now put a face to their virtual assistant. Achieving a deeper connection and understanding with the customer, even on an emotional level.
An example of this development is Cervantes IAin which the famous Miguel de Cervantes becomes a tourist guide of Castilla-La Mancha through his virtual avatar. All to interact with residents and tourists of Alcázar de San Juan, serving visitors, offering recommendations and interesting facts about the writer's life and work.
Learn more about these V-E-G-A avatars at Artificial Intelligence Avatar: definition and main uses.
Immersive and interactive experiences
With the implementation of the latest developments and trends, the customer experience takes on new meaning by combining technology and creativity to captivate the customer. The gamification and interaction play a key role, generating a significant emotional impact that reinforces branding and improves brand positioning.
These experiences allow customize every interaction, offering relevant and memorable content in physical and online stores. By delivering accurate information and incentives at the right time, retailers not only respond to customer needs, but create a dynamic, immersive environment that transforms the shopping experience into something unique and highly engaging.
Blockchain-based authenticity
The blockchain technology is setting trends in the retail sector by guaranteeing the authenticity and traceability of products through innovative solutions such as NFTs. This has enabled the development of phygital capsule collections, where brands combine the physical and the digital to offer exclusive pieces, produced on demand.
This approach not only generates a strong sense of exclusivity and belonging among consumersIt also contributes to sustainability by avoiding excess inventory and reducing environmental impact. By integrating blockchain into their processes, retailers can reinforce customer confidence in the authenticity of their products and stand out in an increasingly demanding market.
Digital Out Of Home (D.O.O.H)
The Digital Out Of Home is revolutionizing the way brands connect with consumers.merging the physical and the digital in an immersive and interactive experience. This phygital concept brings the virtual universe to the real world through digital screens, animations, interactive showcases and gamified challenges. Everything to attract and surprise users.
An example of this D.O.O.H. trend we find it in the award-winning project Kimchi! Star Wars developed by Disney, where users, passing in front of the Augmented Reality showcase, became characters of the science fiction saga. This type of initiative not only attracts all eyes, it also transform the physical space and outdoor advertising, creating an innovative and attractive point of connection.
How to adapt to the future of retail
The future of retailing looks like a dynamic environment where technology plays a key role in transforming the shopping experience.
Adapting to this new landscape involves integrating digital solutions that not only optimize inventory management and payment processes, but also accompany the user throughout the purchasing journey.. From mobile applications which personalize recommendations until the Augmented Reality that allows you to visualize products in the home, the key is to create seamless and meaningful interactions.
By prioritizing the customer experience through the use of intuitive technologies, retailers are able to fostering loyalty and improving satisfactionensuring that the consumer feels supported and valued at every stage of their purchasing decision.
If you would like to learn more about this topic, please visit our article Customer experience: how to improve it through Extended Reality
Get to know our technological projects in Retail
The technological and digital transformation that is taking place in the retail industry. was created with the aim of standing out from the competition, monitoring market trends, connecting emotionally with users and attracting and surprising them with unique proposals.
Throughout the article we have seen different success stories that have stood out in the sector by following the latest developments and the most relevant technological trends.. Here are some other interesting retail projects carried out by Imascono:
- Such as, for example, the Tu Cuento en la Cocina appin which Ferran Adrià, the great Spanish chef, joins forces with Telefónica and Disney to bring to life a recipe book for children based on Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel stories. A virtual kitchen full of mini-games, gamified challenges and culinary tips.
- Continuing with the gastronomic theme, we find the virtual showroom of Lékué. A virtual recreation of a home where we can see in situ all the company's culinary products. Product demonstrations, explanatory videos and a wide variety of interactive content. An entire e-commerce in three dimensions.
- One of the most interesting success stories in the retail and leisure sector can be found in the Halloween action carried out by Foster's Hollywood. An immersive and entertaining experience through cell phones where the entrance to the restaurants became a horror movie scenario. Where a terrifying creature appeared unannounced on their screens while they waited for their order to be prepared.
- In the area of film and entertainment we find the Project Kimchi! Thor Ragnarokan interactive photocall where Marvel fans became the protagonists of the movie before even seeing it. Being real Asgardians during the first week of the premiere at the Kinépolis cinemas in Madrid.
- One of the most important retail activations at the tourism level was the one developed by Ibercaja for the ski pass sales campaign during the ski season. The project, Frozen Emotioninvited users to cross a suspension bridge at the top of the Pyrenees and then ski down virtually. A unique Virtual Reality experience.
At Imascono we know that retail is one of the industries with the highest growth forecast in terms of technology. The trends, innovations and technologies presented in this post will be presented in the next few days. invite us to be much more creative and not to put limits to our way of connecting with customers, of surprising them.
We invite you to learn more about the technologies in the retail sector we work at Imascono. Our team will be happy to answer all your questions and needs. ¡Contact with us!
