Loving Retail in 2017 with 4 simple advices
With 2016 behind our back for 20 days already, it is time to look back and see what we have done. Did we buy things we need? We sure did. Did we buy useless stuff because that were on sale? Heck yeah we did!Where did we shop? Everywhere and anywhere!
Things were getting interesting in the retail battlefield. While classic retailers decided to dance through the online fields of joy, some etailers shifted from clicks to bricks.
A brand promiscuous customer became dependable on their smartphone and apps from breakfast to dinner, and retailer was pushed to reply to his complex consumer who lacks nothing but time.
I, as well, became so typical, although I must admit that I was Internet shopping savvy 10+ years ago and I still have no idea how come I haven't invented Instagram. :)
Anyhow, I thought about this stuff quite a lot lately while driving to work and I came up with things I believe retailers should watch for in 2017.
No Mobile, no business
Mobile shopping appetite will not be quenched in 2017. It may become even bigger, with customers demanding more and more „food“ on their petite screens. Retailers will need to think of content strategies to keep those customers on their site only rather than just swinging by and jumping right of to the next one.
Free Worldwide shipping. ASAP.
4-letter word comes to my mind when I mention this. ASOS. This is the very best example of how things should be done. Speedy deliveries, worldwide shipping, awesome stuff. You receive your much needed, life saver pair of shoes in no time! Have you ever returned anything to ASOS? Besides the fact that these guys even thank you for return, you can print out the return form from their site and then you pay 0 money at the postal office. School example of a great customer service.
Amazon is a home for retailers.
And it is not only Amazon. You can find different marketplaces out there. What is important to know is that this is a growing segment, and Amazon i.e. is a starting point for e-shopping for 1/3 of consumers. Working with Amazon allows you to dive into an ocean of new consumers who might have not looked into your site first,but will if you are exposed enough.
Check out has to be FAST.
For me, an online shopper, it is quite important to have smooth transit of my money for needed and not needed things to a retailer. According to Nielsen, I am among 41% of consumers who say this is highly influential criteria when selecting stores. Think of the awesomeness of UBER. I love Uber because I don't have to have money. Studies say that cashless payments drive people to spend more, so again- I am just an average Jo(e)anne. This is how people act.
Bottom line.
One thing is ultimate, we will always be shopping. There was one research about consumer behavior during recession. Supposedly, nail polish sales went up. Women had to fulfill their never ending need for buying something, and since everything was too expensive, colorful nails became a ray of sunshine during poorness.
Retail channel will be further transformed by technology, providing consumers with convenience, smooth shopping experiences and of course- Fun!
In order to decide where to place his money, a retailer will have to dig deep into understanding its target groups.