By 2016, it is predicted that connected retail will influence 64% of retail sales in Australia.
Within three years, it has the potential to revolutionise the industry and transform how retailers operate and how they connect with consumers. It has enormous capacity to improve operations, streamline processes and lead to greater efficiencies.
It will improve the consumer in-store experience, by tailoring products to consumers’ personal requirements. It will also support sales as well as enhance the brand experience by creating meaningful experiences that move the consumer from transacting to conversing with brands.
In a recent report on Floor Coverings in Australia, to stay competitive in this ever-evolving landscape it is imperative for flooring retailers to deliver a seamless consumer experience across all channels and provide the right service and product at the same time.
(Conlumino: Market Snapshot to 2018)
Specifically, a retailer must develop an integrated strategy that aligns talent, physical space, processes, marketing and merchandising to meet consumer demands.
Therefore it has been suggested that a robust strategy must include:
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A strong vision of the experience the consumer desires across all channels. |
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A nimble operating model that can adapt as the retail environment changes. |
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A deep understanding of how to support the vision through inventive digital solutions and retail technologies such as playbooks, to operationalise the Omni-channel strategy. |
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Mobile commerce is an important tool for many retailers. It must be extended beyond being an online sales tool to a tool that drives meaningful connections between the brand and the consumer. |
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Retailers must align their business with the consumer and not the technology – flexibility is the key. |