In-store technology – Is it the way forward?

Recent statistics have shown that weekly bricks-and-mortar shoppers were up to 40% in 2015 and are expected to increase further to 44% in 2018. Perhaps this is down to more people using shopping as a social activity and then placing their orders online. But, what does this mean for retailers?

Physical retailers now have the opportunity to reduce their stock levels and use the space to create a more interactive experience — paving the way for more in-store tech. Together with QUIZ, a retailer of maxi dresses and owner of seven digital-led stores across the UK, we take a look at the importance of having in-store technology:

How can you encourage in-store visits?

In stores visits can not only be benefited by technology for those who enter the store, but this can also lead to improving brand loyalty too.

In-store technology can also improve a customer’s experience and brand perception. One study revealed that 46% of those surveyed said that a positive experience due to well-functioning technology increases their brand confidence.

It’s possible that having in-store technology in a physical shop can make a brand more attractive to customers, and potentially a better option over competitors. Some retailers are recognising this too as one report suggested that 53% of retailers view investments in new automations and appliances in-store as vital to keep up with their competitor activity.

What type of in-store technology is available to us?

It was largely the internet and e-commerce that were making changes and, now, most brands are on-board with this within the retail industry. But, recent research still indicates that people value brick-and-mortar stores — in fact, 81% of UK customers said that the physical stores were vital to the shopping experience. So, when it comes to improving the high street and implementing in-store technology, what should retailers be getting involved with?

In-store technology can also help staff become better informed and more helpful to the customer. One way to do this is by providing employees with handheld iPads or other smart tablets. This allows staff to find the answer to a query, check a product’s availability and place orders for the customer without having to use a fixed computer. This can improve the customer’s experience and help build a stronger brand-to-customer relationship.

Augmented reality is another type of technology that is becoming increasingly popular. This can help the customer with their purchase decision and help them visualise themselves with the product. Although this can be made available through an app, there are also ways to introduce it in-store. In a fashion store, for example, a smart mirror can allow customers to dress in different outfits without actually trying them on. Similarly, in a furniture store, visitors can upload a photo of their home and try out pieces of furniture to see if it would suit their rooms.

Research has discovered that kiosks powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are popular with customers. However, not all retailers are getting on board — 66% of those surveyed in one study said that they were yet to encounter artificial intelligence in-store. Do retailers realise the huge potential of this type of technology? In fact, 60% of consumers are attracted to the idea of using them to find products that they weren’t aware of before. As an example, in QUIZ’s digital stores, an in-store kiosk enables visitors to browse the full collection (even if some products aren’t available in-store) and order them to their homes or local store.

Disadvantages of relying on technology

RetailWeek found that two-thirds of those surveyed had experienced problems and breakdowns in-store with the technology. Unfortunately, this then affects sales — one-third of customers said that they were unable to complete their transactions because of technical difficulties. This highlights that of course, technology can fail at times, and doesn’t always work how we would like it to. This can be frustrating and add time onto a customer’s visit which may result in a negative experience.

Negative experiences like this can deter customers from revisiting the store and can make them leave the store with a negative opinion of the brand. Retailers must keep software and technologies updated and well-maintained to avoid issues like this.

Similarly, if technology is difficult to use, this can deter customers from getting involved with it. This could make people feel excluded too — in-store tech should be simple to use, and visitors should be accompanied when using it if it’s more complex.

As we can see, in-store technology is becoming more important. Although customers are happy to shop online, they also enjoy shopping as a leisure activity and appreciate an interactive experience when doing so.