Retail digitization leaves traces and offers new opportunities
Retail digitization has had a major impact on everyday life. This can also be seen in the image on the street, where there are fewer and fewer shops and cafes. Statistics Netherlands has concluded that there has been a decrease in the number of shops and cafes compared to ten years ago. That does not mean less shopping. The shape has changed, because online shops have replaced it. When looking at the current picture, the focus is on Omni-Channel strategies. Customers are reached through multiple channels, with a lot of attention being paid to the experience and experience.
Popularity of online stores
Online stores are very popular. The number of physical stores has fallen by 4.4 percent in ten years. The number of online stores has increased fivefold in the same period. However, there now seems to be a turning point. If we look at everyday practice, the focus is shifted again. In terms of Ecommerce it has also become clear that the customer wants more. More in the field of perception and experience. This cannot always be achieved exclusively online. The choice to implement an Omni-Channel strategy is therefore quickly made. Opening physical stores offers additional opportunities. In addition, digitization can make its appearance in the physical store.
Digitization of the Retail
Opening a physical shop in combination with Ecommerce can be complemented with further digitalisation. After all, it is all about feeling and experience that customers want to experience while shopping. To serve the customer as broadly as possible and offer the optimal shopping experience, the next step can be taken. This can be done by integrating digitalisation into shops. For example, by installing digital kiosks. Customers can then both see and touch the products in the shop and discover what the online offer is. From the digital kiosk, orders can be placed, which can of course be delivered to their homes or collected at a later time. A digital kiosk can also take the form of an interactive terminal. Promotions and advertising messages, for example, can be displayed on this.
The kiosk connects the store and webshop, as it were. In this way, a sophisticated Omni-Channel strategy can be mapped out, where clicks and bricks are united in a unique way.
