The funny thing about businesses is that while we all strive to maintain the same ethos and values; we recognise that in order to succeed there will be times when we will need to evolve. That we will have to give ourselves a facelift because what works now, won’t necessarily work in the future.
And this expectation is the same for all businesses. From redesigning your store front to rebranding your entire image, it will eventually happen.
So what can you do? How can you effectively improve your retail design without having to start again from scratch?
Simple… smart technology.
These simple tools are renowned for improving shopping experiences and giving customers maximum enjoyment and satisfaction. Plus, they are incredibly cost-effective when done right.
Let us explain…
The problem with regular signage is that if you ever want to change it, not only do you need to pay a signage company to replace it; you’ve then got to wait for it to be created.
Digital signage eliminates this issue, as it can easily be amended at different times of the day to reflect customer behaviour, stock levels and external factors e.g. the weather, and ensure that you promote the most relevant products/offers at the right times.
There is no need to wait. Instead, anyone from your team can modify the digital sign and launch it straight away.
And this can be extremely cost effective and better for the environment – over the long term – as there is no wastage or need to dispose of old signs.
These have the amazing knack of being able to gather data on how users move around the store, enabling you to strategically create displays and place products where they will receive the most traffic. Not only will this help to maximise customer engagement with your products; it will also boost sales.
But this is not the only benefit you’ll receive by using this piece of smart technology…
Floor sensors can also:
FACT: Most in-store shoppers (69%) would rather read a product review on their phone than ask for help/a recommendation from a store assistant.
What both of these facts prove is a need to make your products accessible online. Be that a product description, a customer review or an offer; they crave guidance from the digital world and not just from your team.
Fortunately, you can utilise smart technology to provide them with the digital support that they crave. For instance, you can use it to:
FACT: 53% of shoppers would rather use their mobile phone to find deals/offers on products they are considering buying than discuss promotions with an assistant physically in the store.
This piece of tech is great for retail stores as it allows you to offer customers a personalised shopping experience where they can find the best products quickly and efficiently.
Adidas’s flagship store in London for example contains virtual mirrors in their changing rooms that allow customers to order different sizes and colours without them having to leave. Instead, they can use this interactive touch screen to make requests and get members of your staff to fetch them on their behalf.
Another perk of using smart mirrors is being able to show customers other products they may be interested in – based on what they are trying on or what others have brought. Similarly, these mirrors can be used to virtually dress yourself, which is ideal given the restrictions Covid has placed on trying on clothes.
These are incredibly popular in the USA right now, but have the potential to cross the seas. They work by placing digital prices tags across the entire store which get automatically updated whenever there is a price change. Not only is this better for the environment – as it eliminates the need for paper tags – it also prevents pricing errors that can occur when a display hasn’t been updated, resulting in customers asking for the cheaper price.
You can also utilise RFID tags to digitally monitor when stock is getting low or has been placed in the wrong location; enabling you to keep your shelves fully stocked and accessible, as customers won’t have to search around for what they want.
See what we mean? IoT/smart technology has the power to solve customer problems, eliminate future issues and supplement customer cravings. More importantly, smart tech can help customers to stay connected to your store by ensuring that they benefit from a smoother, more relaxing shopping experience.
At Resolution Interiors we can provide you with the guidance, support and instruction you need to pick the right smart tech for your business. By assessing customer behaviour, data and your business requirements; we can tailor your retail design to maximise customer experience and increase sales. To learn more about how we can incorporate smart tech into your store fit-out, contact us today.