7 retail trends

Retail trade is experiencing a period of major changes. All the players, from supermarkets to small shops and online sellers are trying to figure out how to keep up with the rapidly changing market. The study "The Future of Trade" experts PSFK identified the most promising areas for sales growth.




1. Consultants rather than salespeople
Retailers prepare staff so that they knew what they sell and are able to answer all customer questions. So, Best Buy, the largest electronics retailer in the U.S. market and Canada, completely changed the design of their sales areas, and now they are set to consult multiple points of buyers.

2. Communication with management
For example, using an online service Barclaycard Ring to work with the holders of credit cards bank Barclays. This service is a forum where customers can go directly to the leadership and ask to introduce additional services. In addition, the online bank publishes its financial results and talks about new projects.

3. Personal data - for personal service
When a buyer opens a retailer personal information (including your purchase history or biometrics), shop often uses it for more personal customer service.

For example, the American retail chain of luxury goods Neiman Marcus has a special service NM Service, which informs the personnel department of the personal preferences of the buyer, as soon as he crosses the threshold of the shop.

4. The opportunity to call a price
This new trend in the market is aimed at those looking for the best rates. For example, an application for mobile phone NetPlenlish helps the buyer make a shopping list, and then offers shopping with the best prices for these commodities. In addition, participating in the action retailers are willing to offer a lower price than a competitor, and even agree to the asking price a buyer.

5. Social shopping
Special programs analyze customer preferences and thereby facilitate his shopping. Glimpse program counts all clicks "Like" on Facebook and other social networks, and then creates an individual catalog, which appears on the page, a potential buyer.

6. Customization
Digital technologies make it easier to focus on and promote the customer, allowing him (the buyer) to choose their equipment goods. This is what is called customization. So, the Australian furniture retailer Evolvex using special software, user can create own design furniture online and buy it at IKEA.

7. Shopping on the recommendations
Social commerce site Mulu.me pays its members a fee for each sold branded goods. You create an individual product page (something like a small catalog), and recommend them to their friends, and if they buy, you get a reward.

And online trading platform Needle recruits fans of certain brands to communicate online with potential buyers. For this work, they earn points that are used for further purchases, and buyers know about the interest of their product from the same, as they are consumers.

Source: http://goo.gl/wE1Kr