There has been a rapid e-commerce evolution in recent years, completely transforming the industry as we know it. Retail tech solutions are going mainstream and are already revolutionising experiences for customers. From AI and machine learning to IoT devices and more personalised experiences with recommendations and one-click checkouts, several new trends are reshaping the future of online shopping.
The future of the retail industry is also set to be defined by not just technological advancements, but also influencer marketing and social media in a bigger way than before. Retail tech encompasses innovative digital tools that are used by online and brick-and-mortar retailers to enhance the overall shopping experience.
This covers the whole spectrum from simpler POS (point-of-sale) systems to more complex automation and AI tools. Mobile technologies, RFID and QR codes, AR, automation, generative AI, and ML are all future retail tech trends that should be taken into account in this regard.
Some reports estimate how the transformative future potential of AI (artificial intelligence) can ensure an annual value of a staggering USD 400-800 billion for the industry. In today’s times, mobile commerce and other trends are finding favour as more customers prioritise flexibility and personalisation along with higher efficiency overall. Retailers now have to adopt newer technologies not just flourishing, but also surpassing their rivals. Here are some trends that should be noted carefully in this regard.
Top Retail Tech Trends that May Transform Online Shopping
Here are some of the leading retail tech trends that may spur e-commerce evolution shortly.
Machine learning will help analyse various variable sets to offer suggestions based on individual consumer preferences, interests, and habits. This will help the algorithms build more sophisticated and relevant shopping profiles that enable improved offers over some time. This will also encompass more intelligent assistants and Chatbots for ensuring enhanced customer support and service throughout websites and e-commerce platforms.
AR can help brands offer customers more immersive and realistic ways of viewing and evaluating products. Apps will help customers view products in their environments. The entire retail environment will be synced both offline and online and visitors can easily complete transactions at almost every touch point.
Customer profiling will improve due to a combination of online and offline channel-based data along with better inventory tracking throughout the entire system. This integration will ensure superior advantages for both retailers and customers. Cashier-less stores will soon become a reality as done already by Amazon Go.
People can pick up their items and leave without interacting anywhere. The store has deep learning algorithms and sensors to scan each product that is picked up and to add them to virtual carts linked to Amazon accounts. Upon the customer leaving the store, the list is closed with the total charged to these accounts.
Customers in physical stores will thus have enhanced comfort levels since they do not have to carry any cards or cash with them. They do not have to wait in line for the cash register as well. Apps that read QR codes or barcodes can be further integrated into this system which means that people do not even have to pick up products to learn more about their features and other details.
More people are embracing Alexa, Siri, Google Home, and other virtual assistants for various purposes including listening to music, checking weather conditions, and so on. Voice shopping will enable customers to communicate with virtual assistants and search for products to be added to virtual carts later.
Once this is completed, customers have to place their orders and wait for retailers to deliver the items in question. This is another method in which technology can contribute greatly towards enhanced customer comfort and convenience.
Hence, as can be seen, retail tech will play a huge role in completely transforming the future of the retail industry.
FAQs
How is retail technology driving the evolution of e-commerce and shaping the future of online shopping?
Retail technology has a vital role to play in driving e-commerce evolution and in shaping the future of online shopping. It will offer customers more personalised recommendations and shopping experiences along with cashless payments, better omnichannel integration, immersive AR-based journeys, and a lot more.
What specific technologies are contributing to the evolution of e-commerce platforms and enhancing the online shopping process?
Several advanced technologies are contributing immensely towards the evolution of online shopping platforms these days. These include augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR), artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, IoT (Internet of Things), and more.
How are emerging technologies like augmented reality and virtual try-ons changing the way consumers interact with online shopping platforms?
These technologies will undoubtedly change the way that customers interact with e-commerce platforms. The lines will increasingly be blurred between virtual and physical environments. Customers can easily try on products or view them up close and that too in their environments. This will help them make better purchase decisions while enhancing their immersive experiences greatly as a result.
What role do data analytics and customer insights play in shaping the strategies of e-commerce businesses for the future?
Customer insights and data analytics have a crucial role to play in shaping e-commerce business strategies for the future. They enable access to customer data in terms of shopping habits, preferences, and seasonal requirements. At the same time, they help forecast demand with an evaluation of market patterns and trends.
