Complex Technology = Shopping Simplicity

It is undeniable that technology has changed the face of retail experience over the past few decades. Technology has made every step in the process more efficient from the moment that the products first come into the stores to the checkout counter where it ends up in the hands of the consumer.  As more and more firms embrace the relationship era of building a loyal customer base through excellent customer service, more innovative technology is emerging to support these business operations too.  In this post, I want to focus on three technologies that could redefine the shopping experience in the near future.

First, we have the virtual change room.  Many prototypes of this possible device have already been created and are being tested in some markets.  Through motion sensing technology, similar to that used in the Xbox Kinect platform, consumers are able to virtually browse through a store’s catalogue and “try on clothing” all with a flick of the wrist, saving the consumer time and the retailer floor space.

"Swivel" Virtual Dressing Room

Another recent development is the iFood Assistant, created by Kraft. This shopping tool is able to suggest to consumers a menu and all of the ingredients required for that menu, just by scanning the consumer’s facial features and estimating age and gender with a built in webcam.  The concept behind this creation is to point consumers in the right direction when it comes to buying the groceries and expanding there recipe book, because Kraft recognized that many consumers who walk into the store don’t know what they are making for dinner.

The third technology, Mobile Phone Shopping, has already been adopted by retailers in various countries. This allows consumers to browse through the store and make purchases not at the checkout counter, but through their mobile phone.  Who doesn’t hate waiting in line for the cashier, especially during the Christmas season?

No matter what the goals of retailers are, technology is there the give them the edge in a unique retail experience.