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Future of Retail — In-Store Technology
issue 06
“Some retailers have been quicker than others in understanding the importance of offering consumers an ‘endless aisle’ in-store.”
On top of this, the new point of sale technology will make processes such as refunds and gift card transactions less painful and it won’t just be the sales assistants that will benefit. Senior management will also gain better insights, with access to data such as sales patterns and consumer buying habits via updated point of sale systems. This information will aid in helping store managers make informed choices about in-store strategy.
CHANGING ROOM EFFICIENCY Perhaps one of the largest gripes of those working in fashion retail is the chaos that surrounds the changing room. In-store technology is being designed to ease this pain. For example, some clothing stores such
as Ralph Lauren’s flagship Polo store have installed screens inside the changing room areas allowing customers to order different items or sizes of clothing to be taken to them to be tried on in the changing rooms. The store assistant will then receive a notification, informing them of the product the customer wants instead and the changing room they’re in. Looking to the future we’ll begin to see
further widespread adoption of these screens, with the screens displaying up-to-date stock levels that will save employees having to search around the store and backrooms for products that aren’t even in stock. This updated changing room technology will also finally get rid of the outdated system of handing out plastic tags with numbers on to customers that indicate how many items of clothing they are trying on. Using technology such as RFID tags, customers will be able to simply walk in to the changing room without having to worry about carrying additional tokens.
A HELPING HAND IN DIRECTIONS Customers often expect employees to know the exact whereabouts of every item around the shop. Sometimes in smaller stores this is achievable, but often when it comes to larger, department stores which hold a vast amount of different stock it simply isn’t. That’s where new developments in wayfinding technology can lend a helping hand. Currently, few retailers have implemented
digital, interactive wayfinding kiosks, but over the next couple of years this will be something that most retailers will be looking to install. Wayfinding touchscreens would display maps which customers can use to search for the product they’re looking for, its location and even see if it’s in stock. It can — and already is in some cases — be used by employees too. Usually when someone starts a new job,
especially in a large department store or office building, they waste a lot of time trying to get to where they need to be or memorising where things are. They can use wayfinding to help them navigate their way around the store, preventing them from getting lost as they start to get their bearings around the store or office building.
WHAT’S NEXT? It’s an exciting time for anyone working in retail. New technological advancements such as those outlined in this article will make the workplace a less complicated, more rewarding place. At Elo we’re always looking towards the future of retail technology, and believe that technology is only going to become more and more pivotal in retail success. Technology offers a whole host of benefits
for employees, customers and store owners alike, and we should all be excited for what the future of retail holds.
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