In retail spaces across the world, the adoption of interactive technology hasn’t always been the fastest process. With new forms of tech and media coming out all the time, however, there has been a big push to start working them into the retail shopping experience. Here are just a few of the ways shops can use modern tech to benefit their customers.
Competitions and contests
There has been a long tradition, both in Britain and abroad, for retailers of all kinds to operate in-store contests. On the smaller side, these could be simple raffles for vouchers or credit, while larger groups may be able to offer prizes like cars or holidays. Adding an element of technology to this part of the shopping experience could modernise the process, and industries like online casinos have already mastered the idea.
When logging into a major casino like the Paddy Power online slot games site you’ll likely find an array of different competitions running. These often run on a similar core mechanic to in-store contests, but by using clever animations, graphics, and interactive features, casino sites are able to feature a little more spice and attraction. With shop apps becoming more common, it’s an easy win for retailers to incorporate something similar.
AR scanning
In the simplest terms, AR, or Augmented Reality, is the concept of using an app usually on a smartphone to display extra info over real-life images and items. While a little less known than its more famous cousin VR, it has already shown a lot of varied potential from Magic Plan for home design to InkHunter to help with tattoos plus multiple options for entertainment.
In a retail space, it would be surprisingly simple to implement an AR app dedicated to a shop, particularly a large-scale operation. Customers could, for example, scan a product barcode in a clothing shop and bring up things like the stock of alternate versions or sizes, perhaps even in a different branch nearby. It would free up time from on-site workers and be beneficial for all sides.
Security
As something that naturally benefits the retailer more directly than the customer, security is always a major concern — but often a tricky one to get right. At present, there are plenty of modern, hi-tech options for security out there in use by both retailers and public institutions, like the intelligent and automated cameras within the vast London Underground rail system that can identify issues immediately without human operation.
The key here is to find a balance between this security and the privacy of your customers. Heightened security measures, particularly those with advanced options such as facial recognition, can be extremely off-putting to customers. There is no straightforward answer for the issue, and finding the right security level will depend on the business size and type, as well as customer attitudes.
As always, technology is about how it gets implemented. When used with wisdom, planning, and careful thought, however, it can be a massive benefit to any business big or small.
