SMEs look to the future with new ways to sell

The physical store will not succumb to the rise of ‘e-commerce’. But it will focus on its strong point: the shopping experience. For this, it will use resources such as intelligent testers, augmented reality, personal contact and the fastest payments: biometrics, QR, associated with a mobile number, mail, …

What would your ideal shopping day be like?
Surely, would happen by entering a store and find what you are looking for the first time. That somehow magical and mysterious knew what products you need (maybe even better than yourself) and were available and in sight. To be able to know all the information of each article just by focusing it with the mobile. See it even without taking it out of the box. Try your clothes without tails. Have a variety of attributes, but be able to see, touch at least one and then choose color, size, etc.

The best of both worlds
Some people could argue that the store of the future already has a defined format and is that of ecommerce. However, it seems that offline commerce is more alive than ever. In fact, the percentage of Spaniards who visit physical stores at least once a week has increased from 40% to 46% in the last three years, according to the PwC Consumer Insights Survey 2018 report. Experts say that the online and offline world will remain compatible and even complementary.

Brand image
On the other hand, major brands will continue to bet on flagship stores (even more ephemeral models, such as flagship pop up) to boost their brand image and generate attractiveness. A strategy in which the physical store remains unbeatable. The priority here is not so much selling as seducing the customer. Another fundamental objective is to help the client to get what he wants. In fact, according to a study by the Harvard Business Review, customer loyalty does not depend so much on the shop’s dazzlement as it saves time and effort, that is, on their shopping experience.

Direct sale
With virtual catalog, of course, and with a network of commercials that can cover more places, you can get the deal with the customer that the online store does not get. Personal Shoppers that help find and choose, something that the megamassed world of options is complex and needs time, something that is not available.