5 retail store technology trends for 2021 and beyond
As retail technology specialists we’ve ridden many waves of technology trends. Pre-2020 this was firmly in interactive technology which largely meant having a screen, kiosk or LED wall with an added touch element that meant customers could interact with the screen.
Today, requirements have changed slightly but the need for technology hasn’t.
Here, we’ll share current technology trends for retail stores and brands.
1. Mass QR code adoption
Thanks to a higher requirement for paperless and touchless stores, customers are now well adapted to using their smartphones to access QR codes.
This will become a huge retail trend for the rest of 2021, allowing customers to access more product or pricing information using QR codes. Brands such as Lush are already using QR codes in locations such as Japan, allowing customers to scan bath bombs or on large in store screens to find out specific information about the product - without needing to handle them.
2. Large-scale video walls for visibility
Sharing information in-store has become a priority for 2021. In the past, retailers primarily used large-scale LED screens for campaigns and branding. Now these screens can be used to provide brand information, as well as safety messaging and reminders.
The larger screen size helps ensure customers can access the information - regardless of where they are in the store.
LED also has the benefit of high brightness which means it isn’t affected by natural or store lighting like some other screen displays.
3. Multi-sensory technology experiences
As we discussed in our article on multi-sensory technology ideas allowing customers to interact and engage with the brand and products in store will be a huge trend for the rest of the year.
Technology which is used to engage all of the senses will help to make an impression and have customers coming back for more. London retail hubs such as Carnaby Street have always used visual experiences, such as the famous lighting installations at Christmas and to coincide with seasonality and movie releases.
However, the trend for 2021 will be to go beyond just visual and also integrate sensory experiences which can be interactive using gesture or by smartphone. Physical products can have RFID added which can be used to trigger information to appear on screen relating to that product.
4. Omnichannel in-store experiences
Ecommerce has always been growing but was further enforced in 2020 when physical retail simply wasn’t an option. Today, customers are keen to revisit brands in store but that doesn’t mean they’ll lose all of their newly acquired habits.
Brands are now under pressure to provide an omnichannel in-store experience where the physical and online experiences are combined.
One trend will be facilitating the research phase that customers are used to having available online. This means having the means in store to allow customers to look for deep information about the products they’re considering.
For example, a QR code could allow a customer to scan a product and see exactly where it was made and by who. This allows brands to show their social conscious or supply chains, information which hasn’t traditionally been made available within the in store experience.
The same method could be used to provide ingredients lists, history or related products.
5. Gaming and entertainment
While customers are re-discovering the joy of in-person retail, gamification will help to increase the fun factor. Digital screens and interactive technology can be used to provide not just information, but also entertainment and pleasure.
Think of a screen where customers can play retro games, take a quiz or have to complete a puzzle to win a prize or a place on a leaderboard. This increases dwell time and creates conversation - both in store and online.
Any digital game or puzzle can be completely branded, giving additional brand identity throughout the store.
Would you like to implement one of these latest trends in your retail store? At VAST we have the technology and experience to deliver the latest retail store technology. Call or email us on 020 8159 9999 or info@vastuk.com.