Trends impacting the retailing industry in 2013
Each new year, there are several trends and best practices that emerge for a variety of industries, and it's certainly no different for the retail sector. With 2013 finally here, there are many aspects that are expected to make a splash for retail operations this year, and merchants that want to stay competitive may want to consider adopting these elements and practices into their operations. These include implementing technological solutions, incorporating customer feedback and targeting additional audiences with products and services. Of course, companies will need to determine which components work best for them and if they are able to offer new incentives for their shoppers.
Mobile devices, self-service options to become big in 2013
A recently released study by JWT Intelligence showcased some of the current and upcoming trends for retailers, based mainly on consumer behaviors and preferences over the past few months. Independent Retailer reports that one of the elements expected to become bigger this year is the emergence of more tablet shopping. Customers who own these devices are starting to use them to browse for and purchase retail products. To accommodate these customers, businesses may want to look at optimizing their websites for the gadgets or developing applications that can be used on tablets for shopping purposes.
In addition, consumers will be looking for self-service options for processes such as checking out and finding items in stores, the research found. These offerings provide greater convenience and faster transactions, and they satisfy shoppers who prefer to visit brick-and-mortar locations quickly to buy predetermined items, the source notes. However, retailers should not forget about the importance of engaging with customers one-on-one when providing self-service channels. Giving individual attention to shoppers and learning about what they are looking for can help to boost satisfaction and retention levels.
2012 trends retailers could implement
Beside incorporating new trends such as the ones listed above, retailers can also revisit the elements that became popular in 2012 and implement those into their operations. There were several components that came to the forefront of retail last year, and some are expected to continue into 2013. Time Magazine states that one of these was the significant increase of ecommerce sales compared to in-store purchases. While consumers are still visiting stores, many are preferring to buy items through the internet, so developing more web shopping options could benefit businesses.
