First launched in Amsterdam, the Lightspeed Connect series aims to connect the host city’s merchants with industry experts, share knowledge that helps businesses grow, and highlight the vibrancy of the local business community.
The Montreal edition brought together several panelists specializing in marketing, information technology, catering and retail. Were you unable to attend? Here are the highlights.
1. Transition: from omnichannel to unified commerce
Consumer expectations and perceptions of the ideal shopping experience have evolved as rapidly as new technologies. But to understand the future of retail and prepare for it, we must first understand its origins and the current situation.
Mobile apps, social media, and all web and digital features are continually improving, leading to the omnichannel experience we know today. With the integration of multiple channels, consumers can now purchase in-store, online, or through qatar number for whatsapp social media like Instagram, and then return their merchandise online or in-store.
What does the future hold? The fully integrated experience of unified commerce . In just a few years, the customer will be at the heart of a complete commerce ecosystem, able to perform every possible transaction through the channel of their choice – whether it’s shopping, trying on products, purchasing, returning products or contacting customer service.
We’re already seeing unified commerce taking shape around us. Houzz is using augmented reality (AR) to show what furnished homes will look like, even before you buy the furniture. Eyewear retailer Warby Parker’s app lets you virtually try on glasses , using similar technology.
Commerce will become a fully integrated experience, where every customer interaction is available, on every device, on every channel, at any time.
Advances in augmented reality, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and virtual personal assistants (like Amazon’s Alexa) will transform commerce into a fully integrated experience, where every customer interaction is available on every device, every channel, and every time. Commerce will be even more personalized than it is today. No two experiences will be the same, as the consumer will be at the center of an experience that will continually adjust to their needs and preferences.