BUSINESS IN
FUTURE O
Young adults digital connecti Research shows more than half of respondents
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ew research shows that 50% of under 34-year-olds would like to see digital improvements at their local convenience store, but only 31% said they’d prefer to see lower prices. The survey, carried out on behalf of Vodafone and Allwyn as part of their Future of Retail report, found local
retailers need urgently to update their tech if they are going to continue to attract younger shoppers. The poll of 2,000 people also found that 51% of respondents said they thought their local store had no digital technology. Respondents said the most common forms of digital tech being used by
24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 89 WEDNESDAY 26TH JANUARY 2022
convenience stores were websites (19%), social media (16%), and self-service checkouts (15%). However, only 12% of customers said their local store had a mobile app or loyalty scheme and only 9% said they were aware of online collection ordering services. However, the research does identify a small group of ‘digital innovators’ whose businesses are benefitting from the use of digital technology, including Mosi Patel, the owner of two independent convenience stores in Greater Manchester. Mosi has invested in the development of his own app which offers delivery services and allows him to promote targeted offers to customers based on their shopping history. He also uses social media to connect with customers to ensure he is always able to deliver the best service. Following online feedback from his customers about food cooling down during delivery, he had bespoke heated plates fitted into his four fully-electric delivery vehicles.
Only 12% of customers sa mobile app or loyalty schem were aware of online colle
