Business
Retail Trends That Will Outlast the Pandemic By Christine Sullivan
TO SURVIVE AND SUCCEED in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers quickly adapted to meet customers' priorities and needs. Convenience became a touchstone of our "new normal," defining how, when, and where we shop. This trend will continue to be a hallmark of how consumers and retailers engage in the future. A recent report found that in the last year, 50% of global shoppers used digital payments more than before the pandemic, and the majority plan to continue doing so after the pandemic ends. Whether shopping for groceries, sending loved ones birthday or holiday gifts from anywhere in the world, or carrying out their day-to-day shopping, many have shifted in-person traffic to digital channels. Consumers have found appreciation in having everything they need at the touch of a button without ever having to leave their homes. In many cases, this has also become a necessity. So which trends will outlast the pandemic?
globally in the last year. These metrics underscore the value of omnichannel offerings that optimize store and web-based touchpoints to meet customers' ever-changing needs and streamline the entire shopping experience.
Transactions will Require Contactless Options
Heightened hygiene awareness is here to stay, and this isn't limited to peoples’ interactions with each other; it includes contact with publicly shared devices like point-of-sale terminals and checkout counters. Companies such as Purell Digital Touchpoints will Continue to predict that consumers’ demand for hygiene Thrive will remain exponentially high, even after the While in-person foot traffic is expected to rise pandemic. Contactless offers consumers a safer, post-pandemic, we likely won’t see much of a more sanitary way to pay, a convenient way to decline in online shopping patterns, as customers speed up checkout, and more control over physical will continue to shop online, check inventory proximity. prior to going in person, and rely on purchasing Consumers will continue to find value in items online to pick up curbside or in-store. A contactless options, be it pickup, payment or Google study found 47% of planned shoppers delivery. Additionally, we will see consumers shy said they’ll continue using options to buy online away from cash payment and avoid the high-touch and pick up in-store/curbside, and 67% said nature of card readers. A Mastercard report they like to confirm online that an item is in stock found 82% of respondents view contactless as before going to buy it in-store. In fact, searches for the cleaner way to pay, and 74% plan to continue "available near me" increased by more than 100% opting for contactless interactions in the future.
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May-June 2021
DAWN
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