11/30/16
Synchrony Financial*, one of the leading consumer finance companies in the U.S., recently released its top 10 trends in retail sales1. Among the most popular items identified by their research were wearable technologies, voice-enabled searching capabilities, and virtual reality (VR) experiences that can inspire customers to expand their tech horizons.
Mobile payments and other tech-related trends are also having a significant impact on how shoppers approach the retail environment. Applying this information to your Holiday sales strategy can help your stores achieve greater success.
Retailers are putting voice-enabled searching to work within their in-store applications. By allowing shoppers to acquire detailed information on products and services with just a few words, the shopping process is streamlined and creates a better customer experience. This makes checking off gifts on their list much faster.
Augmenting voice technologies with easy-to-use chat functions and access to in-store sales associates can further increase the utility of your mobile apps for your most tech-savvy customers.
The key to building loyalty with these shoppers is to provide them with the easiest access to needed information and the most responsive support from your entire sales team.
VR is one of the hottest trends in technology. Integrating VR marketing strategies in your stores can help you attract customers interested in experiencing these new technologies firsthand.
Interactive design company Mbryonic* has compiled a list of the best VR marketing tools in recent years2 that includes the following:
The virtual reality sleigh ride created by Coca-Cola* for use with the Oculus Rift.
Boursin*, a cheese purveyor, used advanced technologies to provide potential customers with a curated tour of a refrigerator packed with its products.
Volvo's* VR test drive allowed customers to experience the XC90 SUV before and during its launch in the U.S.
Marriott Hotels* allows users to experience Hawaii and London vicariously before planning their trip.
Each of these top-rated VR experiences allowed companies to showcase their strongest points while engaging customers effectively.
The American Marketing Association3 predicts that wearables will change the face of marketing in the near future. By finding ways to incorporate these promotional items and sales tools into marketing strategies, retailers gain access to a greater range of sales and behavioral data to help pinpoint key demographics.
This allows stores to provide the products and services most wanted by these customers.
Wearables are also being used to remind customers of upcoming sales and other events of importance. For example, if one of your customers has expressed interest in PC devices powered by one of the new 7th gen Intel® Core™ processors, providing advance notice of planned discounts on these devices can boost Holiday sales and ensure that your customers are informed of these opportunities.
Traditional retail is being revolutionized by technology. Retailers embracing these new technologies can create greater success for brick-and-mortar stores.
Incorporating technology in your sales and marketing strategies helps streamline your processes, create better customer experiences, and provides insight into valuable data. However, your sales associates continue to be your most effective line of engagement and support for your customers.
This is particularly true during the Holiday shopping season which can be highly stressful and confusing for shoppers looking for the latest tech devices.
The Intel® Retail Edge Program offers your staff members the chance to earn valuable rewards and incentives while learning more about Intel® products and technologies.
They also have access to great tech sales aids such as the Retail Experience Tool (RXT) that makes it easy to share the benefits of Intel® technologies during customer interactions.
By encouraging your retail sales staff to participate in this innovative program, your customers will benefit from this expertise and knowledge. Last but certainly not least, a better educated sales team can provide you with a real competitive edge this Holiday season.
Find out how the Intel® Retail Edge Program can help by clicking here.
References:
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
© 2016, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Core, and Intel Retail Sensor are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.
1http://newsroom.synchronyfinancial.com/document-library/top-10-retail-trends-2016
2http://www.mbryonic.com/best-vr/
3https://www.ama.org/publications/eNewsletters/Marketing-News-Weekly/Pages/wearable-tech-will-change-marketing.aspx
