More retail tech, please, we're British
41% of UK shoppers say that availability of products is the biggest frustration of shopping in-store, according to REPL Group research involving 1,031 people. To make matters worse, 59% have at some point seen a special offer or been sent a voucher from a store only to find that the product was out of stock when they got there.
70% gave the thumbs up to apps providing real-time stock information, product recommendations and giving shop staff access to in-depth product knowledge and customers’ buying profiles. And 52% expect that by 2025 technology will allow stores to be completely cash free.
“With external issues such as parking acting as a deterrent to visiting the High Street for almost a third of shoppers, retailers must do everything in their power to improve the factors within their control. Introducing technology which allows consumers to check in-store stock levels before they head to the store would help to overcome much of these frustrations and create a more positive High Street shopping experience and ensure shoppers don’t walk away empty handed,” says Mike Callender, Executive Chairman, REPL Group.
“Many of the responses also reflect that consumers crave a more personalised shopping experience with apps providing recommendations and giving retail workers an insight into shopping profiles. By adopting technology that allows for this, retailers will have the ability to not only address the needs of the consumer and create more bespoke shopping experiences, but also to stand out from both High Street and online competitors.”
