EE: future of retail on the high street involves getting personal and offering mix of real life and digital experiences

Blending in real life with digital, giving customers unforgettable experiences and being personal – that's the future of retail on the high street. So says Asif Aziz, Retail Director, EE/BT Group.

In a LinkedIn post, he observed: “Great to have had the opportunity to talk about all this and more alongside Joanne Hayward (Vice President Convenience Europe at bp) on the 'Stores of Tomorrow' panel at LIVE 2024: Retail Week x The Grocer.”

He added: “The investment we're making in our bricks and mortar stores with EE is part of our drive to reinvent retail in telco, putting customer experience, community focus and innovation at the heart of our strategy to be the most personal, customer focused brand in the UK.”

“A real pleasure to have shared ideas and been inspired by other leaders in our industry, too – as well as catch up with a few familiar faces!”

Hayware, meanwhile, commented: “We discussed the importance of understanding your customers, giving them the choice in both digital and physical experience, but ultimately enabling great products and services for them.”

“Knowing what will engage, enhance and enable their journey through the stores and remembering that human interaction remains exceptionally important.”

She concluded: “Understanding where and what to use digital tools for is important for customer acquisition, driving brand loyalty and great personalised moments and of course bottom line profit - but it is not the single answer.”

“At bp we want to be the first choice for the customer on the roadside, and to do that we need to deliver great quality food and beverages, with effortless transactions, and excellent execution all of the time.

2023 RTIH Innovation Awards

EE emerged victorious at the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, picking up the Editor’s Choice gong for its investment in its physical stores.

Our 2023 winners were revealed at a fantastic awards ceremony, which took place at the Barbican Centre in central London.

The event was held on Wednesday, 29th November, maintaining its popular evening format, with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a Christmas themed three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.

Check out the full winners list here.