The retail industry is on a never-ending quest to get the right products to consumers when, where, and how they want. Yes, the pandemic has turbo-charged digitalization, but e-commerce is no longer a differentiator but a must. To attract and keep delighting more customers, retail leaders are delivering fun, convenient, digital, and in-person experiences, while baking in sustainable business practices.
Take a look at our 2022 yearbook, which highlights our milestones in the retail and other industry sectors.
In 2022, retail saw supply chain issues, labor shortages, and inflation with rising prices. The challenges were not easy to address, and selling online was non-negotiable for a retailer to thrive, grow, and retain customer satisfaction. The following technology integration were a must:
- Smarter Omnichannel tools for more meaningful shopping experiences
- Automation to manage labor shortage gaps
- Interactive retail experience using tools like CCAI (Contact Center AI) to bridge gaps between online and offline communication in real-time
- Data-centric decision-making to increase efficiency and profitability
- Augmented Reality (AR) to provide better customer experiences and judgments
- Visual search to bring next-gen technologies to the user experience
- Voice-commerce and e-commerce to enable users with more informed purchasing and sustainability
SpringML enabling retail customers with the tools & technology to resolve business challenges
Customers make it more interesting for any retail implementation or innovation, where we see them thrive when the problems that dent their growth are solved and they see a clear future with the current market trends. Our customers made us innovate for them: Price markdown Optimization using AI/ML, Anomaly detection via AI, Predictive supply chain management, Keyword view search/trend ID, Augmented reality for floor Visualizer, CCAI for ordering and refunds, Beyond the label for product identification via phone camera and voice-enabled for interactive details for Visually challenged, Product discovery/search implementation for a better outcome.
The pandemic has retailers putting their money where their marketing is, with 31% saying COVID-19 pushed them to expand their marketing and advertising efforts. Another 21% of retailers say the pandemic encouraged them to invest in customer loyalty programs. Supply-chain delays continue to loom as a challenge for retailers, with 48% expecting persistent delays in 2022. Also, 29% of retail owners and managers worry about remaining competitive against larger big-box stores, and 34% are concerned about operating expenses. Information from the POS system shows retail trend analysis, which looks at the data to identify patterns in what’s trending (and what’s not) to help you make the right moves for any business.
As retail continues to evolve, businesses must stay ahead of the curve in order to remain competitive and profitable with customers. The insights and technologies discussed in this article have highlighted some important buying habits and customer personalization tools that retailers should pay attention to. By understanding and aligning with these trends now, retail can ensure they are well-positioned to grow and thrive.
The future looks bright for businesses that prepare appropriately for the changes that will shape the retail industry in 2023, and beyond.
