Despite the acceleration of ecommerce, physical stores continue to be an essential channel for retailers in 2023. Today, 85% of all retail sales occur in a physical store, with 54% of shoppers preferring to shop offline.
But as retailers adapt to ever-changing consumer behaviors and new technologies, creating in-store experiences that drive engagement and loyalty is critical. Here are five tips for creating a next-level store experience in 2023.
In a digital-first world, shoppers have countless options for purchasing products. As a result, consumers are turning to physical retail for a more personalized shopping experience.
Store design should emphasize convenience and allows customers to learn more about the products. Here are a few tips when thinking about store design in 2023.
Today, it’s common for customers to know a brand online first. Physical stores are an opportunity to showcase the brand story and values, driving customer loyalty.
Retailers are no longer stocking their salesfloors full of merchandise. Instead, brands are implementing layouts that encourage shoppers to spend more time in the store and engage with products.
Foxtrot—the “convenience store of the future”— has open air-dining areas in all 23 store locations. In 2021 Bloomingdale’s opened Bloomie’s, a smaller format store that focuses more on services than products. The store has a coffee and cocktail bar, rotating product carts and styling and alteration services. The company opened a second store in Chicago in 2022 and will open a third in Seattle later this year.
The pandemic accelerated the rise of the omnichannel shopper. Today, stores are mini-fulfillment centers, increasing the workload for retail staff. At the same time, retailers are still grappling with staff shortages.
Simplifying store processes with technology is essential. Retailers can no longer rely on paper-based processes. By leveraging digital tools, retailers can speed up routine tasks and ensure all communications are in one place. As a result, staff will have more time to focus on customer service.
Consumers often view retail associates as experts who can help them find the right product for their needs. In a study by The Lion’esque Group, 31% of respondents indicated that the greatest “value-add” is when store associates can access product information in real-time. By empowering retail associates with data and product knowledge, they can deliver a more personalized level of service.
At the same time, retailers can leverage digital tools to enable customers to design their own shopping experiences. By implementing programs—such as buy online, pick-up in store, curbside pick-up, appointment shopping and text concierge services—brands can meet consumer demands for convenience and speed.
Today, 59% of consumers expect retailers to dedicate more space to experiences. And 81% say they’re willing to pay more for brands that offer memorable experiences. But creating experiences that align with your brand and showcase value proposition is crucial.
Salesfloor is an all-in-one customer management platform. With Salesfloor, retailers across industries are reimagining the customer experience online and offline.
Our appointment management tools make it easy for customers to book in-store or virtual appointments with their favorite stylists. Our clienteling tools equip store staff with data and customer management resources to drive a more personalized experience. And our virtual shopping tools enable retailers to extend the in-store shopping experience online.
Request a demo today to see how thousands of retailers use the Salesfloor platform to enhance the in-store customer experience.