The Evolution of Retail: How the Pandemic Has Changed Customer Expectations
In the days following the pandemic, customers began to change the way they interacted with businesses. They expected more from companies and demanded a multichannel experience that blended digital and physical interactions. Retailers were forced to adapt to these new customer expectations in order to stay competitive. Today, we want to take a look at what those changes are and how technology can help bridge the gap between retailers and their customers.
One of the biggest changes that we’ve seen is an increase in online shopping. Customers are now more comfortable making purchases online and they expect retailers to offer a seamless online experience. In order to meet these expectations, retailers need to have a robust eCommerce platform that offers features like fast and easy checkout, personalization, and customer support.
Another change that we’ve seen is an increase in the use of mobile devices. Customers are using their smartphones and tablets to research products, compare prices, and find store locations. Retailers need to make sure their websites are mobile-friendly and that they have a strong presence on social media. They also need to consider investing in mobile point-of-sale (POS) systems that can help them streamline the in-store experience.
Finally, we’ve seen a shift in customer service expectations. Customers now expect retailers to provide a personalized and convenient experience. They want to be able to reach out to customer service through multiple channels (phone, chat, email, etc.) and they want to receive quick and helpful responses. Retailers need to make sure they have a strong customer service team in place that is prepared to handle these inquiries.
Technology can help retailers meet these new customer expectations by providing a seamless online experience, mobile POS solutions, and powerful customer service tools. By investing in the right technology, retailers can stay ahead of the curve and provide their customers with the level of service they demand.
