News and Views
How can retailers and design agencies best connect technology with shoppers?
Mobile shoppers are savvy
Here are three key challenges retailers and their design agencies face:
1. Offers and Discounts as a Growth Strategy
Offers and discounts remain at the core of many growth strategies. Mobile shoppers are becoming increasingly savvy, always on the lookout for deals. Retailers are paying attention, with many planning to use exclusive mobile app deals to boost sales. Retail brands and their design agencies are tasked with integrating this focus into their strategies.
Offers and discounts remain at the core of many growth strategies. Mobile shoppers are becoming increasingly savvy, always on the lookout for deals. Retailers are paying attention, with many planning to use exclusive mobile app deals to boost sales. Retail brands and their design agencies are tasked with integrating this focus into their strategies.
2. Digital-First Restaurant Strategies
Restaurants are aggressively enhancing their digital presence, with brands like McDonald’s and Domino’s making ordering as simple as “tap, tap, order.” McDonald's CEO highlighted that mobile promotions and loyalty programs are driving repeat visits and increasing average order values, demonstrating how these digital tactics are revolutionising customer engagement.
Restaurants are aggressively enhancing their digital presence, with brands like McDonald’s and Domino’s making ordering as simple as “tap, tap, order.” McDonald's CEO highlighted that mobile promotions and loyalty programs are driving repeat visits and increasing average order values, demonstrating how these digital tactics are revolutionising customer engagement.
Brands that successfully develop a mature digital strategy are seeing benefits that extend beyond just sales. Those who can link their incremental results to technology investments and innovative tactics will continue to lead the pack.
3. Innovation, Revolution, and Convenience
Several themes are shaping the future of retail: innovation at scale, in-store revolutions, and redefining convenience.
Several themes are shaping the future of retail: innovation at scale, in-store revolutions, and redefining convenience.
Innovating at Scale
Traditionally, concept stores have been small outlets used to test new ideas and technologies with minimal risk. However, we’re now seeing retailers innovate on a much larger scale. Large-format stores are making a comeback, and companies like Alibaba are leading the way with Hema—its offline retail experience.
Traditionally, concept stores have been small outlets used to test new ideas and technologies with minimal risk. However, we’re now seeing retailers innovate on a much larger scale. Large-format stores are making a comeback, and companies like Alibaba are leading the way with Hema—its offline retail experience.
In just one year, Hema has expanded to 65 stores across China, revolutionising the supermarket experience by blending online and offline shopping.
Why is Hema Innovative?
Integrated retail and fulfilment: Hema serves as both a store and an online fulfilment centre, streamlining operations while enhancing the in-store customer experience.
Integrated retail and fulfilment: Hema serves as both a store and an online fulfilment centre, streamlining operations while enhancing the in-store customer experience.
Redefining convenience: Hema offers a true one-stop-shop experience, where customers can buy fresh groceries, dine in-store, and have their meals cooked on-site—encouraging repeat visits and fostering loyalty.
Mobile integration: Shoppers can use mobile devices to scan items, receive personalised recommendations, and pay for groceries, all while arranging home delivery within 30 minutes.
In-Store Revolution
Despite the closure of many retail outlets, a new wave of store design is emerging. These stores offer fresh services, brands, and experiences, re-energising the high street and attracting customers back to physical spaces.
Despite the closure of many retail outlets, a new wave of store design is emerging. These stores offer fresh services, brands, and experiences, re-energising the high street and attracting customers back to physical spaces.
Redefining Convenience
The concept of convenience is being transformed across banking, fashion, and grocery sectors. Retailers are introducing small urban formats that offer higher margins, focusing on customer experience and sustainability.
The concept of convenience is being transformed across banking, fashion, and grocery sectors. Retailers are introducing small urban formats that offer higher margins, focusing on customer experience and sustainability.
Take Alibaba’s first robot-powered restaurant, for example, where customers order food through the Hema app, and it’s delivered to their table by robotic systems. This futuristic dining experience redefines convenience and efficiency, mirroring the larger trend in retail towards customer-centric service.
The Future of Retail
New technologies and platforms are empowering brands to engage directly with consumers, offering personalised experiences and targeted deals. Retailers must respond by intensifying their focus on brand identity, offers, and discounts to meet evolving consumer expectations.
New technologies and platforms are empowering brands to engage directly with consumers, offering personalised experiences and targeted deals. Retailers must respond by intensifying their focus on brand identity, offers, and discounts to meet evolving consumer expectations.
At Campbell Rigg, our internal process of renewal allows us to continually benchmark and analyse leading retail trends across the globe. Feel free to explore other news items linked to this page.
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