If you’ve seen the Jungle Book, you might remember that scene where Mowgli is under the spell of Kaa - the python. He is rescued and snaps out of the spell before he gets eaten but that scene is significant in understanding the state of retail. Today, the offline retail industry is spellbound and believes it is fighting a battle with their online counterparts that it may eventually lose. But if you ask me, this is just a spell which needs to be broken.
The holiday shopping season is in full swing and trends are pointing toward even more spending this year. The National Retail Federation announced earlier this fall that it expects holiday sales to climb from 4.3 percent to 4.8 percent over last year ($717.45 billion to $720.89 billion). How can retailers be sure to take advantage of this huge opportunity to reach their sales goals and beyond this holiday season?
Retail is reinventing itself. It is not just about buying merchandise anymore, customers are looking to be delighted with a great shopping experience. Online shopping helps provide convenience and maybe even lower prices, however, it is not able to provide the same experience the customers get in physical stores. The comfort of high-quality noise-canceling headphones or the fit of a soft fleece jacket is unparalleled compared to not being able to touch and feel the product online before you buy them.
Payment acceptance for the longest time was thought to be a necessary business expense. But over the last decade, a few significant changes have transformed the definition of “payments” in the industry. One of the changes that acted as a catalyst in this transformation is the improved efficiency in carrying out electronic transactions. Combined with the advancement in technology over the last two decades, innovative solutions have become easily available in the market for all merchants (big or small) looking to improve efficiency and enhance their customers’ experience.
The end of summer is approaching, marking the beginning of the back-to-school season. Parents are gearing up their kids to get ready for their new terms. Retailers are simultaneously getting ready for all the business that is coming their way. According to a Deloitte’s 2018 Back to School Survey, total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $27.6B, or $510 per household, slightly up from $501 in 2017.
