Technology in UK high street stores is failing to match the online shopping experience and customers are demanding better. This is according to Fujitsu’s new research, The Forgotten Shop Floor, which found 4 in 10 consumers are frequently disappointed by in-store technology.
And while the benefits of investing in better digital tools are clear – 61% would choose one retailer over another based on the quality of in-store technology – doing nothing is simply not an option: three quarters of shoppers would choose Amazon or eBay over traditional high street names if either had a physical store.
Shoppers are demanding a more digital high street experience; almost half say in-store tech today is slow (42%), over a third say it is unreliable (37%), while a quarter say there simply isn’t enough to handle demand.
As a result, three quarters say they can access more information than retail employees and 73% say they can get it quicker, leaving two thirds (65%) of employees using their own devices to try to bridge the gap.
“Today the next wave of digital disruption is happening in-store. Ecommerce has altered our expectations of the high street and we now expect physical channels to reflect digital ones and be engaging, personalised and hassle-free,” says Rupal Karia, MD, Retail and Hospitality, Fujitsu UK & Ireland. “The digital pace of change is faster than ever. Consumers will embrace retailers who can give them the experience they want, before they know they want it. The message is clear: consumers are prepared to spend more with the retailers that deliver digital, and leave those that don’t.”
Despite today’s digital shop flaws, retailers are making progress with the digital store, with 98% of employees embracing the tech introduced so far. For those that are willing to implement technology, there are economic benefits; nearly six in 10 (58%) consumers say they have chosen to buy a product due to a better in-store technology experience, while 79% say a better experience would make them likely to spend more money.
In future the brick and mortar store is unlikely to disappear with consumers envisaging a store of the future where technology is used to deliver an even more complete and compelling experience. Almost half (45%) would most like to see personalised offers sent to them while they are in store and a third (33%) would most like to see smart mirrors displaying additional information about products. 24% of consumers would want stores to be able to deliver goods directly to a connected car, while 22% would prefer augmented reality displays
“Despite the gloomiest predictions, the high street continues to hold a place in UK shoppers’ hearts,” continues Karia. “The store holds more and greater opportunities than ever, but only for retailers that are prepared to embrace the digital pace of change. The clock is ticking and technology, customers and competitors are poised to move forward. Retailers must embrace digital now to secure their place in the future of the high street.”
“Since the rise of ecommerce, retailers have focused too much on digitally enabling their customers online rather than their employees in-store – and it’s time for that to change,” said Phil Pavitt, Global CIO, Specsavers. “At Specsavers, our aim is to use digital to deliver exceptional ‘retail theatre’ for customers in our stores, by equipping our team with fast, powerful and engaging technology. But it’s not just what you use, it’s how you use it. No one store can outdo the entire high street: whether you’re a coffee shop or a jeweller, it’s about picking the three best technologies for you and then really making them work for customers and colleagues. With Amazon and other disruptors on the horizon, it’s up to every retailer to move ahead on their digital journey, or be left behind.”
There is more help at hand for beleaguered retailers. Verifone is hoping to also help guide merchants through the retail jungle with ‘The 21st Century Merchant Survival Guide – How to continue to grow and stay relevant in this ever-changing retail environment’.
The survival guide responds to the challenge that e-commerce has launched on traditional “brick and mortar” retailers in the UK, who need to adapt to a new frontier of shopping and consumer engagement. While the majority of consumer purchases are still made in physical stores, shoppers now want in-store experiences with the same convenience and personalisation they’ve grown accustomed to online.
