{"id":2452,"date":"2017-05-03T15:45:46","date_gmt":"2017-05-03T22:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/industry\/blog\/uncategorized\/look-new-retail-shoppers-world\/"},"modified":"2023-05-31T16:45:20","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T23:45:20","slug":"look-new-retail-shoppers-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/industry\/blog\/retail\/2017\/05\/03\/look-new-retail-shoppers-world\/","title":{"rendered":"A look at the new retail in a shopper\u2019s world"},"content":{"rendered":"
Today\u2019s retail and consumer goods industries are in a transformative time. With hundreds of thousands of products to choose from and technology in every aspect of our lives, it\u2019s never been more challenging to gain attention and build connections with consumers.<\/p>\n
Those brands that succeed will be the ones that can truly put customers first and at the center. And by that, I mean in every aspect of their business\u2014from their products and services, to how their inventory is managed and delivered, to the service their employees provide, even to their sustainability practices and what their customers care about.<\/p>\n
To meet customer expectations and build loyalty in today\u2019s digital age, it\u2019s about having your entire brand working together in ways that will provide an experience that is seamless, personal and differentiated.<\/p>\n
That may certainly sound like a tall order, but the advancements and speed of technology innovation are catapulting us forward into an exciting new future, one where this enhanced shopping experience is attainable.<\/p>\n
As we look ahead, these new experiences will be able to adjust and adapt to a customer\u2019s unique and changing wants and needs, whether they\u2019re shopping on a lazy Sunday afternoon, rushing to a soccer game, or throwing an impromptu dinner party.<\/p>\n
The future of food retailing will also seamlessly blend the physical and digital, the offline and the online. Maybe one day that means an amazing sensory experience in the store, combining inspiring cooking demonstrations with digital ingredient lists. Or maybe it\u2019s the speed and convenience of a ready-made, grab-and-go item with mobile check-out. Or maybe it\u2019s a virtual experience with groceries that arrive at your door. All these experiences can co-exist, and retailers can support them all.<\/p>\n
As our lives change on a weekly, hourly or even minute-by-minute basis, technology will have the means to help anticipate and deliver just the right experience, and even that \u201cWow, I wasn\u2019t expecting that<\/em>\u201d experience.<\/p>\n Using technology innovations as the undercurrent\u2014things like advanced analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence and mixed reality\u2014these seamless, personalized and differentiated experiences are now possible. The future is here.<\/p>\n Building it will also involve a community of retail, consumer goods, and technology thought leaders coming together to create these new experiences. That\u2019s why I\u2019m honored to be a part of a New Retail in a Shopper’s World<\/a> report from The Hershey Company.<\/p>\n As a long-standing consumer goods leader and innovator, and a trusted partner to the retail industry for nearly 125 years, Hershey\u2019s inaugural retail report shares the company\u2019s wealth of expertise as a consultant to food retailers. It explores some of these possibilities, and will inspire you to take action in your own business and get excited for what\u2019s to come. You can access it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n We look forward to experiencing the future of retail with you!<\/p>\n