As we enter Q2 of 2022, here are three in-store shopper predictions for this year and beyond.
Customers will visit stores for products & experiences
Not everything can be bought online. Give customers a reason to come into the store (and not just with in-store-only sales). Examples can include anything from rock climbing walls in sporting goods stores to gaming tournaments at toy stores. Some grocers are bringing in entertainers like musicians to play sets alongside in-store bars or culinary classes using foods purchased in-store. As more stores choose experiential components, this will become the expectation for in-store shoppers in the future.
Shoppers will demand speed, ease, and less wait time
A hot button issue for many shoppers is the “dreaded” checkout line. Whether a self-checkout or an employee checkout lane, shoppers don’t want to wait. This is tricky given that the nationwide staffing shortages have caused fewer checkout lanes to be open. The checkout process needs to change. And the solution may not be opening more lanes or hiring more staff.
Scan-and-go technology may seem futuristic, but it is closer than you think. In the coming years, we expect to see more stores adopting scan-and-go, which will allow shoppers to get in and out of stores faster while avoiding long lines. This will also open more time for staff to restock items, organize and handle the growing number of click and collect orders.
Consumers are ditching single-use bags
We see consumers making more sustainable choices in their lives—from avoiding single-use water bottles to investing in electric vehicles—and shopping habits will follow suit. Remembering those reusable bags is a behavior change and these changes take time (unless you are already shopping at Aldi). It’s not impossible, though. According to research from Walmart, 72% of all stores are already bagless in Mexico. A sustainable and cost-saving practice, more retailers will continue to phase out single-use plastic bags in response to the sustainable push by consumers.
As retailers, encourage shoppers to bring their own bag (BYOB) by offering incentives. Some states are even passing laws that tax purchases made in single-use bags on a per bag level. Also, consider evaluating the current checkouts to ensure they offer enough space for customers who bring their own bags.
For more information on our solutions and how we can help you get your store ready for the changes that are coming, visit www.retailspacesolutions.com or call 1-800-279-5291.