As the country’s high streets begin to open again, retailers are adapting to a new shopping culture. Over the period of two years, while drought with uncertainty and various lockdowns, high street culture has changed dramatically. The circumstances even prompted many retailers to adopt developing changes more quickly, which is why contactless and cashless transactions have become routine for retailers, with cash transactions falling to their lowest ever rates. Even only a year ago, five of six transactions were made without cash.
However, amid these changes is a sense of vitality and, for some, reinvention. Perhaps it was the tenacity and adaptation demanded of retailers during the period of lockdown that prompted such energy but the high street has returned with new intentions, one that is drawing in shoppers for reasons beyond those of simply selling products.
Product Mobility
One trend that has persisted beyond its immediate necessity is the rise of delivery options. Products are becoming more mobile as customers demonstrate a preference for receiving their chosen product as quickly as possible. Many, for example, will choose to collect an item from a local store if it means obtaining it more quickly than online delivery options.
This means that retailers are prioritising delivery options, as well as those of couriers. Click and collect service integration around checkout areas are being installed so as to expedite certain transactions.
Store Experience
We’ve spoken before about the rise of experiential retail and its growing popularity vindicates this coverage. A greater number of retailers are transforming their spaces to support an experience beyond products. Retail shelving and furniture are being designed not only with a product in mind but brand lifestyle and customer interaction. Simply displaying a product isn’t enough, since this can be done online. Instead, a store must seek to encourage interaction and experience.
Small Retail
Agile, modular, and compact retail are terms becoming more frequently used. Even nationwide brands, such as John Lewis and IKEA are moving away from large store spaces to explore the utility of smaller retail concepts. These venues have great potential for versatility, enabling a retailer to expand into a more precise area with less risk.
Smaller retail concepts are also evidently easier to manage and can be better catered to local needs. Customer-facing roles become more important as brands are able to cater their products, expertise, and, as above, experience to community needs.
Sustainable Shopping
There is great pressure on retailers to prioritise sustainable retail. Customers are choosing their stores not only to reflect their own tastes and preferences but also their ethics. If a retail store wishes to ensure its customer following and not fall victim to online criticism, it must ensure that its venue, including retail design, and products are representative of eco-friendly measures and manufacturing.
Our team are driven to produce environmentally friendly products and continues to work with suppliers and manufacturers of high ethical standards. For more information on our policies, as well as to discuss our catalogue of products, please contact our team by calling 0800 587 5880 or by emailing sales@crowndisplay.co.uk.
