Continuing from 2020, the most significant factor that affected the retail trends in 2021 is the global COVID-19 threat. Unfortunately, it looks as if the pandemic will continue to shape retail trends in 2022 as well. However, not all the retail trends we have today are here because of COVID. It could have accelerated the emergence of many trends, but many of the trends we will have in 2022
Augmented reality, digital wallets, and robots in stores are just some of the trends that will revolutionize the future of the retail industry. We tell you which will be the most important retail trends in 2022. In addition, we will show you how these trends will influence the jobs and skills of the future.
To conclude with the introduction, e-commerce, and online shopping caused the first wave of changes in the traditional way of shopping. We are before the second wave of revolution: virtual reality arrives, robots in stores, delivery through drones…
Without getting involved any further we went on to list and briefly describe the retail trends of 2022:
1. Beacon networks (enhance the experience, not the product)
The beacon network, also known as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) applications, allows any brand, retailer, application, or platform to understand exactly where a customer is in the physical store and offer them a personalized experience.
Carrefour, the great French multinational, has already officially begun the exploration of this technology. They have equipped 28 of its hypermarkets in Romania with this technology. So this represents a great improvement in the shopping experience for the consumer, such as the generation of personalized offers and discounts to reward customer loyalty. Brands now have the possibility to study and understand the new needs of consumers. On top of that, they can interact with them using innovative tools.
2. Augmented reality
Augmented reality is the term used to describe the set of technologies that allow a user to visualize part of the real world through a technological device.
French cosmetics giant L’Oreal joins the trend of augmented reality in its strategy. L’Oreal has equipped its large team of European sales representatives with augmented reality technology as a method to reach and win over retailers. Thus, retailers can see exactly how to position the stands or products. All this will be seen through 3D technology. Check this video:
Besides L’Oréal, Greenpeace, a charitable organization, also uses augmented reality. They use virtual reality headsets at events to encourage charity sign-ups. They also launched the Greenpeace RV Explored applications, which allows users to immerse themselves in distant places such as the Amazon rainforest or the Arctic.
Furthermore, thanks to augmented reality we can do many things. For example, try on new clothes without leaving home, see what the makeup that we plan to buy looks like, or check if the furniture we have ordered will look good in the living room. So no more waiting for the long lines of changing rooms in clothing stores. Furthermore, we are going to list some of the best apps in this category that exist on Android and that you can download to your mobile:
Wanna Kicks
A free tool that allows you to try on sneakers thanks to 3D models of some of the most popular brands, such as Nike or Adidas.
Inkhunter
This app allows you to see how a tattoo will look on your skin before doing it. Check the video below:
Wanna Nails:
This app allows you to test different colors of nail polish using only the mobile camera. Moreover, this tool also allows you to see how the enamel in question combines with our skin tone or mood. In addition to this, there is the possibility of acquiring each of the colors offered on Amazon.
GlassOn
If you want to try on glasses before buying them, this app is one of the best tools you can use. Check the video below for more information:
Click here for more information about the apps mentioned above.
3. Virtual reality
IKEA, the Swedish furniture multinational, is taking virtual reality from fantasy to reality. So customers can now use their VR headsets to locate themselves in rooms that have been previously processed and designed with IKEA furniture, and which can even be customized to their liking changing the color of the kitchen cabinets, for example). This virtual reality app allows customers to get a more realistic idea of what their home with IKEA furniture would look like before purchasing.
In addition, Velux, a company that specializes in roof windows and skylights, also started using virtual reality. Recently, they launched the MyDaylight app to help customers visualize the benefits of an installation in their own homes. Furthermore, MyDaylight allows users to design a room by easily entering dimensions such as ceiling height.
4. Delivery drones
Just Eat, one of the largest fast-food companies in Europe, aims to make land drones capable of delivering fast food directly to your home. The first prototype drone will have 6 cameras and GPS to navigate the streets of central London.
Click here for more information about the delivery drones.
Source: Shivali Best, UK Mirror
5. Digital wallets
Online payments are on the rise in Europe. That is why digital Wallets are expanding in more than 20,000 stores and 31% of Europeans will probably use digital wallets on their mobile device.
Source: Statistica. “Mobile payment app use in selected countries in Europe.
6. Consider social commerce
During the pandemic, more consumers participated in online shopping through live-streaming. A clear example of this trend would be Gucci, ranked as one of the best luxury brands online in 2021. The brand uses live-streaming, digital storytelling, and world-class commerce with a constant drive to experiment online. Gucci receives more than 10 million engagement shares per month, on average.
YouTube, the most relevant platform
A Viacom study found that more than 30% of Gen Z teens and millennials believe YouTube is a primary channel for information, including reviews and tutorials. Thus, video streaming has become a new platform for content related to makeup and beauty content for influencers, bloggers, and video bloggers specializing in beauty looking to create their own niches in the sector. Check the video below:
7. Consider social commerce
The Metaverse is a virtual space where people can game, work, and communicate, and it’s becoming more connected to the real world. Facebook is planning to hire 10,000 people across Europe to help develop it and several fashion brands have already dabbled in supporting technology, making the time ripe to get on board.
NFT & gaming
Non-fungible tokens have been shaking up major industries across 2021, often executed hand-in-hand with gaming. In fashion, luxury brands like Balenciaga, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton are leading, introducing new product categories of collectibles or wearables for Fortnite, Blankos Block Party, and League of Legends. This creates ownership within the ever-expanding digital playground, which has emerged as an essential selling space, especially for Gen Z. Digital fashion is becoming more realized as retailers leverage it to reduce the number of physical goods produced. NFT technology can also be tapped to improve authentication and transparency and power cryptocurrency adaption as consumers look to pay for digital assets with digital tender.
Retail Trends 2022: Reimagining Retail Commerce in a Post-COVID World
There is no doubt that the retail trends of 2022 mentioned above are being put into practice and will be put into practice more and more by big brands that will incorporate them into their shopping experience. If you want to read more about retail trends, we advise you to read this article
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