Business & Money | Wednesday 14 December, 2016 3:39 am |

According to A.T. Kearney, a leading global management consulting firm, over 90% of purchases are still done in stores in this era of e-commerce. That means malls in the region are bustling with local and visiting shoppers buying for the holiday season, and to manage this shopper rush, regional retailers are increasingly turning to technologies like digital signage, contactless payment, and self-service checkouts.

In-store retail in the region is evolving fast to offer smarter environments with a focus on consumer convenience.  However, experts in the industry say that adoption of connected in-store technologies are still in its infancy as only 12% retailers across the world provide a real omnichannel experience by seamlessly combining their online and in-store operations. But, on-demand information, eye-catching self-service kiosks, and virtual displays are now increasingly being used by retailers everywhere.

According to Mr. Sasikumar Parakkuth, Managing Director, H.M.H Establishment, “In-store technology is really about serving the customer from the online experience out of the store all the way through the store, the goal is always to provide easier access to customers, to make the shopping experience better, and improve the lives of employees.”

He added, “Brick-and-mortar stores is very important in the region, and will drive the consumer experience by offering speed, convenience, and flexibility.  The concept of connected store is emerging fast with improved technologies for fitting rooms, product labels, social buzz displays, and app-based navigation, as well as mobile payments taking over traditional shop operations. All these technologies are implemented to the benefit of the consumer at the heart of design. However, the trend is still in emerging stage, as only 12% retailers worldwide provide Omni-Channel solutions for their customers.”

Smart Stores Expo 2017, happening on 23 -25 January, at ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company) in Abu Dhabi, will be focusing on growing smart store technologies among other topics. The event is designed to showcase developments in the retail industry under four broad categories - Smart Store Design, Smart Store Technologies, Smart Store Services and Smart Virtual Stores.

Jayaraman Nair, Chairman, VIS Exhibitions and Conferences, organiser of the Smart Stores Expo 2017 said, “The regional retail sector has been slow in adopting smart technologies till recently, but now they recognise the importance of investing in engaging customers in the store and providing information as and when they require through innovative technologies. Smart Stores Expo aims to act as a platform for knowledge sharing and showcasing technologies that will support operations of the future retail store in the regional retail market.”