Growing worldwide trend of online retailers shipping to local lockers
The growth of ecommerce is literally old news. Pure e-tailers and traditional retailers with online sites are increasingly winning the hearts and wallets of consumers purchasing good deals online. Beyond "best prices", there is the convenience of being able to shop in your pajamas 24/7/365, and have it delivered to your door. But, what if you are not home? What if you purchase food and you don't know when you'll get off work? The race is on to provide the convenience of buying online and picking up at your local locker.
What you don't see can be far more important than visual store displays
Last stop on my around the world tour of retail was Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. In a land of perpetual heat, it is easy to understand why consumers flock to air conditioned mega malls! The Mall of the Emirates has more than 500 stores plus a sky resort complete with chair lift. The visual merchandising in these stores is as compelling as anywhere in the world. But, the most intriguing store for consumer experience turned out to be one using technology to focus on consumer engagement and experience beyond expectations.
There is no question that Walmart will transform retailing via Massmart
It is one thing to read about international retailing, but quite another to experience it firsthand. I visited South Africa several times on safaris, but never to specifically focus on retailing. On my around the world tour delivering IMS Retail University workshops, I had an opportunity last week to visit a number of retailers in Johannesburg. While Walmart was only recently approved as the majority shareholder of Massmart, they are already making waves in retail. If you are a South African based retailer trying to compete, life is going to get very interesting very fast!
The "Experience Store" needs to be designed to be "sticky"
My grueling travel schedule this week does not permit me to get out and see retail stores in Seoul. But since South Korea is the home of Samsung, I thought it would be appropriate to share observations on Samsung's new flagship "Experience Store" that just opened in Australia. In these days of billion dollar lawsuits, one must tread lightly when saying that Samsung "imitated" Apple … but who aren't these days? However, "The Experience Store" by Samsung appears to be missing a few pages from the experience playbook on how to engage consumers to create a "sticky" experience.
An amazing opportunity to study retail in seven different countries
I'm convinced that you don't plan an around the world trip … they just happen. I get an amazing opportunity to deliver IMS Retail University workshops around the world. It's not often that you get to go out and compare retail in seven very different cities: Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Johannesburg, Amsterdam, Istanbul, and Dubai. The only challenge with this travel schedule is managing to blog along the way. The forthcoming blogs will hopefully have more pictures, and allow me to share first impressions from a retail point of view.
Musings from a wandering retail traveler who is language deficient
Ever look around a store and notice all the signs? At least in technology stores you can't miss them. There seems to be a plethora of signs touting the latest technology, promotions … and price. Yet, in many clothing stores you hardly see any signs. What would happen to consumer experience if you removed the signs? In my recent travels to Turkey and Morocco, I had an opportunity to experience stores "without" signs, since I didn't have a clue as to what was printed on them. The experience was eye opening.
Beyond stores … In search of the essence of consumer experience
If you've attended IMS Retail University, you've heard me say many times "get out of town". To fully appreciate the nuances and best practices of retail, you need to go see different kinds of stores in other cities. It's even better if you can visit retailers in other countries. One of my opportunities this year is to take Retail U abroad to many countries. While I've learned a lot in the Ukraine, UK, Brazil and Singapore, nothing quite prepared me for Morocco! If you get to the streets of Marrakesh, you will discover that the real roots of consumer experience are alive and well in the stalls of the market place.
Rapid sales growth can cover retail “sins” of omission
While in much of the world economies and retail are still in recovery mode, Brazil is a bull of an economy. Brazil is bold, brazen and the land of where “beef is truly what’s for dinner”. Brazil has the highest GDP for Latin America, and now ranks in the top economies globally. So, what does retail look like in a booming economy? The Retail U Professor returns with insights, retail snapshots and glowing stories of "picanha"!
It’s not just the west, retail is changing everywhere
I’m always excited about the opportunity to take IMS retail workshops on the road to other countries. Last week I had opportunity to not only visit the Ukraine, but to meet with the senior management from top retailers in this emerging market. There are always some unique local challenges. However, there are more similarities than differences across retailers today. At the end of the day, results count … no matter where your retail stores are located.
Growth of the “small screen” moves retailing online
I always relish the opportunity to take Retail University courses abroad. Inevitably, I find that the Professor learns as much as the students. While much of US and western European retail has been homogenized by the large big box chains, Asia is truly a land of diversity in retailing. There is nothing like first-hand experience of visiting retail stores in Asia. But, the biggest retail trend is not about stores … it’s happening online! Read on to discover a new resource to watch the trends unfold in Asia.
