How analytics create better in-store experiences and added value for retailers

Though in-store is still the preferred shopping method for the majority of consumers, the strength of e-commerce and the impact of technology continue to rise. As shopping center owners and operators look to use technology in innovative ways to support their brick-and-mortar tenants, how do developers balance creative digital solutions with economic feasibility?

The truth is that developers have largely lagged behind in gathering analytics in comparison to their retail tenants. However, developers have a unique advantage when it comes to consumer insight, and there are many available tools for harvesting this data and understanding shopper behavior on an individual level. Since retailers are limited to tracking data only on consumers who come into their stores, developers can be a valuable resource for statistics on overall consumer traffic, dwell time and purchase behaviors. Empowered by this information, retailers can tailor their approach to fit their target customer base.

• 71% of shoppers report that if an item they want is available online or in a nearby store, they prefer to shop in the store [source: TimeTrade™, Jan 2016]
• People who use digital while they shop in-store convert at a 20% higher rate compared to those who do not use digital as part of the shopping process [source: Deloitte, May 2015]
• Retail decision makers’ top three technology investments for 2016 are Point-of-Sale technologies (65%), social selling (63%) and analytics (49%) [source: TimeTrade™, Jan 2016]

Inspire shoppers through technology

When it comes to using technology to capture shopper analytics, some developers have excelled at proper digital integration that improves customer service and increases dwell time.

Smart Park and Seamless Shopping

One of the biggest sources of consumer complaints is simply the time spent getting into a shopping center—navigating through large parking lots or complex garages can deter even the most patient person. Westfield London is looking to change this by installing a smart park and shopping app system that recognizes a shopper’s license plate at the entry gate and directs them to the nearest parking spot via smartphone navigation. Once inside, shoppers continue to be escorted by blue dot mobile technology to a particular store or product. And the perks don’t stop there: using the CollectPlus app, purchases can be retrieved or returned via a dedicated lounge, and consumers are rewarded with one hour of free parking and complimentary refreshments. Westfield uses a customer’s recent browsing history to help create this curated experience, which will be rolled out to its US locations soon.

Get Personal

In an effort to bridge the online with the physical shopping experience, DigitasLBi Paris and real estate investment company Klépierre created the Inspiration Corridor, a large booth that offers users a personalized digital shopping experience. Shoppers step into the booth and undergo a complete body scan as the Inspiration Corridor takes note of their age, sex and current ensemble. From there, it generates digital displays of items located in the mall that the customer might be interested in with the ability to buy on the spot. The Inspiration Corridor can also scan prior purchases and suggest complementary clothing or accessories. The Klépierre mobile app even uses Apple’s iBeacon technology to pull up a mall floor plan and direct shoppers to selected items.

Keep Inventing

The key to success is to deliver more than goods. In order to remain economically viable in a competitive market, developers must evolve digital commerce to provide more valuable in-store consumer experiences and give retailers the power to customize their offerings.

1. Customize the Experience: Leave No Touchpoint Untouched

• Provide consumers with the necessary tools to personalize products and surprise them by anticipating their needs (beginning with the discovery stage, and even after purchase).
• Before investing a lot of money into digital platforms, make sure there are data to show that the customer base and retail tenants will use it.
• A blanket marketing strategy for all properties within a portfolio doesn’t work anymore. Use analytics and data to shape a localized marketing effort and draw consumers.
• Use data tracking to better understand consumer behavior and increase sales.
• Establish trust: have a solid plan for protecting and controlling the use of personal data and clearly communicate it to customers.

2. Streamline the Journey

• Offer rewards programs for in-store purchases that can also be used for online purchases.
• Provide smart park solutions and wayfinding so that consumers spend more time shopping and less time navigating.
• Knowledge is power! Share analytics with retailers to create a holistic, seamless shopping experience.