What will be the main trends of retail trade in 2021?

Tal vez la principal consecuencia de la pandemia de la covid-19 sobre el comercio minorista haya sido la digitalización de nuestras compras habituales. Este auge del comercio electrónico contrasta con las enormes dificultades que están encontrando las tiendas tradicionales para sobrevivir en un entorno donde las restricciones horarias y de movilidad se suceden y donde los clientes evitan en todo lo posible el contacto físico.

However, the growth of online channel will not be the only great trend that we will see throughout the newly released 2021.The Spanish Confederation of the Small and Medium Company (CEPYME) has prepared a report where it anticipates how distribution will behave in Spain during this year as pandemic and other factors continue to influence our consumption habits.Below we highlight the main trends identified by Cepyme for retail trade in 2021.

Omnicanality The omnichannel implies the union of several different trends through a customer service strategy that consists of a company having several communication channels so that their customers get in touch when they need it by way they choose.Now, in addition to email, the telephone or social networks, the ONMICANALITY rises level by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, IoT and extended reality (RX), which includes virtual and augmented reality (RV/ra).

The interaction with these technologies allows retail to carry the comfort of online purchases to offline stores;and the rich interactive environment of offline purchases, to the world of electronic commerce.While the general trend has been that offline retailers become online through the establishment of electronic commerce divisions of their businesses, more recently, we have seen online retailers develop a physical presence.

Online retailers will increasingly use virtual reality environments to provide immersive purchase experiences and with many functions.At the same time, offline retailers will implement the RA to allow customers to access information about the products they find on the shelves.While this pandemic continues, retailers are using technology drive.

This convergence means that online and offline retail businesses benefit from advances in technology and changing behavior patterns.

Artificial Intelligence The retail sale promoted by artificial intelligence has been maturing for some years, and the main retailers trust advanced analysis to understand what should be stored in their stores and boost logistics efficiency.The most recent developments have gone from using artificial intelligence in internal processes and in automated manufacturing processes to place it in front, with initiatives for the client as chatbots and virtual assistants.

On the other hand, voice recognition technology promoted by artificial intelligence has evolved exponentially and can be used to add value both in the store and through electronic commerce applications.Currently, it is increasingly common to use our voice to control our devices or search the Internet, we will use it more and more to obtain information and make purchases, and retailers will adapt their infrastructure to adapt to these changing habits.

Autonomous deliveries the Covid-19 has radically changed the reality of all and the way we buy, radically increasing the boom of e-commerce and the reception of online purchases made at home or office.Some multinational companies are already working on autonomous delivery vehicles and in delivery with drones.During the next year, it is likely that autonomous delivery initiatives remain focused on "last mile" solutions using autonomous vehicles and air drones for trips between logistics centers and consumer homes.

Again, several trends will be involved here, including artificial intelligence, to manage logistics and routing.Others will also include Blockchain, to guarantee safety and transparency along supply chains and digital twinning, which will allow sophisticated models of logistics and delivery operations, promoting efficiency.

Personalized purchases at the VIP buyers are accustomed to receiving personalized attention when they buy in high -end stores and customize their high -value purchases, such as cars, custom clothing and jewelry.However, technology is marking the beginning of a new era of mass customization, which allows this to be carried out at a growing range of goods and services.

Recommendation engines are used in electronic commerce to indicate the products that are most likely to want or need.The same technology is now being implemented at retail points of sale, which provides store attendees for information on who we are and our previous purchases.

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