The Future of Retail

While searching the internet the other day I stumbled upon an article discussing the future of retail.

link to the article-  http://gigaom.com/2012/07/09/is-the-future-of-retail-showrooming/

The article goes into great detail about consumer trends and how brick and mortar retail stores may turn into showrooms in the future where consumers experience and order products rather than purchasing them on the spot.  I am not too sure if I buy into the showroom idea, probably because I am confident that stores will be able to use technology to update the shopping experience ensuring the survival of retail.  I found myself daydreaming of the possibilities of retail in the future.

In the future you may walk into a store and instead of a grabbing a shopping cart you grab an electronic device. You would then “login-to” the store essentially by entering all the necessary contact and payment information. As you walk the store and find items you would like to learn more about you simply just scan a barcode which will then give you all the information necessary regarding the product so you can make an educated purchasing decision. Scanning produce in a grocery store will inform the consumer of where it was grown, when it was harvested even how long a particular piece of produce will last before spoiling. Once you make the decision to purchase an item it will then be entered into your virtual shopping cart. Once you are all finished shopping no need to stop at the checkout, since you already entered your payment information, just return the device at the front of the store and walk to your car where all your items will be waiting for you.  With more and more shopping done online actually going to the store to shop may become a rare occurrence. I can imagine teenage girls in the future discussing each other’s clothes and saying something like, “OMG you actually bought that dress “offline”. I haven’t been “offline” shopping in months!”