{"id":28336,"date":"2020-12-11T13:38:51","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T20:38:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paladinpointofsale.com\/retailscience\/home\/?p=28336"},"modified":"2025-09-22T15:16:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T22:16:19","slug":"the-future-of-retail-is-your-store-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paladinpointofsale.com\/retailscience\/home\/the-future-of-retail-is-your-store-ready\/","title":{"rendered":"The Future of Retail: Is Your Store Ready?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.29)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” featured_placement=”background” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font=”|700||on|||||” title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font_size=”30px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.15)” background_enable_image=”off” background_position=”top_center” background_blend=”color” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”15%||15%” z_index_tablet=”0″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” meta_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_style=”preset2″ parallax_effect=”on” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|0px|18.95px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Kehlog Albran” quote_icon_color=”#e09900″ admin_label=”Testimonial – Kehlog Albran” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#d6d6d6″ text_orientation=”right” animation_style=”fade” animation_direction=”top” animation_delay=”750ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

I have seen the future and it is very much like the present, only longer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]OK. The pandemic,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>nationwide\u00a0<\/span><\/span>social unrest<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>tumultuous\u00a0<\/span><\/span>political climate makes\u00a0<\/span><\/span>any attempt at forecasting the future of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>retail\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a little like trying to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>pull a rabbit out of a hat. Anyone who\u00a0<\/span><\/span>tries<\/span><\/span>\u00a0it is usually\u00a0<\/span><\/span>blowing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>smoke and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>using\u00a0<\/span><\/span>mirrors<\/span><\/span>. However, over the past 11 months since\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the coronavirus upended life business as usual <\/span><\/span>has become unusual. S<\/span><\/span>ome\u00a0<\/span><\/span>shopping\u00a0<\/span><\/span>trends have emerged that<\/span><\/span>\u00a0will undoubtedly continue in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>2021<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and maybe longer<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0The quicker stores adapt to the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>future of retail<\/span><\/span>, the better their chances for success.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Yogi Berra” quote_icon_color=”#e09900″ admin_label=”Testimonial – Yogi Berra” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#d6d6d6″ text_orientation=”right” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”750ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The future\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ain\u2019t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0what it used to be.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”Yogi was right” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Yogi was right, especially in the world of brick-and-mortar retail.\u00a0<\/span>Once upon a time, the future of retail was\u00a0<\/span>filled with\u00a0<\/span>interactive customer experiences. Hands-on<\/span>, r<\/span>eal touchy<\/span>–<\/span>feely stuff. COVID-19 changed a lot of that.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ShopperWhile customers are still looking for\u00a0<\/span>personalized shopping experiences,\u00a0<\/span>touch<\/span>less has become the immediate future<\/span>\u00a0of retail<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Online shopping with either buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS also known as curbside pickup) <\/span>or\u00a0<\/span>same-day or next-day delivery are the options consumers are choosing.<\/span> Touchless in-store payments are also still trending. <\/span>As long as<\/span>\u00a0COVID-19 is with us,\u00a0<\/span>and many say well after the virus\u00a0<\/span>dissipates<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>those shopping trends will continue.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Data from\u00a0<\/span>Adobe Analytics<\/span>\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span>August<\/span>\u00a02020 shows online sales increased 4<\/span>2<\/span>% over the previous year. That followed<\/span>\u00a0a July that saw a 55% increase over 2019 figures<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>The report also shows there were 130 days on which online shopping topped\u00a0<\/span>$2 billion<\/span>\u00a0and three\u00a0<\/span>days<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>when\u00a0<\/span>sales hit $3 billion.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Adobe study\u00a0<\/span>also indicated the trend of consumers using curbside pickup \u2013 orders\u00a0<\/span>placed online and picked up at stores<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 increased\u00a0<\/span>2<\/span>59<\/span>%\u00a0<\/span>y<\/span>ear<\/span>-over-year<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>So, stores with\u00a0<\/span>omnichannel capabilities<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 technology that combines online and in-store marketing, sales, and fulfillment \u2013 will be better equipped to succeed in the new year.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cConsumers expect more from merchants today. Due in part to the evolution of retail, which now offers more personalized choices from e-commerce companies, shoppers want similar features from their neighborhood stores,\u201d says Dan Nesmith, president of Paladin Data Corporation<\/a>, a leader in retail management technology. \u201cStores need to embrace new ideas and all technology offers. Merchants need to create a strong and cohesive digital image for their stores including automated customer satisfaction surveys, mobile-friendly e<\/span>-c<\/span>ommerce customer portals, digital advertising, and strong, secure in-store Wi-Fi.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Henri Poincare” quote_icon_color=”#e09900″ admin_label=”Testimonial – Henri Poincare” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#d6d6d6″ text_orientation=”right” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

It is far better to foresee even without certainty than not to foresee at all.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”Knowing where you\u2019re going” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Knowing where you\u2019re going is especially important to retail businesses today<\/span>, especially after this unprecedented year<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>When the pandemic shut down\u00a0<\/span>societies\u00a0<\/span>around the globe,<\/span>\u00a0people\u00a0<\/span>changed the way they worked, communicated and shopped.\u00a0<\/span>S<\/span>martphones, the internet<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and social media\u00a0<\/span>became lifelines.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Those\u00a0<\/span>lucky enough to be properly equipped<\/span>\u00a0could still\u00a0<\/span>work\u00a0<\/span>thanks to remote access to\u00a0<\/span>their<\/span>\u00a0business networks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>M<\/span>obile\u00a0<\/span>access and remote<\/span>\u00a0capabilities<\/span><\/a>\u00a0kept many retail businesses open and functioning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Many s<\/span>tores\u00a0<\/span>without those abilities\u00a0<\/span>ha<\/span>d no way of doing business\u00a0<\/span>when their doors\u00a0<\/span>closed,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>\u00a0failed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It used to require a roadmap for travelers to find the way to\u00a0<\/span>their<\/span>\u00a0destinations.<\/span>\u00a0Nowadays, GPS online\u00a0<\/span>applications can find almost any place in the world. J<\/span>ust Google your destination and ask for directions<\/span>\u00a0and you\u2019ll get multiple options<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Th<\/span>e\u00a0<\/span>omnichannel <\/span><\/a>technology that became so necessary to stores during the pandemic shutdown will continue to\u00a0<\/span>offer businesses and shoppers multiple options and will be critical to success<\/span>. Mobile and remote access, touchless and alternative payment methods,\u00a0<\/span>complete business management from a single desktop terminal or laptop will become commonplace in successful stores.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Lao Tzu” quote_icon_color=”#e09900″ admin_label=”Testimonial – Lao Tzu” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#d6d6d6″ text_orientation=”right” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Those who have knowledge, don\u2019t predict. Those who predict, don\u2019t have knowledge.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”Some think Nostradamus” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

S<\/span>ome think Nostradamus<\/span>, who died in 1566,<\/span> somehow <\/span>foresaw\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>current\u00a0<\/span>coronavirus pandemic<\/span>.<\/span> Predicting the behavior of consumer response and the future of retail in the wake of it doesn\u2019t seem <\/span>to be\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>incredible<\/span>. Re<\/span>tail and economic experts believe that many\u00a0<\/span>people w<\/span>ill continue practicing<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0shopping habits they learned during the shutdown.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bOnline shopping<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 In September 2020, U.S. online sales\u00a0<\/span>was roughly $60.4 billion, a 43% increase over 2019. August\u2019s year-over-year increase was 42%<\/span>. That is expected to continue.\u00a0<\/span>CommerceHub<\/span>, a software provider,<\/span>\u00a0surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. consumers to\u00a0<\/span>get a feel for future\u00a0<\/span>shopping patterns. The survey found that 67%\u00a0<\/span>feel it\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>more convenient to\u00a0<\/span>shop\u00a0<\/span>online than in store<\/span>, a<\/span>nd 89% plan to continue\u00a0<\/span>the practice<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A rapidly increasing number of online searches are voice searches. Thanks to Google, Amazon\u2019s Alexa, Apple\u2019s Siri and Micros<\/span>oft\u2019s Cortana, almost half of online searches are made with voice commands.<\/span>\u00a0Adobe Analytics says that 30% of home voice searches are used for ordering and shopping. That means if you<\/span>r products aren\u2019t online and available to such searches, you could be missing out on a lot of sales.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/strong><\/p>\n

Curbside pickup<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 During the height of store closures, shoppers turned to programs like buy on<\/span>line, pick up in-store (BOPIS) to purchase their goods. The\u00a0<\/span>CommerceHub study<\/span><\/a>\u00a0shows that 67% of consumers indicated they will continue to do so.<\/span>\u00a0A<\/span>pproximately<\/span>\u00a053% of retailers expect programs like BOPIS to grow in popularity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fulfillment options will continue to grow as well.\u00a0<\/span>B<\/span>ig-box stores and e-commerce co<\/span>mpanies<\/span>\u00a0are on the verge of delivering orders with rolling robots and\u00a0<\/span>flying\u00a0<\/span>drones<\/span>\u00a0which\u00a0<\/span>they say will<\/span>\u00a0increase speed and efficiency.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Touchless or low contact options<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 A\u00a0<\/span>National Retail Federation survey<\/span><\/a>\u00a0of retailers\u00a0<\/span>in August 2020\u00a0<\/span>found that\u00a0<\/span>67% accepted some form of touchless payments. It also found that 58% took contactless cards which was a 40% increase from 2019. An incredible 9<\/span>4% of them said they anticipate the trend to continue over the next 18 months.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”George Carlin” quote_icon_color=”#e09900″ admin_label=”Testimonial – George Carlin” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#d6d6d6″ text_orientation=”right” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

There’s no present. There’s only the immediate future and the recent past.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”To prepare” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]To prepare for\u00a0<\/span>the immediate future of retail<\/span>, we only\u00a0<\/span>have to<\/span>\u00a0look at the recent past.\u00a0<\/span>The pandemic and its fallout changed buying habits and turned them into future trends. What\u2019s the best way to\u00a0<\/span>succeed in a time of so much change? Adapt and adjust.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Updating store technology is one of the quickest ways to step into the future of retail.\u00a0<\/span>E-commerce has\u00a0<\/span>grow<\/span>n steadily<\/span>\u00a0for the past 20 years. The pandemic\u00a0<\/span>kicked<\/span>\u00a0that growth into warp speed.\u00a0<\/span>Businesses\u00a0<\/span>that adapted succeeded. Those that didn\u2019t closed or struggled to reopen<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Retail technology<\/span>\u00a0not only allows stores to sell\u00a0<\/span>online\u00a0<\/span>when their physical doors are closed, it<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n