It appears much of the retail action relating to mobile is likely to happen in the actual store.
Going through the lengthy annual global shopping survey by PWC, two particular findings
strike me as pointing to key opportunities and challenges for retailers.
On the positive side, showrooming may be less of an issue than some perceive with consumers finding shopping at a
physical store attractive. The top reasons were the ability to see, touch and try products followed by getting the product immediately.
The findings are based on a survey of more than 11,000
shoppers in 11 different countries in search of insights for retailers and packaged goods companies.
The majority of consumers actually use physical stores for both research and purchasing the
products they want to buy, according to the study.
On the negative side, the study found that the center of the shopping universe is shifting from retailers to manufacturers. This means that
while the consumer may come to the physical store, they still may pull out their phone and buy directly from the company making the product.
The main reason consumers buy directly from a brand
or manufacturer were found to be lower price, full range or more choices and brand loyalty.
Retailers have an edge by providing better experience, customization/personalization, better service
and good stock availability.
So while price matching may deter some of the direct selling by manufacturers, the in-store experience is what gives retailers a potential advantage.
This
could be a competitive race between retailers and manufacturers/brands to interact and engage with the in-store, mobile shopper. At least it looks like they will still be there to interact with.