Article Highlights:
As consumers look to 2022, there are 5 trends they can expect to see:
While online commerce is expected to exceed $1 trillion in 2021, brick and mortar stores will remain a critical force for retail shopping, with 84% of total sales coming from physical stores. Those stores will become more experiential and will incorporate more technology than ever before, such as QR codes used for product descriptions and information, and mobile phones integrated with in-store shopping. Retailers are also excelling at bridging the gap between online shopping and in-store experiences, with brands increasingly prioritizing a seamless onmi-channel experience over the last couple of years. Shopping is also expected to go viral on social media in 2022. Social media users can expect to see more offers, a broader range of products being offered through social media, and an increase in special collaborations between brands, retailers and influencers. Near real-time delivery will continue this year as shopper demand rises for these services. Instacart alone has does more than $1.6 billion per year and plans to go public in the near future. Lastly, consumers can expect curtailed and more curated assortments. While supply chain challenges mean shoppers can expect to find less choice in terms of style, color, or features, less choice and better curated assortments should translate to a positive shopping experience for customers.
