Our blog, which is a digest of news and analysis of trends in retail, leans on the contribution of international experts and influencers who decipher new technologies and solutions to support professionals in their comprehension and vision in 360° retail.

[By Dayana Cadet] Chatbots, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and mobile apps. If you’ve noticed an upswing in headlines regarding these terms, you’re not alone. I’ve noticed it too, and all of these digital trends seem to be pointing towards one simple fact: for consumers, the act of shopping has become a game.

[By Bridget Brennan] That’s the question I hear most often from traditional retailers. As a frequent speaker on the subject of marketing and selling to women, the subject comes up in most of the conferences I attend. And while there are many strategies in play, I often see retailers overlooking their most obvious opportunity: to make their stores such a great experience to visit that people will want to spend time their time and money in them.

[By Sophie Klöcker] Long known as a city of elegant fashion, Düsseldorf has since discovered its hip, gritty side. Take the time to look around downtown and savour the unique blend of the exclusive flair of the “Kö” – insider-speak for the high-fashion boulevard Königsallee – and the new trend-district Flingern. The Retail Academy has put together a list of Düsseldorf’s most exciting stores.

[By Katelijn Quartier]  Also in retail, the adoption of technology will happen in a similar way: look at the millennials to see how technology can have an added value. It is either fun, like Mediamarkt applies technology in its new store concept, or functional, like the AmazonGo store. I believe stores will have that very same choice in how they can evolve in the next decade.

According to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report, around the year 2023 there will be nearly 30 billion connected terminals, including a minority of smartphones. Although brands already know how to address consumers via touch screens, they must now reflect on “voice-centric” communication.