Rethinking the Retail Future
In 2020, there is a big challenge for the retail sector in the western world because of the pandemic – lockdown and the quarantine measures resulting in a huge drop in physical retail. However, e-commerce is booming, especially in China. People are now turning to online platforms for food and grocery shopping. It is a big hit to the physical retail and shopping malls.
Every challenge presents an opportunity. As a designer, we rethink what we should do next for shopping malls and retail to turn this challenge into an opportunity.
People not only shop to buy things, but they also interact with their families and friends. They need some places to go shopping and meet people. A safe and clean, convenience and well-serviced spacious shopping environment is the new definition of shopping.
The act of shopping has changed in 2020 because of the rapid development of the logistics industry. The ‘delivery to your door’ and multi-channel payment methods made shopping immediately accessible from people’s home. Therefore, social shopping has emerged as the new trend.
In China, people are using the social platform to do ‘live streaming’ and mini-programmes to shop. This integration of technology into daily life is transforming lifestyles. People just need to carry a phone and go to the shop, then look for the data and information on their phone. They can try out things or touch and feel the products before actually paying for them. After that, the whole process is just technology – get it scanned to check the sizes and colours by using their phones, complete the order online, then have someone package the purchases and deliver to their homes. It is a seamless shopping experience.
Watch the video to join the discussion with Keith Griffiths and Christine Lam
