We get an idea we need something, we browse, we go into a store, we touch the product, perhaps ask for more information, then we go home because we can’t quite decide. We browse some more, we go back to the store perhaps, make the purchase… or not. Then we’re lying in bed checking the news or Facebook and suddenly get the urge to make that purchase from the first place we looked. The UK’s John Lewis revealed that purchase made between midnight and 6am jumped by 23% in just a year! That’s Connected Retail enabling your store to close sales even when the store is… closed!

Connected Retail makes it easy to switch from real world to virtual and back again, in person or on any device. It means understanding that the customer’s devices are key to the entire experience. It’s important to offer them premium services and/or access to advice, offers, and information, as well as effortless payment that’s secure and protects their personal data.

In store, it’s about making the check-out experience smooth; avoiding queues is vital, but not just by automating tills (though that’s important). It also means enabling store associates to take payment on mobile devices anywhere across the store, from the aisles to the café to the fitting room. The point is to make everywhere a store – whether it’s your personal device, or a physical store, it works.

And when you do automate a check-out, remove the potential friction points that inevitably come with the technology: checking age for restricted goods and ensuring people don’t swap bar codes to defraud you. That’s possible with AI and cameras that understand the difference between a bunch of bananas and a bottle of champagne.

Of course, the fully automated store - where there are no check-outs, and product are tagged and logged by AI enabled cameras - is coming. But not just yet. Also, it’s not appropriate for every kind of retail operation. I believe that the Amazon Go model will work for convenience store – small ones – but not for clothes or electrical goods or… furniture (though you never know!).

Sometimes, it’s good to let the customer go slow. That’s why I stress that speed isn’t the point. Friction isn’t about speeding customers to the tills or the online checkout. It’s about enabling them to take their time whilst giving them the chance to buy what they want easily, without delay or complication. No pain - just gain.

That’s true frictionless shopping. A totally connected retail outlet (real or virtual) that’s seamlessly connected to everything behind the product (stock, range, personalization) and everything in front of it (delivery options, customer support, returns, replacements etc.)

That’s how Connected Retail reduces friction, closes sales, and boosts revenues – even when you’re closed!