Online sales have skyrocketed in recent years. Just last year 60 per cent of Canadians conducted both their product research and product purchases online (AskingCanadians 2012). Online shopping is simple and convenient. If executed properly, online brands can provide customers with personalized offers and product recommendations, customized deals and give customers a shopping experience that’s tailored to their needs and wants.

MeAlityWith the popularity of online shopping on the rise, traditional brick and mortar stores need to find ways to keep customers coming to their stores or risk closing them down completely. To do this, retailers need to create a different shopping experience in the store that buyers can’t receive online.

So what are retailers doing to provide unique in-store experiences?

Through the help of technology, retailers have started to reinvent the shopping experience. 3D scanners and walls, gesture interaction, augmented reality and mobile devices are making the shopping experience more engaging and interactive for the customer—putting the customer in control of the shopping experience.

[Photo: Me-Ality]