Introduction.
In today’s digital age, retailers are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance the in-store shopping experience and boost spending.
As the year draws to a close we look back over 2023 and one such technology that has gained significant attention, Digital Display Systems. RDS uses a range of digital design tools and techniques to create compelling layouts to engage and entice customers, ultimately leading to increased sales. In this article we explore how throughout 2023 our clients have worked in partnership with RDS to transform their bricks-and-mortar stores into immersive and interactive shopping destinations.
The Power of RDS as your Design Partner.
Our clients work closely with our in-house design teams to create an engaging and personalised shopping environment. By using the latest advancements in digital displays, screens, and interactive technologies, our clients captivate customers and influence their purchasing decisions. When we create layouts, detailed design packs and full construction/fit outs packs there are several key benefits:
- Increased customer engagement: RDS creates an immersive shopping experience, capturing customers’ attention and encouraging them to explore products and make purchases.
- Enhanced product visualisation: Through the use of state of the art 3D modelling software and the placement of high-definition digital screens and projectors, our clients can showcase products in a realistic and captivating manner, enabling customers to visualise how they would fit into their lives.
- Personalisation and customisation: RDS enables our clients to tailor their messaging and content to individual customers, creating personalized experiences that resonate with their specific interests and preferences.
- Interactive and informative displays: RDS designs layouts to have interactive displays, providing customers with detailed product information, customer reviews, and recommendations, empowering them to make informed purchase decisions.
- Seamless integration with mobile devices: RDS creates concept designs that allow for seamless integration with customers’ smartphones, allowing them to access additional product information, discounts, and promotions while in-store.
Using Mobile Devices for In-Store Spending, How & Why?
Retailers have recognised the power of mobile devices in influencing in-store spending. Rather than discouraging customers from using their phones, retailers are actively encouraging phone usage to enhance the shopping experience. By providing free Wi-Fi, utilizing QR codes, and leveraging social media, retailers can engage customers and drive increased spending. Research has shown that customers who use their phones in-store end up spending 40% more compared to those who don’t. This can be attributed to the distraction caused by phone usage, which leads customers to revisit previously browsed sections of the store and make additional purchases.
Inspiring Purchase Decisions through Digital Screens.
Digital screens have become an integral part of the retail landscape, enabling retailers to showcase their products in captivating ways. Studies have shown that customers are more inspired to make a purchase when they see a short film or video demonstrating a product’s use, as opposed to static images. Our clients are using this insight by displaying product demonstrations, showcasing recipes, or presenting furniture in a home setting on digital screens. By witnessing products in action, customers are more likely to make multiple purchases to replicate what they see on the screen. This approach adds an extra dimension to the shopping experience, enhancing customers’ desire to own the products being showcased.
Digitising Personal Selling.
Personal selling has long been a powerful tool in retail, with studies demonstrating how it improves sales. However, the increasing resource costs associated with personal selling is making this more challenging by the day. To address this challenge, we are designing digital personal selling through the use of technology into our concept layouts for our clients. A recent study using a large vertical screen to display a recording of a person offering free samples created around an 80% increase in sales. This highlights the potential for taking the concept to the next level, it’s time to start planning in holograms or multi-sensory displays to create a digital scene projected onto the physical world. Such techniques could significantly enhance customers’ connection with products and increase their likelihood of making a purchase.
Creating Immersive Experiences with Mixed Reality.
RDS is embracing mixed reality technology into our concept designs to create immersive shopping experiences that blur the line between the physical and digital worlds. By projecting digital scenes onto real-life physical spaces, our clients can start to engage customers on multiple sensory levels. For instance, projectors fitted to the ceiling over supermarket aisles can create laser-show-style films accompanied by sounds and scents. By simulating the experience of cooking a recipe, customers are enticed to purchase the ingredients on display. Research has shown that such visual stimuli alone can increase sales by over 60%. When combined with sounds and scents, the impact is even greater, creating a truly immersive shopping experience.
The Rise of Experiential Retailing.
All these digital advancements in physical stores contribute to the concept of experiential retailing. The aim is to provide customers with a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond merely browsing products on shelves. RDS’s designers and space planners create concept environments (in 3D & 2D) where customers can see products in action, interact with digital displays, and enjoy a more pleasurable shopping experience. As technology continues to evolve, you can expect to see even more innovative and engaging RDS concepts and layouts in the future.
The Impact of Music on In-Store Spending.
While technology plays a significant role in enhancing the in-store experience, one thing that should not be forgotten is the power of music. Again studies have shown that music can increase a layouts total sales by around 3%, with an even greater impact during the festive season (which I’m sure you can all appreciate right now!). Mood-enhancing music, in particular, can create a positive emotional state in customers, leading to increased spending. By carefully selecting playlists that align with the store’s ambiance and target audience, retailers can create an enjoyable atmosphere that encourages customers to spend more.
Conclusion.
In an increasingly digital world, our clients are using RDS to transform their bricks-and-mortar stores into immersive and interactive shopping destinations. Through the use of digital displays, interactive technologies, and personalised experiences, our clients can engage customers, enhance product visualisation, and drive in-store spending. By embracing technology and creating experiential retail environments, our clients stay ahead of the curve and provide customers with memorable shopping experiences that go beyond traditional transactions.
2024 is only around the corner and as you can guess the technology RDS uses is growing, not just in space planning, layout & concept design but across the board. It starts right at the beginning, how we survey your site with Laser Scanners & Drones.
To explore how RDS can enhance your design or layout and boost in-store spending, get in touch today.
Together, we can create a retail experience that delights customers and drives sales.
Written by Neil Thurston neil@retaildesignsolutions.com many thanks to the RDS Design Team for the countless hours spent pouring their heart & souls into concepts and designs throughout the year (and for putting up with my endless geeky tech talks 😁)