December 15, 2020
Retail news and trends to watch out for
- Natura’s in-store digital tools. Brazil-based Natura has opened a new concept store in Sao Paulo offering a host of digital services. They include the perfum.Ar tool that helps shoppers find fragrances, virtual reality glasses to virtually travel to a community in the Amazon, a make-up studio with a virtual mirror, as well as diagnostic devices to measure the skin’s hydration levels and hair health. Also at the store is a collection point to return used packaging. For every five empty packages returned from the Natura & Co group brands (Avon, Natura, The Body Shop and Aesop), customers will receive a new Natura product.
- Digital displays. Digital displays are becoming more powerful. France-based retail specialist Deepidoo markets displays that allow stores to collect data on consumers’ shopping habits, including information on the ratio of articles first purchased online and then re-purchased in-store. It also offers a Reactivity Kit installment that enables a retailer to change displays daily or weekly according to promotions, or in response to what its competitors are pushing. Beauty chain Nocibé has installed the company’s digital displays at 132 stores in France. Deepidoo says it has a multisensorial approach to retail displays that help engage customers in light of COVID-19 in-store restrictions. Other offers include audio with personalized playlists according to store ambiance, visual animation thanks to a partnership with Samsung and olfactory installments with ambient scent diffusion.
- Safe sampling. France-based Paperscent has launched a new device that claims to ensure safe and contactless testing for make-up and skincare products in-store. The automatic, touchless device dispenses product when a user holds their hand underneath the device. The technology can be used for creams, oils, foundations, serums and perfumes, among other products. Paperscent says the technology is an alternative to sampling techniques that typically require putting fingers in a product, which has been made impossible by pandemic-related restrictions. It is also said to be eco-friendly and cost-effective since it reduces the need for single-use product samples.
- Convenience & price over health & safety. More than 80% of shoppers in the US said they would shop more online this year compared to last year, according to a survey by consulting firm FTI Consulting. However, only 12% said the shift to online was due to health or safety issues related to COVID-19. Convenience, the best prices and free shipping were far more prevalent in reasons cited for shopping on the web. FTI Consulting said this highlights that the surge in online shopping triggered by COVID-19 will remain once the pandemic passes. Additionally, customers sticking to e-commerce this year said that they strongly prefer to shop at online-only sites or general merchandisers like walmart.com or target.com, with nearly 33% indicating they spend there. Department stores and specialty chains are an after-thought when it comes to online shopping, notes FTI. The survey also found that shoppers in the US plan to spend about 4% less this year during the holiday season.