Alison Wiltshire’s Post

The way we're shopping online is changing... According to the latest report on 2024 shopping trends, the "new-normal" customer is characterised by their demand for convenience and speed, with a striking 63% of consumers eager to complete their purchases as quickly as possible. 🛒 A significant trend arising from this shift is "compressed commerce." Despite the growing emphasis on omnichannel experiences, many customers prefer to finalise their purchases through a single channel or device, aiming to streamline their shopping journey. At InAcademia, we recognise the modern shopper's need for speed. Our student verification platform is designed to deliver the same level of ease, security, and efficiency that today’s consumers expect. Curious about the trends shaping consumer behavior in 2024? Download VML's full guide now! 👇 https://lnkd.in/e8GK-MYT #EcommerceTrends #InAcademia #StudentVerification #TechInnovation #ShoppingTrends #EcommerceReport

Have you heard that IKEA launched new shopping experience with an AI assistant? Another mark in AI future of search and personalization. I think this will democratize the process of designing and furnishing houses. Its exciting to see how Ikea will be able to become one stop shop for designing and furnishing your home. Just add painting and assembling services to a next day delivery and you have the full customer journey covered by one retailer. To me that sounds like true future of #ecommerce and #omnichannel #retail . What do you think?

Online shopping is booming in South Africa if the surge in delivery bikes on the road is anything to go by. Apps are the preferred channel for regular purchases, while social media is becoming a key channel for finding inspiration, especially among younger shoppers. 🛵🛒📱 A brand needs to be Meaningful, Different and Salient to stand out and grow. Mark Molenaar, CCXP discusses how a brand’s strength and appeal is now overwhelmingly linked to the customer experience in an omnichannel environment. Creating a frictionless experience is no longer enough to differentiate a brand. Read the full story in Ecommerce.co.za https://ow.ly/arhW50Qx4Fp #CX #CustomerExperience #BrandGrowth #MeaningfullyDifferent #Experiences

Gerasimos Marakis, Managing Director of Contract Logistics Service Line in Orphee Beinoglou SA Streem Cluster, emphasizes the crucial need for crafting the ideal omnichannel customer experience considering the e-commerce penetration rate's dramatic rise over the last two years. This metric, reflecting the share of the population engaging in at least one online purchase, has escalated from 40% to about 75%, showcasing a marked surge in consumer adoption of online shopping. #BalkanECommerceSummit #ConnectingBalkans #GPA #OrpheeBeinoglouSA

As more retailers establish online storefronts to cater to shoppers seeking convenience, the majority of South Africans still prefer shopping at physical stores. Retailers aim to blend online convenience with the trusted in-store experience, leading to the rise of omnichannel payments. Despite this, shoppers often face inconsistent experiences across different payment touchpoints. Quintin Van der linde and Don Lange from Ecentric shared their insights with Retail Brief Africa on why a shift to omnichannel payments in retail is crucial for driving efficiencies and enhancing customer experience (CX) for the future. Read their article here: https://lnkd.in/drhusKby #Retail #OmnichannelPayments #CX #Ecentric

Gerasimos Marakis, Managing Director of Contract Logistics Service Line in Orphee Beinoglou SA Streem Cluster, emphasizes the crucial need for crafting the ideal omnichannel customer experience considering the e-commerce penetration rate's dramatic rise over the last two years. This metric, reflecting the share of the population engaging in at least one online purchase, has escalated from 40% to about 75%, showcasing a marked surge in consumer adoption of online shopping. #BalkanECommerceSummit #ConnectingBalkans #GenerationY #GY #OrpheeBeinoglouSA

The power of omnichannel retail in rail🙌🏼 One of the things that makes SilverRail’s platform so powerful is the fact that it allows travellers to buy rail tickets across multiple channels, such as web, mobile, smart kiosks and even on the high street. Moreover, our solution helps train operating companies deliver a consistent experience to all customers, wherever they buy their tickets.  Find out more in the video below. #omnichannelretail #rail #railtech #railtechnology

Friday CX Insight 💡 With customers expecting seamless, personalized interactions across an ever-growing number of touchpoints, delivering a consistent and engaging experience has become increasingly complex. Ledi Lapaj, Director of Customer Experience Bank al Etihad, shared how omnichannel has been her biggest challenge as a CX leader. To know more about her thoughts on CX in banking sector, check out the full episode here:- https://lnkd.in/d5EnkufH #cxlesson #cxinsights #cx #customerexperience #cxanalytics #omnichannel

The future of retail lies in creating seamless and integrated shopping experiences that blend digital and physical platforms. To stay competitive, retailers need to adopt an omnichannel approach that ensures customers can easily transition between online and offline shopping. This includes implementing technologies like mobile apps, augmented reality, and AI-driven personalized recommendations to enhance the digital experience, while also reimagining physical stores with interactive and immersive elements that draw customers in. Data analytics plays a crucial role in understanding customer behavior and preferences, allowing retailers to offer tailored promotions and services that meet individual needs. Investing in efficient logistics and inventory management systems can also ensure that customers receive a consistent and reliable experience, whether they're shopping online or in-store. By focusing on these strategies, retailers can create a cohesive and engaging shopping journey that drives customer loyalty and satisfaction. #FutureOfRetail #Omnichannel #CustomerExperience #RetailInnovation #SeamlessShopping #DigitalTransformation  

The power of omnichannel retail in rail🙌🏼 One of the things that makes SilverRail’s platform so powerful is the fact that it allows travellers to buy rail tickets across multiple channels, such as web, mobile, smart kiosks and even on the high street. Moreover, our solution helps train operating companies deliver a consistent experience to all customers, wherever they buy their tickets.  Find out more in the video below. #railtech #railway #railtechnology #sustainabletravel #traintravel #omnichannel #omnichannelretail