Author:Q&A Insights & Consultancy

In this monthly update we would like to inspire you by sharing some innovative concepts which are adapting to the retailtrends: Omni Integration, Extreme Convenience, Extreme Experience and Sustainable Practices. Which breaking brands will inspire you? This month, the trend Extreme Convenience will have our attention with trends from Bingobox, IKEA Diseña and Starship Technologies.

EXTREME CONVENIENCE: SEAMLESS RETAIL, TECHNOLOGY FRICTION, ELIMINATES PAIN POINTS, ON-DEMAND

The modern consumer is busy and the era of seamless and frictionless retail has arrived. Friction in the customer journey results in not-buying customers, which retailers want to remove by implementing technology, subscriptions, deliveries and pick-ups and to streamline the daily work activities.

#1 Bingobox – China | TECHNOLOGY FRICTION, CONVENIENCE, CONSUMER DATA

Bingobox changes the way in which a small, convenient store is being regulated by creating an unstaffed store. Two years ago, Bingobox was the first store in China which opened without any employees. A lot of new technologies like QR-codes, RFID chips, surveillance cameras and automated payments are being used in the different stores. By monitoring these various systems, Bingobox is able to determinate which products are preferred by the customers. If the store adapts to these consumer insights, it can optimize its sales. The concept of Bingobox has benefited the company, allowing it to set up stores in areas with low foot traffic and take a shorter amount of time to break even for new stores. Bingobox contributes to an innovative shopping experience, because it responds to new technology like big data and artificial intelligence and adds this to a regular store. Besides that, these technological developments adapt to the minimalization of theft and promote personal, customized offers based on consumer behaviour. Due to the small sizing, the Bingoboxes can be relocated easily, due to its relatively small footprint.

#2 IKEA Diseña – Spain | CLICK&COLLECT, SEAMLESS RETAIL, INTERACTION

IKEA Diseña is used as an alternative concept for less densely populated areas so that approximately 80% of the Spanish population will be at an IKEA store within a one-hour drive. The concept focuses on giving assistance and helping by home decorating. IKEA Diseña is a tiny store in which the employees are ready to help the customers design and decorate every room they want. Customers are able to set up a meeting if they prefer. An IKEA Diseña has no stock room, but customers can purchase their desired products and services online. The small design centre then makes sure the products are being delivered at home. Each IKEA Diseña differs - some shops have displays with inspirational products and other just have a few desks with computers and a sample wall to inspire customers. The Swedish furniture retailer is innovative because with this concept it creates a design centre in which the design process is the main occupation and purchasing products can be done easily with an efficient click-and-collect system. Besides, the business is customer-centric because of the human interaction, convenience and the expertise of professionals which means that customers do not need to search through a shop. At last, also the accessibility of IKEA will grow due to more visibility in the less densely populated areas, which is a low-key manner for customers to visit an IKEA store.

#3 Starship Technologies – Canada/USA | TECHNOLOGY FRICTION, CONVENIENCE, SUSTAINABLE

Starship Technologies changes the whole delivery business by adding self-driving robots to the delivery-journey. The autonomous robots are designed to deliver food, groceries, and packages locally. The robot can travel anywhere a pedestrian can walk, but mainly on sidewalks, including curbs. Due to a collaboration with shops and restaurants and the usage of mobile technology, the robot maintains to a faster, smarter and cost-efficient way of delivery. All groceries, parcels and other deliveries can be delivered right from the store itself, at a preferred time. The customers can fully check, monitor and track the robot on their phone and eventually also unlock the robot with the app. Then the robot continues his way to the next delivery destination, which is always within a four-mile radius. Starship Technologies adapts to a cost-efficient way of delivery for retailers by integrating their autonomous robot. In this manner, the delivery service is also innovative because of the sustainable benefits - the green way of providing goods and the reduction of traffic congestion and pollution are playing a crucial role.