New Zealand’s retail industry has experienced immense growth in recent years, with average annual growth of 4.3% from 2010 to 2018. This growth has been largely driven by the emergence of retail-based mobile applications, which have revolutionised the way that shoppers interact with retailers. In this article, we will discuss the impact that retail-based mobile applications have had on New Zealand’s retail industry, as well as the opportunities and challenges that this has created for retailers.
Product Customisation
Retail-based mobile applications offer customers the opportunity to customise their shopping experience, from the products that they browse to their payment methods and delivery preferences. By offering customers the ability to curate their own shopping journey, retailers can create a more tailored and personalised shopping experience. This has led to an increase in customer loyalty, as customers are more likely to return to retailers that offer a customisable shopping experience.
In addition, retail-based mobile applications have enabled customers to purchase products directly from a retailer’s website, without the need to visit a store. This has allowed customers to access the same products at a more competitive price, as retailers are not required to pay the overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical store.
Data Collection and Analysis
Retail-based mobile applications have also enabled retailers to collect and analyse customer data, allowing them to gain insights into customer behaviour and preferences. This data can be used to identify trends and adjust the products and services offered to better meet customer needs. For example, retailers can use customer data to identify which products and services are most popular, and tailor their marketing campaigns to promote these items.
Data collected from retail-based mobile applications can also be used to improve the customer experience. For example, retailers can use customer data to provide more personalised product recommendations, or to offer customised discounts and promotions. This helps to create a more engaging and enjoyable shopping experience, driving customer loyalty.
Challenges and Opportunities
While retail-based mobile applications have revolutionised the way that customers shop, they have also presented retailers with some challenges. One of the main challenges is ensuring that customer data is collected, stored and used responsibly. Retailers must comply with data protection laws, and ensure that customer data is only used for the purposes for which it was collected. In addition, retailers must ensure that customer data is securely stored, to protect against data breaches.
As with any new technology, there are also opportunities for retailers to capitalise on. For example, with the widespread adoption of mobile applications, retailers can create unique and engaging experiences for customers. This could include interactive content, such as virtual reality, augmented reality or gamification, that transports customers to unique and immersive shopping worlds. Additionally, retailers can use data collected from mobile applications to conduct more targeted marketing campaigns, improving customer engagement.
In conclusion, retail-based mobile applications have significantly impacted New Zealand’s retail industry, transforming the way that customers interact with retailers. This has created both opportunities and challenges for retailers, but with the right strategies and data security measures in place, retailers can capitalise on the opportunities that these mobile applications present.
- Product Customisation – Retail-based mobile applications allow customers to customise their shopping experience and purchase products directly from a retailer’s website.
- Data Collection and Analysis – Retailers can use customer data collected from mobile applications to identify trends, improve the customer experience, and create more targeted marketing campaigns.
- Challenges – Retailers must ensure that customer data is collected, stored and used responsibly, and comply with data protection laws.
- Opportunities – Retailers can create unique and engaging experiences for customers, and use the data collected from these applications to conduct more targeted marketing campaigns.