FINAL WORD
Five tips for retailers navigating the new normal
The pandemic has changed the way that people shop – both online and in store . Mark Steel , Director of Retail EMEA , Google Cloud , explains how retailers can keep up with the changes and what they can do to thrive in the new normal .
The global pandemic has pushed businesses to transform
their daily operational functions , especially within the retail space . From rapid adoption of safety protocols in grocery stores to innovative new ecommerce experiences , retailers have stepped up during these unprecedented times . Although the circumstances are clearly quite challenging , the response from retailers has been nothing short of exceptional . One question , however , is at the forefront of many minds in retail : what will the new normal for retail look like ?
While no one can predict the future , the current circumstances present a genuine opportunity for rapid innovation and developing new solutions . Retailers need to accelerate their Digital Transformation efforts while also maintaining reliable customer experiences , especially as expectations continue to grow . So , what will this involve ?
Here are five things retailers can do to not only navigate the now but prepare for a future that includes new technologies , data analytics and flexible collaborations .
1 . Improve your IT infrastructure for better online experiences The crisis has caused many retailers to compress multi-year technology improvement programmes into months – or even weeks . Legacy technology infrastructure has become a significant barrier during this period . The need for retailers to transform their ecommerce operations , especially , has never been more pressing .
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