There is no doubt that mobile technology has completely revolutionised the retail industry. The evolution of smartphones and tablets in recent years means that it is easier to access online services than ever before, no matter where the user may be at the time, just look at the new Apple Watch recently released. Online shopping was originally seen as a deadly threat to the survival of traditional high street stores, offering consumers a more relaxed browsing experience and, in most cases, cheaper prices. However, the adoption of new technology by multi-site retailers has seen the high street fight back, with bricks-and-mortar stores now providing a similar experience to that which can be enjoyed online. Showrooming makes way for Webrooming.

Just as credit and debit cards overtook cash as preferred methods of payment in retail stores, mobile payment is set to be the next big thing, changing the landscape once again. Indeed, the mobile payment market is growing rapidly, with retailers eager to take advantage of enhanced consumer data in order to increase customer loyalty. Although the full potential of mobile payment apps has yet to be realised, many multi-site retailers are already reaping the rewards.

1. Offer Exclusive Vouchers and Money-Off Deals

There is no better way of encouraging consumers to embrace new initiatives than by offering discounts for doing so. As many of the current mobile payment apps are exclusive to particular chains, consumers are much more likely to return.

2. Enhance the In-Store Experience by Reducing Queues

Mobile payments have the potential to drastically cut queues at checkouts, as the amount of time spent handling cash and processing card transactions is reduced, enhancing the consumer experience in the process. There could potentially come a time when checkouts are not needed at all.

3. Shop and Scan

The next evolution in mobile retail technology is likely to be ‘shop and scan’, whereby customers scan the items they wish to purchase into their smartphone as they proceed around the store, subsequently paying for their purchases using a payment app.

4. Enhance the Self-Service Experience

Many retailers already have self-service kiosks within their stores, but few currently utilise mobile payments. Adding mobile payment functionality gives the consumers an extra option and enhances their self-service experience.

5. Deliver Tailored Messages

Some retailers are taking advantage of the detailed consumer data available to them from smartphone payment apps by delivering personalized messages and offers to customers as they walk into the store, increasing brand awareness and enhancing customer loyalty in the process.

Adopting a new mobile-payment scheme across a retail estate can initially be a costly venture and requires a complete overhaul of the current retail payment process requiring new fixtures to be installed. However, multi-site retailers who have access to advanced estate intelligence are much better placed to implement mobile payment technology throughout their stores and keep installation costs to a minimum.

As the retail industry continues to evolve, retailers need to keep pace with ever-advancing technology or face being left behind. The smooth integration of mobile payment apps with advanced estate intelligence software is just another step into the future for the retail industry.