In our ever-evolving world, no industry can afford to stagnate. Everything must move with the times and modernize, or risk becoming obsolete. Shopping centres, which house a number of retailers and service delivery options, have also felt the need to modernise.
As a leading supply chain and logistics management consultancy, we are dedicated to ensuring that our clients exceed expectations in all aspects of their operations – be it productivity, efficiency or adapting to market trends or shifts in interest.
One industry that is faring especially well concerning the latter is the shopping centre sector. Keep reading to find out how shopping malls are making sure that they are part of the future.
KEEPING UP WITH TECHNOLOGY
Staying on the cutting edge with technology is an excellent future-proofing mechanism used by the shopping centres that are still thriving. Self-checkouts, touch-screen navigation, fast and free Wi-Fi and interactive displays are all improving consumer experiences.
So, along with offering more in terms of leisure opportunities, many shopping centres are merging the physical with the digital to add other elements to the visitor experience. Most centres now feature interactive maps and digital displays, free mobile charging points and even tablet and mobile-based point-of-sale systems.
Such increases in facilities and technological advancements have helped to future-proof shopping centres that may have initially been built with very different customer experiences in mind – while also, of course, encouraging repeat visits in the here and now.
FOCUSING ON SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE
The contemporary world is continually striving for greater improvements in the sphere of convenience. But while online shopping may have overtaken shopping malls in terms of ease-of-use, many people still appreciate being able to browse through multiple stores in one safe space. Which is, in itself, a form of convenience.
The safety aspect of shopping malls, with their security cameras, guards and other precautionary measures, allows consumers to be at ease. For the most part, mall patrons do not need to fear being mugged or their brand new goods stolen, which increases malls practical usability.
DIVERSIFYING THE EXPERIENCE
Shopping centres have been a fixture of many of Britain’s towns and cities in recent decades. However, the emergence of online shopping was long seen as a threat to physical shopping venues, which led many centres to begin implementing social and leisure opportunities into their buildings.
The prospect of a decline in interest in shopping centres has since been downplayed, but the additions of these social and leisure opportunities gave consumers even more reasons to visit them.
These social and leisure opportunities can include cinema complexes, spa and beauty facilities, food and drink courts, clinics, and childcare centres. Whatever the consumer might need under one roof, so that they remain beyond a short shopping spree.
Of the leading 500 shopping centres in the UK, a fifth have food and beverage hubs, 64 have their own multiplex cinemas and 55 even offer childcare facilities. It means that customers no longer need to leave shopping centres to get something to eat or drink, take advantage of an alternative leisure opportunity, or take care of their young children who may not enjoy walking around such a complex for several hours.
These facilities and several others – ranging from public transport stations and libraries to theme parks – help to enhance the customer experience and mark out many shopping centres as a location for a day out, not merely premises to visit for a shopping experience before immediately leaving.
Looking to future-proof your business?
Bis Henderson Consulting can do much to modernise and future proof your own business’s operations – simply contact us now to learn more about our supply chain and logistics management consultancy expertise.
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