Retail in a Covid world

Challenging times bring about long term innovation in retail display

As we move into phase two living with Covid-19, physical stores are transforming so that they can provide unique, brand centric environments to facilitate engagement with customers.

Leading exhibition and events company, DisplayWise, know how important face-to-face interaction is for consumer brands. Creating memorable experiences is key to building personal connections, whether at an event, in an outdoor environment, through a sponsorship activation or within a shopping centre, clients constantly seek new and unconventional ways to promote their brands.

How can we merge brand, hygiene and retail displays to create the most engaging retail experience. Story written by Lisa Cachia, Group Marketing Director, DisplayWise.

Even prior to the challenges that 2020 has imposed, the retail sector has faced significant disruptions, with new e-commerce channels emerging rapidly and shifts in the way that consumers purchased, where they sourced products and their decision-making processes.

Enter COVID-19 and physical retailers have taken an unprecedented hit. There have been exceptions, sectors that have prospered, especially those addressing the needs of consumers whilst they have been at home – think sporting goods, technology, hardware, homewares and grocery as key examples. Across all sectors though, the inevitable shift to online purchasing has been escalated dramatically, and what should have taken years to achieve has happened in a matter of months.

Despite the dramatic shift to eCommerce, there is an expectation that as restrictions ease consumers will return to shopping centre environments. Shopping centres and retailers now need to entice customers away from online channels by creating unique shopping experiences. Stores will need to compete more, offer more, and engage with their customers more than ever before.

There may also be shifts in purchasing behaviour and brand loyalty, as consumers may be more likely to switch and try new brands, choose sustainable products or support Australian made. Brands will have an opportunity to reach new customers and introduce new products.

Physical stores will continue to provide the unique environment for brands to facilitate engagement with customers, to promote their products, encourage sampling and introduce new ranges or collections. The desire to ‘browse’ still strongly exists, and it is up to stores to provide exceptional retail experiences.

As many retailers hold back on spending during these challenging times, those that can invest, upgrade their retail spaces, create impactful point of sale or run experiential activations, will achieve stronger cut through and attract new customers.

As this need for retailers to make shopping environments more impactful is heightened, DisplayWise can assist brands in refreshing their retail space. With twenty years’ experience, DisplayWise has the skills to help you design a retail space that will stand out. From pop-up-stores to experiential displays, premium point of sale to store-in-store fit outs, we can work with you to create an engaging space or a perfect activation.

To view DisplayWise work and find out more visit www.displaywise.com.au