Swiss consumers put virtual shop in second place

Many new technologies are making shopping more convenient: online shopping saves us a trip to the shops, self-checkout systems reduce waiting times in shops. Perhaps in future we will be able to do without going shopping altogether because our fridge will automatically place the order for us. But do consumers in Switzerland really want this and what do they think about virtual shop concepts?

The Research Centre for Retail Management at the University of St.Gallen (IRM-HSG) conducted a survey with the innovation service provider Zühlke. For the study, 500 adults from German-speaking Switzerland were asked about their attitudes towards four new contactless shopping methods via an online panel provider in June 2020.

Contactless fits the pandemic

The study presents four new shopping methods that describe how we could shop contactless in the future and tests customer preferences with regard to each of these shopping methods. Contactless shopping minimises social interaction between consumers and service and sales staff. In extreme cases, consumers can shop without any contact with other people - a pragmatic approach in times of the pandemic.

The coronavirus crisis has motivated consumers to rethink their behaviour. A fifth of respondents stated that they have avoided visiting bricks-and-mortar shops since the outbreak of Covid-19. 24% of the Swiss shopped more online. Safety precautions in bricks-and-mortar stores, such as restrictions on the number of people, social distancing rules and the obligation to wear masks, are having a negative impact on the shopping experience.

Consumers still want to shop in bricks-and-mortar stores

In the years before Covid-19, digitalisation had already led to many consumers increasingly shifting their shopping location from bricks-and-mortar shops to their own four walls or smartphones. However, the new study shows that stationary shopping will continue to be of great importance.

Surprisingly, automated shopping systems, such as a smart freezer, are the least popular of the new shopping methods: Only 19% want to be informed when this method is available in their neighbourhood.

Virtual shop in 2nd place

In second place after the self-service shop is the virtual shop. 27% of respondents would like to be informed when it is available. To enter the shop, consumers use VR glasses that transport them from home into a spatial, brick-and-mortar shop environment with an experiential character.

Over a quarter of respondents would therefore be prepared to go shopping with VR. Another option for bricks-and-mortar retailers to offer a great shopping experience is stationary VR and AR experiences, which we have already talked about. reported.

Source: moneycab