WHAT do the expert crystal ball gazers and consumer insight gurus expect to be the big trends in 2015 and will they have an impact on local shops in Scotland?
Well one of the most quoted likely changes in shopper behaviour could well spell opportunities for c-stores.
As we report in this issue, a substantial proportion of shoppers told research firm Shoppercentric they planned to use click and collect services over the Christmas period.
And in one of its latest information releases the global research giant Mintel says it expects the share of internet sales where consumers choose to collect the goods from a click and collect parcel point to reach 17% in 2015.
That would be around 2.2% of all retail sales through all channels.
“Over a third (35%) of UK consumers have used click-and-collect services in the past year and 64% say that they shop online more now because more retailers offer click-and-collect services,” Mintel’s senior trend consultant Richard Cope said.
“Over half (58%) say that click-and-collect encourages them to visit stores more frequently, while 64% say they are shopping online more because of click-and-collect,” he added.
Enthusiasm for click and collect is one part of increasing consumer interest in, and expectation of, services designed to make shopping easier and more convenient, which Mintel labels ‘Easy Street’.
The researcher also predicts more demand for smart technological shopping apps, a greater propensity to pursue consumer rights and increasing expectation of ethical commerce.
