How we will shop in the Future?

An article that was published in the guardian in 2007 stated that brands are losing their power and so as big retailers, the individual manufacturer turns directly to the shopper through the internet in a fast and easy way. Small high street retailers are doomed and the big ones will run just show rooms where people brows but do the buying through the internet.  Advertising is going local from mouth to mouth through social network websites.

According to the Guardian about the future of shopping, from a Social point of view, shoppers will become more Individualistic where technology will have a major weight.

I will bring here few examples of how technology will influence the future shopping.

Online shopping

Online shopping allows people to reach brands that are not exciting in their countries; it allows shop without moving or looking too hard for special pieces. The online shopping was here for a long time now, but it's evolving into more sophisticated level being integrated into smartphones applications, interactive websites, fashion apps and interactive fashion communities. People are changing the way they spend money and the way they think.



social commerce

A new breed of online retailers launched in London is LN-CC which offers designers and limited editions pieces without having the store frame.

Another interesting Launch is CK ONE renovation of the label by an online store.

E- Commerce is going mobile!

Bespeak  is a mobile app that offers free stylist for men its a personalized styling technology that allows you to access and get on-the-spot feedback for prospective new purchases or alternative outfit co-ordinations. It focuses in colors, patterns, and shapes that uniquely coordinate with each person’s profile frame, and thus elevate, the user’s expression of taste.

Shopping based app called Shopkick gives users points (called kickbucks) when they walk into participating stores pick up merchandise and by scanning the barcodes with their smartphone cameras make purchases. Kickbucks can then be redeemed for rewards like gift cards and merchandise.



ForeverSpree is an online store for international brands based in Singapore that the members of this website joins together to split the shipping costs – the phenomena called "spreeing.

 Shopping online - Virtual fitting rooms

Avatar technology was introduced In 2001 project called "FashionMe" were presented during the Portugal Fashion Show. In cooperation with the garment producer and project partner Maconde, using to create personal digital reproductions of visitors by means of a scanner booth. Visitors could test the possibility to virtually try on various garments in virtual fitting rooms with their avatars by using Internet terminals. The technology yet has been developed for the mass.

Interactive mirrors

Clever technology invented by Cisco allows you to try outfits standing in front of an interactive mirror. The mirror built as a touch screen enables you to do everything from trying out new clothes and hairstyle. When you stand in front of it you can see your own reflection projected together with the content in the same time allowing you to interact with the content by touching the screen.

The best part is that you can upload the images by a build in camera in the mirror to a website that your friends can log in and see how you look commenting on your outfits on real time. The comments appear on the mirror while you are standing there and even suggest other outfits.       

Interactive mirrors are about taking the experience of shopping in person and turning it into a virtual experience. Young shoppers, particularly those in their teens and twenties are greatly influenced by the opinions of their mates.

Interactive mirrors translate the concept of shopping with your buddies into the realm of social networking sites like MySpace, Friendster, Twitter and Facebook. Of course, this in itself is nothing new. What’s cool about Interactive Mirrors is that they offer a bridge between online shoppers and the physical high-street store.

Today these mirrors can be found in Bloomingdales in New York and Diesel Tokyo.

THE CLIP THAT SAYS IT ALL

Personal note - As an old skool person regarding shopping, online shopping takes away my joy of touching the fabrics and smelling the taste of it. i find it harder to search online then walk to search for what i want as searching by foot makes the buying experience for me much more valuable.

But as i consider myself a progressive person i do think that online should exist there should the right balance between all available choices as now.