New trends in the consumer electronics sector
The consumer electronics sector is one of the fastest growing areas of the market today, following the pandemic-driven home entertainment boom and the increasing digital transformation of society.
To better understand all the changes let’s look at some of the key trends for the consumer electronics industry in 2022.
Omnichannel experience
Today’s consumer expects to enjoy more convenient, faster and easier shopping journeys and the key to achieving this lies in offering them an omnichannel customer experience.
When we talk about omnichannel retailing, we mean the integration of all sales channels, customer service and marketing campaigns, in order to provide a convenient path to purchase from any point where consumers start their journey.
One example is Sharaf DG, a retail electronics company that has adopted Openbravo to accelerate its digital transformation.
Ramalingam Thyagarajan, Senior IT Manager at Sharaf DG, says in a recent interview that in recent times consumer electronics products have become a necessity in our daily lives and the only way to differentiate from competitors is through customer experience.
Sharaf DG is committed to improving the after-sales experience and the coverage and warranties offered to its customers to increase their peace of mind at the time of purchase.
Click & Collect model
The Click & Collect model, also known as “buy online, pick up in store” (BOPIS), is another significant trend for the technology industry in 2022.
Statistics indicate that before the pandemic, 78% of consumers used BOPIS and ROPIS (Reserve Online, Pickup In-Store) frequently. However, as a post-pandemic result, 30% of online shoppers now prefer to use BOPIS rather than standard delivery.
Retailers have therefore decided to respond in kind with flexible omnichannel fulfillment options that meet customer expectations, while also increasing conversions and reducing cart abandonment.
ROPO model
Another growingt trend in the consumer electronics sector, is for consumers to research online and then buy offline — the so-called ROPO model.
Consumers use the website, social media and other sources of information that allow them to research products, such as ratings or reviews from other customers, to feel confident in their purchase, but ultimately make the purchase in the store.
When it comes to buying electronic products, the opinion of a professional always helps and is welcomed by consumers who, after detailed online research, prefer to finish the purchase in the store after the advice or confirmation of their decision by an expert.
Clienteling
Clienteling is another trend that has helped retailers build better relationships with their customers. This trend provides companies with the tools to track their customers’ purchases. With this data, store staff can easily identify loyal customers and know their preferences to better their shopping behavior patterns.
Expanded shipping options
A popular consumer trend for the electronics industry is the demand for ultra-fast delivery and free shipping.
Many brands and retailers have introduced free shipping over a certain amount of spend or the creation of loyalty programs with shipping incentives for their most loyal customers.
The development of new technologies will continue to shape the electronics industry, especially in consumer demand. Brands that stay nimble and in tune with these new trends will be the ones that manage to stay on top of what’s new and ahead of the competition.
