Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 433,068 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,165 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 336,141 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,165 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 336,141 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,158 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
During COVID-19, learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 433,068 cutting edge ideas.
FuturistU > Retail > Omnichannel Retail > Module 1 / 5

Intro to Omnichannel

Instructor: Ady Floyd
Omnichannel Retail
Download the Omnichannel Retail Trend Report
In this module, Trend Hunter's Director of Client Success, Ady Floyd, takes an in-depth look at what omnichannel retail truly is and what trends are shaping the way consumers shop. In order to understand the future of retail, forget what you think you know about siloed, multi-channel approaches, and accept that omnichannel – the creation of seamlessly interchangeable platforms across all entities – is the foundation for successful retailers. To uncover the best business models and tactics that resonate with consumers, Ady uses 4 of Trend Hunter's 18 Megatrends to provide invaluable research that will help brands create the future of retail.

In this module, there are 4 key learning focuses that uncover the foundation of omnichannel retail. First, at the core of omnichannel is the Megatrend Hybridization: combining online and offline platforms. Beyond that, brands need to better understand how to prioritize personalization for each customer and create unparalleled experiences. The final piece of the puzzle is entrenched in technological tools and AI functions that can aid necessary strategies, and improve the overall path to purchase.
Related Trend Report: Omnichannel Retail
Get Better and Faster

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Ethical Search
Ethical search engines help consumers streamline conscientious purchases
Trend - As consumers become more conscious of the impact of their purchases, search engines that search for products that are made sustainably, or from brands that align with their personal values, are becoming more popular.
Workshop Question - How could your brand make conscientious shopping easier for its customers?
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Customized Makeup
Cosmetic brands make customized formulas and tools more accessible
Trend - Some brands are making personalization in beauty more accessible with formulas and tools that can be customized to consumers' color or application preferences. These customizable formulas are easy to access and more affordable than personalized beauty typically allows.
Workshop Question - How could your brand add an element of customization into its product/service?
5.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
SMS Support
Text-based customer support services prioritize convenience and quick communication
Trend - Traditional forms of customer support like going in-store or calling in and being put on hold are slowly being pushed aside for more modern, convenient options. Now, SMS-based customer support programs offer quicker service that requires less patience from both parties.
Workshop Question - How could your brand reduce friction in the customer service journey?
4.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Autonomous Hub
Unstaffed retailers are popping up in densely populated areas
Trend - Retail hubs like hotels, offices and malls are increasingly featuring unstaffed stores in order to speed up consumers' shopping times. These stores allow for smart detection and automatic charges for products that consumers purchase.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize convenience within its purchase journey?
7.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Reflective Display
Connected mirrors help retailers personalize the shopping journey
Trend - As brick and mortar stores compete with ecommerce, businesses are taking cues from the virtual world with tech-enhanced shopping experiences. This now includes connected mirrors being displayed in-store that allow customers to personalize their shopping journey.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize customer experience with technology?
8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
IoT Retail
Platforms that monitor, gather data and form insights enhance retail experiences
Trend - IoT platforms are being used to determine the best options for a range of retail processes and issues. These connected solutions help brands do everything from ensuring that COVID-19 safety standards are being met to enhancing digital experiences for customers.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing in-person shopping experiences?
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Experimental Display
Tech-based retail displays offer interaction with specific products
Trend - Interactive tech-based displayed are increasingly common as brands look for unique ways to draw in customers. These interactive displays include everything from miniature smart home setups in-store to educational makeup displays.
Workshop Question - What creative retail display solutions is your brand prioritizing?
7.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
In-Store Refill
In-store refill stations for personal care brands are becoming more popular
Trend - With more personal care businesses marketing their brands' "refillable product" business models, some brands are making the process of refilling products much easier with in-store refill stations that cut out the need to mail back empty packaging before receiving refills.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing sustainability?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Virtual Changing
Virtual fitting rooms are growing in popularity amidst the pandemic
Trend - Virtual fitting rooms are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to in-person fitting rooms, particularly as the ongoing pandemic has put restrictions on in-person shopping. Now, consumers are able to see how clothing may look on them without having to worry about hygiene or being inconvenienced.
Workshop Question - What long-term pandemic-related changes could your brand better adapt to?
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Virtual Lab
Virtual innovation labs let consumers test and design products remotely
Trend - Pre-pandemic, brands in a range of industries experimented with innovation labs where they could display and test their most innovative products and ideas with consumers. Now, they're doing the same but virtually--as retailers remain restricted with how they curate in-store experiences.
Workshop Question - How could your brand create distinct virtual experiences for customers?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends