Mobile tech could present lifeline for struggling bricks and mortar stores: study

Mobile technology such as artificial intelligence, face-recognition and hyper-personalisation could give struggling traditional retailers an opportunity to turn the corner, new research reveals.

Data could be the major sales driver for stores as a new survey by retail shopping app Ubamarket found that over half of Britons (52%) don’t mind retailers using their consumer data if it means there are money saving opportunities attached to it.

This figure increases to 60 percent for millennials.

Almost a quarter of the population (24%) said UK food retail is one of the only sectors that they don’t mind receiving personalised offers from.

This suggests that a considerable number of people would be likely to shop in-store if they were well-informed of discounts, for example, through an app or alerts, the study noted.

A unique blend of deals and data could be the answer to the retail industry’s woes, it added.

“Our research clearly shows that a huge portion of consumers see personalised shopping and easy access to offers and loyalty benefits as key elements of their shopping experience,” said Will Broome, chief executive of Ubamarket.

“Incorporating technology, such as in-app payments and personalised offers, can make the high street offering as convenient as possible and encourage more footfall into stores.”