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Do you know the difference between science fiction and fantasy? In science fiction, there are usually scientific facts and established doctrines that are skillfully combined with fantasies and assumptions. Fantasy is just a fairy tale, with nothing scientific at all. Let’s try to imagine what e-commerce will be like in the near and distant future, playing the role of science fiction writers together with Branderstudio. At the same time, we will try to operate with proven facts and not stoop to the level of a children’s fairy tale in the style of fantasy.
Virtual Fitting Room
This technology has already begun to be successfully implemented, and it has a great future ahead. Its essence is that clothes and various accessories (for example, headphones or jewellery) can now be tried on using virtual reality glasses, without leaving home. The day is not far off when we will forget about fitting rooms and mirrors in physical stores.
Why is this necessary? Everything is done for the convenience of customers. In the pursuit of customer attention and expanding the target audience, large corporations are already willing to invest huge resources in the development of advanced technologies. Over time, this trend will be picked up by medium-sized businesses.
Robot Assistant
Have you ever been in situations where you need advice in a store, but the consultant is very busy because he has many customers? The problem is that he is a living person made of flesh and blood, whose thinking speed and speech speed are limited, and he also has a tendency to get tired of his work.
And now let’s play a little Isaac Asimov and imagine that a robot replaces the living consultant. It thinks and analyses information faster, responds to customers more quickly, and in the end, everyone is satisfied. It can even accompany the customer to the fitting room and evaluate how well the underwear fits on them. After all, no one will be embarrassed by a robot, right? The first step in this direction has already been taken — live consultants in online stores are increasingly being replaced by AI. Now it’s the turn of physical stores.
Delivery of the Future
You are very hungry, you ordered pizza and are waiting for the delivery guy on a motorcycle who should deliver it to you. He is late, apologizes, says that today there is heavy traffic, and it was difficult for him to navigate around the traffic jams on the roads. You sigh disappointedly, take the cooled pizza, pay the courier, and let him go in peace.
Today, we already have cars with autopilot, and it can deliver you from point A to point B on its own. Do you understand that sooner or later such robotic cars will be used for home delivery? At first, these will be cars, but then they will be replaced by flying vehicles that are faster and more mobile.
Sunset of the Physical Stores Era
Already now, Branderstudio witnessing a picture of how large supermarkets and shopping centres are gradually “suffocating” small retail stores. But this is only the beginning because the trend will continue. Over time, all these supermarkets will completely make transition to e-commerce, while small entrepreneurs are unlikely to be able to afford it.
Yes, it will be large shopping centres that will introduce robots, virtual reality, and flying cars for pizza delivery. It is difficult to say how correct and healthy this trend is for society. On the one hand, it will be very convenient for customers, and they will receive full service without leaving home. On the other hand, they will become lazy and may even degrade physically, forget about sports and a healthy lifestyle. Well, let’s live and see.
