The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business
Middle East has seen a tremendous rise in smartphone penetration rates and social media usage as the total number of Internet users has recently crossed a 100 million mark. Retailers are exploring ways to get more personal with their customers, through online offerings and social media interactions, to gain loyalty.
A recent research by HubSpot has shown that 95% of millennials expect brands to have a Facebook presence, and 46% of online customers expect brands to provide customer service on social media. It also suggests that retailers providing social assistance have succeeded in retaining customers and building trust.
This trend has been growing in the region as well, consumers in the region are expecting consistent shopping experience, whether they buy online, in-store, or via a mobile app. They are also increasingly using social networks to communicate with the retailers or brands. Over 95% of the Middle East’s online population uses social networking sites daily, and retail brands cannot afford to ignore the demand for a social presence from their consumers.
Another promising area for retailer investment is around the Internet of Things (IoT), which seamlessly connect the physical store and online operations. As per a recent study by Gartner, globally over 21 billion IoT devices will be connected for retail operations by 2020.
Industry experts from retail will be discussing these emerging trends and opportunities at the Smart Stores Expo happening in January.
The event is designed to showcase developments in the retail industry under four broad categories – Smart Store Design, Smart Store Technologies, Smart Store Services and Smart Virtual Stores. Smart Stores Expo 2017, happening on January 23-25, 2017, at ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company) in Abu Dhabi.