DECEMBER 2023retailtechinsights.com 19are a nice start), whether the product is ethically produced, if the image files and on-page SEO are optimized (accessible, discoverable, descriptive and quick to load), or if the quality and value of the item are appropriately communicated across every other facet of the product detail page, website, and brand story, to attract and satisfy today's conscious consumer.By that same token, you can have the most intricate, eye-catching, in-store endcap, but if your presence only physically exists within a low-traffic retailer, with no opportunity for online exposure or sales via an eCommerce or social media storefront, your sales can only go (and grow) so far.3. What are some of the technological trends which excite you for the future of the Merchandising space?The blurring of our realities (physical and digital) is what intrigues and excites me the most. Living through the boom and bloom of the digital age and appreciating the efficiencies and accessibility afforded by allowing digital tools and systems to become an integral part of your daily work and life, I cannot wait to see what is in store.AR and 3D modeling is a big one I have been passionate about as I have played around with AR experiences during some of my larger Media Buying stints. Bringing a paper flyer to life with an elevated experience, the inclusion of QR codes in-store for customers to explore more about the products or services featured (and even more recently, billboard and video ads), and the ability to carve out your ideal space, will continue to find footing with consumers. As eCommerce struggles with some of the highest return rates, having the opportunity to try before you buy can have a longstanding impact on a business. This doesn't just apply to saving on return shipping but also to creating a better experience and opportunity for connection with consumers. Although the home goods, apparel, shoes, accessories, and beauty sectors have been leaning more into this as of late (using both in-house activations as well as social capabilities offered by vendors such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok), I think this would lend well to recreational products. Some retailers have been facilitating 3D modeling of a space to design the perfect living area configuration or closet, but would it not be nice to truly understand the magnitude of an "8-Person Tent" and know exactly how many air mattresses or camping cots will comfortably fit in it? And without trying out your bike, would you not like to have a visual understanding of if you need to get the "Large" size frame?There was a time when I worked the retail floor as a customer service associate, where key responsibilities included putting up and pulling down sale stickers and signage. The endless papercuts I endured, the number of stickers disposed of weekly, and the inconsistencies discovered each time felt both wasteful and dreadful on many levels. As digital signage and tags are introduced and more commonplace, I hope that the companies providing these merchandising products, technologies, and services can recognize and adapt their costing structures to allow smaller-scale businesses to take advantage.Again, this all circles back to aiming for a more sustainable future. If we can effectively merchandise products and promotions, we can reduce the paper waste created by traditional stickers and signage. If we can minimize product returns in any way, we can save that additional trip back to the warehouse and further reduce waste and emissions. We can create a more engaging, effective, and attractive environment, both online and off. Being proactive rather than reactive is critical, but getting the buy-in required to achieve alignment can be disconcerting
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