The evolution of retail – a digitised future

The retail arena was completely wiped out by the effects of the pandemic, with a reduction of footfall of nearly 50% at its peak. However, the challenge is far from over for retailers, with figures from September 2021 showing that the footfall is still 17.4% down on 2019, even after the lifting of restrictions in July.

It is clear that the retail arena are in desperate need of an evolution that responds to the shopping habits that have permanently transformed in the wake of the pandemic. According to DCSL GuideSmiths research, 39% of Brits have said that they will never be comfortable going back to shops and supermarkets unless permanent measures are put in place. Despite this, the same research shows that 38% of Brits found online shopping methods inefficient and inadequate for their needs, clearly demonstrating that a small portion of the British population still value physical retail experience.

As caution over social distancing and physical touch points looks here to stay, the survival of the physical retail experience is contingent upon the technology that diminishes these concerns. Digital transformation and the creation of app-based services and resources will likely play a key role in staying ahead of the competition while keeping customers safe and happy. This includes the creation of websites, web platforms, and transforming older, legacy systems into modern and up-to-date ones.

Digital transformation is a business-critical issue that relies on skilled talent. However, with the “Great Resignation”, in which there are over a million vacancies, the shortage of programmers and software developers leaves many businesses who are looking to digitally transform are left at the mercy of the competition of the post-pandemic jobs market.

DCSL GuideSmiths (https://www.dcsl.com/) – a business that assists companies with digital transformation – are one of the leading businesses who implement “team augmentation” to market, filling vital vacancies in less than 3 weeks in some of the most sought-after and highly skilled sectors. With traditional recruitment generally costing upwards of £10,000, team augmentation ensures low costs while providing quality and maximum communication between employees and their clients.