Michael Jaszczyk | Source | CEO and CDXO (Chief Digital Transformation Officer), GK Software SE at GK Ame...

While electric cars and charging stations still feel like relatively new concepts, retail can play a critical role as they become more mainstream. Electric vehicle charging stations are a great way to attract new customers, retain your current ones and generate more revenue. Offering experiential shopping to entertain and service consumers during that time will be key, whether it’s by food service options, expanding click-and-collect, or personalized in-store service.

For retailers, the deployment of cashierless technology itself is not the biggest challenge anymore. The real challenge is making the decision on how exactly to deploy the technology. As an example, if a retailer uses a concept like an off-site container, they need to think about replenishment of that location and how much staff needs to be present to help out customers if there are questions. If they decide to deploy it in an existing store, they must evaluate if it should be the full store or if they should just reserve an area that carries convenience items. These decisions are dependent on the type of retailer and what retail segment they are active in.

Consumers are no longer stopping at a convenience store just for fuel. They’re also looking for on-the-go food services, a quick substitute to a grocery store or easy road trip treats. This means that retailers have an opportunity to think beyond the forecourt and take advantage of consumer demand for these food offerings. Many stores have evolved to offer upscale facilities and modern customer experiences that cater to these services.

To enhance the shopping experience, convenience store retailers can implement technology that provides fast and frictionless service, personalized promotions and flexible checkout options that increase loyalty. For example, a mobile POS makes it easy for consumers to pay for what they need easily. While consumers use their mobile devices to order and pay for items, retailers can offer personalized promotions and recommendations based on previous order history. As well, cashierless checkout enables customers to quickly grab items and walk out of the door. With these tools, retailers have a chance to define the shopping experience that increases basket size and keeps customers coming back.