Journey On

Oh my, how the world of retail has changed. Yes, I’ve been around the retail world for quite some time and of course I don’t want to date myself, but the changes from past retail until now retail is almost unrecognizable.

The landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation from the 1990s. What was once a world of bustling mall stores, paper coupons, and in person shopping trips has evolved into a highly tech, mobile driven industry. A recent conference I attended clearly supports my findings, with half of the attendees coming from the tech world while the other half coming from the retail business side.

Remember those hideous point-of-sale systems from the 90s? They were limited, clunky, and largely disconnected from other parts of the business. Fast forward to now: we retailers use cloud-based POS systems, real-time inventory tracking, predictive analytics, and reporting intelligence that used to take painstakingly weeks to compile.

In the 1990s, most shoppers were limited to ordering brands available in a local region or country. Today, a brand in Tokyo can reach customers right here in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania and ship a package overnight. This global connectivity has allowed small niche and independent brands to flourish. I am always amazed when we receive orders from all across the globe Australia, Germany, and of course Canada. The many supportive platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and TikTok, has allowed small businesses to build a loyal following with ease. The power of shopping right in the palm of your hand from any place you desire.

The future is here and as a retail buyer, I welcome the partnerships with technology and the way it continues to transform how we understand our customers and implement seamless shopping experiences. While today’s technology is a great partner the human input side should be a bold decision maker, when steering the wheel side of possibilities & innovations. So long, arrivederci to the the past & cheers to the future of retail!