Retails & COnsumer Products Services Shoppers habits are evolving and their expectations of experience and personalization are rising faster than many retailers can react. In the past the customer’s path to purchase was linear. Now this journey is dynamic and continuous. Customers no longer enter a channel. Instead, they are continuously in the channel. As long as consumers are in arm’s length of a smartphone, tablet or PC, they are able to participate in any and all components of the channels at the time and place of their choosing. This shift in consumer habits and expectations affects both business-to-business and business-to-consumer relationships, and has strategic implications for driving growth. Enterprises can certainly live up to that, by living up to the retail mantra of today – better, faster, leaner. With the immense growth observed and greater confidence in the economy, retailers hope to see consumers demonstrate some serious spending power. However, retailers will have to focus more on the digital front — ‘channelize, mobilize and socialize’ to stay ahead in today’s ‘click-and-mortar’ retail game. Challenges and opportunities Multi-channel retailing: The more your consumers see you, the more they’ll want to know about you. Online consumers will buy if they’ve seen it, like it, and are convinced of it. Their product research actually drives more land-store sales than online sales. So, all channels where the consumer might get information from — the retail store, website, and catalogue — must be closely aligned and monitored for maximum impact and hence, sales. Mobility in retail: Consumers around the world are ready to use mobile devices to shop, compare, and transact on the Web or in stores. Market research indicates that nearly 70% of consumers across the globe always have their mobile devices with them while they are in a store — which they use to consult family and friends about their purchase. This gives retailers an unprecedented opportunity to make an impact on the consumers at their so-called ‘moment of truth’ Digital consumers: Today’s consumer has access to information at a click – about product assortment, pricing, quality, and everything else there is to know. Given the scenario, companies can create more walletshare by reaching out across digital channels — mobiles, interactive TVs, social communities. In-store technology like smart kiosks and digital signages hold immense potential to observe and influence shopping behaviour. With traditional media failing to deliver the impact it once did, mastering ‘group’ coupons and social channels, in addition to email and search ads, rounds out a retail strategy to maximize today’s ‘convergence of opportunities.’ We blend our expertise in consulting, technology, and sourcing to help our clients solve complex business challenges and unlock their value levers by creating outcomes in three key areas: business transformation, accelerating innovation, and efficient operation