Consumers ready for next-gen technology, Wirecard research shows

The research found that the majority of shoppers are ready to use innovative new technologies that will improve their in-store shopping experience, making it easier for them to purchase products.

Key findings:

• Convenience is king – globally and regionally, consumers want to use new technologies that make the shopping experience more convenient; this includes using: an app to purchase products using the self-checkout, a smart mirror to allow them to view additional products, unmanned stores like Amazon Go;
• Mobile payments are a given – mobile payments are important to consumers and should be a given; 44% of consumers said they either somewhat or strongly agree that if a physical store didn’t offer ways to purchase using their mobile phone, they’d be less likely to shop there;
• Biometric pays – Wirecard’s research indicates that it pays for retailers to implement biometric payment methods; three in five would be interested in using biometric data to purchase products online (66%) and in-store (68%);
• Customers do their homework online, while in-store – consumers are interested in using technology to research products while they are in-store before they purchase; 74% are at least somewhat interested in using an app on their phone or the store’s website on their phone to find out more about the product they are looking at, while at least 72% have some interest in using in-store screens such as tablets and 60% are at least interested in using VR.