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The Omni-Challenge: Unconnected In-Store Journeys Cost Swedish Retailers ConversionsWATLINGTON, England and KUNGSBACKA, Sweden, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ---------------------------------------------- A third of customers expect to be disappointed by the in-store experience A quarter of shoppers felt the store was outdated compared to online shopping ---------------------------------------------- Traditional stores could be the 'weak link' in Swedish retailers' omnichannel chain, new research from iVend Retail, a global retail solution brand, and Retail Store, a Swedish retail systems provider, suggests. The original research from iVend Retail and Retail Store warns that, despite Swedish retailers' efforts to integrate omnichannel journeys, consumers are increasingly disappointed by their in-store experiences when compared to online. This, the research suggests, is because the data that retailers can gather around individual shoppers' behaviours online - from frequency of purchase to purchase history and buying preferences - which allows them to deliver the personalised engagement shoppers have come to expect, disappears when the same customer enters a physical store. Research from the report reveals that while 51% of Swedish consumers still mostly shop in traditional, physical outlets, a third (32%) said they were more likely to be disappointing experience in the store than online, rising to 42% among 16 - 29 year olds. A quarter (25%) agreed that the service they received online was more personal than instore, and a further 26% said the store felt outdated when compared to ecommerce encounters. 17% even said they felt like a retailer's 'friend' online, but anonymous in the store. Increasingly customerswant retailers to do more to bridge the digital divide: 78% of Swedish consumers would like retailers to have a 'single view' of them, connecting their online and offline shopping habits to make in-store interactions more personal and deliver seamless buying journeys. Anna-Lena Lööf, Sales and Marketing Manager at Retail Store, commented: "To reinvigorate the store and in their omnichannel strategies, retailers should look to digitalise physical outlets using customer data and a single view of stock to deliver more tailored and connected interactions. By equipping store associates with digitally enabled devices that are linked to back-end systems, they can bring the online experience to customers at the shelf edge, keeping the customer on the path to purchase. "We know that 58% of Swedish shoppers no longer differentiate between channels; they simply shop using the medium that's most convenient to them at the time - whether it's online, in-store or on a mobile device," said Richard Kolodynski, Senior Vice President of European Operations at iVend Retail. "This makes delivering a seamless journey all the more important. Shoppers don't separate channels, so retailers must ensure fluidity and visibility between them and this is, traditionally, where the store has found it hard to keep up with online." "By using technology to enable physical stores to behave in the same informed, flexible manner as online shopping channels, retailers can improve omnichannel conversions," he concluded. For further information about iVend Retail and Retail Store see: http://www2.ivend.com/retailstore.se/retail-management-system-ivend-retail Notes to editors Survey of 200 Swedish consumers was conducted by Mori on behalf of iVend Retail and Retail Store in April 2016 About iVend iVend delivers integrated, omnichannel retail management solutions for the way retailers work today, implementing technology that is built to enable change, not just built to last. We believe that retailers shouldn't have to worry about managing hardware, software licenses, upgrades - they just need the tools to deliver great customer service. Part of Citixsys worldwide, iVend stands for innovation in retail technology and leadership in Cloud management and mobile retail. In addition to providing traditional fixed till and back office server solutions as required, we are experts in developing solutions for complex retail - multi-format, multi-location, multi-channel and multi-sector retailers. http://www.iVend.com @iVendRetail_EU About Retail Store Retail Store was formed in 2004, bringing industry experts together to help retailers in the Scandinavian marketplace. Our mission is to increase the profitability of retailers in the region by delivering systems and services through partnerships with market-leading vendors. With extensive experience in consulting, implementation and system development, Retail Store offers a complete solution for the retailer, backed by high-class service and support. The Retail Store customer base already includes some of the region's best-known retailers and most recognized brands. http://www.retailstore.se @retailstore For further press information, please contact Sarah Stevens at Fieldworks Marketing on: [email protected] / +44(0)1892-786-917 
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