RETAIL INNOVATION CONFERENCE

Karoline Gross
May 10, 2018
2 min read

Updated: Feb 4, 2021

Hello NYC! Smartzer hit the Big Apple for Retail Touchpoints Retail Innovation Congress last week, where we exhibited Smartzer’s shoppable video technology to a range of interested retail giants.

The event drew over 500 registrants interested in learning about the next big trends and disruptive technologies in retail innovation. Participants enjoyed networking, speeches and this year’s event even included store visits to TUMI, Sugarfina and Williams Sonoma to get a first-hand look at retail in action.

Educational sessions on the next big topics in retail included a very interesting keynote speech “Your Future Shopper: The Step Change Has Arrived”, delivered by shopping Behaviorist Ken Hughes, which revealed relevant information about Gen Z shoppers. No surprise to Smartzer, but Gen Z shoppers are desire instant gratification and customization. Smartzer’s interactive videos are the perfect way to give viewers the interaction they want without removing them from the experience. The retail customer has changed and the industry needs to adapt to engage with them differently.

The new Gen Z expect a "phygital" world and store systems that are connected and consistent with the online experience. Retailers need to be in every place at all times, always on brand and ready to interact with the customer the same way. Customization is also key to this conversation Gen Z expects all interactions to be tailored to them via the “Amazon Effect.”

Smartzer was one of the innovative solutions showcased at the event. Interactive video is such a hot topic right now that all retailers we met were interested in our shoppable video technology and a demo.