As online retailers continue to dominate the retail world, the future for traditional retailers seems bleak. It’s evident that many brick and mortar stores have struggled to stay ahead in the digital age, leaving them to face the inevitable doom of shutting doors and waving the white flag. Sure, the future looks rather dim for many traditional retailers… but we are here to discuss the retail crusaders who have ventured through the rubble and are coming out victorious, the retailers who have faced the digital age with a different approach. Instead of leading their customer to another online store and fight for competitive pricing, they have led their customers in-store, providing an in-person digital experience and one-upping their competition with the power of a simple human touch to keep brick and mortar sales high. Through innovative approaches, they have changed the way that shoppers interact with their products, building things that can only be experienced live. Moving Online to In-line and In-Store Macys iBeacons Macy’s used an innovative approach to bringing their mobile shoppers in-store during Black Friday. With their Walk In & Win campaign, they prompted users to install their app and shop in-store to be eligible to win prizes, including a grand prize of $1,000,000. Using beacon technology, Macy’s knew immediately when app users were in-store and were able to send them notifications of special offers and instant prizes. It was an ingenious way to incentivize their digital shoppers to get a unique in-store experience. 2. Bloomingdales, Ralph Lauren Interactive Shopping Windows Bloomingdales and Ralph Lauren took the difficulty of finding the ‘perfect gift for dad’ on Father’s Day and made it fun through a 4D graphic fashion show. Window shoppers were able to use a touch screen installed on the outside of the store to select various Ralph Lauren Polo items, mixing and matching to create a gift dads would love. They could then buy the items immediately in-store completing their shopping hassle-free. 3. Walgreens- Digital Mapping Walgreens Pharmacy has made shopping fun again. By creating a game-like application on each shopping cart, they are allowing their customers to find each item with ease while saving some major bucks along the way. Walgreens used a special camera to add a detailed 3D view to their in-store maps. The information was woven together with the store floor plans to show where products were located and where they were on the shelves. Shoppers were also served highly contextual discounts on items as they passed by, incenting them to interact with the maps. So, as you can see, retailers are doing some pretty amazing things within the digital landscape. Are the retail crusaders responsible for reports like …. https://retail.emarketer.com/article/us-shoppers-still-prefer-make-most-purchases-in-store/58dd8922ebd400061c80f3cf Possibly. But what we do know for certain is that to continue to compete in the retail space, brick and mortar stores need to continue to play to their strengths, incorporating digital instore. Want to learn more about how AMP can help your business bring digital in-store? Contact us, here.

'If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it'? sings Willy Wonka in the famous film from 1971. The candy company of the same name has taken this line to heart, and recently opened an imaginative new sweets shop within the famous Times Square Toys 'R Us store. This unique retail environment, serving as the brand's first official 'Wonka Store,'? is a state of the art example of an in-store brand experience. As consumers enter the World of Wonka they find candy trees, mushroom tables, edible gardens and swirls of multi-colored factory equipment. The entire store, from the imaginative product displays to the fascinating lighting, is meant to be 'a new adventure everywhere you turn,'? according to Janet Planet, innovation manager of the Wonka Experience. This retail investment is complemented by an exciting website that encourages consumers to 'Feed Your Imagination,'? print & TV ads, and new digital vending machines where consumers can create a custom bag of candy. I personally love the Wonka brand and am easily tempted by the mouthwatering displays and designs which bring Willy Wonka's world to life. In fact, after browsing only a handful of photos and reading about the flagship store, I am more than persuaded to visit the next time I'm in Manhattan and feast my eyes on what it has to offer. I may be a big kid at heart, but then again'?¦isn't everyone? And isn't that the point of shopper marketing to make adults feel like they're kids again in the wonderful world of Willy Wonka? It's a magical place where adults can forget about their strict diets and enjoy the simple yet splendid pleasures of a Scrumdiddlyumptious Bar. With the growing technology of today, the global marketplace is more competitive than ever. Due to this, shopper marketing is becoming a fundamental consideration, and many leading retailers, including P&G, have realized that the 'big idea'? should keep the retail experience in mind. It's not Mad Men style anymore where one ad can win over the consumer; the fact is, many purchase decisions are made within the retail environment. Wonka has recognized that consumers must be engaged at various stages along their path to purchase, and to achieve this, the brand has created a strong brand personality by integrating its website, advertisements, and the new and delicious Wonka World. Next time I'm in New York I'll let you know if the snozzberries are as good as they look on film. Source: http://www.shoppermarketingmag.com/2010-12/