4D printing could change the world. In fact, it is already doing so. Many interesting scientific techniques have already been developed to produce shape-shifting structures, even live tissue. Materials for clothing, tyres and shoes can now be programmed to respond to weather conditions by changing their permeability or their grip. To say that 4D is set to revolutionise retail would be an understatement.

We already live in a superconnected world, but in the near future, everything will be communicating with everything. The ‘Retail of Things’ means that indoor and outdoor digital signage, display cabinets, sensors, smart product tags, wearables, smartphones and other devices will monitor, track, analyse, report, suggest and advise. Hyperconnectivity will enable products, devices and appliances to form multidimensional layers, streamlining store operations and improving customer experience.

Robots will soon be deployed at most department stores to greet customers and provide basic information. The current store and reception robots are only able to respond to visitors with pre-scripted answers, but as they gain speech recognition and natural language capabilities, they will soon be able to really respond to questions.

The miracle of artificial intelligence is far-reaching, and it’s no wonder that AI and retail are a great fit. AI technology equips retailers with sharper forecasting tools, enabling them to make smarter business decisions. This technology can understand customer preferences and formulate more accurate product suggestions, making commerce smarter and more personalised.

Tap-and-go mobile payments with biometric technologies will become increasingly widespread, eliminating the need for credit cards, pin codes and signatures. This will enable a customer to walk into a shop, take what he or she needs and then simply walk out while the payment process takes place in the background. The future of hands-free shopping in which the entire shopping experience is completed via a wearable is not far away.

Virtual and augmented reality enable retailers to revolutionise the way their customers shop. Whether they want to try on a shirt or see if that designer table fits in their living room, VR and AR are set to vastly improve customer service, eliminate pain points and enable a differentiated, personalised client experience.

Customers spend more and more time interacting with brands on social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. Simultaneously, they appreciate the advantages of sites like eBay and Amazon to quickly and reliably get exactly what they want with advantages like free shipping. Customers want the freedom to shop anywhere, via any possible channel, and in the future these channels will include smart fridges, Tesla dashboards and RFID chip implants.

The company of the future is hyper connected. It closely monitors new developments and collaborates with startups, scientists and universities. It uses smart algorithms to analyse the world and employs a flexible workforce capable of rapidly developing new products, services or processes and offering support on complex issues. The company of the future requires accessible leaders who inspire, have new visions and are prepared to veer off the beaten track.

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