Immersive Retailing Defined -- An IBM White Paper

IBM just released a white paper entitled How immersive technology can revitalize the shopping experience and since we participated in the paper, we're able to post it here. Here's the intro and you can download the full white paper below.

Why do shoppers choose to come to your store on any given day? Do they search for products online first and then come in—or do they start their decision-making process inside the store? How do they feel when they leave? Did you offer unique, empowering experiences and services that leave them excited to come back—again and again? Do individuals feel like your brand is relevant to their lifestyle? Do they understand the value of your brand experience over the commoditized products that you are selling? Or, as they wander from store to store, do your potential customers forget your brand as it blurs in their minds with those of competitors?

These are all important questions, given the tough reality of our commoditized retail marketplace, where it’s harder and harder to stand out from competitors. Especially since fickle customers seemingly can choose from ever more channels and providers. Sure, factors like price and service help attract customers, but to truly stand out from the competition, retailers need to create customer advocates who, when they’re ready to make a purchase, think first about the retailer’s store brand rather than a list of product brands.

Download immersive_retailing_defined.pdf

Comments

[Sun Microsystem]

IBM and Sun Microsystems both make computer systems for the corporate world. By purchasing Sun, IBM would get a leg up in the global finance and telecommunications markets. Representatives from both sides have yet to comment as of this writing. Sun Microsystems is both information technology and software company, and been recognized since the 80s. They had become one of the biggest competitors with Microsoft for IT and corporate software and hardware. However, after the dot com bust in the early 2000s, Sun Microsystems has begun to struggle a bit. Instant payday loans aren't really going to help them, but they have entered negotiations with IBM for a buyout that's supposed to total around $6.5 billion. News of the talks has boosted Suns' stock on the market. It may be the best move for them to avoid staring down bankruptcy, which would be a disaster for a firm as large as Sun Microsystems.

[Used Refurbished Laptops]

One person said IBM also is likely to be examining closely Sun's 2004 agreement with Microsoft Corp., which settled a Sun lawsuit. Under that 10-year pact Microsoft paid Sun $700 million to resolve antitrust issues and $900 million to resolve patent issues. The companies also agreed on royalty payments to use each other's technology with Microsoft paying $350 million at that time. Sun agreed to make payments on the basis of technology used later.

[electronic signature]

good points here. another factor is a genuine accommodation of clients when they come in to your store.