In 2015, retailers focused
on either defining or evolving their digital strategy. Many concentrated on
digital branding through traditional IT solutions such as email engagement, Web
content promotions, social media sites, and developing or enhancing mobile
applications.
2016 retailers will focus on
merging email engagement, Web content promotions, social media sites, and
developing or enhancing mobile applications into a single digital channel. This
helps to achieve cross-channel integration, coming many steps closer to Omni
channel engagement
This is a retail
revolution in the making, enabled by a digital platform strategy that allows
retailers to cocreate value across channels, partners, and potentially other
industries or even competitors.
Bottom line: Fueled by
secure networks, cloud enablement, agile development, social engagement and
mobile empowerment, many retailers will look to merge their business and
digital strategies with a platform strategy to build an ecosystem for their
brand through real-time engagement with buyers, sellers and a multitude of
third parties.