E-Commerce in 2030: Keep Calm & Shop Smooth
The market is global, information flows are at the speed of light, consumers are aware — that’s how the present e-commerce reality looks like. But what will be the future of e-commerce? How will it look like? And how will it impact its customers? Surely, these questions are challenging ones. Today we asked the Elementh team to describe their vision of the perfect e-commerce world and recorded the most interesting ideas.
First of all, we shall point out the main consumption trend, which is transformation. It implies that today’s people seek opportunity to become a better version of themselves, not just supply basic needs. Sometimes we all need to change the entire lifestyle and make a fantasy true. And in 10 years, it will be as easy as a little kick. For example, you dream of rocking the scene like Elvis Presley — and a specialized app offers you music lessons, necessary equipment and even journey to the destinations related to your favourite musician! We imagine a clear path that leads to achievement of your dreams. So would you like to dance like Michael Jackson or write like William Shakespeare?
We supposed that we all do not want to lose time for a long and tiring search for products. For example, you are going to a business lunch and you need a new jacket. You decide to buy it — and here you are: a special app shows the nearest location of the product with the lowest price. Or if you are planning to purchase some items during a trip you can find the best offers globally. Let’s say you are going to visit Níngbō and you want to know how much would it cost for you to have a meal in a restaurant at the seaside. You can search beforehand in the web… or just walk in the city and see instantly updated prices around you via any device with Internet access.
Counterfeiting goods is a headache for every customer. It incurs not only physical harm due to poor quality, but insulted feeling of customer wellness as well. But imagine a new world where malevolent producers shall extinct since the entire production and supply chain is visible. While buying caviar in Saint Petersburg, you understand that it is crucial for you to have a high-quality product. With a specialized app, it will take just a couple of seconds to check whether the tin of caviar is authentic.
Live watching of how products are made — sounds good, isn’t it? Let’s turn the production into a reality show! Such possibility will add value to the product you consume. And it will also honor the labor of manufacturers. Handmade shoes now is a thing of the same kind as dinosaurs walking in the street. But if you want to buy a pair of such shoes, it may be interesting for you to watch online how exactly your shoes are being made.
Do you know your desires well? Sure? How about a future when your wishes are anticipated and the road to their fulfilment is highlighted? Anticipation of desires is on the way to be one of the main characteristics of the future e-commerce. Here comes an example: There are periods when one is too socially active. To prevent a burnout, your virtual advisor could recommend you to have some rest in a remote place or take a massage session.
If we speak about product search tools to be applied in the next decade, most probably, extensive use of VR and AR will be something everyday like a shopping cart. It can even turn usual “go to the shops” into an adventure. Friday night, you are thinking about buying some beer. Instead of a usual walk you have to catch a beer-holding tricky goblin. If you catch this bastard, you’ll get a significant discount.
To go to the shops can be routine and boring, but how about staying at home and just to print out everything you want, for example, pizza. Stop, what about being fit in this case? Go to the first point and do some sports instead of music.
Or, maybe, your picture of the future is somewhat different? Create it and share with us!
Anyway, with more security, decentralization, faster information exchange, sharing ideas and values, it becomes easier to create solutions to reshape this world.
