Smitten: Why the Retail Industry Should Heart the iPad
IN: Digital Retail| Experience Design| Retail Store Design
ARTICLE POSTED BY: Scott Jeffrey
So with much fanfare, and at least as much controversy, Apple’s iPad has been released to the masses. Okay, I admit it, I ran out and bought one the day the 3G model was available and I also admit that I’m a bit smitten with it. I have no doubt that it will change my behavior in much the same way my iPhone did. But as much as the general public was anticipating the launch, I wonder if retail wasn’t equally as excited about it as part of the digital retail experience of the future.
From what I’ve seen so far, I can use it as a creative tool (no more losing my pen cap thanks to the sketch app). And I’ll be more efficient with my time away from home. I can imagine that, put to the right use, a device like this has the ability to bring a different set of efficiencies to retail.
Maybe the iPad and the inevitable wave of competitors will have the ability to transform my experience at checkout. Maybe checking in at a hotel will be easier. Maybe big, clunky counters will become the symbols of a time when associates and customers weren’t connecting. Maybe the augmented reality apps will give retail a new way to resonate with customers that both informs and delights. Maybe benefits for retailers and customers alike are in store, pun most certainly intended. Maybe those customers walking out of an Apple store are leaving not only with an iPad, but a buyPad as well.
Tags: Digital Retail, Experience Design | 1 Comment »-->
Its truly sad that I can walk into an Apple store in Singapore (not official Apple store) and the ipad is no where in site. I have only seen one in the wild and its been a couple months now. Perhaps the problem lies in education. Apple has given the world a set of legos but no one knows what to do with them yet.
I have also thought about the potential to use this as a giant Swiss Army Knife for creatives. Now we can move logos around on exteriors and add color to fixtures on the fly during meetings. Looking forward to exploring its potential.