Technology: Shaping The Future Of Malls

The world has also seen a transition in the way consumers shop at the mall - with retailers giving suggestions to shoppers on what to buy, dictating the success of the store based on their personal needs. To satisfy these burgeoning customer needs, not only retailers but malls are also embracing technology to reach modern shoppers…

- Charu Lamba

The dynamics of the Indian retail industry are rapidly changing post liberalization. The industry, which was once dominated by unorganized mom-and-pop stores, is transforming into an organized body and subsequently, India is witnessing a mall boom. The rise in Internet subscribers and active social media users, changing lifestyles and increasing disposable incomes have transformed the rural and urban consumer bases alike. This dynamic resulted in the increasing prominence of malls across the country.

The world has also seen a transition in the way consumers shop at the mall - with retailers giving suggestion to shoppers on what to buy, dictating the success of the store based on their personal needs. To satisfy these burgeoning customer needs, not only retailers but malls are also embracing technology to reach modern shoppers.

Over time, technology has transcended from an aspiration to an expectation and has wedged itself securely between consumer and experience to create an everyday interface. While it has definitely made life easier for consumers, mall developers in India have spent the better part of the last few years on their heels, finding tech solutions.

In order to be more competent, malls are putting their best foot forward to embrace emerging technologies. With increasing cut-throat competition, it has become the need of the hour for mall developers to innovate and implement cutting-edge technologies in a bid to lure the customer who was shifting to e-commerce due to convenience and vast choice.

Malls today are using technology in various ways – from putting up smart displays to digital directories, interlinking the entire mall with an app, booking parking spots, offering discounts, mapping customer behavior, keeping a track record of how consumers to shop and what they buy and a lot more.