Chicago, IL: PreScouter, a Chicago-based research intelligence firm has released a detailed report showing how retailers can restore consumer confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic and what available technologies can promote a safer and more seamless shopping experience. With many retailers now reopened, PreScouter believes that this report will help businesses implement the now needed technologies to maximize sales and safety and also the technologies that will reshape the industry years to come.

Dr. Daniel Morales, co-author and Technical Director of PreScouter’s CPG practice sees that as retail services re-open, particularly small retailers, there will be an increased need to rebuild consumer trust and maximize sales with restricted occupancy all while ensuring consumer safety is assured and as transparent as possible. “While many best practices are already in place, technologies from other industries and emerging technologies poised for widespread utilization will change the consumer retail experience in the future. In this report, we hope to highlight technologies that can keep both large and small retailers open while adapting to a changing consumer mindset,” explains Dr. Morales.

The report highlights examples and use-case scenarios to provide a view into the future of the retail shopping experience. Over 20 different technologies are illustrated covering the following six categories: 

1. Maximizing sales with minimal occupancy
2. Transitioning from in-store sampling to a touchless experience
3. Rapid thermal monitoring
4. Rapid location and data acquisition
5. Air purification
6. Mass automated disinfection 

“Going forward, retail businesses will need to adapt and prioritize the safety of consumers and the staff serving them,” comments Dr. Naveen Jason, co-author of the report. Adopting new technologies that eliminate direct contact interactions between consumers and staff while still enabling meaningful engagement, and technologies that automatically clean, disinfect, and deliver goods, will be key for businesses to function smoothly and minimize disruptions caused by intermittent lockdowns, concludes Dr. Jason.

About PreScouter, Inc.: PreScouter provides research support services to help business leaders make better R&D, product development and corporate development decisions. PreScouter’s custom-selected teams of Advanced Degree Researchers and Subject Matter Experts connect business leaders with new markets, commercializable technologies, industry-impacting startups, and other actionable data. PreScouter’s growing list of 500+ clients includes GE Healthcare, Coca Cola, BAE Systems, Whirlpool, and Volvo.