Pace of Change & The Digital World
"Digital has transformed the market context for business and the pace of change is accelerating"
Digital can be defined by Collins Dictionary (2017) as something "performed with the fingers."
Since the invention of the electronic computers in the 1950's being followed by the internet in in the 1960's and the invention of smartphones in 1992 with IBM featuring personal digital assistant on a prototype. Mobile devices with personal digital assistant features followed with Nokia, Blackberry among others releasing their first smartphones. There were developments along the way and in 2007 the first iPhone was released along with the Galaxy smartphone range from Samsung in 2009. (Snugg Academy, 2014).
With time and introduction of the new smartphones, applications for such phones were created that allowed its users to play games, interact, connect and communicate.
Change within the digital market has always been occurring and developments were being made, however they may not have been made in the public eye.
In 2016 there was approximately 2.1 billion smartphone users according to The Statistics Portal, 2017. Businesses have noticed the vast amount of people who use a smartphone, along with the 3.8 billion users of the internet in 2017, according to Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2017. To take note and acknowledge the use of internet and smartphones in today world, businesses have incorporated digital aspects to the retail shopping experience.
Tesco, SuperValu & Dunnes Stores now operate a self service checkout system that allows customers to scan their shopping themselves and pay using a various payment options.
Tesco Ireland and various other grocery retailers within the UK such as Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons have introduced a Click & Collect service that allows customers to shop and order thier required grocery online and arrange to collect it at a convenient time. Other options available are a delivery service that delivers grocery within an allotted time slot. Both of these services can be conducted through the internet and an Tesco App for iOS and Android, the operating systems for smartphones.
SuperQuinn, prior to been bought by Musgraves had introduced a handheld scanner that allowed customers to scan their grocery as they navigated through the store. This system now operates within SuperValu stores and a number of Tesco Extra stores in Ireland.
Another digital aspect that has been introduced into the market is the new contactless payment option that was rolled out in retail stores in 2011. Apple and Android Pay have now been introduced to the market, which allow customers to make payment by tapping their phone which is connected to their debit/credit card to the card machine in a retailer.
Some trading businesses have decided to not have the traditional 'bricks and motor' high street presence, but instead have an online presence. With customers now purchasing online through a number of methods "with their fingers" An example for this would be ASOS, PrettyLittleThing, Beauty Bay along with many others such as Amazon, VERY and LittleWoods.
This decision of entrepreneurs & owners of businesses to operate a business with just an online presence demonstrates that digital has transformed the market. With that said, some businesses have chosen to trade with a mixture of the traditional high street retailer & online.
Business have been expanding and developing such as the digital world. Business & technology will be connected as society relies more on technology to deliver more, in regards to what can be done online. Businesses must be aware that with traditional methods of business such as a high street premises, there was personality and personal connection with the customers. With business now moving to the digital sphere, that personal connection may be lost.
Technology will always be expanding and making developments, regardless of the size or impact but business must ensure that they are keeping somewhat of a personal connection with the customers while providing and working to meet market demands.
Bibliography;
Snugg Academy . (2014). A brief history of smartphones. Available: https://www.thesnugg.com/a-brief-history-of-smartphones.aspx. Last accessed 22 Sept 2017
With time and introduction of the new smartphones, applications for such phones were created that allowed its users to play games, interact, connect and communicate.
Change within the digital market has always been occurring and developments were being made, however they may not have been made in the public eye.
In 2016 there was approximately 2.1 billion smartphone users according to The Statistics Portal, 2017. Businesses have noticed the vast amount of people who use a smartphone, along with the 3.8 billion users of the internet in 2017, according to Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2017. To take note and acknowledge the use of internet and smartphones in today world, businesses have incorporated digital aspects to the retail shopping experience.
Tesco, SuperValu & Dunnes Stores now operate a self service checkout system that allows customers to scan their shopping themselves and pay using a various payment options.
Tesco Ireland and various other grocery retailers within the UK such as Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons have introduced a Click & Collect service that allows customers to shop and order thier required grocery online and arrange to collect it at a convenient time. Other options available are a delivery service that delivers grocery within an allotted time slot. Both of these services can be conducted through the internet and an Tesco App for iOS and Android, the operating systems for smartphones.
SuperQuinn, prior to been bought by Musgraves had introduced a handheld scanner that allowed customers to scan their grocery as they navigated through the store. This system now operates within SuperValu stores and a number of Tesco Extra stores in Ireland.
Another digital aspect that has been introduced into the market is the new contactless payment option that was rolled out in retail stores in 2011. Apple and Android Pay have now been introduced to the market, which allow customers to make payment by tapping their phone which is connected to their debit/credit card to the card machine in a retailer.
Some trading businesses have decided to not have the traditional 'bricks and motor' high street presence, but instead have an online presence. With customers now purchasing online through a number of methods "with their fingers" An example for this would be ASOS, PrettyLittleThing, Beauty Bay along with many others such as Amazon, VERY and LittleWoods.
This decision of entrepreneurs & owners of businesses to operate a business with just an online presence demonstrates that digital has transformed the market. With that said, some businesses have chosen to trade with a mixture of the traditional high street retailer & online.
Business have been expanding and developing such as the digital world. Business & technology will be connected as society relies more on technology to deliver more, in regards to what can be done online. Businesses must be aware that with traditional methods of business such as a high street premises, there was personality and personal connection with the customers. With business now moving to the digital sphere, that personal connection may be lost.
Technology will always be expanding and making developments, regardless of the size or impact but business must ensure that they are keeping somewhat of a personal connection with the customers while providing and working to meet market demands.
Bibliography;
Snugg Academy . (2014). A brief history of smartphones. Available: https://www.thesnugg.com/a-brief-history-of-smartphones.aspx. Last accessed 22 Sept 2017
Miniwatts Marketing Group. (2017). World Internet Usage. Available: http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm. Last accessed 22 Sept 2017.
The Statistics Portal. (2017). Number of Smartphone Users Worldwide.Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-smartphone-users-worldwide/. Last accessed 22 Sept 2017.
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