Trends that Define The Future of Shopping by 2030

The Future of Shopping relies on how people will approach to the technically developed world in front of them. Personally, I prefer both online and offline shopping depending on my comfort level. By the year 2030, the presence of both types of shopping will be highly established in the rich digital environment exposing clients to the de facto experience of the virtual life. But before leaping forward, the present scenario of both online and offline shopping according to me are

• The online presence of the shop saves me time making me comfortable to browse products at my own space, helps me to compare products between different retailers, read customer feedback and also helps me to ship products Internationally paying from the comfort of my home. 
• The offline presence of the shop saves me money, gives real hands-on experience of the products, helps know better the new products available on the market,  more choices of products and instant delivery of my products.

If at all I wish to see a change in the way shopping by the year 2030, it will be remarkable to say that those unfilled bases and differences on the above two shopping to be eradicated completely. 

Moreover, the future of shopping relies in the way we see shopping as both comfortable and fun. I presume that by the year 2030, Online Shopping will have more of real life experience whereas real life shopping will deliver us a virtual kind of experience that makes one visit them again and again.

ONLINE FUTURE SHOPPING

APPS - Apps that bring forward lots of functions straight to our fingertip in nano seconds. Both apps and browser extensions are the ones that enrich the browsing experience at the comfort of one's home. With smart phones and tablets taking over consumer's lifestyle, it is no doubt that growth of online shopping is directly proportional to the growth of functionality in the apps. Apps like Barcode Scanner, Home plus (smart virtual store), QR code based apps, Virtway World ( 3D environment apps), Shopping Bots, PayPal Here, Amazon apps, eBay apps and extensions like eBay Exact ( 3D printing technology), StubHub, RedLaser, eBay Check ( interest based deals and recommendations), etc. are notable examples of an App's functionality that grows at a rapid rate. Using apps we can also find alternatives and accessories for the products just viewed through any browser. There is no limit to what imaginations can make.

DIGITIZATION - Wallet digitization through Mobile devices is already on the process promising various functionality in one single app. Japan is already using a digital wallet App is called “Osaifu-Keitai” in provisioned phones for variety of services such as eCash, eSignatures, Credit/Debit for purchases, ticketing-reservations-shopping in transit, Club services, Contactless Access/ID to buildings, Online shopping etc. Many big companies are now trying to replicate this app at a global scale. This means shopping is just as easy as it could be with best prices, easy checkouts along with safe and secure shopping. It is no doubt that Digital Wallet has a very important role to play in the future of E-commerce and shopping. Well, in that case I could also agree with fingerprint digitization in place of digital wallet too.

CLOUD CATALOG ( lets assume) - Just like Google succeeded in bringing all its services under one roof using Cloud services, it is highly possible to see people buying and selling products through a cloud based catalog of amazing goods from different places.  Facebook (and Twitter) already helps many companies and small scale retailers reach millions of people in seconds by displaying their products through FB apps, through contests and other promotional based ads. So, it is not unlikely that something similar to Face Book or combined effect of Face Book with some other service will take over the future of shopping.

FASTER DELIVERY - It is the most important functionality that any online shopper would expect. Competitive shipping is already seen in eBay and other online stores to keep themselves surviving in the online market. Many competitors come forward with Free shipping grabbing lots of attentions. Apart from the postal and courier deliveries which we usually depend upon, other types of deliveries like pick up in-store (after an online order) and Amazon's Storage Depot (wherein we use pick-up code on specific lockers at our convenient time for picking our products) are on rise. With increasing competitions and growing base for online shopping, the need for NOW is the only fastest delivery system the future needs to meet. Also, the faulty products and delivery issues being handled proficiently speeding up delivery process. eBay with its Seller and Buyer protection and eBay Now has already making this into reality. Same day Dispatch for all items sounds astoundingly real in near future.

UPDATE: Amazon has plans to launch its Helicopter drones to deliver online goods in the next four to five years after getting approval with the necessary FAA rules and regulations. Named as “octocopter” drones with a button especially designed for Amazon “Prime Air” delivery , these little machines are slated to deliver packages of around five pounds. Here is the footage from a recent test flight. See page at http://amzn.to/PrimeAir

3D ENVIRONMENTAL VIRTUAL SHOPPING - It is yet another progress that we may expect to see in the near future. Replicating the traditional way we shop into a virtual platform. Many companies have already started this platform slowly growing, accumulating small businesses and attracting customers. Stad.nl , a dutch product is one example out there.

Now coming to OFFLINE SHOPPING, a trip to UK Heatrow airport has delivered me a virtual experience that the future will hold. 

Ever wondered of a virtual staff peeping in front of you telling you all about liquid restrictions in airlines. Yes, the UK airports has introduced holographic staffs to help passengers through the security area to simplify and speed up the security procedure. If this is our the beginning to see Holographic Staffs (virtual airport assistant), then what more in store for us in near future is working holographic staffs welcoming you in retail shops and even some explaining about their products to you. And making my imagination go more wild , let me digitize it using numbers ( like we hear in voice message ) - Press 1 to know this, Press 2 to know that and so on.

My Son looking at a Holographic Staff - Heatrow Airport

Virtual Screens for Product specifications and selections, Virtual Subway of Digitized products (QR Shoppers), Virtual Dress-up rooms, Robot Operated Store and everything that can keep a customer in awe under one roof is what the future holds for in Real life shopping offline.

Overall, I look forward to the positive of both worlds complementing each other by the end of 2030, thereby building up the entire process of shopping experience more comfortable, sensible, reliable and admirable at the best.