The great Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “Change is the only constant in life.” Similarly, John C. Maxwell has said, Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”
What the past year-and-a-half has shown us is that consumer shopping habits can be changed or forced to change at the drop of a hat and as a business, adapting to that change is paramount to success.
As the world and people’s way of life keep changing, stay on top of the following points to manage shifting customer expectations now and in the future.
1. Aim to Understand Your Customers on a Deeper Level
A common theme among those companies who truly excel is a deep understanding of their customers.
To be clear, this is not just looking at analytics and behavioral trends. Instead, to truly understand your customer, businesses must be aware of who they are, their needs, expectations, and what motivates their behavior.
2. Create a Strong Digital Presence
Companies that actually had digital systems set up before the pandemic have fared much better than their counterparts. While those who played catch up struggled to adapt to the demand for digital experiences overnight.
As we move forward, strengthening digital channels and creating an impactful digital experience should be at the top of every business’ priority list.
3. Consumer Behavior isn’t Going ‘Back to Normal’
Many studies believe that it takes around 66 days to build a new habit, and therefore, many people have had more than enough time to form new and lasting shopping habits since they’ve been stuck at home.
The evidence similarly suggests that consumer behavior has changed in a big way, and it’s not going back. One paper predicts,
“Total e-commerce sales in 2021 will be over $147 billion more than would have been expected prior to the pandemic.”
So, what are the steps and procedures you’re undertaking to ensure your business grows while consumer habits change?