Although technology has sparked new ways to shop in the retail sector, 80% of sales still take place in brick-and-mortar stores.¹ Meaning? Physical stores are here to stay. But retailers don’t always live up to their customers’ evolved expectations for shopping experiences, like personalized service and convenience.

Our research reveals:

• 82% of customers want to be able to see and feel a product in store before deciding to buy.
• Only 35% of retail executives believe that their staff has the tools and information needed to personalize customer experiences.
• 60% of shopping begins online while 80% of sales happen in store, making integration across channels more critical than ever.​²

As retailers are faced with shrinking margins and evolving customer expectations, the in-store experiences must adapt. Today’s leading retailers are investing in the “store of the future”—a connected, intelligent, and experience-driven hub that:

• Integrates back- and front-office functions to drive value
• Unifies data to personalize the shopping experience
• Enhances operational efficiency with automation

But retailers must pause to assess their current capabilities, align on the vision for the future, and prioritize technology investments before jumping into a solution. Deloitte’s retail team helps retailers with this assessment, as well as planning and implementing solutions to bring that vision to life.  

What does it take to build the store of the future?

The store of the future demands a complete transformation across the following foundations:

Deloitte brings retailers real results with the store of the future

We have a track record of success when partnering with major retailers to modernize stores:  

Key lessons learned:

• Upgrading systems doesn’t deliver value on its own. True impact requires alignment with strategy, processes, and people. Without proper training and change management, even the best technology can fail.
• Connecting legacy systems with new technologies is rarely straightforward. A phased roll-out with a well-thought-out integration strategy is essential. Start small, scale fast.
• Data quality matters. Poor data leads to poor decisions. Investing in data hygiene, governance, and security from day one pays off in the long run.
  

Build your store of the future

The store of the future is not just about technology—it’s about reimagining the role of the physical retail store. It’s a place to build trust, engage senses, deepen loyalty, and drive fulfillment. But achieving this will take more than just gadgets. It requires connected thinking, modern platforms, and a relentless focus on experience, insight, and operational agility.

Retailers who embrace this evolution will unlock more than just efficiency—they’ll create stores that matter in the digital age.

The time to act is now. Your competitors are already ahead in their transformation journey.

Our retail transformation experts can help you identify, quantify, and capture the full potential of your Store of the Future.

Connect with Shaunna or Ashish today.