The pandemic had, of course, myriad effects on retail. In addition to changing everything from the way we work and socialize, the way we shop has shifted permanently. The first thing to note is that consumer spending on goods recovered. It’s no secret that retail struggled in the beginning of the pandemic. But now, strong consumer spending has compensated for that early lack. One good thing about this tumultuous last year plus is that consumers saved a lot of money—by skipping vacations, not spending on entertainment or dining out. That money seems to have been put toward savings and consumption.

A shift in shopping attitudes and habits as a result of the pandemic

Consumers adopted short-term behaviors during the pandemic that in many cases, will become permanent. For example, store closures due to COVID-19 led consumers to rely on e-commerce more than ever before. Even after we’re out of the woods fully with regard to this crisis, 60% of consumers expect to shop online more frequently as compared to pre-pandemic. Another study in the U.S. found that 50% of those surveyed either don’t feel comfortable or are simply uncertain about shopping in a brick and mortar mall in the upcoming months

What this shift means for apparel/retail

Some retail trends already on the rise hit the fast forward button when the pandemic got underway. Personalized experiences are certainly one of those trends. During lockdown, a retailer’s online store became its only store — for the most part.

In the apparel space, digital channels became the only way to do business while most of the country was under stay-at-home orders. When shoppers can easily get the same items from many places and prices are transparent, retailers need a different way to stand out from their competitors. The customer experience becomes of critical importance.

That’s where Bodygram comes in. Personalized experiences that mimic an in-person try-on session as much as possible drive more revenue. It minimizes returns and gives the consumer a better feel for how a garment will look on them without having to try it on in real life. This advanced AI-powered technology allows you to take accurate body measurements with just two photos on your phone.

The demand for innovation to meet current and future needs

Per key takeaways from the National Retail Federation’s 2021 Show, dubbed The Big Show, retailers are now exploring how they can innovate the store of the future while maintaining the personal shopping experience cultivated during the pandemic. As IRL shopping experiences resume now that most in the U.S. have access to vaccines, these brick-and-mortar stores can serve multiple purposes. Retailer Allbirds, for example, found that consumers are using IRL shops for buy online and return in store services.

Technology and retail are also aligning like never before. In addition to digital sizing tools like Bodygram, technology lets retailers forecast demand, and stay informed when it comes to consumer behavior.

In fashion, A.R. will likely be a continuing trend that was on the rise during the pandemic. Luxury fashion brand Moschino incorporated tech to reinvent its Spring/Summer 2021 digital fashion show by using an augmented reality experience and using marionettes as models. Expect to see more of this innovation as in-person fashion presentations become more remote-friendly.