Sabre in partnership with TrendWatching, global consumer trends and insights experts, has released a consumer trends study explaining the “Retail Revolution” in the hospitality industry.
“Technology is changing the expectations of today’s traveler. They demand flexibility, optionality and a seamless shopping experience that goes beyond booking a guest room. This presents exciting opportunities for hoteliers to extend far beyond their traditional offerings,” said Clinton Anderson, President, Sabre Hospitality Solutions. “Hoteliers must pay attention to the consumer behaviors driving this retail revolution and capitalize on the possibilities. As the trusted technology partner to over 40,000 hotels, Sabre is best-positioned to offer hoteliers industry-first technology that enables the creative and personalized offers their guests expect,” he added.
The report details how innovative retail and hospitality players are harnessing six key consumer trends to drive innovation and improve their guest experience. It includes actionable insights to fuel creativity and gain a deeper understanding of how concepts can be applied to provide guests with convenience, relevance, fun, recognition and support – the things they crave in today’s retail-driven environment.
Trends
SENTIENT SPACES
Travelers are increasingly aware of an ever-growing ecosystem of cameras and sensors. Although sensitive to security concerns, they crave personalization and are willing to share their data to get it. Truly smart physical spaces – retail stores, hotel rooms and more – are now built with technology ranging from facial recognition to robots that create experiences tailored to the guests moving through them.
A-COMMERCE
Retailers have mastered the use of algorithms and smart devices to increase convenience and serve up intuitive recommendations at crucial moments. Busy travelers will increasingly expect the same experience from their travel providers. Developing capabilities to automate shopping, selecting and purchasing activities will allow hoteliers to deliver increased simplicity – and a more meaningful experience – to their guests.
VILLAGE SQUARED
Smart retailers are responding to society’s increasing sense of isolation by transforming their spaces in new ways to foster connections and promote social wellbeing. Hotels, with a myriad of unique and functional spaces at their disposal, have significant – and relatively untapped – potential to maximize their properties and provide unique experiences to their guests.
