# Shopping Independence High-tech retail locations offer single shoppers a streamlined experience. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published Jun 26, 2014 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/individual-retail ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.1/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Shopping Independence trend? **Shopping Independence:** Consumers often opt to shop with companions, but as daily demands rise and many shop solo, brands are offering assistance through technological innovations. This shift towards catering to the individual shopper is drawing consumers who would otherwise shop online back into stores, and offers an experience that suits their schedule. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 20 to Jun 3, 2014 - Published: Jun 26, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Shopping Independence trend ### Interactive Retail Displays Brands are offering assistance through technological innovations, such as interactive digital touchscreen displays that integrate form and function, providing opportunities to draw in new customers and clients. ### Virtual Shopping Assistants Simulated shop assistants, including life-sized virtual women that are able to assist shoppers, are being created to provide a unique experience that ties in with the brand image. ### Instantly Shoppable Ads 'Le Fast Shopping' uses shoppable billboards that make use of Bluetooth, QR codes, and JavaScript to allow scanning an item, learning additional product and brand information, and making a purchase instantaneously. ## What the Shopping Independence trend means for industry ### For Retail Industry Technological innovations provide opportunities for unique customer experiences that can differentiate brands from competitors and draw in consumers. ### For Fashion Industry Body scanning booths, fashion consultation apps, and virtual shopping assistants are providing personalized recommendations for fashion items and changing the way consumers shop online and in-store. ### For Marketing and Advertising Industry Shoppable ads are becoming more popular to create a more efficient and quick shopping experience for consumers, providing opportunities for advertisers and marketers to explore more creative forms of advertising. ## Trend signals for Shopping Independence Trend score 5.1 out of 10, from popularity 89%, activity 56%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 89% - Activity: 56% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Shopping Independence trend 5 featured examples from Feb 20 to Jun 3, 2014. - [Shopping Consultation Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fitt): The Fitt App Provides a Second Opinion When Shopping (Category: Tech) - [Instantly Shoppable Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fast-shopping): Le Fast Shopping Lets You Scan an Ad, Buy & Receive Within 48 Hours (Category: Marketing) Implication: Retailers can leverage technology to create innovative shopping experiences that are fast and convenient for their customers. - [Interactive Storefront Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storefront-displays1): +rehabstudio Integrates Shopping with Technology (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for retail stores to enhance customer engagement and personalize the shopping experience using interactive storefront displays. - [Simulated Shop Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alien-eau-extraordinaire): Clarins Promotes the Alien Eau Extraordinaire with a Virtual Assistant (Category: Marketing) Implication: Cosmetics brands can incorporate virtual shopping assistants to improve customer engagement and showcase their products. - [Retail Recommending Booths](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fashion-suggestions): Inspiration Corridor Offers Fashion Suggestions and Helps Locate Items (Category: Business) Implication: The personalized fashion suggestions and interactive walk-in closet create a disruptive innovation opportunity for fashion retailers to attract customers, improve customer experie… ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Occasion Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-commerce) (Business) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)