# Tech-Enabled Customization Consumers turn to tech in retail to obtain the exact product they want. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published Oct 24, 2014 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/restrictive-retail ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.5/10 - Evidence articles: 10 ## What is the Tech-Enabled Customization trend? **Tech-Enabled Customization:** With food allergies and dietary restrictions being a paramount concern for many consumers, brands are upgrading retail and restaurant locations for patrons to order or modify as necessary. As consumers become more accustomed to tech in all aspects of daily life, this shift provides enhanced accommodation. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 10 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 18, 2012 to May 6, 2016 - Published: Oct 24, 2014 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Tech-Enabled Customization trend ### Tech-Enabled Customization Retailers are upgrading their locations for patrons to customize orders using technology. ### Digitized Loyalty Programs Companies are utilizing digital data capture to personalize customer experiences and provide a seamless shopping experience. ### Interactive Smart Restaurants Restaurants are integrating technology into dining experiences allowing customers to order, change the ambiance, and interact with technology at tables. ## What the Tech-Enabled Customization trend means for industry ### For Retail Utilizing tech to improve patron experience using automation and technology. ### For Food & Beverage Adapting to changing dietary habits by creating tech-enabled menu offerings. ### For Hospitality Expanding clientele and improving the guest experience through interactive dining and staff support supplements by technology. ## Trend signals for Tech-Enabled Customization Trend score 5.5 out of 10, from popularity 83%, activity 73%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 83% - Activity: 73% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Tech-Enabled Customization trend 10 featured examples from Jul 18, 2012 to May 6, 2016. - [Self-Scanning Shopping Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfservice-checkout): QueueHop Lets You Skip the Line With Smartphone Self-Service Checkout (Category: Tech) Implication: Retail companies can use self-scanning apps and RFID tagging to optimize their inventory management, provide a faster and seamless shopping experience, and protect against theft. - [Shopping Survey Tablets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-shopping-cart): Co-operative Food's Smart Shopping Cart Asks Customers for Feedback (Category: Marketing) Implication: The retail industry can benefit from using smart shopping carts to gather customer feedback and improve the shopping experience. - [Interactive Smart Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ebony-restaurant): Ebony Restaurant in Dubai Uses Dining Tables as Interactive Devices (Category: Business) Implication: Restaurants that offer technological table enhancement can revolutionize the restaurant experience for visitors. - [Drink Pre-Ordering Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-mobile): Starbucks' Mobile App Will Soon Let You Order and Pay in Advance (Category: Tech) Implication: Implementing mobile order-ahead features in cafes and coffee shops can help streamline operations and attract tech-savvy customers. - [Analytic Retail Beacons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/altromercato): Altromercato's Beacons Are Equipped with Facial Recognition and Wi-Fi (Category: Tech) Implication: There is a growing demand for advanced analytics solutions that can provide valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and store performance. - [Smartwatch Shopping Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/band-by-true-religion): The Band by True Religion Initiative Bring Smartwatches to Retail (Category: Tech) Implication: The retail industry can benefit from integrating smartwatches into the shopping experience, providing customers with a more interactive and personalized experience. - [Digitized Loyalty Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-kiosks): Sporting Life Introduces Interactive Kiosks for Its Lifeline Program (Category: Marketing) Implication: Incorporating interactive kiosks and digitized loyalty programs in retail stores presents new opportunities for customer engagement and personalized marketing. - [POS Tablet Holders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-stand): The 'MiStand+' Aluminum Stand Can be Used in Retail and at Workstations (Category: Tech) Implication: The 'MiStand+' aluminum stand has applications in the retail industry, specifically in enabling tablet-based POS systems and enhancing customer experience. - [Self-Service Taverns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-thirsty-bear): The Thirsty Bear Lets Customers Help Themselves to Beer (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Restaurants and pubs are implementing self-service technology to enhance customer service and streamline operations. - [Customer Service Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intelligent-robot): The Hitachi 'EMIEW3' Intelligent Robot Can Sense When Customers Need Help (Category: Tech) Implication: Retailers can benefit from using intelligent robots to provide efficient and quick customer service. ## Recent trend clusters - [Gentle Diagnostics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/home-heart-screening) (Lifestyle) - [Targeted Macros](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-protein-ingredients) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Borrowing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/soft-drink-flavor-mashups) (Lifestyle) - [Silent Triage](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/passive-health-wearables) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Holiday-Inspired Potato Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-inspired-potato-chips) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)