WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.667 (gentle music) 2 00:00:07.020 --> 00:00:09.240 The old rules of retail are gone. 3 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:10.770 For retailers to win in the future 4 00:00:10.770 --> 00:00:12.840 they're going to need an entirely new strategy, 5 00:00:12.840 --> 00:00:15.900 one that's customer-driven and fueled by data. 6 00:00:15.900 --> 00:00:18.234 Today we'd like to introduce a bold new strategy 7 00:00:18.234 --> 00:00:21.570 in the future of retail, called "Winning the Town." 8 00:00:21.570 --> 00:00:24.420 Let's start by discussing the disruption of retail. 9 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:27.390 Traditionally, retailers followed a strategy of expansion, 10 00:00:27.390 --> 00:00:29.310 opening as many stores as possible, 11 00:00:29.310 --> 00:00:30.810 creating a scale effect that allowed them 12 00:00:30.810 --> 00:00:33.840 to offer cheaper prices and attract more customers. 13 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:36.060 But this model no longer works. 14 00:00:36.060 --> 00:00:37.830 We have seen significant changes 15 00:00:37.830 --> 00:00:40.230 in consumer behavior and expectations. 16 00:00:40.230 --> 00:00:42.300 It won't be enough for retailers to rely on 17 00:00:42.300 --> 00:00:44.610 the old formula of store expansion. 18 00:00:44.610 --> 00:00:47.040 They will have to fundamentally change the approach 19 00:00:47.040 --> 00:00:49.980 and focus instead on maximizing engagement 20 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:51.690 to build customer density. 21 00:00:51.690 --> 00:00:54.300 To do that, they'll need to start with identifying 22 00:00:54.300 --> 00:00:55.950 new customer occasions. 23 00:00:55.950 --> 00:00:58.733 Rather than building scale through the number of stores, 24 00:00:58.733 --> 00:01:02.370 they'll concentrate efforts to build local operating scale, 25 00:01:02.370 --> 00:01:05.016 achieving a lower cost to serve in each community or town 26 00:01:05.016 --> 00:01:06.630 one at a time. 27 00:01:06.630 --> 00:01:09.040 Meeting their customers' needs more directly 28 00:01:09.962 --> 00:01:13.075 and more conveniently will allow the retailer to gain 29 00:01:13.075 --> 00:01:14.850 density of customers and a density of data 30 00:01:14.850 --> 00:01:17.310 that will help them further increase the share of wallet 31 00:01:17.310 --> 00:01:19.410 and in turn, lower prices. 32 00:01:19.410 --> 00:01:21.600 We call this new approach to retail strategy 33 00:01:21.600 --> 00:01:22.860 Winning the Town. 34 00:01:22.860 --> 00:01:24.300 Thanks for the overview Khaled. 35 00:01:24.300 --> 00:01:26.733 Let's now take a closer look at the strategy in action. 36 00:01:26.733 --> 00:01:29.370 The goal isn't just to sell more products, 37 00:01:29.370 --> 00:01:31.740 but to expand the share of wallet by accommodating 38 00:01:31.740 --> 00:01:33.900 a wider range of customer missions. 39 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:35.700 The retailer needs to deploy a network 40 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:38.400 of interconnected assets, both physical and digital 41 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:39.960 to serve these occasions. 42 00:01:39.960 --> 00:01:42.296 Let's talk about that Khaled. 43 00:01:42.296 --> 00:01:44.190 In the past, retailers have regarded their various stores 44 00:01:44.190 --> 00:01:46.740 and platforms as independent entities 45 00:01:46.740 --> 00:01:48.090 with their own P&L statements 46 00:01:48.090 --> 00:01:50.130 that must each earn their keep. 47 00:01:50.130 --> 00:01:51.900 But with the win the town strategy, 48 00:01:51.900 --> 00:01:55.020 these assets work together to form a cohesive whole. 49 00:01:55.020 --> 00:01:56.910 Stores must now serve a greater purpose 50 00:01:56.910 --> 00:01:59.160 than simply offering products to customers. 51 00:01:59.160 --> 00:02:01.020 They're now part of a fulfillment network, 52 00:02:01.020 --> 00:02:03.990 marketing strategy, convenience offering, and more. 53 00:02:03.990 --> 00:02:07.290 What ultimately matters is driving customer lifetime value. 54 00:02:07.290 --> 00:02:08.400 That's right. 55 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:10.890 Once retailers have achieved the density of customers 56 00:02:10.890 --> 00:02:12.888 in a given town, they start to get operational efficiencies 57 00:02:12.888 --> 00:02:16.680 in their network of assets in that town. 58 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:20.310 For example, retailers can lower the unit cost of delivery 59 00:02:20.310 --> 00:02:22.290 by optimizing their delivery routes 60 00:02:22.290 --> 00:02:25.140 and using their store network as mini fulfillment hubs 61 00:02:25.140 --> 00:02:27.000 to fulfill their online orders. 62 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:28.920 Or by serving B2B customers 63 00:02:28.920 --> 00:02:30.960 through last mile delivery networks. 64 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:32.280 And at the same time, 65 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:35.070 because of increased customer engagement and frequency, 66 00:02:35.070 --> 00:02:37.980 retailers are collecting a lot of data to better understand 67 00:02:37.980 --> 00:02:40.380 consumer preferences, patterns, and needs. 68 00:02:40.380 --> 00:02:42.810 One of retail's most valuable assets is the wealth 69 00:02:42.810 --> 00:02:44.370 of data they have. 70 00:02:44.370 --> 00:02:47.160 Adding touchpoints opens new opportunities to capture 71 00:02:47.160 --> 00:02:49.140 even richer customer datasets. 72 00:02:49.140 --> 00:02:51.810 Ultimately, it's all about adding touchpoints 73 00:02:51.810 --> 00:02:53.910 and bringing value back to the customer. 74 00:02:53.910 --> 00:02:56.573 Winning the town is about giving customers 75 00:02:56.573 --> 00:02:58.995 more of what they want, whether it's fresh produce, 76 00:02:58.995 --> 00:03:01.410 convenience, a more complete product offering, good prices, 77 00:03:01.410 --> 00:03:03.368 more of what matters for them. 78 00:03:03.368 --> 00:03:05.190 The secret is leveraging 79 00:03:05.190 --> 00:03:07.050 and building on what's already there. 80 00:03:07.050 --> 00:03:08.490 That's definitely it. 81 00:03:08.490 --> 00:03:11.640 Winning the town is all about meeting customers' needs 82 00:03:11.640 --> 00:03:14.250 through the right assets in the right location 83 00:03:14.250 --> 00:03:15.870 and at the right time. 84 00:03:15.870 --> 00:03:17.839 This could mean adapting some 85 00:03:17.839 --> 00:03:19.110 of their existing physical assets 86 00:03:19.110 --> 00:03:20.820 or pursuing strategic partnerships 87 00:03:20.820 --> 00:03:23.100 and expanding digital elements. 88 00:03:23.100 --> 00:03:24.720 It will be unique for each company, 89 00:03:24.720 --> 00:03:27.210 and it's also a complex path to navigate, 90 00:03:27.210 --> 00:03:29.970 given the capital and CapEx implications. 91 00:03:29.970 --> 00:03:32.970 While no new company has yet to master this approach, 92 00:03:32.970 --> 00:03:34.920 we at BCG are seeing its emergence 93 00:03:34.920 --> 00:03:36.810 across a retail landscape. 94 00:03:36.810 --> 00:03:39.300 BCG is working with retailers around the globe 95 00:03:39.300 --> 00:03:41.020 to take inspiration and apply it 96 00:03:41.938 --> 00:03:44.490 to their unique business market and customer base. 97 00:03:44.490 --> 00:03:46.950 Join us next time as we explore more topics 98 00:03:46.950 --> 00:03:48.776 in the future of retail. 99 00:03:48.776 --> 00:03:51.443 (gentle music)