Convergent commerce is the integration of online and instore experiences that allow shoppers to buy from anywhere, anytime, anyhow. The pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of shopping, ushering in a huge surge in expansion of multi-channel experiences for consumers, including mobile, social and livestreaming commerce, direct-to-consumer, buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS), to name a few. As a result consumer journeys have changed, becoming more complex and less linear, based on their own commerce ecosystems of default go-to brands, retailers, channels and touchpoints.
Ben Page introduces July’s edition of Ipsos Update with his reflections on the mounting public concern about inflation and the consequences of this for consumer spending. Alongside updates on how people around the world are reacting to cost-of-living pressures, this month’s articles focus on topics which include the demographics and psychographics of Pakistan, and the changing global attitudes towards refugees. We also take a look at the latest Ipsos Views papers on the growth of commerce ecosystems, achieving intimate consumer connections in large communities, and the use of AI to predict future innovation success.
This paper explores some of the emerging channels where convergent commerce is evident, their impacts on shopper journeys and touchpoint use, and what it means for brands.
Today’s environment is all about channels that are simultaneously converged and coming together: convergent commerce, if you will. Please join us as we consider the latest evidence and explore the implications for us all.
