The concept of redesigning a business means to go through the aims, objectives, goal, tactics, strategies, structure, customer profiling etc, and make the possible changes which will result in favour of the organization.

There are various types of stores in Pakistan. Looking at the stores in Islamabad (Capital):

1. Supermarkets (like Imtiaz, Al-Fateh)
2. Discount stores (like Chase value)
3. Warehouse stores (like factory outlets of different brands)
4. Mom-and-pop stores (usually in nook and cranny of tier-three of Islamabad it includes the kiryana stores)
5. Specialty stores (like Outfitters, Beachtree, Khaadi)
6. E-stores (like Daraz.pk, Olx, AliExpress)
7. Convenience stores (like stopshops at petrol pumps)
8. Departmental stores (like Chenone, Metro, Save Mart, other local marts)

The redesigning process of these stores in Islamabad would be a bit different from each other.

Supermarket (like Imtiaz and Al-Fateh)

Supermarket usually focus on products like food which can include raw, fresh, cooked, or processed food. We can incorporate the new retail concept by;

a)     Making an application for these businesses where people can place their order. It will be easy specially for the regular customers (who know what to buy and are already satisfied from the quality)

b)    Making a dining area where people can enjoy fresh seafood or meat. Nothing extravagant but a simple area that can accommodate 5-10 people who want to try the fish, chicken, beef etc before they buy it in larger quantity.

c)     Improving the technology used. These supermarkets already have a bar code scanner on different aisles to check prices of items, but this can be improved by adding a software that helps the customer to check the main features of products, recipes and have a quick comparison with similar products. This will help the customer decide quicker and will not be frustrated on which kind of ketchup they want to buy making the experience pleasurable.

Discount stores (like Chase value)

Discount stores offer a wide range of products but in less quantity. We can incorporate the new retail concept by;

a)     Installing virtual shelfs which helps the customer to search what they are looking for by simply entering the clothe category, type, colour, size etc. This way the customer can check how would it look on them and if an item is out of stock they will be informed then and there which is better than wasting time going through various aisles, then looking for the salesperson, telling them what you are looking for, then the salesperson asks his senior, they go check the stock in back, come back and tell the customer that they are out of that article.

b)    Having another software that can be embedded into the virtual shelf is that the customer can scan a picture or screenshot of a clothe they are looking for. The software scans the image and shows the result of the most similar clothes available in the store.

Warehouse stores (like factory outlets of different brands)

Warehouse stores sells limited articles at discounted prices. As it is not a proper store where most of the customers buy from there is lack of display of items and the interior of the store is also mediocre. We can incorporate the new retail concept by;

a)        Putting up smart led screens display which lets the customer know what articles are available (as there is no proper display) and they can easily select what they want to buy or even get it delivered to their home by paying extra. As the prices are very reasonable at factory outlet people tend to buy more, but not everyone has the convenience to carry it home so home delivery would be a great option.

Mom-and-pop stores

Also known as general stores These stores are usually family owned. They are small in size and are located in nearby neighbourhoods. They offer very limited items like eggs, bread, stationary, cigarettes, milk, medicines, and other similar items one might need in emergency. We can incorporate the new retail concept by;

a)     Making a mobile application where people can place their order. It will be easy specially for the customers who live nearby but are unable to leave the home due to some reason (for example, women avoid leaving their home alone after evening)

Specialty stores (like Outfitters, Beachtree, Khaadi)

As the name suggests these stores specialize in particular product line. Such as Khaadi only sells eastern and western clothes along with perfumes and accessories. We can incorporate the new retail concept by;

a)     Installing virtual shelfs which helps the customer to search what they are looking for by simply entering the clothe category, type, colour, size etc. This way the customer can check how would it look on them and if an item is out of stock they will be informed right away.

b)    Having home delivery available. Some people cannot decide on buying clothes unless they have physically seen it and touched it to see its quality and texture. For such people there should be an option of placing an order at the outlet but getting the products delivered to their home.

E-stores (like Daraz.pk, Olx, AliExpress)

These stores are completely virtual meaning they don’t have physical existence. Consumers place on their websites or mobile applications online using internet. The payment mode available is COD (cash on delivery), credit card, debit card, jazzcash, easypaisa, application wallet, bank transfer. We can incorporate the new retail concept by;

a)     Introducing virtual shelfs software in mobile phones where customers can see how products such as clothes and accessories would look on themselves. This will reduce the percentage of people who return the items just because they do not like how it looks on them.

b)    AR technology will allow the customers to see the product in augmented reality, where they can zoom it in and out and see it in 360° virtually.

 Convenience stores (like stopshops at petrol pumps)

The small stops especially the ones in or near the petrol pumps. These stores offer customer easy access solution while they are waiting to get fuel for their car. We can incorporate the new retail concept by;

a)     Installing vending machines. This is great for people who just want a quick grab and go. Snacks like crisps or chocolates and drinks like soda or energy drinks at usually displayed in vending machines. The process is very easy, and it hardly takes a minute. All the customer has to do is press on the item number they want and deposit the amount for it in the vending machine with cash, coins, or card. At this time and point there are vending machines that also offer instant food. It is a complete deal. The customer needs nothing additional to make it. It comes with spoon/fork along with heat patches, seasoning, sauces etc. For example, the Chinese instant hot pot, it costs around $1.05 only.

Departmental stores (like Chenone, Metro, Save Mart, other local marts)

Departmental stores offer a wide range unlike other stores. They offer items such as clothes, electronic appliances, jewellery, footwear, cosmetics, toys, stationary, furniture, books, toiletries, CDs/DVDs etc. In some cases they also provide food for example metro and save mart. We can incorporate the new retail concept by;

a)      Making an application for these businesses where people can place their order. It will be easy specially for the regular customers (who know what to buy and are already satisfied from the quality).

b)      Installing virtual shelfs which helps the customer to search what they are looking for by simply entering the clothe category, type, colour, size etc. This way the customer can check how would it look on them and if an item is out of stock.

c)      Making a dining area where people can enjoy fresh seafood or meat. A simple area that can accommodate 5-10 people who want to try the fish, chicken, beef etc before they buy it in larger quantity.

d)      Putting up smart led screens display which lets the customer know what articles are available (as there is no proper display) and they can easily select what they want to buy or even get it delivered to their home by paying extra.

e)      Improving the technology used. These supermarkets already have a bar code scanner on different aisles to check prices of items, but this can be improved by adding a software that helps the customer to check the main features of products, recipes and have a quick comparison with similar products.

f)       Making a mobile application where people can place their order. It will be easy specially for the customers who live nearby but are unable to leave the home.

After the whole redesigning of these stores it is important to also teach the customers how to use these various technologies, machines and softwares. Following are a few ways awareness amongst customers can be increased;

      i.         Making demonstration video on how to use.

    ii.         Pasting a manual on machines so customer can read before using.

   iii.         Putting brochures on stalls so people can read it themselves.

   iv.         Having embedded demo/trial session in technology which resets every time a new customer uses it so that they are familiar with how to operate it.

     v.         Social media promotion (Facebook posts, Instagram posts and YouTube videos) Posting these are free of cost and can be further promoted to a larger audience upon payment.