With Black Friday around the corner, retailers are busy preparing for a holiday season unlike any other. This is the time of year when sales soar and at any given moment, you can expect crowded malls, long lines at the department store register, and Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" following you from store to store. But what we can expect to see this season is a lot different than last. This year we anticipate that many in-store shoppers will be checking off their wish lists from the convenience and safety of their homes.

Last holiday season, the retail sector pulled in an estimated 729.3 billion dollars in the U.S., contributing to the industry's 5.5 trillion in total sales for the year. In 2019, holiday ecommerce sales grew at a rate higher than that of total retail sales. In fact, Cyber Monday 2019 became the biggest online shopping day in U.S. history, hitting record online sales of over 9.4 billion dollars. And this year it's projected that ecommerce sales as a percentage of total holiday shopping will significantly increase compared to the previous year.

Even with the growing popularity of online shopping, many consumers still prefer the traditional brick-and-mortar retail experience. With stay-at-home advisories and social distancing protocols in place, retailers are exploring ways to meet the touchless needs of their customers both online and in-store.

Today's leading brands are reinventing themselves for the connected consumer by adopting new technologies such as virtual in-store experiences and more self-service options. While maintaining the health and safety of associates and customers remains priority number one, these trends indicate the shift towards touchless retail might outlast the pandemic for reasons beyond public safety. Touchless retail solutions offer shoppers trust, comfort, and more immersive experiences that make in-store shopping smarter, safer, and more enjoyable.