The COVID-19 pandemic had a complicated effect on the retail industry, with supply chain shortages and brick-and-mortar storefronts closing, putting an enormous strain on the sector. Fortunately, technological innovators like the location-based communication platform Bonder have created ways for retailers to adapt to consumers' rapidly changing needs. This innovation is what drew LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton CTO Antoine Tessier to join the company's Advisory Board, serving as Bonder's new CTO.
With over 17 years of experience in the retail industry, Tessier has a deep passion for and understanding of the evolving retail landscape. Tessier worked at Louis Vuitton for 12 years, taking on multiple roles, including Project Leader, Senior Manager of Digital and Retail, Director of Digital and Retail, and Chief Technology Officer. He then became the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of LVMH Americas, and brings this experience to his new role as CTO of Bonder.
A new social retail platform
Bonder is a new social and retail platform that represents the intersection between people, businesses, and communities. The Bonder Pro Retail platform aims to allow retailers to connect their space to their customers' phones, creating a more social - and profitable - retail ecosystem.
"Retail spaces are consistently trying to improve the in-store customer experience and stay better connected to their guests before, during and after a visit knowing most trail off into the social media abyss," said Scott Swanson, Bonder's CEO and Founder. "Our platform empowers the store to invite their visitors into a private community we call 'Circles' which are specific to each store. The members receive a handful of cool benefits by joining these Circles, from instant employee chat and offers upon arrival, to access to private streaming sales, other helpful events, and e-gift cards - all accessible within an eco-system of people helping people. Say good-bye to '800' numbers because we just leveled up the entire support experience by enfolding you into a community of locals who shop and network with each other specific to that stores location."
Bonder can eliminate the need for numerous retail brand apps. Consumers can use the Bonder app as a direct tool to instantly find and buy products, chat with in-store employees, apply exclusive discounts, and join private communities within local stores they frequent. Users can connect with not only every staff member in each department - individually or collectively - but also other shoppers using the platform in the immediate vicinity.
Tessier believes Bonder represents the future landscape of retail. "The Bonder team's vision is to create a new retail landscape to keep up with the changing demands of consumers," says Tessier. "Consumers are now seeking local, curated, and personalized relationships from their retail experiences. During the pandemic, there was a yearning for human interaction and community building among retail consumers, and Bonder is the revolutionary answer to this yearning."
A more personalized and collaborative retail experience
As part of this shift towards more personalized retail experiences, many brands have already incorporated customers' needs for engagement, collaboration, and discussion of mutually important topics to humanize the brand. Unfortunately, many retailers have yet to see the potential this approach could have on their businesses.
"Retail, which struggled during the pandemic, is catching up fast, and people are at the center," Tessier said in a recent press release. "Consumers have realized the importance of human interaction, and Bonder answers this need that every retailer and consumer has."
For the Bonder team, retail will always have the advantage over e-commerce because e-commerce lacks the necessary personal touch. Bonder partners with retailers to create deeper, ongoing connections between stores and customers that e-commerce platforms could only dream of. In other words, Bonder has found an audience that wants to connect and has given them a way to do so.
Technology like Bonder has the potential to drive further sales and increase customer engagement by nurturing loyal customer bases and encouraging them to stay connected with a particular store's community. Tools like access to updates, special events, and exclusive services and offers might seem simple, but can help make customers more engaged with retailers.
However, it is important to note that sales aren't the first and foremost priority when it comes to the use of a platform such as Bonder, but a happy side effect. "The local relationships built by Bonder are less about the sale and more done in the interest of genuine interactions and businesses and consumers talking to and learning from each other," says Tessier. "This investment in genuine interactions builds trust and will translate to repeat customers and additional organic sales."
Under the guidance of Antoine Tessier as Bonder's CTO and a member of their Advisory Board, Bonder can revolutionize the retail industry. Consumers are demanding shopping experiences that are more connected and attuned to their social needs, and an innovative platform like Bonder is exactly what retailers need to fulfill that need.
