From contactless payments to contact-free delivery, the pandemic has sharpened people’s expectations for contactless and friction-free transactions. By allowing shoppers to bypass cashiers altogether, Trigo is bringing a greater sense of seamlessness to European supermarkets.

Online shopping often lacks the excitement and discovery of the in-store experience, but as more people shop exclusively online, e-commerce retailers are attempting to evoke some of the experiential elements of in-store shopping through immersive, digital recreations of physical retail spaces.

Technology has become central to shopping as COVID-19 has led people to seek out touch-free experiences. But how will augmented reality fit into the future retail landscape? How can it bridge the gap between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar to deliver convenience, safety, and a personal touch?