As customers in many Asian markets are aging, retailers are
targeting at the “millennials” as the next major consumer
segment to come. To satisfy their unique aspiration for
individuality and self-expression, and to meet the changing
behaviors of other customer segments, retailers are apt
to develop experiential retailing by using virtual reality
technology, DIY workshops, pop-up stores, and other
innovative ideas to enhance their shopping experience.
While technology is advancing fast and furious, it brings
businesses opportunities and efficiency as well as challenges
and concerns of how to jump into the bandwagon. Many
businesses find the various technology options mind-
boggling, while others, the more informed see Hong Kong is
already behind our neighboring markets such as the Mainland
and Singapore in adopting and applying technology.
Our new Chief Executive, Mrs. Carrie Lam, in her maiden
policy address pledged to spend billions to catapult Hong
Kong into the IT age, to make use of innovation and
technology to develop Hong Kong into a high value-added
and diversified economy. Various schemes to boost training
of talent in IT, tax concession for private companies spending
on research and development are encouraging initiatives.
With open and proactive government policies to enhance
Hong Kong IT infrastructure development, with better
interaction between business and interdepartmental
government bureaux, and best-practice sharing among
business community, we look forward to seeing Hong
Kong advance to become a “Smart City” as Mrs. Lam has
envisioned.
During the reporting year, the Association has been assisting
members, especially SME retailers, to explore effectiveness
of different new technologies, online platforms and social
media channels through a wide range of activities. Our
objective is to equip members and fellow retailers with the
latest knowledge and skills, so that they can discern their
own technology adoption and create a unique and engaging
shopping experience for their customers.
We will count on members’ continued support and
participation in the upcoming endeavours in these areas.
隨著亞洲市場的消費者漸趨老齡化，「千禧世
代」將成為消費主力。他們往往狂熱地追崇能突
顯個人品味及自我形象的產品。為了滿足「千禧
世代」的需求及顧客不斷轉變的喜好，零售商大
力發展以體驗為主的零售模式，包括使用虛擬現
實技術、DIY工作坊、快閃店等創新意念，使顧客
體驗獨特的購物樂趣。
零售科技的發展一日千里，除了為零售商帶來機
遇、提升營運效率，同時也為它們帶來不少挑
戰，促使它們思考如何趕上科技發展的浪潮，以
掌握商機。不少零售商對科技發展的先進程度感
到詫異；也有零售商深切體會香港在科技應用
方面，已遠遠落後於中國內地及新加坡等鄰近市
場。
新任行政長官林鄭月娥女士在首份施政報告中，
承諾斥資數十億元，讓香港在創新科技路上急起
直追，運用創新科技以配合香港的高增值及多元
化發展。行政長官亦提出多項鼓舞人心的措施，
包括培育資訊科技人才計劃，以及對私營企業的
研發開支給予扣稅優惠。
政府採取開放及積極有為的政策，推動香港資訊
科技的發展，加上商界與跨部門政府的合作，
以及企業之間分享最佳的營商之道，協會希望香
港能盡快發展成為行政長官所預期的「智慧城
市」。
於本年度，協會透過舉辦各項活動協助會員，特
別是中小企零售商，了解網上平台及社交媒體的
應用，掌握零售業最新知識及發展，助他們提升
零售科技應用的技術，為顧客創造愉快及獨特的
購物體驗。
協會冀望會員繼續鼎力支持及積極參與協會未來
的活動，以期共創豐碩的成果。
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