By Erica and Karen

Now that we have more time, we are enjoying a more textured approach to shopping. We still buy online, especially staples. But we like to walk around and touch things. We have always done that with fresh food and flowers--in the farmers’ markets, or the local grocery store, and with more time we can linger on sunny days. But now we can do the same thing with clothes, and shoes, and kitchen stuff, and everything that benefits from color or texture or design. We like to go to a well appointed store to have a look. And a feel.

Retail is changing. We seem to be on the cutting edge of new ways to experience commerce, one of the most human of activities. 3D printing, virtual reality, drones and robots have arrived. We think all the new technology is going to make getting physically older more positive, as it will enhance our abilities to engage. There is no place you can’t go, nothing you can’t do, virtually. And those robots? They can help us with fit and color, and will have the patience of saints. Holographic displays on shop counters, activated by facial recognition technology that rearranges displays to suit our preferences? Can’t wait!

But the real change seems to be one with roots in the past--a broad recognition that humans like entertainment, and other humans. Apple has known that for a while. Apple allows us to shop in an atmosphere that is interesting and cool and inviting, where people are available to help but not to interfere. Places where you can play with the latest tech, and even get lessons in using it. We will will surely end up spending more money if a friendly person shows us how easy it all is. Or even a friendly robot.

We look forward to seeing where it all goes, and we hope the geniuses behind these trends will ask us what we think. Because we are great shoppers.