Imaging Industry Roundtable

Dealers need to make sure that they are delivering a great shopping experience even as the marketplace continues to change, and understanding consumer needs and behaviors through social media is an excellent way to learn. Retailers need to be flexible to ensure they are delivering what the consumer is looking for, and the same is true for manufacturers. This is why we value consumer dialogue and the opportunity to educate people - it enables us to adapt to better satisfy the market.

Peck: I believe a challenge for retailers in this changing market is the struggle between remaining a resource for the consumer, while at the same time offering the right price point and technology to get them to walk in the door. Customers seem to know what they want before walking in the door. Fewer and fewer of them are relying on the sales associates for their recommendations, instead utilizing mobile and web-based technologies for recommendations and research. Embracing the new educated consumer could prove to give retailers an edge, and working with manufacturers to provide sound advice to consumers or the ability to answer a question when asked will ultimately make a difference.

Tim Grenke, Consumer, Old Bridge, N.J.: Awareness is the biggest problem I see as a consumer. I'm not aware of all the cool things I can do with my images and I'm not comfortable doing any of that stuff online. I want to really see the products before I make a purchase and that's not happening. When it comes to my memories, show me something cool and I might buy.