Consulting firm PWC calls this retail era “the age of disruption.” And PWC has done a lot of research to determine the characteristics of this era, their implications, and how to deal with them.

Recently, PWC completed a major survey of shoppers:

“The report surveyed more than 19,000 online shoppers in 19 different countries. It focuses on how four major disruptions have resulted in unprecedented change in the retail industry — (1) The changing role of the store. (2) Mobile and related technologies. (3) The proliferation of social networks. (4) Demographic shifts.”

“As online shopping continues to grow at the expense of store visits, the premium in the future will be on creating unique,brand-defining experiences that keep customers coming back — whatever the channel.”

Take a look at the slideshow from PWC.