We will live in a very different world 10 years from now due to changes in technology, economics and society in general. These changes will affect almost every area of our lives: ways we work, shop and interact with others.

1. Stores

Your shopping experience will change somewhat. Many large chain stores will reduce their personnel to a very minimum.

Most check out points will be self service. Also you will get assistance from computer store guides. Today if you have a difficulty finding certain product, you ask a store employee. Few years from now you will enter your item’s description into computer and get detailed information on where to locate it.

In addition many retailers will encourage on line shopping. Future innovations will let you see many products on line in every little detail just like you were in the store. Therefore increasing number of people will shop online instead of going to the store.

2. Banking

Some banks exist online only. That is how most banks are going to operate in the future. Most employers will transfer salaries electronically and increasing number of people will use debit cards instead of carrying cash.

Many neighborhood branches will be replaced by automated systems that will enable you to deposit and withdraw money.

What about opening or closing accounts, applying for loans, investing in CDs, bonds and other issues that can’t easily be solved without some human interaction? I think that consumers will have two options: they could either go to traditional branch or do business online via instant chat features.

3. Post office

As more and more people pay their bills online, use E-mail instead of sending paper letters and post cards, post office would have to change the way it operates. Increasing stamp prices is not a viable solution since most people will use them rarely.

It wouldn’t surprise me if post office decided to concentrate on package delivery to compete with FedEx, UPS and DHL. They might close some of their offices. It’s also possible that they will deliver paper correspondence just 3 days a week instead of 6 day schedule they have now.