There are few aspects of a market-driven culture that are more important than the designation of being a customer. From the goods we purchase to the services we utilize, this comprises a necessary part of every person’s identity. However, as the retail landscape continues to change and purchasing power has been driven online in recent years, the word customer oftentimes seems to have been replaced by the word ‘consumer’ – a markedly different definition that does not necessarily evaporate as soon as one walks out of a store.
According to Merriam-Webster, a customer is defined as, “Someone who buys goods or services from a business.” A consumer, on the other hand, is defined as, “A person who buys goods and services.” While a customer exists in relation to the business they’ve purchased goods from, outside of that relationship they are no longer a customer. A consumer, however, is anyone who buys goods and services (and nearly everyone on the planet does), so even out of accordance with a particular business, a person can remain a consumer.
In June 2017, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, the MSC Meraviglia, is scheduled to set sail. While the ship does not hold the most passengers, it will be the first boat to feature Cirque du Soleil performances created specifically for the cruise and, most notably, an augmented reality device created in partnership with Samsung. According to MSC Cruise CEO Gianni Onorato, their fleet of ships will be “equipped throughout with Samsung’s latest-technology products and solutions…the best of the next generation in smart ships at sea.”
Justine Leonhardt 