Business

5 Ways to Improve the In-Store Experience Using Technology

Retailers are in a constant duel, working tirelessly to attract new shoppers to their stores and maintain their already existing clientele base. This brings about a rush by the stores to implement new technology that makes the shoppers experience unique, friendly, and enjoyable to stay ahead of their competition.

Online shopping has expanded immensely, at rates higher than that estimated, forcing retailers to rethink the traditional brick and mortar store-style experience. On the other hand, pure play retail is diminishing. E-commerce players are being prompted to open up some physical stores.  Existing store owners, on the other hand, are being forced to ship up and create a digital footprint or risk going out of business.

Below are ways in which Physical stores can accommodate Technology and use it to create a better shopping experience for their users

1. Contactless Payments

Contactless payment systems enhance the use of technology to avoid physical contact between the shopper and attendant. This Technology helps the shopping experience by making it self service.

The self-service method reduces time spent on checkout lanes and errors made by the attendants. In addition, it will reduce the awkwardness brought about by excessive physical touch during the transactions.

During this pandemic period, where physical touch has been discouraged in a bid to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus, Contactless shopping has surged tremendously, with consumers prioritizing their health.  Retailers have adopted this method, with Big retailers like Kroger and Walmart starting up pilot stores that offer at least one form of contactless shopping or the other.

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2. Personalization

The emergence of smartphones and smartphone application has made life simpler. Nowadays, there exists an app for everything, making life easier. Customers may be requested to download the retailer’s application to their phones.

By using the application, directions to where specific sections are may be forwarded to the consumer through the application. Recommendations may also be forwarded to the customer, helping them make decisions faster as to what they may purchase. Complementary goods may also be suggested via the app to show the user what goods go well together.

The store can also use the mobile app to offer users product information through the use of beacons while shopping. When product reviews from other customers are displayed in the app, this helps potential consumer come to a more conclusive decision.

Their feedback on issues concerning the store to the store’s management will also be dealt with faster as complaints and suggestions will be passed through the stores’ application. With the Personalization of the shopping experience, the user will feel more comfortable as they waltz through the store while  picking up their goods

3. Rewarding Loyalty

Adopting the app will help boost user experience in the store and aid in building customer loyalty. The app can help track the number of times a user has visited the store and award loyalty points to the user.

These loyalty points are redeemable for discounts when buying goods at the store. This in turn, entices the user to make more trips to the store, garnering higher discount bonuses and the store, in turn gets more revenue due to the increased purchases.

Customers may also get points through a referral system bringing in new customers into the fold. When use appropriately, a in-store retail shopping app can also serve at a great tool for pusing targeted ads.  This will help target loyal customer and customers with preferences for specific goods.

The store can easily tell the customer’s prefrenrences by assessing information on the goods add to their shopping carts. This system will help breed loyalty among the customers to specific stores.

In addition, it will also help with maintaining competition between the stores as the stores struggle to offer newer and better deals to the consumer. This activity enhances the overall shopping experience.

4. Retail Operations

Foot traffic when it comes to stores is a big issue. If foot traffic can be monitored adequately and accurately, the stores’ profitable and non-profitable parts can be assessed. Bluetooth technology can be used in tandem with Innovative Beacon management systems to monitor foot traffic.

This Technology will help map out areas of the store frequented by customers and those that are not. This will enable management to make educated purchases when it comes to inventory management. It’s also a great way to help craft a strategized organization of goods to enable pairing of less moving goods with faster moving goods, enhancing profitability.

Other benefits include expansion, redistribution, and redesigning of aisles where there is heavy traffic be done.  This technology can be used in counters; if long lines are detected, customers may be encouraged to visit other tills located in another area.

Real-time information gathered from this system will help managers in redistributing staff to the busy areas improving the flow, and preventing long lineups

5. Cleanliness

With the use of Technology, new cleaning practices can be implemented. As customers interact with the staff and go about purchasing goods, the store’s cleanliness is usually a factor they consider when deciding which store to go to.

With the Impact caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, retail players have to strive to make in-store shopping safe for their customers. With regular cleaning and disinfecting of the stores, the cleaning cycles may become strenuous and physically demanding for the staff.

The use of automated Robot cleaners and shelf planners may help the staff make more productive use of their time in other areas. With the repetitive tasks handled by robots, safety is guaranteed to the customer as robots don’t suffer from Covid 19. As a result, the goods they handle will be germ-free, and labour is freed to be reassigned to areas that require it more.  

Innovations in Technology do not harm Retailers and their business, provided they shift with the change and embrace it. It may offer new profitable and unexplored avenues to augment their user experience and grow their business. Technology greatly improves customer satisfaction as it has one goal only, to make work easier

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