In-store pickup technology has undoubtedly had one of the most transformative impacts within retail in recent years, with the goal of delivering a seamless shopping experience for omnichannel consumers. In-store pickup is an essential part of omnichannel because it connects the online and offline platforms together. As a retailer, are you also planning to step up the game and bring the most convenient shopping experience to customers? In this blog, we will explain the things you need to prepare for in-store pickup.
Overview
A website or app for ordering
First and foremost, customers should be able to order things via the brand’s website or app, which connects the online and offline experiences. This platform should give precise, real-time visibility into available inventory.
With smartphones increasingly playing a supporting role in almost every part of people’s life, it’s no wonder that they expect their phones to help them buy, especially when it comes to BOPIS (buy online pick up in-store). Customers should receive push notifications from retailers, which they know when their order has been received and prepared, as well as verify that their order is available for pickup.
A minimum of one pick-up location
In-store pickup, without a doubt, does not function for stores that just have an online presence. Retailers must have at least one physical location to fulfill online orders and serve as a pickup point for customers. The store should be carefully organized to give clients a convenient destination while also increasing foot traffic. For example, there should be a clear sign and an easy-to-find pickup spot.
Real-time synchronization
To boost productivity and minimize errors, retailers should also analyze and apply the appropriate technological components in order to provide customers with the most up-to-date inventory. This entails linking all aspects of the retailer’s fulfillment system in order to generate real-time statistics on order statuses, workflows, location management, and customer interaction.
If you have numerous locations, it’s even more important that you have a unified system that helps you monitor all these places. On the market nowadays, a point of sale (POS) system, such as ConnectPOS, is a powerful tool for retailers to monitor real-time inventory levels. If you are interested, ConnectPOS offers a 14-day free trial to every retailer who wants to experience the system.
A consistent pick-up guide
Customers should have a solid grasp of how the entire click and collect process works. They should be able to follow step-by-step guidance, such as when they make an order, the firm prepares the items, and the customers come to the store to pick up their purchases. To eliminate as much confusion as possible, this information should be presented in the first place.
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As a result, you’ll be able to keep the in-store pickup procedure similar for both workers and customers. For better clarity, this guidance should be published online and expressed in-store, as the purchasing experience is now omnichannel. This also helps express your brand as a more professional company.
Employee training
Moving your business online does not imply that your workers are any less essential. Instead, they must gain a better understanding of omnichannel. For this reason, your staff should be fully informed about your omnichannel approach. Whether working in a call center or on the sales floor, employees should provide support for customers in a timely manner.
Wrapping up
Customers are always looking for convenience, which is why merchants are embracing the buy online, pick up in-store strategy. If you still have any questions about this, don’t hesitate to contact us for more insights into in-store pickup and details about our point of sale system, ConnectPOS.