Brick-and-mortar stores have continued to evolve and adapt as technological advancements change the way customers shop.
Most customers who prefer to shop online, do so for convenience- they do not need to leave their homes, online shopping is available 24/7, and using promotional codes online is simple. Although online shopping is appealing in its own right, brick-and-mortar stores have offerings that online shopping will never be able to compete with.
An inviting, clean store, outstanding customer service, and the use of tech are all elements that brick-and-mortar stores can implement to drive sales. Almost six in 10 consumers would prefer to shop in-store with a retailer that uses technology. This makes the shopping experience more fun and engaging. Technology in brick-and-mortar stores does not need to be advanced – for example, just having the ability to buy in-store and then ship directly to a customer’s home is an effective technological development and one that most customers often expect.
According to a survey by Raydiant, 48% of respondents prefer to shop in person at a physical store when given the choice. So, how can you reach the other half of the nation that prefers to shop online? Implement technology into your store.
Read these tech tips that you can easily incorporate into your store to deliver a world-class experience to your customers:
- Have an online website to compliment your physical store location. Increase your selling channels to grow your customer base, make sales, and increase your brand awareness. Many people get their news and information online. Leverage your website by sharing upcoming in-store events and offering scannable promo codes that can be used in your store.
- Reduce the time spent at the checkout line by bringing mobile POS to your retail location. These are simple to integrate and can streamline your customer’s checkout process.
- Offer Buy-Online, Pick-Up in store (BOPIS). Once you’ve got tip #1 done, tip #3 is a no-brainer. Meet your customers where they’re at. By integrating online shopping with in-store pick-up, you’re giving them the best of both worlds. With BOPIS, you deliver shorter delivery timelines, no shipping costs, and the ability to ship items back that don’t meet the expectations of your customers.
Brick-and-mortar retail is not dying, it’s evolving. Retailers who are focused on creating an unbeatable in-store experience coupled with powerful technology are positioned to thrive as the retail industry progresses.
Don’t yet have an eCommerce website? Reach out to our Fitted team at support@fittedretail.com and we’ll get you fitted for success.
