The increasing popularity of smartphones among shoppers could give you the chance to create the ultimate shopping experience by incorporating the best parts of online shopping in your retail store. Online shopping has been widely accepted by many people across the globe. However, the same people often frequent brick-and-mortar storefronts. No matter how popular e-commerce has become, it is yet to replace a few main reasons why people keep shopping in stores:
- Shopping in a store provides higher levels of social interaction
- It is possible to physically inspect the exact item a customer will purchase in a store
- Purchasing items in stores often provides instant gratification to the buyer
- Storefronts are often viewed as more trustworthy than e-commerce businesses
Instead of directly competing with major e-commerce platforms, retail business owners can use newer smartphone technology to provide customers with the ultimate shopping experience.
How Retail Business Owners Can Use Smartphones to Drive Revenue
Think about all of the things that customers typically do not like about shopping. Few people enjoy waiting in long lines to make a purchase. Similarly, few people enjoy waiting for sales associates to walk to the back of the store to check if a certain item is in stock. After identifying common problems or inefficiencies in your retail store, think of the ways implementing smartphone technologies could make for a better shopping experience while helping increase sales and drive return on investment.
Top Three Smartphone Solution
Below are three smartphone solutions to common customer concerns in retail stores:
- Long checkout lines:
Almost every shopper has experienced irritation when waiting in a long line that does not appear to be moving. Long lines can be daunting enough to drive potential customers pressed for time elsewhere. Have sales associate's complete transactions with smartphones connected to a POS system for customers that wish to make the transaction via credit card, debit card, or personal check to speed things up. - Customer queries about inventory:
It is common for customers to inquire with sales associates as to if the store currently has an item in a different color or size in the back. Sales associates can quickly check current inventory on a smartphone connected to a POS system instead of letting customers wait while physically checking available inventory. - Price checks and product confusion:
Mobile phones can be used by customers to either scan barcodes or ask for assistance via text instead of trying to locate and gain the attention of the correct sales associate in a busy store.
Create a Custom App to Boost Local E-commerce
Local e-commerce has traditionally been used when purchasing items that cannot be readily shipped, such as an antique table. Why not use a custom app on a smartphone to build hype about your latest inventory or new product line? Customers can purchase or reserve an item in seconds. They can then retrieve the item at a time when shopping is more convenient. By melding local e-commerce with a brick-and-mortar storefront, you can take advantage of increased visibility on two different marketing channels. In addition, customers still have the option of impulse buys at your retail store. Upselling and adding additional purchases to a sale can often be more lucrative than the initial item reserved for pickup.
Smartphones Are a Retail Store's New Best Asset
Smartphone technology can create a better shopping experience for customers while increasing the efficiency of sales staff. In addition to creating a better shopping experience, store owners can take their businesses to the next level by combining local e-commerce with the social experience of going to a retail store.
Learn How Smartphone Technology Can Help Your Retail Business
It is important to take every opportunity to boost sales and drive revenue in today's economy. Contact a Web Design Company that will fulfill your needs today.
However, the same people often frequent brick-and-mortar storefronts. No matter how popular e-commerce has become, it is yet to replace a few main reasons why people keep shopping in stores.
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