In our fast-paced society, convenience is critical. We want to get in and out of a store as quickly as possible, with the items we need. And traditional stores have been trying to keep up with this demand by creating a more modern shopping experience. It includes implementing self-checkout, express lanes, and even delivery services.
But some stores are taking it one step further by incorporating technology into their shopping experience. With these new practices, retailers look to improve the consumer experience and boost sales. So if you need a little retail therapy, check out these innovative shopping experiences.
Self-Checkout
Customers often think self-checkout registers can be time-consuming and confusing. But some retailers are making them more user-friendly by implementing an interactive help feature. Walmart has found success with this approach, saying self-checkout registers account for six percent of their customers’ purchases.
But it’s not just about convenience–stores also see increased revenue. When customers use self-checkout, they tend to buy more items than they would otherwise because consumers know they can quickly check themselves out.
Click and Collect
Customers like this new shopping experience because it provides convenience and time savings. It allows customers to order items online that are then picked up in the store. And retailers see an increase in sales because of this practice.
It’s also great for customers because they can shop wherever and whenever they want. But retailers are looking to further enhance this shopping experience by making it faster, more efficient, and even partnering with other stores.
Express Lanes
We’ve all been stuck in the check-out line behind that person who has 20 items or uses a check. Some retailers offer express lanes with fewer items and self-checkout options to avoid those painful waits.
Retailers benefit from this practice by increasing overall transaction volume and reducing labor costs. And customers love it because they can get in and out of the store as quickly as possible.
Delivery
If you’re sick, injured, or just too tired to shop at all, retailers are taking care of it for you. These days, customers can order online and have their purchases delivered directly to their homes. And this service is top-rated in urban areas where people don’t own cars or don’t want to deal with shopping.
Retailers love this practice because it leads to increased sales. But customers don’t like paying for delivery, so retailers have to find different ways to make up the costs. Some stores offer free delivery on specific items or during particular times of the year.
Card Payments
Efficient card payment processing is crucial for today’s retail shopping experience. Retailers need to support the necessary number of terminals and processors at their store locations and accept cards using different types of technology.
The traditional magnetic strip credit card is being replaced by smart cards that allow for more security and provide customers with benefits when they use it. And mobile payment systems are gaining traction in the industry.
So to get ahead of the competition and provide a better shopping experience for customers, retailers need to go beyond traditional cash and check payment methods.
Drive-Thru
This shopping experience is mainly focused on convenience for customers. For instance, they can order their favorite meal from the comfort of their car without having to get out into inclement weather conditions.
Retailers are also trying to make this practice more efficient by offering drive-thru pharmacies and stores that only employ drive-thrus.
These multi-use drive-thrus increase sales, reduce labor costs, and improve customers’ shopping experiences.
Mobile Apps
The customer has become the focus of retail stores because they control the way retailers market to them and when and where they shop. For these reasons, retailers need to create a better mobile app to meet their customers’ needs.
Nowadays, customers expect retail apps to do more than provide store information and product details–they want them to act as a wallet. So retailers are working hard to keep up with this modern customer demand by creating mobile apps to pay for their devices’ items.
Reviews/Ratings
Customers are sharing their opinions about products and retailers on social media. So to stay relevant in today’s marketplace, retailers need to monitor what customers are saying about them online and respond accordingly. They can also encourage customers to leave reviews/ratings for items they buy in-store.
Retailers benefit by improving their overall brand reputation and increasing sales through positive online reviews.
Technological advancements like these are changing the face of modern shopping experiences. And they’re sure to continue to affect the way customers shop in the future.