Ecommerce got an enormous boost during the last 18 months, as shoppers’ health-related concerns ramped up online sales as they took to shopping from the safety of their homes. But with vaccinations rising and people feeling more confident in being able to safely leave their homes, customers are headed back to brick and mortars.

However, customers’ expectations have been heightened during the past 18 months.

In August, Mastercard Spending Pulse reported that U.S. retail sales excluding automotive and gasoline increased 8.1% year-over-year, and 7.7% compared with August 2019. 

Clearly, customers still want an in-store experience for certain items.

Retail Pro Prism is a modern and easy to use POS software and retail management system that makes the last impression, at the point of purchase  – the most consistent thing across the board – an easy, flexible interaction.

Using Retail Pro Prism on mobile devices enables your sales associates to complete a sale at any spot in your store, making for a more personal and meaningful exchange.

 

Omnichannel Expectations and Inventory

 

 

However, they also want some of the retail enhancements that came about due to COVID protocols. For example, customers want to find stock availability in store when on a retailer’s website. Driving out to the store without inventory knowledge is unnecessary and frustrating.

Having omnichannel operations that allow customers to purchase items on their own terms is key to gaining their loyalty. Retail Pro Prism sets up retailers for omnichannel operations they can personalize to their own business needs.

Receiving inventory information is the ticket to admission customers want.

Enhanced inventory visibility allows associates to know where any product is at any time, and also provides the customer with real-time inventory views across all store outlets.

With Retail Pro Prism POS associates have visibility across stores and channels, and can go further in helping customers if they’re unable to find a certain color or size in one store.

 

Inventory Visibility Benefits for All

 

 

While associates can see stock location within warehouses and the supply chain, customers can use the insight to determine the best available fulfillment option of their orders, including-ship to-store, BOPIS, curbside pickup, or delivery.

Why do customers prefer in-store purchasing then, when an online purchase is in many ways easier? Because customers want:

• Immediate fulfillment
• To verify the product is what it appears to be – dimensions, color, etc.
• To support local merchants

According to enVista’s 2019 survey, 67% of consumers consider inventory visibility across stores, online and mobile is an important service to offer. An optimized supply chain and POS solution are imperative to obtain accurate physical inventory counts that reconcile with the data that reflects what’s on the floor.

 

Innovations and Customer Experience

 

 

Having enjoyed the innovations retailers came up with to entice and satisfy customers during the lockdown, shoppers are eager to continue – and enjoy enhancements to — many of the new conveniences.

As retailers recover from the restrictive lockdowns of the past year, sales associates are focused on delivering a superior customer experience.

That includes providing real-time product availability to avoid the disappointment of customers arriving at the physical store who find that the website’s promise of product availability was not kept.

Omnichannel inventory management eliminates any hesitation consumers have around the purchase relating to stock levels, timing and convenience, enabling customers to purchase with confidence.

Read this article and more on the RPI blog.

 

Optimizing the omnichannel experience in your stores? Let’s talk.

Request a consultation with an Authorized Retail Pro Business Partner in your region or watch a brief demo of Retail Pro Prism today to see how you can transform the luxury experience in-store with omnichannel operations built on with Retail Pro Prism.