Although the pandemic created numerous obstacles for the retail industry, one of the best things to come out of it was the acceleration of the customer experience. With this, retailers finally accepted the digital push that was needed in order to innovate consumer discovery and provide omnichannel capabilities. Physical stores offer a competitive advantage in today’s retail landscape, and many retailers are recognizing this since the pandemic began. Before this, many retailers were at a crossroads when it came to deciding whether to pursue digital or physical channels. And now, both is necessary in order to survive.
The path to a true omnichannel approach is all about giving the consumer the ability to shop the way they want. Omnichannel capabilities have allowed brick-and-mortar retailers to offer BOPIS shopping methods, with the ability to shop in-store and online.
Now that we’re in a consumer-first era, retailers are aiming to stay relevant, profitable and desirable. Consumers want to buy where, when and how they want. To meet their needs, retailers have had to optimize their approach to make everything more efficient. Technology and digital advancements have brought convenience to the in-store and online shopping experience.
Data has also been used to stay top-of-mind in a consumer-centric atmosphere. Having the right inventory at the right time is imperative. With the right tools and data, retailers can now view store-by-store inventory, trends and predict future needs.
The bottom line is – retailers have been given a second chance to rethink their selling strategies during the pandemic. The past two and a half years has allowed brick-and-mortar retailers to accelerate their capabilities and advance their omnichannel offerings in the best way possible.
Source: TotalRetail
Photo Credit: TotalRetail
