E-commerce Growth is Disrupting Traditional Trade
No doubt you’ve heard about Omni channel processes in the marketing world and wondered how effective they are. Many in retail use Omni channel techniques as a better way to accommodate consumers who use the same system.
As our digital world continues expanding, we have more ways to do shopping than ever. It’s important to think about this as a way to provide a seamless shopping experience for e-commerce consumers. Digital transformation is making it possible to connect all the touchpoints in the production of goods, delivery to the consumer making the purchase.
As a distributor, this should become an extremely important concept involving having to change your supply chain to an omni channel operation. Yet, do you know how to go about doing this so it keeps up with consumer demands?
Here are five tips to help you support Omni channel tactics with the retailers and consumers you work with regularly.
1. Consumers Continue to Use More Omni-Channel Services
Do some digging online and you’ll see that customers now do more Omni shopping over just store shopping or online shopping. McKinsey specifically shows only 7% of customers shop online only. Interestingly, 20% do in-store shopping above all else.
Doing a little of both, as well as using other technologies, is now the preferred method. The reason obviously goes into the rise of mobile technology. However, it also goes into how many touchpoints businesses have out there.
Many stores offer combinations that customers appreciate using for convenience during specific situations. Because customers have busy lives, they don’t want just one method while on the go.
So why should you champion this to your retail partners? Statistics show how strong Omni channel is beyond just convenience.
2. Omni-Channel Systems Affect the Shopping Experience
Business Insider recently pointed out that consumers generally buy more when given Omni channel options in store. More precisely, they shop 4% more in-store, and 10% more online when given numerous choices.
Much of this helps drive customer loyalty since it proves the retailer cares about giving consumers different methods in how they shop. In turn, this helps set off a wave of consumer recommendations.
Plus, Business Insider notes consumers want as many channels for shopping as possible. The more there are, the more apt buyers want to shop without fear of limitations.
3. The Choice of Omni-Channel Capabilities Continue to Increase
Have you thought about what Omni channel features you could include for your retail partner? The technological capabilities continue to increase, including many real-time capabilities.
Thanks to technological features like webrooming, you can also create a slightly different type of buying experience from the traditional digital showroom.
With webrooming, you’re offering research features so the consumer can research what they buy before going to a brick-and-mortar store to buy it. In comparison, a digital showroom is viewing a product online and buying it the same way.
4. Many Big Companies Use Inspiring Omni-Channel Shopping Methods
If you’re still skeptical about using Omni channel capabilities, consider some of the big corporate names using this around the world. They can help inspire you to design creative ideas based on the type of distribution business you’re in.
Corporate behemoths like Disney set some great examples in using various wireless tech devices to help their customers get the most out of their theme parks and products. They’ve designed a particular “Magic Band” Wi-Fi product for use as a hotel key, a picture storage device, and for food ordering.
5. You Capture Data to Report on Metrics
Don’t forget about how much data you’ll capture when using Omni channel approaches. Your distributor center can capture quadruple the data you need if you have just as many buying channels available.
When you have more data, you’ll capture thorough data on customers for more targeted marketed. Better understanding their pain points enables effective offers so customers take the time to visit your retail partner’s brick-and-mortar store over just shopping online.
Visit us at Ivy Mobility to help you with enterprise and mobile software solutions for your distribution company.