The world of retail has transformed significantly in recent years. As technology continues to become more advanced, customers' expectations of convenience are rapidly evolving. Retailers who are able to effectively provide consumers with their desired levels of convenience greatly enhance their overall shopping experience, leading to the development of long-standing relationships and loyal customer base.
Whether solving a customer query quickly, providing in-store stock availability or even helping customers collect items that have been ordered online, retailers need to be able to serve in-store visitors quickly and seamlessly.
Retailers can achieve these goals by adopting cutting-edge point-of-sale technology that can meet the complex needs of omnichannel retail, operate in real-time, and seamlessly integrate with their wider technology suite. By utilizing advanced point-of-sale solutions, such as mobile POS, retailers can provide a highly personalized in-store experience and deliver the level of customer service expected in today's retail environment.
Taking in-store convenience to the next level
Mobile POS allows retailers to move away from static POS terminals and enables them to bring the payment system to the customer via a handheld device — such as a tablet or smartphone.
The technology offers multiple advantages to retailers, allowing them to streamline in-store services for customers and create a significant reduction in queue times. By enabling sales associates to move away from a fixed payment terminal and bring the payment to the customer, consumers can streamline their time in-store and continue with the rest of their shopping elsewhere. Meanwhile, retailers are able to optimize their sales while delivering a high quality in-store experience.
Further to efficient transactions, mobile POS offers sales associates a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips, from customer information to visibility of in-store stock. This allows associates to approach customers in-store, help them to find the products they may need, answer any queries, and process their transaction on the spot.
The level of convenience that comes from mobile POS for both retailers and consumers is invaluable. Customers are helped by associates from the beginning of their shopping experience, they are quickly provided with any information they might need, and transactions can be completed in seconds.
Delivering a personalized approach
The key to the ultimate customer experience is being able to combine the high level of convenience that mobile POS brings with a highly personalized approach. With the right tools deployed, retailers can securely utilize customer data to deliver a personal touch when interacting in-store. With the right solution, data can be securely tracked and stored within the POS systems and can be integrated with CRM technology as well as other reporting solutions, all working together in real-time to create a more in-depth view of the retailer's customer base.
With full visibility of purchase, order and returns history, as well as shopping preferences, available within the POS system, associates can help customers in a range of ways: from sourcing desired items, to finding alternatives, bringing both a convenient and bespoke experience to in-store visitors.
From the start of service, sales staff are able to see a customer's preferences, as well as information such as shoe size and purchase history. Having this knowledge at hand improves speed of service, enabling sales staff to make educated decisions quickly when recommending new products to their customers, before providing them the products they like, in their size, when they need them.
The evolving role of in-store technology
POS technology has become an essential tool for retailers who want to provide their customers with the convenience they not only desire, but expect. By delivering an efficient and personalized experience, retailers can increase customer satisfaction, drive sales, and improve customer loyalty. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential that retailers keep up with the latest solutions available to remain competitive in today's fast-paced retail environment.
Seamlessly integrating online and offline sales channels plays a significant role in creating a convenient shopping experience for customers, allowing them to shop how they want whenever they want. For this seamless integration to work effectively, technology used by retailers needs to be up to standard and enable associates the ability to fulfill orders with ease and simplicity.