Omnichannel fulfillment methods such as curbside, buy-online, pick-up in-store (BOPIS), and ship-from-store have become extremely familiar to retailers, especially due to the climate of the COVID-19 pandemic. These methods are very resourceful and beneficial when utilized correctly and tailored specifically to each business. Understanding the technology systems the enable these fulfillment methods are important for successfully driving positive, enhanced customer experiences, and retailers need to rely on omnichannel fulfillment as a main source of delivery for seamless customer buying experiences, even in post-COVID-19. I recently participated in IBM’s live webinar series, LinkedIn LIVE, to discuss omnichannel fulfillment as a main source of delivery for customers.
Curbside is Your Friend, Not Your Foe
Curbside pick-up and BOPIS is not a new concept to most retailers, but COVID-19 has accelerated the usage of these omnichannel fulfillment tactics for retailers everywhere, especially for those who have not explored them yet. Using an omnichannel strategy may be intimidating at first, but it is important to remember that these methods are convenient, safe, help customers shop quicker, and reduce shipping costs for businesses.
Do it Your Way, Do it Right, and Do it Differently
Many of our own clients felt the demand to enable omnichannel fulfillment, and while it is always great to see clients and other retailers invest in these capabilities, it is more important to utilize them in the right way.
Providing curbside pickup experiences will not only be beneficial to customers but to businesses as well. For example, geofencing creates an instant connection between customer and retailer, allowing the customer to notify the retailer through the retailer’s mobile app when they start their journey to pick up their order and when they arrive in the parking lot. Geofencing prepares retailers for the customer’s arrival and allows for seamless and quick interactions between retailer and customer.
Measure These Methods
Retailers need to understand the metrics of their omnichannel fulfillment methods, such as how quickly stores can fulfill a curbside pickup, how often they are delivering the product most conveniently, how safe the product delivery is, and so on. By doing so, retailers can successfully tell if their specific strategy is proving to be effective.
Your Omnichannel Fulfillment Line-Up is Key
Retailers should recognize that there are several ways to utilize omnichannel fulfillment, and businesses must remain consistent in their plans and operations to deliver seamless fulfillment solutions for customers to remain ahead of the competition. To learn more about omnichannel fulfillment, contact our commerce experts today.
