Hannah Armstrong – Social Media Manager at View 360 Marketing
Omnichannel retail is a new method of selling that is taking the world by storm. This article will explain what omnichannel retail is, how it can help your business, and why you should consider adopting this strategy for your own company. First, let’s start with some definitions to ensure we are on the same page. Omnichannel retailing means that customers have access to products through in-person and online channels. It also includes providing customer service across all platforms- phone, chat, email, or social media messages.
OMNICHANNEL RETAIL MAKES SHOPPING EASIER FOR CUSTOMERS.
There are several reasons that businesses should consider omnichannel retail. First, customers, today expect to be able to purchase products and services however they want, whenever they want. They don’t want to be restricted to buying items from a physical store or a specific website.
Offering an omnichannel retail experience makes it easier for customers to buy from you. A study by Forrester found that 57% of consumers would rather purchase from a retailer that offered a seamless experience across all channels than one that did not. If you can provide them with an easy way to buy from you, they will be more likely to do business with you.
OMNICHANNEL HELPS YOU REACH NEW CUSTOMERS.
Second, omnichannel retailing can help you reach new customers. By offering your products and services through multiple channels, you open yourself up to a larger audience who may not have heard of you before.
For example, if you sell products online but don’t have a physical store, you may be missing out on potential customers who would rather buy in person. Or, if you only have a physical store but don’t sell online, you may lose sales to businesses that offer an online shopping experience.
Having that option available is a great way to capture new customers. You can use marketing strategies like social media and email campaigns to reach more people interested in your products or services.
CUSTOMER LOYALTY
Third, omnichannel retailing can improve your customer loyalty. When customers have a positive experience with your brand across all platforms, they are more likely to return and do business with you again.
For example, let’s say that a customer visits your store and gets excellent service. If you continue providing great experiences across all channels, chances are this customer will keep coming back! They are happy with the products they purchased at your location, so they opt to follow you on social media or subscribe to your email list for future deals.
This is because they see you as a trusted source for the products and services that they need. They know that they can rely on you to meet their needs, no matter which channel they choose to use. If you can create this type of loyalty with your customers, it can lead to more sales and more repeat business.
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT IS MORE MANAGEABLE.
Lastly, inventory management is a lot more streamlined with omnichannel retailing. Instead of managing your products at multiple locations, you can have all their information in one place. Omnichannel retailing makes it easier for employees to know what is where and provide accurate customer service. Since you are selling the same products through different channels, it’s easy to keep track of what has been purchased and what hasn’t- making restocking quick and painless. It can also help you keep track of stock levels and see what products are selling the best. Your business can then use this information to make better business decisions in the future. For example, if you notice that a particular product is selling well online, you may want to increase your inventory for that item at your physical store.
If your company doesn’t have an effective omnichannel retail strategy in place, now is the time to consider implementing one. It’s a trend that isn’t going away anytime soon and can help you improve your business in several ways.
In order to successfully adopt an omnichannel retailing strategy, businesses must be ready and willing to make online and offline investments. It’s no longer enough to just put up a website you need to invest in marketing campaigns through social media and traditional ads if you want people to find out about your products and services through those channels. You also need employees who are experienced at working across multiple mediums for communication purposes, from emailing back and forth on business inquiries all the way up to face-to-face interactions with customers in your store.
