Closing of malls and shops during the\nlockdown has been one of the instrumental factors why the retail sector has to\nbear heavy losses. Fashion, electronic and home decor retailers might be the\nworst hit as buyers shift their focus on essential food items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the nation readies itself to open up\nonce again, buyers are still uncertain about how they can follow the\ncontactless protocol and still shop for their desired products. And that too\nwith the same ease and comfort as they enjoyed before the spread of this\ndisease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The possible answer to this dilemma is that the robust retailing<\/a> technology in retail stores is required to ensure a safe comeback of customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How can Retail Stores Assure Customers of a Safe Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With the pandemic directing people\u2019s\nbehaviour, the retail sector can expect some drastic changes in consumer\nbehaviour,driving long term changes in the retail industry itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social distancing is the new norm. Retail\nstores have to make sure that they provide a sense of security to their\ncustomers without compromising on an amazing shopping experience. This can be\ndone by not only introducing front end changes such as temperature checks, hand\nsanitizer stations and the abolition of checkout queue; but by adapting modern backend\ntechnologies used in retailing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below we list some of the best retailing technology that can be practised in stores to make touchless shopping a hassle-free experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During such times, the best way retailers\ncan bring back customers is by building their trust and by providing them\ninformation about products. One of the best ways to do it is through sending an\nonline catalogue to prospective buyers. The buyers would have a fair knowledge\nof products on sale before they physically visit the brick and mortar store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Such digital retailing technology in retail stores will not only enhance the online shopping experience but also make them aware of the benefits of connecting with your retail store online. Retail stores can also use in-store technologies, such as Invoay retail POS software<\/a>, which has an integrated cloud based Invoay Back office that helps create an online integrated e-commerce with centralized inventory management. Invoay integrated e-commerce can maintain your inventory, helps you in orders and delivery, and create invoices with instant alerts to the customer on their order delivery. Manage your stock with data driven algorithms to have availability of the right product at the right time. Like Invoay software, it can truly help in inculcating the confidence in your customers to shop with you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing that retailers should take care\nwhile sending online catalogues to customers is that personalization is\nrequired. Even if you are broadcasting your catalogue, each buyer should get a\nfeel that it has been made to suit their needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After receiving catalogues, the buyer\nmight select their desired products and make the purchase. But this elaborate\nplan towards consumer safety will fail if the buyer does not have flexibility\nin payment options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even when buyers physically land to your\nretail store, they would be expecting a touchless shopping experience. This\nwon\u2019t be possible if there is no technology in retail stores to facilitate a\ncashless checkout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where payment gateways<\/a> come in. Payment gateways can be utilized by small and new businesses for secure payments between the customer and merchant sites without the fear of hacking or phishing<\/a> by third party applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, payment gateways also support several payment methods such as credit card, debit card, netbanking, UPI, etc. By using such digital technology in stores, retailers can enforce social distancing and contactless shopping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Touchless payment options are being put\ninto use even by small scale retail stores, which use to only accept cash\npayments earlier. Such businesses have been able to engage with their loyal\ncustomer base without having to actually come in contact with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a pre-COVID era, the maximum rush in a\nretail store could be seen at checkout counters. As retail stores around the\nworld promote touchless shopping, a major overhaul in retail solutions and\ntechnology is required to avoid checkout counter rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be achieved by enabling\ncustomers to use scan-pay-go apps. Such apps can be installed at dedicated\npayment counters where the buyer can choose the product, scan its barcode with\ntheir phone and then add the product in their cart. The amount would be\ndeducted from the buyer\u2019s account added in the app. They can then exit without\nhaving to wait to get billed at the counter and without the need to get in\ndirect contact with hundreds of other shoppers. <\/p>\n\n\n Some of the more specific retail\nindustries that have been feeling the heat are the ones dealing with wedding apparels,\njewelleries, furniture, automobile, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many planned weddings have been put on\nhold and there has been a drastic drop in demand for jewelleries too. Usually\npeople liked to come in a large group with family and purchase these\ncommodities. But since that is a big no to the idea of spending hours in a\nstore, there has been no uptrend in the footfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be solved by using retailing technology such as appointment scheduling apps<\/a>. Top appointment scheduling apps let your customers check which time slots are open for them to shop and then book them accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During a booked slot, only that specific\ncustomer can enter and shop, thus upholding all social distancing and safety\nstandards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Software like Invoay retail Pos software<\/a> can also help in maintaining booking slots while customers plan to visit your store to make their purchase. This can make your customer experience safe while you focus on their needs and make their visit more personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Smart Retailing Technologies and Strategies to Make Offline Shopping Secure <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/span>Catalogue Retailing: One of the Latest Technologies in Retailing<\/span><\/h3><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Touchless Payment through eWallet Facility<\/span><\/h3><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Reduced Rush at Checkout Counters with Scan & Pay Apps<\/span><\/h3><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Appointment Based Shopping Technologies Used in Retailing<\/span><\/h3><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n