Smart lockers are key in revolutionizing the retail experience. They are a staple in seamlessly connecting various touchpoints within a business. When all the avenues are flowing, retail is transformed into an omnichannel process. This is a huge boon for customer experience while increasing efficiency and profitability for businesses. So, today we’ll define omnichannel retail in a clear way and give concrete examples of how this smart-locker-powered omnichannel upgrade will lead to exciting upgrades in all industries.
What Is Omnichannel Retail
Omnichannel retail may not be a new term for those entrenched in the world of marketing and retail, but it can be tricky to nail down a definition. To get specific with what we’re talking about, omnichannel is a type of multichannel process that facilitates a seamless experience for customers. This is in contrast to multichannel systems that require customers to bridge the gap between various channels of retail. Additionally, it’s of course a different approach than single-channel commerce which is an approach categorized by making sales via one channel only.
Single-channel commerce is limiting selling commerce in one way – like a webshop or corner store. Multichannel retail has multiple avenues to make sales, such as online and in-store. Omnichannel, the most progressive of the three, connects the various processes of a multichannel system.
So how do smart lockers fit in?
How To Improve Omnichannel Retail With Smart Lockers
The defining element of omnichannel retail is its seamless connectivity between various options, platforms, and methods that allow customers to easily outfit their retail experience to their specific needs. Because smart lockers are so efficient, secure, and customizable, they are a key component for businesses investing in omnichannel infrastructure. So, here are some examples:
Example 1: Grocery Store Specifics
Everybody’s got to eat and grocery stores are a big business that most of us depend on. Smart lockers are becoming an increasingly familiar element of grocery store infrastructure; the best part is that they can be used to vastly improve the customer experience into an omnichannel delight. This is especially crucial for brick-and-mortar businesses as there are increasing amounts of people who shop online and have their items delivered. In order to remain competitive, grocery stores can offer a tailored experience, keep loyal customers, and better serve their community.
Here’s one example that features smart lockers. Say a person would like the easiest, most convenient means of ordering their dried goods. They also want to personally select their own fresh produce. In this scenario, a person can BOPIS (buy online, pick up in-store) dried goods such as flour, canned vegetables, and Oreos. They can come into the store and select the perfect limes, cilantro, and avocados themselves. Once they’ve made their fresh-produce selections, they seamlessly check out at the register, grab their dried goods from the smart lockers, and head home. When all of this goes smoothly, we have a functioning omnichannel system.
Example 2: Integrative Health And Wellness
Let’s say you are a patron and customer of a local health and wellness center. Often, these businesses are multichannel retail enterprises that may offer services like massages, acupuncture, and yoga classes. Additionally, a shop may sell clothing, artwork, jewelry, herbs, and other health supplements.
It’s really important that these expansive, multichannel streams operate smoothly. Patrons may have precious time that they have stubbornly carved out of a busy lifestyle. They need to make sure each minute counts. A person could BOPIS any supplements, teas, gift cards, etc that they may need. In doing so, when they are in the building, they can have a fully relaxed and integrated experience in a hot yoga class or nutritional consultation. Smart lockers can thread together the healing experiences. Simultaneously, they make the purchase process nearly as zen as a morning meditation.
Example 3: Home Decor And Streamlined Returns
Finally, another retail example where smart lockers really help is that of home decor and design.
In this industry, people will often browse online or even come into a shop to test furniture. Customers like to feel textiles and gauge their interest in a piece or a light fixture. They want to gaze at artwork to hang in their home. Creating retail experiences that run smoothly whether people are ready to purchase items or simply need to reflect on their options will be a relief to customers looking to make investments in their homes. Home decor is a topic that can have surprisingly deep emotional implications.
Because of this, customers will keep coming back. Smart lockers can fluidly connect the BOPIS process. Additionally, they are effective in streamlining the returns. From the first step to the last step, retailers have to make purchasing convenient. Immediate communication and access will indeed create a seamless shopping experience.
