While online sales depend solely on the ability to access the internet and navigate a webpage, brick and mortar store sales are typically more “hands on” in terms of customer coddling. Besides convenience, many choose to shop online for the ease of not having to deal with subpar employees. Employees are a shop’s front lines, and they should be kind, courteous, and knowledgeable about the wares of the establishment. While not everyone is suited to be a happy-go-lucky gal or guy all of the time, technology is helping make it easier.
Stores like Bloomingdales are using iPads in their dressing rooms to help inform sales associates and customers of clothing stock. For example, if you try on a pair of slacks and they are too small, you can order a new size on the iPad, and it will be delivered to your dressing room. No more checking in and out of the dressing room, and no more hustling across a crowded store to search for a size. This technology has helped speed up Bloomingdales efficiency, and it can help your store, as well.
If you have an e-cig shop, it can help you keep track of inventory, or place quick orders for new inventory. If you have a car dealership, you can keep track of your inventory on the lot. The possibilities are endless, and every merchant should look into the tech advances that can help advance their sales and efficiency. These advances also allow for your sales to be placed online, when need be. When those who are not technologically savvy can learn with the help of a techie friend or employee.
The other issue that comes with new technology (besides being totally inept to it) is the lack of online retail merchant accounts available. Even if you only have a small percentage of your business online, you still need to make sure that those sales are protected from hacker, and the high processing fees that traditional processors hand out. This is one of the best investments you can make for your business in this digital era.