Tech Solutions to Modernize and Elevate Your Retail Space
In retail, the use of technology is crucial in creating a welcoming and efficient environment, making tech updates essential to business success. With the right tech solutions, retailers can streamline operations, boost productivity, and enhance the overall customer shopping experience, driving profitability while staying ahead in the competitive market.
Why Invest in Retail Tech
Updating in-store technology systems can increase staff productivity, help drive revenue growth, and enhance the customer experience.1
Embracing technology in the retail industry unlocks new levels of efficiency and satisfaction for both customers and staff. With the right tech your retail space can create a lasting impression and build strong customer relationships that drive store success, leading to increased sales, higher customer loyalty, and a strengthened brand reputation. In short, investing in tech for your retail store is an easy way to enhance the customer experience and increase earning potential.
What to Include in Your Space
From speakers to security systems, there are several technology items to consider when shopping for your retail space. The best solutions are ones that enhance employee communication and offer a convenient and more enjoyable shopping experience for customers.
Consider mobile tech items to aid associates on the floor in providing seamless customer assistance and charging options for customer convenience. Efficient scanners and printers maintain smooth transactions and order management, while robust security systems ensure safety and prevent theft.
Employee Solutions
Facilitate seamless transactions and boost employee communication with a well-equipped retail space. Having updated technology on a retail floor makes it easier for employees to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of in-store operations. Equipping employees with everything they need enables them to provide customers and other associates with real-time data, helping staff make informed decisions quickly and accurately.
Transaction Tools
Provide employees working the retail floor with the tech tools they need. A handheld barcode scanner, or a smart phone gives your associate access to accurate up to date product inventory, pricing, and order information, so they're equipped with the knowledge to assist customers without having to leave the floor.
54% of businesses use mobile POS systems on the retail floor and for processing transactions.2
Computer monitors, and tablets play a crucial role in the retail environment, enabling employees to efficiently check inventory levels and provide customers with essential product information. With quick access to real-time data, employees can offer a personalized and seamless in-store shopping experience for customers, and with the right printer, employees can print off pertinent information while on the floor or from at the register for customers to take with them, adding a layer to your customer service.
Choose between inkjet models for locations where you print a lot of product images and flyers for in-store use, laser printers for locations where you print a lot of customer order slips, and inventory sheets, or an all-in-one option if you find your employees often need to print high-resolution images along with text-heavy documents. If you print often, consider a high yield ink or toner cartridge to save both time and money.
Repetitive movements can mean repetitive and chronic muscle strain for an employee working a register. Well-designed ergonomic items like an ergonomic keyboard, computer mouse, and mouse pad, however, keep your employees comfortable at the register to help ease and reduce strain and fatigue. By providing your staff with comfortable and supportive accessories, you create a healthier and more pleasant work environment. Reduced pressure eases discomfort and can lead to increased job satisfaction as well as improved performance. Plus, when employees feel their best, they can focus more on serving customers and delivering excellent service. Finally, make the checkout process a breeze with a reliable credit card reader or a POS tablet and stand to easily ring up purchases, and a receipt printer to provide customers with their purchase information.
Communication Tools
Enhance employee communication with solutions like radios and phones. Two-way radios make it easy for employees to communicate across the sales floor, ensuring smooth in-store operations. Phones also keep employees connected and give them the ability to promptly notify customers about orders, check inventory levels across different retail locations, and provide timely and informed service.
Transaction Tools
54% of retailers confirmed their video security systems were significantly reducing theft or fraud, with 46% of those reporting major reductions in losses linked to vandalism of property.3
Digital storage tools help securely store, maintain, and organize customer orders as well as inventory, and sales data. This level of accessibility saves space and makes it easier to make accurate decisions, helping you stay competitive with the market, but also keeps data consistently available across locations and tech updates. Shredders are also an important tool for the proper disposal of sensitive information, safeguarding against data breaches. With strip cut, to micro cut options, and shredders that can shred various materials, you can easily keep your store, and your customers safeguarded from risk. Take this one step further with a shredding box to make sure any confidential data is properly disposed of. Keep your store secure with comprehensive security solutions like security systems and security cameras with SD cards to maintain data and enhance on-site security.
Customer Solutions
Create a welcoming and inviting store atmosphere that encourages customers to stay longer, explore your products, and make more purchases. Since customers are more likely to spend time browsing and shopping in a pleasant setting, it's important to find ways to prioritize their comfort at every turn. Elevate the atmosphere of your store with tech solutions that enhance the overall shopping experience.
Transaction Tools
Music can have a profound effect on purchasing behavior. Countless studies have shown that shoppers will stay longer in a store that is playing music than in a silent one. Not to mention, it's a great way to add a bit of personality and set the desired mood in your store. From energetic pop tunes to calming instrumentals, quality speaker systems play a significant part in establishing the right ambiance for your store.
In-store background music was shown to have a significant impact on shopping behaviour-including the customer's pace as well as the amount spent.4
Smart thermostats allow you to maintain a comfortable environment for your customers and save both money and energy with the ability to control temperatures from your phone, no matter the season.
With laminators and label makers, you can create professional and attractive signs, labels, and displays that not only aid in the organization of merchandise but also add a touch of sophistication to your store's appearance. Laminated signs are durable and can with stand wear and tear, making them perfect for long-term use.
Customer Amenities
In-store charging stations and docks allow customers to recharge and safely store their devices while they shop, encouraging them to stay longer in-store and explore more of your products and offerings without worrying about their battery running low. These small but thoughtful tech solutions can significantly contribute to customer satisfaction and increase the likelihood of repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth recommendations of your retail space.
Sources
1Why Retailers Are Upgrading Their Retail Management And POS Systems -
https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/executive-viewpoints/why-retailers-are-upgrading-their-retail-management-and-pos-systems
270 POS statistics you must learn: 2023 data analysis & market share -
https://financesonline.com/pos-statistics/
3Trends report reveals effectiveness of CCTV systems in retail sector -
https://securitymattersmagazine.com/trends-report-reveals-effectiveness-of-cctv-systems-in-retail-sector
4Music boosting in-store customer loyalty and satisfaction -
https://www.customchannels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Custom-Channels-Whitepaper-Loyalty.pdf