Buy Online and Pick Up In-Store. The phrase is common and has only become increasingly so in recent years, due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. As BOPIS sales were boosted more than 500% following the initial onset of COVID-19, major retailers realized that this change was more than temporary, it was permanent. As COVID regulations continue to linger, the expectation is that BOPIS sales will maintain their importance and, in fact, grow as time goes on. Ombori Grid has been focused on helping businesses prepare their stores for this transition, so let’s explore how a BOPIS system can smooth out your company’s wrinkles while improving its service along the way.
The BOPIS Process
Introducing consumer flexibility is always a good thing, particularly when customers have more choices than ever with regard to where they spend their money. Establishing a BOPIS system will empower consumers to make purchases online or through a convenient mobile application. Through this process, shoppers can browse a live inventory while setting up a specific time, date, and place to acquire their item.
In implementing BOPIS, businesses are providing immediate benefits to their clients.
- No Shipping
- Live Inventory Browsing
- Quick Customer Service
- Boosted Retail Traffic
- Safe & Secure Physical Pick-up
While the concept of BOPIS may sound new to some, it has been successfully instituted at some of the largest corporations in the United States of America. Best Buy saw nearly 40% of its online sales come by way of BOPIS purchases during the third quarter of 2020. According to Best Buy, their in-store BOPIS team takes roughly 30 minutes to prepare any new order.
Aside from Best Buy, Home Depot instituted BOPIS policies in more than 2,000 stores across the United States. In 2019, BOPIS purchases were nearly half of all Home Depot orders which reduced shipping costs for customers as well as Home Depot.
How To Prepare Retail Stores For BOPIS
Ombori Grid’s BOPIS solutions are able to be deployed easily and fairly quickly, integrating well with existing eCommerce solutions. Usable on a mobile phone for customers to acquire necessary information, BOPIS solutions from Ombori Grid also give businesses an open avenue of communication.
Here are a few key features that come through the BOPIS system by Ombori Grid.
- Book Pickup Slots – Shoppers can choose a pick-up time for their items, while businesses can allocate the frequency of in-store pick-ups. In customizing both ends of the system, Ombori Grid helps businesses take matters into their own hands.
- Appointment Handling – With a click of their phone, customers can reschedule BOPIS pick-ups to a time that is more convenient should something come up. This information is then seamlessly shipped to the right ears at your business.
- Customer Notifications – Notifications are the lifeblood of any modern system. Arrival confirmations and customer notifications keep your systems running smoothly.
The Ombori Grid is fully kitted to reflect both the needs of your business as well as the unique specifications of your brand. BOPIS systems can be meticulously tweaked until they are running smoothly while accomplishing your unique goals.
