According to Statista, Halloween consumer spending this year in the U.S. is estimated to reach $3.5 billion, a significant jump from previous years. With spending steadily increasing, brands must take action to provide efficient service and high-quality customer experiences even during peak seasonal times.
Delivering high-quality customer experiences during the build-up to Halloween is critical for retailers looking to gain an advantage over competitors as they head toward the festive period. By leveraging the right technologies, retailers can meet consumer needs and drive long-term customer retention through short-term success this Halloween.
Creeping it real during peak times
With the right in-store technology deployed, consumers can easily browse and navigate the shop floor even during peak times. Omnichannel services allow customers to shop on their terms and utilize features such as buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) and buy online, return in-store (BORIS) to create seamless shopping experiences that help keep stores congestion-free. Not only do omnichannel fulfillment options let customers shop in ways that best suit their preferences and schedules, they remove the risk of a customer being left disappointed by out-of-stock items, since their purchase is already confirmed with the retailer.
Omnichannel services play a significant role in building long-term trust between brands and customers and provide flexibility that caters to a shopper's availability. This allows in-store staff to focus more time on providing value to in-store visitors while delivering a frictionless customer experience.
Ensuring a "fangtastic" customer experience
In the rush of the festive period, retailers run the risk of neglecting high-quality customer experiences in favor of speedy service that reduces in-store traffic and maximizes sales. With the right technology, it doesn't have to be a choice of one or the other, in-store associates can reduce in-store queuing and deliver bespoke interactions to customers at the same time.
Retailers equipped with mobile point of sale can empower staff to serve customers and complete transactions from any point in the store. This significantly reduces wait times during busy periods and promotes better customer service, since staff are no longer restricted to stationary kiosks and can meet customers on the shop floor, answer queries, and complete on-the-spot transactions.
This Halloween, staff can go the extra mile for customers by offering exclusive deals and discounts through their CRM system, which gives a complete view of individual shoppers' spending habits across all retail channels. Staff can make recommendations and provide tailored discounts and promotions, and by integrating features such as loyalty rewards, retailers can turn short-term satisfaction into long-term retained business.
Just treats, no tricks
To avoid any unexpected monsters under the bed this Halloween, brands offering the latest retail technologies, such as mobile POS and secure CRM, can provide customers with seamless, enjoyable shopping experiences during an otherwise hectic period. This allows retailers to sink their teeth into a streamlined in-store operation while also helping optimize revenue during busy periods and prioritize customer needs. With the festive period fast approaching, providing efficient customer service will be paramount for retailers wanting to maximize sales toward the end of the year.