‘Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the store,

Every shopper was racing, around the sales floor,

Depleted shelves and lengthy queues, the chaos was reaching its pinnacle,

Then in stepped Teamwork Commerce, with a retail Christmas miracle!

In the lead up to Christmas, many retailers can quickly become overwhelmed by the onslaught of in-store traffic. As consumers rush to tie up their shopping – purchasing gifts, outfits and treats before they can settle in for the festivities – the final couple of weeks before December 25th have the potential to make or break a retailer’s year. 

According to Deloitte, 57% of shoppers will still be completing their Christmas purchases into late December this year. The challenge for retailers lies in their ability to capitalize on late season purchases, and use it as an opportunity to not only maximize sales opportunities, but to build long-lasting customer relationships.

Here are three ways retailers can achieve this, all while mitigating the shop floor stress levels that many might expect…

You Can’t Sell What You Don’t Have

Accurate inventory management is one of the most important practices during busy shopping periods. If a retailer doesn’t have enough stock of a specific product, it will quickly sell out and miss out on sales opportunities – while also disappointing customers. Conversely, if a retailer overstocks a product, there will be an excess of inventory left over that either won’t sell, or will have to be sold at a discounted price. Not only does that factor alone significantly impact profits, but the retailer will have also wasted resources in the procurement, transport and storage of that product.

Accurate inventory practices completely streamline a retailer’s operation. They procure only the items they need, optimizing transport and storage, but also ensuring that they maximize their ability to sell specific items. This both reduces costs and increases revenue. Importantly, during the holiday period, customers also recognize reliable product availability in the retailer, with minimal cancel rates on orders – whether in-store, online or through omnichannel purchases such as Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS).

In order to achieve optimal inventory management, retailers can leverage a range of technologies, from tracking products at item-level through RFID technology, to utilizing an all-encompassing retail technology solution that automatically keeps retailers and their teams informed of changing inventory levels. Our customer, Moose Knuckles, has leveraged a “Send Sales” system through Teamwork Commerce’s Point of Sale (POS) technology to minimize missed sales opportunities while enhancing the customer journey through product availability and improved interactions.

Point of Sale Must Be Seamless

A busy shop floor creates potential for stagnated sales and frustrated customers. Difficulty navigating stores, and waiting in painstakingly long queues will quickly turn customers away from a retailer. Not only does this sacrifice short-term sales opportunities, but it leaves a sour taste in their mouth that they won’t necessarily be quick to forget.

Speed is essential during the Christmas season. Customers want their products and they want them quickly. The first step to success lies in product availability, but the second hinges on the retailer’s ability to streamline the in-store experience with minimal waiting.

Two solutions play a highly effective role in facilitating this: Mobile POS and RFID-Powered Self-Checkout. The key driver to success for both of these comes through the fact they both deliver rapid checkout experiences.

Providing retail associates with the ability to complete transactions from anywhere in-store, Mobile POS effectively removes the need for queuing. Instead, an in-store associate can simply approach a visitor, handle any queries they might have around product availability and location, and complete the transaction there and then, without the customer needing to go anywhere. An effective tool for queue-busting, Mobile POS allows customers to step in-store, receive on-the-spot assistance, and purchase their items. They can be in and out of the store in only a few minutes, keeping in-store footfall at manageable levels and getting everything they need before quickly moving to the next item on their list.

Footwear and apparel giant, ASICS, utilized our cutting-edge Mobile POS solution to transform its shop floor operations. Find out how here.

While self-checkout technology continues to undergo scrutiny around the challenges it causes some retailers around customer experience and theft, one variation of the solution, which utilizes RFID technology to automatically scan items, is transforming the speed at which transactions take place. RFID-Powered Self-Checkout automatically scans all items in a basket or cart as soon as they are placed in a designated scanning area. Without the need to manually scan products at checkout, customers can complete transactions in 30 seconds or less. Suddenly, checkout times significantly reduced, and in-store queuing moves along much faster.

Ultimately, both Mobile POS and RFID Self-Checkout serve to reduce in-store queuing and streamline the checkout process. In turn, this allows retailers to deliver a high-quality customer experience – with ease – even during the busiest of periods.

A Christmas Miracle

The last couple of weeks before Christmas can be tough for retailers, but it can also be extremely beneficial both for profits and for building long-term customer retention. During this time, speed is the best friend of both the retailer and the customer. However, if a brand can provide this speed while delivering high-quality customer experiences that leave visitors feeling satisfied, retailers can find short and long-term success.

https://retailistmag.com/black-friday-2024-what-should-retailers-be-prepared-for/​

By Amber Hovious, VP Marketing and Partnerships at Teamwork Commerce

Black Friday, the curtain raiser for the festive season, is fast approaching. Increased customer footfall during the shopping extravaganza provides retailers with enormous opportunities to drive sales. According to Statista, shoppers were expected to spend a total of £8.74 billion over the course of Black Friday weekend in 2023. Meanwhile, recent Statista forecasts indicate that the total value of retail sales made during the 2024 holiday season as a whole is estimated to reach £96 billion in the UK, increasing from 2023’s value of approximately £93 billion. 

While it is clear that the festive season brings significant opportunities to drive sales volumes, it can also help brands boost consumer loyalty and expand their customer base. However, the opposite can happen if retailers fail to meet consumer expectations. 

From delivering seamless and convenient shopping experiences to personalising each interaction with their customers, retailers must ensure customer satisfaction during Black Friday to be able to capitalise on increased opportunities during and after the busy shopping day. With Black Friday fast approaching, retail brands must prepare to make the most of the increased customer footfall and convert in-store visitors into loyal customers.

Delivering Real Convenience

Amidst the chaos of Black Friday madness, retailers must be able to facilitate convenience at every touchpoint of the customer shopping journey. Whether using RFID to help customers easily navigate items they are looking for, or deploying cutting-edge technologies such as mobile point-of-sale (POS) and RFID-powered self-checkout systems to streamline the checkout process, there are multiple ways retailers can lean on tech innovations to deliver convenience.  

By leveraging mobile POS technology, retailers can empower their associates to bring POS to the customer and complete transactions from any part of a store. Not only does this dramatically reduce checkout queues, but it also allows customers to complete their checkout process seamlessly. Additionally, store associates are not tied to a traditional checkout terminal. They can move around the store, helping customers, answering their queries, and completing transactions seamlessly. Similarly, RFID-powered self-checkout systems can facilitate seamless checkout experiences, automatically scanning items placed on customers’ scanning baskets and completing checkout transactions within seconds. This allows customers to swiftly complete the checkout process, providing a high level of convenience. 

Personalising Interactions

While convenience significantly improves the customer experience, customer interactions can be significantly enhanced when combined with a number of other elements – including the availability and visibility of the inventory, high-quality customer personalisation, and exciting discounts. This ensures that customers leave the store feeling satisfied. 

Today’s innovative mobile POS solutions also feature integrated customer relationship management (CRM) systems that function in real-time. Associates can use these tools to personalise their interactions with the customer – from suggesting products that match their size and style to offering personalised discounts tailored to their preferences. Meanwhile, using integrated mobile POS solutions can also help associates update all relevant information in real-time. As a result, retailers can tailor the omnichannel experiences of their shoppers. 

Based on the in-store data provided by mobile POS solutions, retailers can tailor online experiences and make them more consistent for their customers. By analysing recent in-store purchases made by the customer, brands can make informed suggestions when the same customer explores their online store. Not only does this enhance the shopping experience, but can also increase sales. All this contributes to a high-quality customer experience that significantly boosts customer loyalty.

Turning Festival Footfall Into Loyal Customers

Undoubtedly, using Black Friday footfall to drive sales volumes is important for retailers. However, if brands want to thrive in the long term, they must not consider short-term sales as their primary and end goal. The true value lies in expanding the customer base, converting first-time shoppers into loyal customers, and understanding evolving customer habits. Retailers who can deliver top-tier experiences can make sure customers are returning to make purchases again. 

One way retailers can achieve this is by not only focusing on pushing sales but significantly improving the shopping and post-purchase experience of customers. Whether by rewarding shoppers through loyalty programs using advanced CRM tools or using customers’ information to wisely tailor brand communications, retailers can encourage customers to come back, resulting in repeat customers. This, if done consistently, can help retailers maximise their loyal customer base in the long term, resulting in sustainable growth. 

Ultimately, brands need to understand that there is no single element that can help them achieve everything. Retailers must be able to get several factors together in order to meet evolving customer expectations. An integrated and all-encompassing approach to tech can help brands achieve their objectives and thrive in the market. Those who prepare now can significantly benefit during the busy shopping season and the new year ahead.

Black Friday is back. It’s that time of year when eager shoppers take to high street stores and online shopping in search of the best deals. Black Friday is the traditional curtain raiser for the wider festive period, which carries through into January sales. It may be a chaotic time of year, but it’s a crucial period in the calendar that provides retailers with huge opportunities to maximise sales and growth. They must respond to not only meet but exceed consumer expectations.

Black Friday has huge potential to drive sales and is an opportunity for brands to build relationships with new consumers while strengthening existing ones. As a result, if merchants’ Black Friday sales are executed correctly, they will have created strong foundations that deliver both short-term sales and long-term customer loyalty.

During this epic sales event, retailers must ensure that they are delivering high-quality experiences that align with customer needs. Deploying the right tech can be a stepping stone in the right direction to solidify consumer experiences and strengthen relationships. During such a critical time, this can be the difference between success and failure.

To help retailers succeed during Black Friday this year, we have outlined three key tips which are essential to drive sales during this shopping period.

1 – Enabling Smarter Decision-Making

The retail industry is a fast-paced environment with changing trends and patterns. Throughout Black Friday there is a flow of constant change in terms of product stock, orders and store performance. Leveraging analytics and reporting tools in retailers’ tech stacks can provide them with the ability to act faster, make sales predictions quicker and maximize opportunities through better preparation.

One key tip for retailers for this year’s Black Friday is to not go in blind. Equipped with the best analytical tools, retailers can create effective decision-making that enhances performance during the Cyber weekend. Decision-making is one of the most significant aspects of retail when it comes to finding success.

Teamwork Commerce’s reporting and analytics tools supply retailers with accurate insights that assist with in-the-moment decisions. The tech allows retailers to track stock levels, sales performance and supply chain sustainability in real-time. The system provides retailers with automated reports and alerts that provide data on demand. If stock levels drop to a certain threshold, teams are informed and can take action to ensure they avoid stockouts.

On a broader level, the technology can also create a full image of store performance that allows brands to measure every metric needed to assess performance. Placing this into one easy-to-read dashboard, retailers can accurately interpret their Black Friday data and take decisive actions immediately.

2 – Tackling Tedious Stockouts

Once a retailer’s analytics and reporting tools are in place, they can gain control of their in-store operations. With our next tip, they can do the same with their supply chain – with inventory management control.

One of a retailer’s biggest drawbacks during busy periods – and a significant customer frustration – is stock availability and stockouts. Managing inventory effectively during Black Friday weekend will put brands on the path to success. Keeping shelves filled, which both ensures happy customers and maximizes sales opportunities, retailers can deploy item-level RFID, which enables them to accurately track all products from manufacturer to shop floor.

Teamwork’s RFID-powered stock counter app provides retailers with complete accessibility to stock levels from all locations across all channels. This allows merchants to remain on top of their stock availability, and provides them with the power to accurately and effectively prepare for weekend sales.

The Android Bluebird RFID Scanner App, in conjunction with Teamwork Commerce, allows retail associates to conduct stock checks in a matter of seconds, while providing them with complete visibility of inventory both in back rooms and on the shop floor. With real-time visibility of stock, retailers can track inventory levels as stock is sold. As products on the shelves sell, in-store associates can replenish effectively and quickly, maximizing sales opportunities. Meanwhile, with stock counts only taking seconds to complete, in-store associates can reduce their time spent in back rooms, and can dedicate more effort towards delivering high-quality customer experiences on the shop floor.

3 – Soothing Customer Chaos

Finally, control the chaos. Customers are the main puzzle piece to retail… right? Therefore, it is necessary for retailers to ensure they fully understand and anticipate their customers’ wants and needs to facilitate the best shopping experiences.

Retailers should constantly be on the lookout for the next best way to improve their strategies. The shop floor across Black Friday can be chaotic, from impatient customers to unreliable checkout systems. It can get messy.

The key to success is fast, seamless and consistent transactions that can keep up with demand. Teamwork Commerce’s RFID-powered self-checkout solution restores confidence and provides retailers with high-tier, reliable technology that supports day-to-day transactions across the shop floor. With RFID-powered self-checkout, customers simply place their items in a designated area on the kiosk. RFID readers scan all items, immediately, with full accuracy. Customers don’t need to spend time scanning individual items. Instead, they can quickly pay, with the transaction completed in under 30 seconds. This results in reduced queue times, enhanced customer experiences and faster transactions.

Another consideration during Black Friday is that theft can pose an issue for retailers. According to Statista, 15% of small business owners in the US claimed they suffer from retail theft every day, and one in four small business owners said they lose between $1,500 and $2,000 a month. RFID tags are capable of triggering in-store alarms and are only deactivated once transactions are complete. As a result, any items that pass through security barriers that have not been paid for immediately alert teams to any theft attempts. Not only does RFID facilitate high-quality inventory accuracy and seamless transactions – it can play a key role in battling theft.

Guarantee Success

In order to succeed this sales season, having the right tools in place for effective decision-making, enhancing customer experiences and staying on top of stock availability will define retailers’ success. High-quality experiences during busy periods go a long way to creating trust between retailers and their customers. Black Friday presents a unique opportunity to maximize sales over Cyber Weekend while creating long-term relationships.

…Good luck!

Want to find out more about how Teamwork Commerce’s efficient technology can support your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales? Click here.

https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/how-can-retailers-deliver-spook-tacular-shopping-experiences-this-halloween/

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, which will be looking to gain an advantage over competitors in as many ways as possible as they head towards the festive period. With the spooky season upon us, retailers need to ensure they stay ahead of the curve.

By leveraging the right technologies, retailers can meet consumer needs, deliver “spooktacular” experiences 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 allow customers to shop in ways that best suit their preferences and schedules, but it allows consumers to remove the risk of being left disappointed by out-of-stock items, with their purchase 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. From a customer perspective, they can receive an efficient shopping experience that completely streamlines their time in-store. This allows in-store staff to focus more time on providing value to in-store visitors while delivering a frictionless customer experience.

Related story: How Retailers Can Utilize Tech to Empower Their Workforces

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. However, it doesn’t have to be a choice of one or the other. In fact, with the right technology, 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 (POS) can empower their staff to serve customers and complete transactions from any point in the store. This significantly reduces wait times during busy periods and promotes terrifyingly good customer service.

With mobile POS capabilities, staff are no longer restricted to stationary kiosks. Instead, staff have the flexibility to meet customers on the shop floor, answer queries, and complete on-the-spot transactions.

This Halloween, staff can go the extra mile for their customers by offering exclusive deals and discounts through their CRM system. This allows staff to gain a complete view of the spending habits of individual shoppers, with access to customer data on all retail channels. Utilized correctly, this data can be leveraged to significantly enhance in-store experiences. Staff can make recommendations on products and provide tailored discounts and promotions. In-store visitors feel valued, and by integrating additional features such as loyalty rewards, retailers can turn short-term satisfaction into long-term retained business.

Just Treats, No Tricks

To ensure there are no 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 and enjoyable shopping experiences during an otherwise hectic period. Not only does this allow retailers to sink their teeth into a streamlined in-store operation, but it can also help optimize revenue during busy periods and push retailers to prioritize customer needs. With the festive period fast approaching, providing efficient customer service will be paramount for retailers wanting to maximize sales towards the end of the year.

Amber Hovious is vice president of marketing and partnerships at Teamwork Commerce, a leading omnichannel solution provider.