Introduction
Shopping in-store has been a popular activity for many years, but as technology and online options continue to improve, the convenience of shopping online has become much more attractive. Thus, it is essential to ask ourselves what the key areas of improvement are in terms of shopping in stores. Shopping in stores can bring various inconveniences, such as safety concerns, time commitment, cost of goods, and limited product selection. While shopping in-store will always have its place in the retail world, some solutions can help to reduce the inconveniences of shopping in-store and make it a more pleasant experience (Wang et al., 2022). These can be addressed by implementing safety measures, using new technologies to save time, offering lower prices, and expanding product selection, making shopping in-store a more enjoyable and convenient experience.
Addressing In-Store Shopping Concerns
Safety
Safety is a significant concern when it comes to shopping in-store. Thus, to make it a more convenient and less worrisome experience, stores should invest in security cameras and have employees present at all times. This will help deter shoplifters and provide an extra layer of security for customers (Reynolds & Treadgold, 2020). Additionally, stores should require their employees to undergo regular training to ensure that they know about safety protocols and can handle any situation that may arise.
Time
Time is another issue when it comes to shopping. Stores can alleviate this issue by embracing innovative solutions like automated checkout systems and electronic shelf labels (Reynolds & Treadgold, 2020; Fuentes et al., 2022). By implementing these technologies, stores can expedite the checkout process and enhance the overall shopping experience, enabling customers to swiftly find their desired items without unnecessary delays (Laribi, 2022).
Cost
Cost is another important consideration when it comes to shopping in-store. Thus, stores should offer discounts and promotions to customers to encourage them to shop in-store. According to Büyükdağ et al. (2022), the presence of a specific discount pattern explains 5.7% of perceived price attractiveness and 6% of purchase intention. Additionally, stores should focus on offering quality products at a reasonable price to ensure customers get the best value.
Service
To cultivate a loyal customer base and boost sales, stores should consider offering additional services like complimentary shipping, hassle-free returns, and exclusive perks for devoted customers (Reynolds & Treadgold, 2020). Prioritizing exceptional customer service is also crucial to ensuring a pleasant shopping experience where customers feel valued and warmly received upon entering the store.
Product Variety
Finally, product selection is an essential factor in shopping in-store. To address this issue, stores should expand their product selection by adding more variety and offering exclusive items that cannot be found online (Reynolds & Treadgold, 2020; Ibrahim, 2022). This will give customers more options and make shopping in-store a more enjoyable experience. Lastly, stores can utilize customer feedback to improve their selection. Stores can use surveys and customer feedback to determine which products customers are looking for and ensure those items are available in the store.
Conclusion
Overall, shopping in-store can be an inconvenient experience, but some solutions can help alleviate the inconveniences. Implementing safety measures, utilizing new technologies, offering competitive prices, and expanding product range are all effective strategies that stores can employ to make shopping in-store a more convenient and enjoyable experience for customers. By continuously adapting and improving, stores can meet shoppers’ evolving needs and expectations in today’s fast-paced world.
References
Büyükdağ, N., Soysal, A. N., & Ki̇tapci, O. (2020). The effect of specific discount patterns in terms of price promotions on perceived price attractiveness and purchase intention: An experimental research. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 55. Web.
Fuentes, C., Samsioe, E., & Östrup Backe, J. (2022). Online food shopping reinvented: developing digitally enabled coping strategies in times of crisis. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 32(2), 130-150.
Ibrahim, I. (2022). Future-ready retail: How to reimagine the customer experience, rebuild retail spaces, and reignite our shopping malls and streets. Kogan Page.
Laribi, M. A. (2022). Advances in automation, mechanical, and design engineering. Springer International Publishing.
Reynolds, J., & Treadgold, A. (2020). Navigating the new retail landscape: A guide for business Leaders, pp. 304. OUP Oxford.
Wang, S., Ye, Y., Ning, B., Cheah, J. H., & Lim, X. J. (2022). Why do some consumers still prefer in-store shopping? An exploration of online shopping cart abandonment behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 829696.