How BOPUS helps corporations obtain success within the digital age

Years ago shopping was a completely different experience.

Big shopping events like Black Friday were huge deals on par with big holidays, and with frequent sales events, stores were jam-packed with customers eager to take advantage of them.

Fighting the crowd and getting there early to get the best selection possible was actually part of the fun.

But now that the world has gone digital, things have changed. The wonders of the internet and mobile technology allow people to surf to their hearts’ content from the comfort of their homes.

Just a few clicks later, everything he wants is on the way to his front door, usually within a day or two, thanks to ultra-fast shipping – and all without ever having to set foot in a real business.

However, the growing appeal of online shopping is leading traditional retailers to look for workable ways to compete and lure customers through their physical doors.

Offer a convenient “buy online, store pickup” (or BOPUS) option through theirs digital marketing Effort is one way of doing this.

Here you can find out how it works and what advantages modern companies like yours have.

What is “Buy online, pick up in store” (BOPUS)?

“Buy online, pick up in store” or BOPUS is a business model designed to offer today’s consumers the best of both worlds – the convenience of remote shopping and the hands-on experience of shop in person.

It’s part of a move towards multichannel shopping that’s been growing in popularity recently.

Retailers interested in introducing a BOPUS model keep a constantly updated display of their current inventory which interested customers can browse online at will.

The customer selects the desired items and completes his purchase online. Later they drive to the associated stationary shop, where the retailer packs the items and keeps them ready for collection.

In some cases, the store even offers a roadside option where the customer doesn’t even have to leave their car.

How can BOPUS benefit your company?

BOPUS offers customers and companies alike the opportunity to contact each other online and offline – a great opportunity to optimize a multichannel shopping experience for both parties.

Here are some of the key business benefits of making BOPUS part of your business model.

It offers your customers the convenience they want

Digital age shoppers are used to getting pretty much anything they want in no time without leaving home, thanks to robust online shopping choices combined with lightning-fast shipping speeds.

Unfortunately, this has let many brick and mortar businesses down in terms of attracting new business.

BOPUS gives your traditional company the chance to keep up with the times and offer your customers the comfort they can want and expect.

No longer do you have to go to the store to browse your selections. Instead, they can shop online whenever they want and pick up whenever it is most convenient for them. Returns and exchanges are also completely problem-free.

It’s a faster alternative to shopping online

Even the fastest online stores may not offer buyers instant gratification, but BOPUS can.

When customers choose to place a BOPUS order, they don’t even have to wait a day or two for the product to arrive from a remote location.

Instead of this, You can pick up your items in person as soon as the retailer can pick up your order off the shelves.

With this, BOPUS gives a stationary business a considerable advantage over online shopping giants like Amazon.

And it gives today’s discerning customer one more way to get the things they need.

It’s more economical

As convenient and desirable as a pure online shopping experience may be for businesses and customers, additional costs will always be incurred.

Shipping costs both sides money, plain and simple. Even “free” shipping is not entirely free, as the associated costs are offset by higher prices, additional service fees, and so on.

BOPUS saves you and your customers money, especially over time.

Customers no longer have to pay to have their items shipped from afar, and your business doesn’t have to pay for shipping items ordered from your online store.

It gives security to consumers

The pandemic has given many consumers an added incentive to stay away from public places, including shops.

But BOPUS enables them to go shopping again in the stores they love without endangering their health or sacrificing their peace of mind.

It also gives consumers who still enjoy shopping in-person the peace of mind that they won’t go to a physical store only to find that the item they wanted was sold out when they got there.

Instead, they can sit back and relax knowing that their things are already theirs, ready for collection at will.

How to create a BOPUS model for your company

Are you interested in integrating BOPUS into your company management? Here’s how to position yourself for success.

1. Set up an app and a pick-up location

Of course, every retailer who wants to explore BOPUS needs an efficient app or other means so that their customers can select and buy goods.

So make sure it’s yours mobile friendly and easy access from a variety of devices. It should also include a convenient way to see what is in stock at any given time.

You will also need a pickup location. If you already have a physical store, this is the obvious choice.

Still, some companies are setting up additional pickup locations, especially if they want to offer a roadside option.

Mark the area with clear signage and consider creating reserved parking spaces for pick-up customers to make work as easy as possible.

2. Train your employees

Whether you serve your customers entirely in store or only when they pick up an order online, you want them to receive impeccable service.

Make sure that your employees are comprehensively excellent in the basics Customer service, even when it comes to BOPUS-specific procedures.

Service staff should fully understand how to deal with problems that arise and advise customers when they need help making good purchasing decisions.

3. Integrate BOPUS into your marketing campaign

Going to the trouble of setting up a great BOPUS program isn’t going to be of much use to your business if your customers don’t know about it.

Build a complete digital Marketing campaign around him to promote your online audience awareness.

Add it to the topics you post about on social media. And put plenty of signage in your physical locations to keep your customers in-store updated too.

4. Update the online part of the shopping experience

Smart business owners don’t stop trying to establish a BOPUS program, hoping that convenience alone will be enough to inspire customers to take advantage of it.

Instead, they go the extra mile to make the experience truly engaging. personalization is one way to do this.

If you are selling customizable items (such as gift items) you should allow customers to complete the customization process in the app or online so that the item is ready when it hits the store.

You might also want to take a page from IKEA’s book and use augmented reality to let customers see what a decorative item might look like in their home or whether a wearable piece would go well with them before they buy.

Examples of BOPUS brands in action

Would you like to know what a successful BOPUS business model looks like after its introduction? The following companies have made it to a science.

Ackroyd’s Scottish Bakery

This popular Detroit store, which specializes in delicious British treats, closed its retail stores in 2020 in favor of nationwide shipping and roadside collection for an incredible success.

TC run

This successful sportswear and footwear brand’s profits exploded when it began offering online customers the option of pickup or curbside shipping.

Pre-cycle

This packet-free sustainable food provider has successfully weathered the pandemic by switching to a contactless roadside pick-up model to ensure the safety of its customers.

dress up

This popular contemporary fashion brand has transformed its offline retail locations into streamlined pickup centers known for their efficiency, convenience and great service.

And these are just a few examples to consider. As you can see, BOPUS leaves a lot of room for creativity so that you and your team have the freedom to design it the way your brand needs it most.

Get creative and prepare to take advantage of the opportunities.

Bottom line: More shopping is the key to happier customers

Modern consumers love convenience and they love to shop online or on the go using their mobile devices.

But multichannel experiences are also increasingly open to them, and with BOPUS they enjoy the comfort they are accustomed to without having to wait for your items to be shipped.

Now is the time to take the next step and align your customer experience with the latest trends.

Our comprehensive guide to making the perfect digital buyer experience and understanding the shopping seasons tells you everything you need to know to get started!

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