As more and more consumers buy online and digital transformations grow the e-commerce sphere, retailers are discovering omni-channel retail logistics is becoming the way forward to meet the supply chain needs of the changing e-commerce environment. ‘Connected Consumers’ are digital-savvy and when they buy a product they tend to have already researched the product via other channels before purchase. This is why many retailers are seeking to use specialised supply chain software that allows retailers to populate all channels simultaneously and monitor those channels all in one place.
Creating omni-channel retailing mainly involves all shopping channels having the same database of products, prices and promotions, thus allowing consumers to experience the brand across all retail channels. So, if a customer visits the brick-and-mortar store, the online web store (whether via tablet, mobile or desktop), or other avenues such as Groupon promotions or Google Shopping, the consumer would expect to see the same data and the same level of customer support on all channels.
What are the Benefits of Omni-channel Retail Logistics?
- Stores and e-commerce sites become an extension of the supply chain
- Marketing strategies become more efficient as purchase patterns, website visits, loyalty schemes and social network use can be sourced from all retail channels and used to target specific consumers
- Seamless integration via all shopping channels increases productivity and efficiency throughout the retail business
- Customer experience and satisfaction is boosted by quality content and consistency of data and communications
- Sales trends can be easily viewed throughout the supply chain allowing retailers to make informed decisions about product purchasing because they can easily see what customers are actually buying across all channels
- Connects IT team, marketing team and sales team within a retail business, allowing for increased communication and participation to ensure common goals and strategies are reached.
According to key retailers in the supply chain industry, flexibility, innovation and seamless integration, plus empowering staff and building technical architecture are crucial to creating omni-channel retailing functionality across all sales channels. Developments in drop-shipping have overtaken traditional fulfilment methods, representing a change in how supply chain companies and retailers deal with changing consumer desires and digital transformations in the market.
Where does Skuvue come in?
Skuvue offers retailers and suppliers access to a specialised supply chain software that allows integration and innovation. Suppliers can upload products and ranges, retailers can get store-ready content to load onto their sales channels and promotions can be agreed between suppliers and retailers on the Skuvue platform. Automation, integration and flexibility is what Skuvue offers to retailers hoping to take up omni-channel retail logistics. Throw in reverse logistics and financial management and you’ve got a supply chain tool for multiple sales channels.