In the space of a few years, tablets have revolutionized the retail experience. Brick-and-mortar establishments have been exploring how tablets could offer a competitive advantage, and the results have largely been positive. There are several ways in which retailers have been using these devices to change the way they do business.
In-store Signage
Tablets can be used in place of flyers and printed signs in broadcasting in-store announcements. Unlike printed signage which are rather inflexible, the content displayed via tablets can be easily changed and rearranged. This kind of feature can greatly benefit retailers who offer dynamic product categories like high-end electronics. Here, the ability to offer up-to-the-minute information on merchandise is highly crucial.
Interactive Selling
The main reason why shoppers still flock to brick-and-mortar stores is the need to view and feel products in person before deciding whether or not to purchase. Thanks to the extra digital content and functionality provided by tablets, retailers can now enhance this experience by giving consumers more ability to see the item in action. The touchscreens also make it possible to get creative with design options.
Small retail outlets have previously struggled in this area, mainly due to the lack of space for large inventory volumes in the store. You could however bridge this gap by using mobile technology to offer your customers more insight into your brand. A good way to do this is to use tablets to display your full range of products. This way, shoppers will be able to view all your offerings, even when you don’t have whatever they’re looking for at the moment.
Payment Processing
As more people continue to use electronic cards for payments, businesses have also started to adapt their payment processing techniques. Most retailers are now opting to replace conventional point-of-sale devices with tablets. While some of them prefer the sleek, modern look of point of sale tablets, most prefer these systems due to their versatile functionality.
In some sectors, customers could even help themselves to some extent. For instance, a point of sale tablet can allow people to select menu items without having to wait for a server. The arrangement is not only easier and quicker, but most customers are also comfortable with it. Other benefits include the ability to gather data as well as the availability of software upgrades.
Social Engagement
Retailers are increasingly using tablets to boost social media engagement. By displaying social media updates on a tablet, retailers can easily inform customers about their online presence. Besides seeing the latest news, they’re able to catch up on anything they could have missed when they weren’t online. And for those not on social media, retailers can suggest other communication channels, such as email newsletters. The ultimate goal here is to enhance interaction with customers and recruit more followers for the brand.
Most small business owners balk at mobile technologies due to their seemingly high cost. However, the investment is more affordable than is commonly perceived. So don’t hesitate to start taking advantage of mobile POS hardware; it could even benefit your bottom line in the long run.