Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers were compelled to transform their way of selling by adapting to e-commerce and multi-channel options. Although we saw an increase in online shopping during the pandemic, brick-and-mortar stores are not going anywhere. With most of the population getting vaccinated and with businesses being able to resume operations, retail leaders agree that physical stores will stick around. In-store shopping experiences allow shoppers to physically view, touch, and feel products before making a purchase decision, which is ultimately too valuable to lose by only focusing on e-commerce.

Brick-and-Mortar is Still King

According to Digital Commerce 360, online spending accounted for 19.6% of total retail sales last year with Amazon representing over a third of e-commerce sales. This shows that brick-and-mortar is still consumers’ preferred mode of shopping. Over the past year, we have seen retailers shut down their physical stores, others expand, and others pivot towards finding a balance between physical stores and e-commerce. A Cision survey found that half of respondents will return to brick-and-mortar shopping once they are vaccinated, confirming that consumers still prefer to shop in store.

• 82% of consumers prefer to view, touch, and interact with physical products before making a purchase*
• 60% of buyers still prefer to buy from a physical store*
• 70% of purchase decisions are made after customers enter the store*

Add Value Through Shopping Experiences

The purpose of brick-and-mortar stores is no longer to only provide transactional experiences for customers, but to engage consumers with exceptional customer service, educate shoppers on product features, and provide them with a positive brand impression. According to The Deloitte Consumer Review, consumers have more options and have information readily available for them regarding those options. Consumers with pre-existing knowledge about your products may visit the physical store for reasons beyond completing a transaction. Consumers may specifically visit your storefront to physically see, touch, and hold the product to confirm that their prior research was accurate before making a purchase decision. That proves that physical storefronts must be prepared to win over shoppers by having great customer service, functioning displays, and overall shopping experiences that go beyond transactional purposes. It is essential to ensure that your interactive displays and devices are up and running to assure shoppers have a positive experience in your store, which will prompt them to make a purchase.

IoTrace™ – Global Analytics and Device Management Platform

Connect all your devices across the globe and centralize them on one stunning platform with our latest digital solution, IoTrace™. IoTrace™ is an automated and intelligent solution for monitoring, managing, and controlling interactive displays and devices across your global retail network in real-time. With the touch of a screen, you can virtually manage interactive displays and devices, even before they become a problem. IoTrace™ helps ensure that your devices are working properly in order to provide consumers with an exceptional shopping experience that lead to the sale.

Optimize Everything, Operate Efficiently

Reduce Display Downtime

By implementing IoTrace™, brands and retailers can operate more efficiently. IoTrace™ enables you to keep your interactive displays and devices across global retail locations up and running. With IoTrace’s remote monitoring feature, brands can reduce display downtime by getting a pulse on failing components and system malfunctions before they become an issue. Ensuring display uptime will lead to immersive customer experiences for shoppers, while reducing the cost of device maintenance. Drive sales, conversion, and improve profitability by managing your displays and devices in real-time with IoTrace™.

Track Performance

IoTrace™ tracks performance, measures results, and unlocks new sources of revenue by leveraging integrated analytics and intelligence applications. Users are able to customize their own reports and dashboards, configure KPIs, and connect existing enterprise systems and business applications. The digital solution provides users with answers and insights through analytical reports.

IoTrace™ Results

With hundreds of thousands of demonstration devices across the world, Microsoft partnered with BDS to use IoTrace™ to manage, monitor, and maintain their devices remotely to provide their customers with exceptional shopping experiences. The results of utilizing IoTrace™ included 96% display uptime, 12% increase in sales, and an 81% decrease in average annual cost for display maintenance.

Schedule a Demo Today!

Schedule a live demo today to learn more about IoTrace™ and its capabilities: IoTrace | BDS Connected Solutions for Retail Marketing (bdssolutions.com)

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To learn more about IoTrace and how our connected commerce solutions can help revolutionize your business today, visit: https://www.bdssolutions.com/