BOPIS Meets Consumer Demands and Enhances Retail Profits

Retailers are increasingly embracing a modern approach to meet customer expectations: Buy Online, Pick Up in Store (BOPIS). This strategy is an ideal way for retailers to increase in-store foot traffic while seamlessly integrating their online and offline experiences.

BOPIS allows retailers to combine the convenience of online shopping with the personalized experience of in-store visits, offering customers a more flexible and efficient way to shop. Also known as click-and- collect, this option gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly half of the top 500 retailers adopting the model.

Here’s how it works:

Customers make purchases online

Retailers must prioritize convenience by allowing customers to make purchases online or through an app while selecting a preferred time and free store pickup location for their items.

With real-time visibility of local inventory, customers can choose the most convenient time and location to pick up their products.

The store processes and completes the order.

When ordering through BOPIS, there are two possible scenarios.

In the first scenario, if the item is in stock at the customer’s selected store, a store associate can quickly locate, pick, and pack the order using an app. Once the order is ready, the customer is notified via email that it’s available for pickup, saving them time and streamlining the fulfillment process.

In the second scenario, if the item is not available at the chosen store, the associate will order it from a nearby store or warehouse. Once the item arrives, the customer is notified, and it becomes available for pickup at their convenience.

The customer collects the order.

Customers have the option to go inside the store to a designated pickup area where a store associate will hand over their items. Additionally, many stores now offer curbside pickup, allowing customers to receive their orders without leaving their cars, requiring only a photo ID or driver’s license.

In both cases, customers should receive clear instructions for picking up their purchases, whether through a text message, push notification, or an order confirmation email with a receipt or QR code.

Click here for a quick demo of this new feature offered by eComchain