Successfully Identify and Fulfill a Retail Customer's Unique Needs with Mobile Solutions

[Former Member]

     Each and every one of us is a consumer. A consumer who needs things, wants things, and does research to make sure we buy the best things. Consumers love convenience, instant gratification, and easily accessible information on products. Shopping may be a necessary evil, or something that excites us. Regardless of the individual’s shopping preference, we want it to be easy, rewarding, and catered to us in a way that will keep us coming back to the same retailer over and over.

     During this past holiday season, 70% of shoppers were using their smartphones while making purchases. While in the store, 62% of these users opened the store’s website on their phone, and 37% researched competing store’s websites (Source: ForeSee, 2013). Retail companies must consider the modern consumer reliance on their website, online reviews, et cetera. The way we research now, it is said that nearly half of us believe we are more informed than the store sales associates! (Source: Motorola, 2013) We are getting to know our stores, and our stores must get to know us. Our stores need to know us so well that they can find ways to fit each of their consumer’s needs, whether it is 10 people or 10 million people.

     SAP Mobile for Retail helps companies get to know their customers individually. This seems impossible, but with mobile apps where customers enter specific information such as their location, and their previous in-store and out-of-store ordering history is taken into account, their shopping experience can be personalized. Personalized catalogs, new product recommendations, and promotional values can be offered to the customer based on what the app knows about them. This is a win-win situation, where the customer is constantly provided with relevant offers and will make more purchases. Great customer satisfaction and brand loyalty will be established. This eBook provides a more thorough description of such benefits.

     During the M6 conference, this will certainly be an important topic. Retail companies may discuss the risks and rewards of going mobile, share their own success, and address their concerns with other experts. The end goal of all retailers is the same- revenue, efficient back-of-store and front-of-store operations, and happy consumers. All of which can be made infinitely better going mobile.