When you think of Black Friday, it usually conjures up images of people crowding into shops to secure the best bargains. But the pandemic has drastically changed this. Many retailers are limiting customer numbers in their shops and people are generally being more wary about returning to stores.
Naturally, this has caused some businesses to worry about whether Black Friday will be worth the effort this year.
Rest assured, Black Friday is still going ahead. After all, it’s a prime chance to increase sales. But to make it a safe shopping experience, many retailers are focusing on a more blended offering. For example, they’re making it possible for shoppers to browse and buy online, as well as using technology that can help reduce in-store crowds.
Businesses are also moving away from Black Friday as a one-day event. In fact, many have started holiday deals as early as October and plan to extend their offers throughout the run up to Christmas.
So, as businesses around the world hope to benefit from one of the busiest retailing periods of the year, we take a look at a few tactics and tools you can use to make sure you’re taking full advantage of Black Friday 2020.
Enable ‘click and collect’
It’s important to make sure your customer experience is safe and pleasant. One quick win can be increasing your click and collect capabilities. This service gives your customers the ability to browse, research and purchase products in the comfort of their own home, whilst providing the convenience of collecting their goods in-store. All without depending on an already strained postal network for their deliveries.
Consider virtual queuing
You can create a safe, engaging and efficient shop floor experience by using queue management software. Virtual queuing software allows customers to join queues remotely through their smartphone. They are then updated about their position in the line and receive real-time notifications throughout the journey. Such systems can make sure you’re prioritising customer safety and building confidence to visit your store.
Experiment with technologies
The pandemic has accelerated many retailers’ digital offering. It’s shown that dramatic change is possible when necessary. But it’s not enough just to be reactive. You should use this as a time to test out different technologies and see where your ‘new normal’ can take you.
Here are just a few considerations:
While the technology has been around since the early 90s, QR codes’ simple technology means that it’s much easier to implement than card payment networks.
From a business perspective, the use of contactless reduces the time spent by customers during the payment process, which in turn cuts queue times and enables a steady flow of consumers through your stores. What’s more, with a manageable flow of customers, social distancing measures are easier to maintain.
They are able to significantly shorten the waiting times around checkout, and work seamlessly alongside services such as 'scan and shop' and contactless payments. In combination with these services, self-checkout systems can enable you to manage consumers in store efficiently and, at the same time, reduce touchpoints between customers and staff.
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