Study: In-store mobile projects could generate huge sales growth
Retailers that harness mobility in-store are not only rejuvenating their in-store experience — they are primed to boost sales.
Retailers deploying in-store mobile initiatives effectively are projected to have an increase of 146% in sales growth in 2018, according to new data from Stratix and IHL Group.
According to data, retailers that successfully deployed mobile POS had a 24% average increase in sales in 2017, compared to retailers who don’t implement mobility in-store. Additionally, retailers that are underperforming with flat or declining growth – but reported deploying in-store mobile POS – saw a 100% increase in sales for 2017. These companies also predict another 47% growth.
These sales increases may be attributed to the personalized experience shoppers receive when interacting with an in-store associate using a mobile device. Moreover, sales associates can complete the purchase during the point of conversation as customers shop, offering the opportunity for associates to upsell and cross-sell merchandise, the study said.
While using mobile solutions in-store resulted in monumental opportunities for some retailers, data also reveals that other retailers still face significant challenges when implementing this technology. The five common setbacks repeatedly mentioned include:
• not having the proper applications in place (75%);
• lack of adequately trained staff in-store (60%);
• the scarcity of internal help desk support (59%);
• a shortage of acceptable payment options (47%); and
• difficulty managing mobile security because it is complicated and demanding (45%).
“At Stratix, we’re not surprised by these findings,” said Gina Gallo, Stratix president and CEO. “As the use cases and complexities for mobile has grown exponentially over the last 10 years, we see that most retail customers are seeking help with staff and support challenges.”
The survey confirms the deployment of mobile POS has hit some roadblocks. However, mobile POS will remain “an integral part of the planned enhancement of the customer experience at the store level in 2018 and 2019,” said IHL group principal analyst Greg Buzek.
“Despite the strong potential financial improvements that have been experienced by retailers enjoying the technology, there have been many reasons why other retailers have delayed the deployment of mobile devices,” he said. “These are often due to the many challenges being able to do deployments effectively and achieving ROI targets.”
Despite these concerns, the opportunities provided by mobile are significant, and with retailers embracing a third-party service to manage, support, and deploy these devices, the investment will be greatly beneficial.
“Choosing to focus on app development and support of the customer experience is the best use of retailer’s internal resources,” Buzek added. “Selecting a trusted partner for the other key challenges revealed in this research is the best approach for most retail companies.”
Retailers deploying in-store mobile initiatives effectively are projected to have an increase of 146% in sales growth in 2018, according to new data from Stratix and IHL Group.
According to data, retailers that successfully deployed mobile POS had a 24% average increase in sales in 2017, compared to retailers who don’t implement mobility in-store. Additionally, retailers that are underperforming with flat or declining growth – but reported deploying in-store mobile POS – saw a 100% increase in sales for 2017. These companies also predict another 47% growth.
These sales increases may be attributed to the personalized experience shoppers receive when interacting with an in-store associate using a mobile device. Moreover, sales associates can complete the purchase during the point of conversation as customers shop, offering the opportunity for associates to upsell and cross-sell merchandise, the study said.
While using mobile solutions in-store resulted in monumental opportunities for some retailers, data also reveals that other retailers still face significant challenges when implementing this technology. The five common setbacks repeatedly mentioned include:
• not having the proper applications in place (75%);
• lack of adequately trained staff in-store (60%);
• the scarcity of internal help desk support (59%);
• a shortage of acceptable payment options (47%); and
• difficulty managing mobile security because it is complicated and demanding (45%).
“At Stratix, we’re not surprised by these findings,” said Gina Gallo, Stratix president and CEO. “As the use cases and complexities for mobile has grown exponentially over the last 10 years, we see that most retail customers are seeking help with staff and support challenges.”
The survey confirms the deployment of mobile POS has hit some roadblocks. However, mobile POS will remain “an integral part of the planned enhancement of the customer experience at the store level in 2018 and 2019,” said IHL group principal analyst Greg Buzek.
“Despite the strong potential financial improvements that have been experienced by retailers enjoying the technology, there have been many reasons why other retailers have delayed the deployment of mobile devices,” he said. “These are often due to the many challenges being able to do deployments effectively and achieving ROI targets.”
Despite these concerns, the opportunities provided by mobile are significant, and with retailers embracing a third-party service to manage, support, and deploy these devices, the investment will be greatly beneficial.
“Choosing to focus on app development and support of the customer experience is the best use of retailer’s internal resources,” Buzek added. “Selecting a trusted partner for the other key challenges revealed in this research is the best approach for most retail companies.”