In 2022, the U.S. saw 94% of customers return to brick-and-mortar stores for in-person shopping. 

With fewer consumers shopping exclusively online, you must adapt to keep up with the ever-changing retail market. One of the most crucial aspects to focus on is unifying your eCommerce and in-store experiences.

As in-store retail makes a comeback, it’s vital to differentiate your offering and ensure the continuity of your brand, no matter how your customers choose to interact with you.

The importance of in-store experiences

While the rise of eCommerce has drastically changed the retail landscape, in-store experiences maintain a place of prominence in the industry.

Physical stores offer a tangible, sensory experience that can’t be replicated online. They provide a space where customers can touch, feel, and try out products before purchasing. The human connection and instant gratification that comes from walking out of the store with a purchase in hand add to the allure of in-store shopping.

Differentiating in-store experiences

In the current retail landscape, differentiation is vital for a brand to thrive. Here are some key recommendations to enhance the unique aspects of your in-store experiences.

1. Personalization

Today’s customers expect personalized experiences, so leverage consumer data to offer tailored recommendations in your store.

Personalization can take the form of a sales associate suggesting products based on a customer’s online shopping behavior or sending individualized offers to a buyer’s phone when they’re at a brick-and-mortar location.

2. Innovative in-store experiences

Craft unforgettable in-store experiences with innovative technology. Consider creating themed areas in your store where customers can try out products in real-world situations. You can even incorporate virtual reality headsets for customers to experience products in a unique way.

3. Expanded convenience

Convenience is a major contributor to purchasing decisions. Offer mobile payment options, in-store kiosks to check online stock, and an easy way to order out-of-stock items for home delivery. The goal is to make the shopping experience as smooth and convenient as possible.

4. Community engagement

Physical stores can act as community hubs where customers can engage with like-minded individuals. This can manifest as hosting events, workshops, or clubs that encourage shoppers to spend time in your store.

5. Exclusive in-store offers

To give customers a reason to visit your physical store, consider offering exclusive products or discounts unavailable online.

6. Interactive product displays

In-store displays can go beyond simply showcasing products: They can be interactive, allowing customers to try out products, view demos, or learn more about an item’s features and benefits.

Integrating in-store and online shopping experiences

While distinguishing your in-store experience is crucial, it’s equally important to integrate it with your online presence. Here are a few ways to marry the two.

1. Unified customer profiles

Maintain a unified customer profile that tracks consumer behavior both online and in-store. This provides valuable insights that you can use to personalize experiences across all channels.

2. Seamless omnichannel experience

Ensure a seamless transition from online to in-store experiences. This could include enabling customers to add items to their online cart and then check out in-store or order online and pick up in-store.

3. Online access to in-store inventory

Let customers check in-store stock online and reserve items for in-person pickup. This connects the online and offline shopping experiences, making it more convenient for buyers.

4. Consistent brand experience

Consistency is key to creating a unified brand experience. As such, your brand’s identity, values, and messaging should be the same across all in-store and online channels.

Challenges of uniting digital and in-store experiences

When trying to harmonize in-store and eCommerce experiences, retailers often face hurdles such as disjointed systems, inventory management issues, and difficulty providing consistent customer experiences across all channels.

However, with a strategic approach and the right tools in place, you can overcome these obstacles.

1. Disjointed systems

Retailers often operate their eCommerce and physical stores as separate entities, with distinct inventory, sales, and customer relationship management systems. This can result in disjointed customer experiences and inefficiencies in managing stock across different channels.

Solution: Implement integrated systems that can manage online and in-store operations. Unified commerce platforms can provide a single view of customers, inventory, and sales for all channels. This enables retailers to streamline operations, improve inventory management, and provide a seamless customer experience, regardless of where or how people shop.

2. Inventory management

Maintaining accurate and efficient inventory management across multiple channels can be a daunting task. Issues such as overselling due to inaccurate stock counts or the inability to replenish popular items quickly can negatively impact customer satisfaction and your business’s reputation.

Solution: Partner with a service provider like MyFBAPrep to relieve the pressure of inventory management. MyFBAPrep can ensure accurate stock counts, efficient fulfillment, and timely B2B replenishment.

We take the burden of inventory management off your shoulders, enabling you to concentrate on improving the customer experience across all channels. Learn more about MyFBAPrep’s robust omnichannel prep and fulfillment solutions.

3. Consistent customer experience

Creating a seamless customer experience across multiple touch points can be a complex task.

Consumers expect consistency from brands, whether they’re shopping online from a mobile device, browsing your website on a desktop, or visiting a physical store.

Solution: To ensure branding, messaging, and service levels are uniform across all channels, train staff to provide the same level of service in-store as customers receive online, and ensure marketing and promotional activities are coordinated on every platform you use.

Employing customer relationship management (CRM) systems can also help track customer interactions at all touch points to promote personalized and consistent customer communication.

4. Personalization

With the vast amount of customer data available, retailers are expected to provide personalized experiences. However, many businesses struggle to turn this information into actionable insights.

Solution: Leverage data analytics to understand consumer behavior, preferences, and needs. You can then use that information to tailor offerings and enhance customer engagement. Consider implementing AI-powered tools as well, since these can provide valuable insights and automate personalized online and in-store recommendations.

Leveraging technology to synergize eCommerce and in-store experiences

Technology plays a central role in uniting online and offline shopping experiences. From augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to CRMs and inventory management software, there are a multitude of tools that retailers can harness to create an omnichannel customer journey.

Augmented and virtual reality

AR and VR are powerful tools that enhance online and in-store shopping experiences.

For online customers, AR experiences allow them to visualize products in their own space. This is especially beneficial for furniture and home decor retailers. For instance, IKEA’s AR app lets shoppers see how pieces would look in their homes.

In stores, VR transports customers to different settings or experiences related to the products they’re interested in.

Customer relationship management

CRMs are crucial for maintaining a unified customer profile and tracking buyer interactions across touch points. This data can serve to personalize product recommendations, offers, and services, thereby improving customer experience and loyalty.

Advanced CRM systems can predict future behavior as well, fostering proactive customer engagement.

Inventory management software

A customer shopping online should have the same access to product availability information as one shopping in a physical store.

Inventory management software provides real-time stock visibility across all channels, reducing the risk of overselling and ensuring efficient stock management.

Mobile apps

Branded mobile apps can provide a direct connection between online and in-store shopping.

Apps have features such as in-store navigation, product information, customer reviews, and the ability to check in-store inventory. They can also provide personalized offers based on a customer’s location within the store or push notifications about sales and promotions.

Beacons and IoT

Beacons are small devices that use Bluetooth technology to send targeted messages to smartphones based on their proximity. Retailers can harness beacons to send tailored discounts or product recommendations when customers are near specific products.

The Internet of Things (IoT) also opens up opportunities for smart fitting rooms and shelves to improve the in-store customer experience and provide valuable data on consumer behavior.

Self-service kiosks

With self-service kiosks, customers can easily check product availability, read customer reviews, and even purchase from the store floor. They bridge the gap between online and offline, providing shoppers with a convenient, self-directed experience.

AI and machine learning

AI and machine learning are becoming increasingly essential to retail success. From chatbots handling customer service to AI-driven personalization tools, these technologies enrich both online and in-store customer experiences. They can provide personalized recommendations, automate customer interactions, and predict future trends.

Technological integration is no longer a choice but a necessity for retailers to harmonize their in-store and online experiences. The key lies in selecting the right technology that aligns with your business model, target audience, and operational capacities.

Wrapping up — Delivering a seamless and unique shopping experience by balancing digital and physical retail

Unifying your eCommerce and in-store experiences is imperative to drive success for your business.

While technology and innovation play a crucial role in this, the human element shouldn’t be overlooked. At the end of the day, retail is about people — understanding their needs, delivering value, and exceeding their expectations.

With a partner like MyFBAprep, you can feel confident the operational aspects of your business run smoothly, which frees you to focus on what truly matters: creating memorable and harmonious shopping experiences for your customers.