3 Contactless Ideas for Retailers - GSP

To help mitigate interruption to their business in the days of COVID-19, retailers are adopting various contactless strategies. Marketing Dive reports that “73% of consumers still feel anxious, anxiety levels appear to be coming down from their peak in mid-March.” Contactless solutions in your stores can create a better customer experience, help boost your sales and increase brand loyalty. Here are three touchless ideas to consider.

Focus on Curbside Pickup

Knowing that curbside pickup at retail stores surged 208% during the coronavirus pandemic, retailers should focus on ways to expand and grow this option. Stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy offered curbside pickup at certain locations even when non-essential retailers were closed. Experts say curbside pickup is here to stay. Naveen Jaggi, the president of commercial real estate services firm JLL’s Retail Advisory team told CNBC, “Shoppers will likely be more hesitant to get back to stores, since they’ve adjusted to being home for so long.”

• Continue your curbside offerings
• Expand or reconfigure exteriors to suit curbside availability
• Promote your curbside using signage, social media and offers

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Contactless Checkout

Before the COVID-19 crisis, contactless payments were known to create seamless shopping experiences and provide a faster way for customers to check out. Reduced transaction times and shorter lines are just some of the benefits for retailers and consumers. Today, this form of payment provides peace of mind to anxious shoppers and employees who want to avoid contact whenever possible. In a recent multi-country survey, Mastercard found that 79% of consumers are using contactless payment since the pandemic began. As shoppers continue using mobile apps as payment, retailers will need to:

• Create signage indicating “Contactless Payment Accepted Here” on existing register terminals
• Add terminals or kiosks that accept contactless payment
• Design special offers, signage, social media reminding shoppers to use mobile apps to pay

Touchless Pickup Lockers

By using smart pickup lockers, QSRs or convenience stores offering foodservice can provide a more touchless delivery experience for customers. Several years ago, Little Caesars began using a “Reserve-N-Ready” system which combines mobile ordering, pre-payment and heated self-service. Yes, employees will have to clean and sanitize frequently, however pickup lockers are a nice option for retailers. Smart lockers can also be used for contactless Buy Online, Pick-Up in Store (BOPIS) programs for fashion, grocery, or big box stores. If possible:

• Reconfigure your stores to allow for smart pickup lockers
• Redesign your hot food areas to allow for a “Reserve-N-Ready” system
• Expand your Buy Online, Pick-Up in Store (BOPIS) counters or section of your store

Looking for more ideas? Contact us and together we can remodel, refresh, and/or reconfigure your stores to create or enhance contactless options for your shoppers.