Minimise turnover loss in corona time
We are still in a lockdown because of the coronavirus, but fortunately shopkeepers can again have personal contact with customers and shoppers (at an appropriate distance). Via the Click & Collect method, consumers who have ordered products online can collect them in the shop. And now you can also make an appointment to come and shop at your favourite shop within a certain time slot. All this requires some logistical organisation skills, and SMS is a very useful tool to keep this process on track (coronaproof).
Click & Collect
In order to accommodate the retail trade during the corona crisis, customers may collect the products they have ordered online or by telephone from the shop. This was first permitted for the catering industry, DIY stores and libraries. The measure has now been extended to all shops. However, the order must be collected outside; customers are not allowed to enter the shop. Customers are also allocated a time slot, so that the shop is not overcrowded and the number of contact moments is kept to a minimum.
However, there are other rules that you, as a shop and as a customer, must take into account. For example, only one person is allowed to pick up the goods and there must be at least four hours between ordering and picking up (to prevent fun shopping). And of course, the 1.5 metres distance and other corona basic rules must be maintained.
Communicating clearly with SMS
For many people, shopping via Click & Collect is new. From a service point of view (from shopkeeper to customer), it is therefore smart to supervise this purchase process well, because it is with extra service that you can distinguish yourself from the competition in these difficult times. But how does that work exactly?
Simple, with an SMS message. SMS is one of the most accessible ways to communicate virtually with customers, because we know that an SMS is opened and read within minutes. Unlike email, which has a much lower opening rate.
“With an SMS message as a reminder of the shop appointment, the number of no-shows will be kept to a minimum.And that’s a good thing, now that there are far fewer customers visiting your shop at the same time.”
Send SMS from purchase to pick-up point
Customers using Click & Collect can receive a digital confirmation of their order by SMS. Confirmation of the time slot for picking up the order can also be communicated quickly and simply by SMS. Forgotten time? No problem. At the beginning of the time slot, you can send a reminder by SMS, so you can be sure that the customer will arrive on time to collect the order. That is pleasant and safe for the shop and the customer!
Shopping by appointment
From the 3rd of March 2021, shopkeepers may – under strict conditions – again receive customers in their shops. This is only possible by appointment under the following conditions:
– Timeslot: The customer must make a reservation (online or by telephone) at least four hours in advance. One time slot lasts at least ten minutes.
– Maximum of two customers: A maximum of two customers may be present in the shop at the same time (children under the age of 12 excepted). If the shop has more than one floor, the following applies: a maximum of two customers per floor.
– Maintaining Corona ground rules: The other corona measures must of course also be observed. For example, a distance of 1.5 metres must always be maintained and mouth masks are mandatory.
Fewer no shows for shopping by appointment
SMS also makes your customer flow smoother when shopping by appointment. This gives your customers the confidence to come and shop safely. Not only the confirmation of the shopping appointment can be sent by SMS, but also a reminder on the day itself via SMS will be appreciated by your customers. Especially since the shopping per time slot must be planned and supervised very carefully. For you as a merchant, an SMS reminder also has advantages, as it will keep the number of no-shows to a minimum and with it your possible loss of turnover when customers do not show up.
SMS service for the retail sector
By sending relevant SMS messages at the right moment, you almost literally take your customers by the hand and guide them through the buying process (or the shop). And sending business SMS doesn’t have to be complicated. With one simple SMS API from Spryng you can do it all. Curious whether the turnover and service level of your shop(s) can also increase through SMS? As the SMS specialist in the Netherlands, Spryng gives you tailored advice without obligation. Mail or call for more information: info@spryng.sg or +31 20 770 30 05.
