With the pandemic hitting and creating new challenges for stores it is becoming difficult to serve customers instantly. There are two types of buyers the loyal ones, who are repeat buyers and know the aisle making the shopping spree quick. And the later are those who browse more before making any decision, so the take longer time in the stores. In the both the cases, the buyers hate the waiting time while the store is serving other customers.
Reduce customers wait time in retail stores
Here are the tips and tricks to reduce the waiting time of customers.
- Installing scan and go: One of the best options to reduce the waiting time after shopping is the ‘scan and go’ application. It is becoming very popular in grocery stores where a scan device helps the buyer to scan each item and add to the shopping cart. It not only reduces the time in shopping and scanning but, also help the shopkeeper to eliminate the human interaction. More businesses like fashion. Healthcare products and DIY ranges are opting for Scan and Go devices that makes the entire shopping experience quicker and smarter. Additionally, the buyer can also scan the barcode of product to get the details of the item viz. calorie, nutrients, wash & care instructions and ingredients.
- Introduce POS device: Point of Sale (POS) devices are the best inventions that offer a sought-out sales solution. When you are struggling to manage a large queue of buyers with a mix of large and small shopping carts then, offering POS makes the entire transaction very systematic. You can not only handle payment but get information, print the receipts faster and offer coupons.
- Arrange entertainment and Interaction: When buyers don’t want to waste time as shopkeeper serves other customers you can invest in interaction and entertainment. Not just during sales and discounts, some stores always encounter huge customer volume making it exceedingly difficult for the shopkeeper to manage the queue. You can invest in comfortable waiting areas, offer free access to Wi-Fi, install some play areas for kids and play some soothing music.
- Communicate with customers: You can also, hire staff that interacts with customers who are waiting for long by offering them scan and go services, direct them to cosy waiting areas, inform them about latest offers and additional clearance sale (if any), explaining the reason for delay and suggesting them to self-services (smaller shoppers).
Also, hire more experienced staff that can process the customers faster and know how to handle waiting customers better. Avoid using only cash transactions and avoid overuse of anti-theft security on items.