If you’re not using point of sale (POS) solutions to communicate with and engage your customers, there’s a good chance they’re going to go elsewhere.
The retail landscape is extremely crowded, and your customers have a wide variety of choices when deciding where to shop. A blowout sale isn’t enough to draw foot traffic—it’s important to ensure that each person who visits your business feels appreciated and engaged. If you’re not using point of sale (POS) solutions to communicate with and engage your customers, there’s a good chance they’re going to go elsewhere.
Of all the channels available to consumers, brick-and-mortar stores offer the instant gratification and service experience that shoppers crave. Make sure their time in your shop sets your business apart from the competition. A high-level of attention can turn first-time shoppers into repeat customers that may even evolve into brand ambassadors who refer their family and friends to your business.
POS solutions offer you several tools to help increase customer engagement and make visitors feel valued.
- Digital signage
Digital signage is an interactive gateway that allows a business to communicate directly with a consumer, engaging them while they are contemplating making a purchase in-store. This electronic medium is a highly customizable form of publicity and a virtual guarantee that your target audience will see your message.
Many POS solutions have digital signage functionality built-in, so users can change messages frequently. This user-friendly platform will help increase revenues by displaying information about impulse buys, promotions and other specials to customers.
Sophatar Digital POS Signage is the next generation of intelligent customer-facing displays. See how Sophatar can help increase your customers’ basket size in this interview with Bart DeCanne at NRF 2018.
- Custom coupon offers and promotions
Shoppers love saving money and receiving free items or services. Coupons give your customers an incentive to try a new product or make a repeat purchase. Merchants can use their POS solutions to reduce the cost of printing coupons and digital campaigns by generating offers in-store. Printing coupons on customer receipts allow you to reach a higher percentage of shoppers for a fraction of the cost of a print or digital campaign. Many POS solutions are equipped with templates of coupons, discounts and offers to customize receipts. Printing a coupon on the receipt means you can be sure the customer receives it.
- Digital receipts
Shoppers are rarely able to keep track of all the receipts they receive, but these proofs of purchase are often required to make a return. Returns are less frustrating for shoppers who can locate the receipt in their email, saving them the trouble of rooting around in bags, pockets or cars. The ability to make hassle-free returns moves customer service lines faster and increases the chance that people will shop at your store again.
Offering digital receipts gives businesses the opportunity to collect customers’ email addresses, which can also be used to email coupons, promotional information, and other announcements.
- Customer engagement surveys
Take advantage of every opportunity to engage your customers. A customer service survey is a direct channel of communication that gives you an inside look at how your business and products are performing. Typically, customers are offered an incentive like a discount coupon, free item or a chance to be entered in a contest for completing the survey. These surveys should be included on the receipt because it shows you care about a customer’s experience.
Engaging every shopper who comes into your store will go a long way toward ensuring they will return. POS solutions can make engaging customers easier and equip you with tried and true methods of capturing attention and offering personalized service that will help build customer loyalty.
