Magento Oms Integration

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Strategic opportunity, tactical challenges and a developing operating model. In-store picking (shopper for hire) seems like a sensible pick-up in-store option, and perhaps one for quick need items, while other retailer profiles might be better suited for centralized picking. Challenges for stores: Is the inventory count right? Dedication of resource to the task? Filling the cart or helping the customer? That and more—but the strategic value of turning up at a store and having the shopping bags filled for you? Only time will tell.

Consumers’ expectations for faster delivery have forced online retailers to keep up with this trend. The survey also found one of the main reasons that online shoppers did not purchase items in their cart was because their estimated shipping costs came out higher than anticipated. Clearly, shipping is important to online customers.

You've got customers across the country. We’ve got fulfillment centers across the map. Don’t overspend on expedited shipping— reach 98% of the U.S. within two days via ground shipping with our nationwide network.

RSL's order fulfillment services already offer customers a variety of shipping methods that provide both cost savings, as well as a way to expedite delivery to clients. The company's Xparcel Expedited offers 2–5-day transit shipping, while Xparcel Ground provides a 3–8-day transit time for deliveries. In fact, recent statistics confirm that RSL clients using Xparcel Ground have saved as much as 29% in delivery costs.

So in the right situations, it’s smart to have the local stores picking and packing, yet there may be a tipping point where it makes sense to have the centralized distribution. I refer to these retailers as “savvy” for a reason. They are smart enough to figure out what their best option is.

Of course, we all know that not every order will come with free shipping. Yet, online shoppers find limited reasons to pay for free shipping. Thus these online shopper reasons are instructive and can help retailers know when these fees are deemed acceptable among the online community. Simply wanting the product is highest on the list for 41% of respondents. 32% look at the cost of the order and, if palatable, will pull the trigger. Knowing they can’t meet the threshold in the cart was a factor for 26%. In the same vein, 19% paid for shipping when receiving a product discount greater than shipping. And let’s face it, with private label products, there may only be one choice for buying a product. Lastly, fast matters and 18% of those surveyed wanted same-day delivery.

Most of us seem to be on the same page: it can work—or not—depending on whether or not there is sufficient in-store staffing so as not to neglect in-store customers (yes, not everyone shops online…really!). I would think those retailers who “get it (staffing) right” are the same ones who get other retail issues “right”…and those who don’t are the same underperformers who will be the subject of future RW “how can they get back on track?” articles.