After putting it off for four months due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Walmart plans to finally roll out its own $98 a year subscription program this month to challenge the outright dominance of Amazon Prime. It will reportedly include access to Walmart’s new two-hour grocery delivery service, deals and discount gas, Recode reported.
Not only have small businesses been able to rise to customers’ heightened expectations during the pandemic shutdown as they pivoted to ecommerce, they stepped up and filled major supply gaps. SMBs now have a window of opportunity to convert one-time customers into long-term loyalists, and here’s how they can do so.
Those who have embraced omnichannel retailing by allowing customers to do everything from browsing to payment on their personal device have found it much easier to adapt with tactics like BOPIS to ensure the safety and health of employees and shoppers. The current crisis will serve as a catalyst for long-term process changes.
When DTC brands are able to understand and implement last mile technology providing greater visibility and transparency, they put themselves in a position where they can control the customers’ experience from start to finish, ultimately enhancing it in every way possible. Here are three ways to boost the last-mile experience.
Kustomer, an up-and-coming cloud-based CRM platform for hot DTC brands like UNTUCKit, ThirdLove and The Farmer’s Dog, has acquired Reply.ai, which uses AI and machine learning to improve agent efficiency by deflecting customer queries through chatbots and widgets. The two have worked together on CRM integration projects.
A decision by the leadership team at jewelry retailer Kendra Scott to invest in an order management system ahead of last year’s peak season was a critical element enabling the company to quickly turn its fleet of stores into fulfillment centers and initiate curbside pickup, after shutting them down to the public due to COVID-19.
Supply chain issues related to COVID-19 are causing lots of problems for retailers who are still tasked with fulfilling orders on a timely basis. This means looking into nontraditional fulfillment methods that provide flexible and cost-effective solutions. Popup fulfillment centers are one viable solution to address these challenges.
It’s inspiring to hear stories of individuals and businesses stepping to help in the fight against the “invisible enemy” that is the novel coronavirus. Lauri Sullivan, CFO and COO of The Salyers Group, discusses the company’s various efforts and how they’re keeping connected with customers in our latest MCM CommerceChat podcast.
Multichannel Merchant is thrilled to announce that Ecommerce Operations Summit 2020 is rescheduled for Sept. 9-10 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN. In addition to our usual great content, we also plan to have lots of fun networking opportunities and functions taking full advantage of our location in the heart of Music City.
Helping crafters find their “happy place” has never mattered more than it does today, when we’re all searching for ways to stay happy and discover new outlets amidst so much uncertainty. To do this, JOANN has evolved its customer service to meet the needs of today’s generation of crafters and makers.
