In-store pickup operations: how to do it right
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 8:35 am
In-store pickup can make online ordering easier and more efficient, and reduce shipping costs for customers, but if you don't execute it correctly, it could lead to a disappointing experience for shoppers and lost sales for you.
Manage in-store pickup with the right people and space
Whether it's you or your sales staff, assigning in-store pickup management to one (or a few) people is crucial. Someone needs to be there to check and pack orders, notify customers that they're ready for pickup, and deliver items to the store.
Create a dedicated space in your retail store to keep pickup orders organized.
Allison Mistakidis, Co-Founder of Whiskeyjack Boutique
“Create a dedicated space in your retail store for pickup orders to stay organized,” says Allison Mistakidis, co-founder of Whiskeyjack. “Additionally, use the Shopify POS app to manage and mark orders available for pickup once they’re packed and ready to go. This way, the customer gets a notification that it’s ready.”
Track inventory
If you don't sync your online and offline inventory, canada whatsapp in-store pickup could be a disaster. The last thing you want is to disappoint a customer who places an online order for in-store pickup and then receives a notification that the item is actually out of stock.
“Our number one tip is to double-check that your inventory is accurate, because having a customer order a product that isn’t physically in the store would be very disappointing,” says Allison.
Notify customers once their order is ready
Manually reviewing online orders and sending emails or text messages to customers letting them know they are ready for pickup is time-consuming.
That’s why we’ve built a store pickup feature for Shopify POS that lets you efficiently manage and track all pickup orders placed online and notify customers when they’re ready.
Make it easy for customers to notify you when they arrive for pickup
The idea behind in-store pickup is that your customers can wait for you in their car. If you don't know they've arrived, they may get impatient and come into the store to let you know they're in the store. To prevent this, you'll need a way for customers to notify you once they arrive.
After a customer places an order online and comes to your store, you can ask them to call or text you and then bring their order to their car.
For example, when you send them a notification letting them know their order is ready for pickup, include a note that says, “Let us know once it’s arrived by calling or texting 555-555-5555 with your order number.”
Designate a place where customers can wait for their order
Depending on your store location, you may be able to reserve a parking space near your store for in-store pickup. Or if it's not a high-traffic area, customers can line up in front of your store.
The key here is to make sure the pickup location is explained and easy to find when they arrive. You also want to make sure you're not blocking traffic.
Advertise, advertise and advertise some more
Spending time and energy developing an in-store pickup plan won’t be worth it unless you also create a marketing and advertising strategy to raise awareness about pickup availability. You can spread the word through your newsletter, social media , or website, and include the details on your checkout page.
Be open about your in-store pickup option on social media to make sure customers know when you're available.
Allison Mistakidis, Co-Founder of Whiskeyjack Boutique
“Talk openly about in-store pickup on social media to make sure customers know when you’re available,” says Allison. “Include details indicating pickup options on your checkout page, in order confirmation emails, and in general marketing emails. Customers will use this service if they know it’s available!”
Manage in-store pickup with the right people and space
Whether it's you or your sales staff, assigning in-store pickup management to one (or a few) people is crucial. Someone needs to be there to check and pack orders, notify customers that they're ready for pickup, and deliver items to the store.
Create a dedicated space in your retail store to keep pickup orders organized.
Allison Mistakidis, Co-Founder of Whiskeyjack Boutique
“Create a dedicated space in your retail store for pickup orders to stay organized,” says Allison Mistakidis, co-founder of Whiskeyjack. “Additionally, use the Shopify POS app to manage and mark orders available for pickup once they’re packed and ready to go. This way, the customer gets a notification that it’s ready.”
Track inventory
If you don't sync your online and offline inventory, canada whatsapp in-store pickup could be a disaster. The last thing you want is to disappoint a customer who places an online order for in-store pickup and then receives a notification that the item is actually out of stock.
“Our number one tip is to double-check that your inventory is accurate, because having a customer order a product that isn’t physically in the store would be very disappointing,” says Allison.
Notify customers once their order is ready
Manually reviewing online orders and sending emails or text messages to customers letting them know they are ready for pickup is time-consuming.
That’s why we’ve built a store pickup feature for Shopify POS that lets you efficiently manage and track all pickup orders placed online and notify customers when they’re ready.
Make it easy for customers to notify you when they arrive for pickup
The idea behind in-store pickup is that your customers can wait for you in their car. If you don't know they've arrived, they may get impatient and come into the store to let you know they're in the store. To prevent this, you'll need a way for customers to notify you once they arrive.
After a customer places an order online and comes to your store, you can ask them to call or text you and then bring their order to their car.
For example, when you send them a notification letting them know their order is ready for pickup, include a note that says, “Let us know once it’s arrived by calling or texting 555-555-5555 with your order number.”
Designate a place where customers can wait for their order
Depending on your store location, you may be able to reserve a parking space near your store for in-store pickup. Or if it's not a high-traffic area, customers can line up in front of your store.
The key here is to make sure the pickup location is explained and easy to find when they arrive. You also want to make sure you're not blocking traffic.
Advertise, advertise and advertise some more
Spending time and energy developing an in-store pickup plan won’t be worth it unless you also create a marketing and advertising strategy to raise awareness about pickup availability. You can spread the word through your newsletter, social media , or website, and include the details on your checkout page.
Be open about your in-store pickup option on social media to make sure customers know when you're available.
Allison Mistakidis, Co-Founder of Whiskeyjack Boutique
“Talk openly about in-store pickup on social media to make sure customers know when you’re available,” says Allison. “Include details indicating pickup options on your checkout page, in order confirmation emails, and in general marketing emails. Customers will use this service if they know it’s available!”