Between 2022 and 2023, some 82% of Australian households made at least one internet purchase during the year. At the same time, 60% of them completed a dozen online orders or more. Overall, a whopping $63.8 billion worth of goods were bought online in Australia in that year, comprising roughly 18% of all retail sales While the majority of spending is still done at physical stores, Tech essentials need to step up their tech game if they are to maintain this dominance while replicating the benefits of online ordering. So, how exactly can they go about doing that? The answer lies in enhancing their tech stack, and in this post, we’ll outline seven critical pieces that every brick-and-mortar business needs.

• Improve your customer’s payment experience

One of the main reasons online shopping is growing is that internet retailers have committed to improving their customers’ payment experiences. This has been achieved primarily by offering them a fast and secure way of processing transactions. Therefore, it is important that brick-and-mortar businesses match this convenience. One way to do this is to offer a contactless card machine like Smartpay. However, you should also consider accepting Buy Now, Pay Later services like Zip and Afterpay. As well as other payment options such as PayPal. Depending on your business, you may even be willing to allow your customers to pay with digital currencies like Bitcoin. Ultimately, the more payment options you can offer them, the greater the likelihood of making a sale. That’s one of the tech essentials.

• Implement Click & Collect

Long wait times and stock shortages are two of the most negative experiences customers can endure at a brick-and-mortar store. For this reason, it is a good idea to offer a click-and-collect option that significantly reduces the chances of this happening. Known as BOPIS, this technology integrates with your website to enable customers to ‘buy online, pick up in-store’. It came to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now widely offered by many businesses and retailers as a way to minimise store waiting times.

• Data-Driven Inventory Management

Brick-and-mortar businesses are increasingly using data-driven inventory management systems to track goods through the supply chain. This allows them to settle on an optimum product range that will best satisfy their customers’ demands. 

One of the main benefits of using these systems is that companies can reduce their warehouse costs. Additionally, as the customer gets what they ordered in a very quick timeframe when they collect it in-store, it can increase their loyalty and, therefore, lifetime value to the business. By tightening the inventory management process, businesses also won’t have to sell dead stock at discounted prices. They will also ensure their money is allocated to stock, which will provide them with a better ROI and virtually eliminate the potential for missed sale opportunities due to products being out of stock.

• Optimise Store Layout

There are several technologies that can be used to analyse and track customer movement within a brick-and-mortar store. While this may sound a bit like stalking, it does serve a very useful purpose for companies, enabling them to optimise the layout of their floorspace to maximise sales and engagement. By drawing upon foot traffic data and heat maps. They are able to strategically design their store’s layout and position products to most appeal to their customers.

• Better Customer Engagement

Thanks to smart mirrors, digital signage, and interactive displays, the modern brick-and-mortar store can use a range of technological advances to improve user engagement.

Not only can they grab the attention of your customers, but they can also educate them with product recommendations and usage information that might encourage them to make a purchasing decision. 

• Social Media Platform

Social media is a very powerful tool for your business to use in its marketing and tech essentials. Currently, platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok give brick-and-mortar stores a level of access to customers they have never had before. They enable companies to promote their products and services and build a brand by directly interacting with them, wherever they are in the world, at any time of the day or night. One key element to running an influential social media account is producing engaging content regularly that resonates with your customer base. There are plenty of content creation tools that can help you do this, including Canva, Lumafusion and LightRoom. So, try to make them as memorable, sharable and interactive as possible.

• Security and safety

According to the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Retail businesses in Australia lose around $2.3 billion every year in theft. Therefore, as a brick-and-mortar tech essentials store, it is important to invest in the latest security technology to protect yourself. You can implement a range of measures, including CCTV, signage, burglar alarms, security guards, and electronic tags on your products. All of these can be effective deterrents for those who are tempted to steal. While it’s good to safeguard your physical store, you should also do the same for your website. Additionally, take measures to enhance workplace safety.