Leveraging technology for seamless operations
In today’s retail landscape, the dominance of e-commerce has reshaped customer expectations and disrupted traditional ‘brick-and-mortar’ stores. Consumers now have the convenience of browsing and purchasing from anywhere, with e-commerce platforms offering endless product variety and seamless shopping experiences. For physical retailers, this presents a significant challenge: how can they remain relevant in the age of e-commerce?
Rather than a battle for survival, physical stores are evolving by embracing technology to complement ecommerce, transforming the way they interact with customers and manage their operations.
Labels and technologies for retail and e-commerce
Retail technologies
Technology specifically suited to enhancing retail fulfilment.
Shipping & Freight labels
When constructed and printed correctly, shipping labels ensure your product is traceable and arrives at the right destination.
Thermal labels
Blank thermal labels allow you to print variable data as required.
Desktop printers
Desktop label printers are small, convenient and are ideal for environments such as retail, office or small scale operations that have limited space, but require high quality, fast and reliable label printing.
Scanners & Mobile computers
Wearable devices and mobile computers allow for a mobile workforce, real-time data capture and ultimate productivity.
Mobile printers
Mobile label printers are rugged, reliable and are designed for warehouse, manufacturing and shipping environments.
The intersection of e-commerce and physical retail
Despite the rapid rise of e-commerce, in-store shopping continues to play a crucial role for many consumers. A survey found that 63% of Australians still prefer visiting stores to
touch, feel, and see products before making a purchase. This reveals a critical opportunity for brick-and-mortar retailers: blending the best of both worlds by integrating e-commerce-driven solutions with in-store experiences.
One key innovation is the click-and-collect service, which allows consumers
to purchase online and pick up in-store. This service not only boosts foot traffic but also gives customers flexibility while maintaining the convenience
of e-commerce. However, with this service comes an expectation for accurate,
real-time inventory management, as customers expect their items to be ready for collection as soon as they arrive.
To capture more sales, retailers must streamline operations to maximise conversions by meeting customer demands efficiently and avoiding stockouts. Relying on durable tech, like mobile computers with rugged designs (MC33, EDA61K, TC52, EDA52, EDA57 & ET51 & EDA10A), ensures reliability during high-demand situations.
Meet e-commerce expectations with technology
E-commerce has set a high bar for convenience and speed, and today’s shoppers expect the same from physical retailers. Technology is bridging the gap. 67% of shoppers highly value store staff's ability to check stock levels in real time, while 61% appreciate home delivery options for out-of-stock products. This integration of e-commerce and in-store services helps meet customer expectations for both availability and flexibility.
By arming store employees with mobile computers (TC52, EDA52, EDA57, ET51 & EDA61K) retailers can provide real-time answers about product availability, check inventory across multiple locations, and even arrange deliveries directly from the store floor. These devices offer enhanced scanning capabilities, improving data accuracy while being durable enough to withstand the rigors of a retail environment.
This not only reduces queues by speeding up checkout processes but also helps prevent cart abandonment, a common issue in both physical and online retail environments. Additionally, these tools empower staff to fulfil with precision, meeting the growing demand for online orders with speed and accuracy.
The importance of correct labelling for e-commerce
In the world of e-commerce, labels are more than just identifiers - they play a crucial role in the supply chain building brand recognition, ensuring product safety, and providing critical information to consumers.
Here's just a few reasons why the right label solutions are essential for e-commerce retailers:
- Enhancing the unboxing experience
- Durability and reliability
- Security and tracking features
- Branding and consumer trust
- Maximising space for information
Ensuring you have the right label durability for e-commerce not only improves the efficiency and reliability of your supply chain but also enhances customer experience, trust, and brand loyalty.
Personalised and efficient shopping experiences
The success of e-commerce is largely driven by its ability to offer a highly personalised shopping experience, from tailored product recommendations to targeted promotions. Physical stores are now leveraging similar technology to provide more customised in-store experiences. 67.3% of consumers believe that retailers using mobile technology can offer a faster, more efficient shopping experience.
In-store mobile solutions enable retailers to access customer purchase histories, suggest complementary products, and offer personalised promotions—all of which are now expected by consumers who are accustomed to e-commerce platforms. Retailers can further elevate the experience by offering AI-powered inventory optimisation to ensure that the right products are always available when customers want them.
By delivering fast, reliable service in-store and online with technology that offers seamless shopping (DS55, DS9300, DS8100, XP7680G, ZD421 & PC42E-T) retailers can enhance the overall customer experience. Furthermore, by utilising data-driven decisions based on real-time insights, retailers can fine-tune their operations to meet customer expectations with precision and agility.
E-commerce meets operational efficiency
Incorporating e-commerce into in-store operations is not only about enhancing customer experience but also improving operational efficiency. AI and automation are revolutionising how retailers manage their supply chains, from real-time stock optimisation to seamless online-to-offline integrations. Retailers embracing these technologies can achieve faster turnaround times, minimise stockouts, and reduce costs, all while delivering the speed and accuracy customers expect from e-commerce.
By optimising operations, retailers can also optimise their space, improving efficiency and making better use of their sales floors. Additionally, boosting productivity by empowering staff with the right tools ensures they can handle increased customer demand while maintaining high service standards.
Durable technology, such as purpose-built mobile computers and printers (ZQ521, ZD421 & PC42E-T), can withstand the challenges of a fast-paced retail environment, ensuring that these devices perform reliably even during peak times.
Future-proofing retail with technology
Retailers that adopt cutting-edge technologies, such as mobile computers, fixed mount scanners and desktop printers are not only meeting the demands of today’s e-commerce-savvy customers but are also positioning themselves for future growth. The competitive advantage lies in real-time data access, personalisation, and the ability to merge the flexibility of e-commerce with the immersive experience of physical stores.
As 19% of retailers look to AI as a key growth driver, those who integrate technology combined with innovations across their operations will set the standard for the next generation of retail.
E-commerce and in-store synergy
The rise of e-commerce has undoubtedly transformed consumer behavior, but it has also provided brick-and-mortar stores with the opportunity to evolve. By integrating e-commerce-driven technologies, retailers can offer a more personalised, efficient, and engaging shopping experience.
As the line between online and in-store shopping continues to blur, the future of retail lies in a seamless blend of both worlds, empowering businesses to thrive in the e-commerce era.
