More than any other retail establishment, the Food and Drug merchants are at the heartbeat of our culture. These grocery stores and pharmacies play an important role in shaping what we do with our time and how we interact with others around meals, events, celebrations, etc. Whether it is people buying produce to cook a meal for their family & friends or picking up prescription medication for their needs, these retail stores are essential to our lives.
Merchants can have a positive impact on the customer checkout experience by providing quick service, implementing a simple interface, offering a variety of payment options and more. In a unique environment like grocery, fulfilling these needs can be challenging - but the most logical way to elevate the commerce experience is to have a complete understanding of current retail trends and how they can help grocers create loyal customers.
One of the most important pieces of technology in your business is your payment acceptance solution. It enables you to securely accept electronic payments from your customers and can help improve their customer experience. But let’s face it. You’ve had a system in place for years which is now slow and doesn’t accept all forms of electronic payments (EMV, contactless, etc.). In addition, you’ve realized how consumers these days are used to so many unique shopping experiences. You wish to have the growth and innovation in your business. You want a solution that is not only technologically advanced but takes your customers’ experience to the next level.
We live in an experience economy and every business is trying hard to emotionally engage with their customers to make their shopping journey a positive one. Today, the market is filled with similar products and services and this pushes customers to pay close attention to the overall experience. How they grade these experiences can determine if they will spend money with that business again.
Think of the last time you went to see your favorite sports team at a stadium -- how much preparation did you need before you went? Did you need to buy a ticket online, print it and remember to bring it? Did you have to keep track of a parking stub to get your car out of the lot? Did you tailgate beforehand to avoid spending the whole game in line at the concession stand rather than in your seat?
