Mobile Solutions Power Retail Success

Mobile technology, from cell phones and texting to tablets and apps, has saturated our day-to-day lives. However, one area where there’s still a lot of discussion about the role of mobile tech is in retail. People are still trying to figure out the reach of mobile commerce and how to engage customers with this technology. As part of this discussion, it’s important not to overlook the impact that mobile solutions can have on your business operations, not just in how your customers use mobile devices, but also in how your employees can use mobile technology to do their jobs better.

After all, we rely on our personal devices to navigate, plan, and connect on the go. How can you get those same mobile benefits in your stores?

Make Business Decisions in Real Time

One of the most obvious benefits of mobility is that it’s mobile. Mobile-first retail solutions enable field and regional managers to access key information about store performance no matter where their work takes them. For example, they can drill down into performance and completion data by district, store, or even department, in order to identify areas of strength and weakness. This visibility allows them to make driveway decisions throughout their day, prioritizing which stores to visit or areas to focus on during a store visit. It also allows them to identify and correct any issues in real time, instead of waiting until they have the time to sit down with a laptop to communicate their concerns and assign follow up actions.

Stay on the Sales Floor

Similarly, store managers can receive important communications or notifications about urgent tasks, pushed to their mobile device in real time. This allows them to stay on the sales floor, helping customers or training associates without missing time-sensitive information, instead of spending time in the back room checking email or voicemail. If there’s a product recall or an associate calls out sick, it’s easy for store managers to respond appropriately without any delays.

Additionally, customers increasingly expect retail associates to have instant access to information. Associates equipped with a mobile, real-time work platform can easily access information about promotions, provide omnichannel service, or use a in-app message solution to get clarification from a store manager to answer customer questions.

Empower Productivity

Additionally, real-time, mobile store execution solutions make it easier for store managers to confirm that high-priority work is being completed on time. They can get real-time visibility into completion and compliance rates, and can follow up when needed.

Mobile task management solutions also offer store associates a prioritized view of their day-to-day work in the palm of their hands. Instead of running around, trying to figure out what they’re supposed to be working on, associates can gain immediate access to all tasks that they need to complete, and can focus on the most important task first. As a result, store associates work more efficiently, deliver better customer service, and are more engaged in what they’re doing.

If you’re interested in learning more about solutions to simplify work for employees, read our latest white paper, “3 Ways to Increase Retail Manager and Associate Engagement.”