This year’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, held in Salt Lake City, was so huge and so packed with great products that one week later, we are still trying to decompress and process all of the information from exhibitors.
Key take-aways from this exceptional event include a clear move towards more sustainability, not only in the use of materials for everything from clothing to kayak paddles, but also in the production of the show. In fact Outdoor Retailer has significantly raised the bar for other event organizers through their thoughtful efforts to leave the smallest possible footprint.
The second take-away was the number of companies, large and small, now engaged in, or planning to enter, the world of omni-channel retail. Most of the brands we chatted with were either adding an online component to their existing bricks ‘n mortar store, or adding a bricks ‘n mortar facility to accommodate pick-up for online ordering. Either way, the point of purchase and the point of pick-up are going to vary, as never before, according to the wants and needs of the consumer.
Retailers! The mouse click—whether executed on a computer, smart phone or Tablet—presents your newest opportunity for market expansion, and your toughest inventory challenges. As an omni-channel retailer, your sales volumes, customer loyalty, brand reputation and profit margins depend on tight, accurate inventory controls. You positively have to know where each item is in real time (in the exact style, color and size the customer wants) in order to sell it, ship it or have it ready for in-store pickup. And you have to be prepared to accept returned items at any location, as well as via a return shipment.
For me, the true beauty of item-level RFID is that the technology enables retailers to do all of this, and more, free of human error and with minimal human effort. If a customer walks into your store looking for something they saw online, your staff can easily determine if the item is in stock. If not, using the data generated by RFID, your staff can locate the product and secure it for the customer on the spot with full confidence that all information regarding the item is accurate and “up-to-the-minute”.
What I have seen from the retailers we work with, is a dramatic upswing in confidence and customer service on the part of their sales staff. When a sales person knows that their inventory data is accurate; when they are sure that the desired item is precisely where it should be, whether they are talking with a customer via phone, email or face-to-face, the entire customer experience is enhanced.
From the customer’s point of view, finding an item online and having multiple reliable options for a smooth purchase transaction, immediate delivery, speedy pick-up and hassle-free return, is going to strengthen my relationship with that retailer or brand, and capture my repeat business.
Taking the Outdoor Retailer Show further, Truecount was still walking the aisles during the final hour of the show. Merchandise was being repacked and readied for shipment out of the convention center under deadlines. Exhibitors from all over the U.S., Canada, Nepal, India, Peru, France and other countries were rushing to clear their areas on time, and without losing or damaging any merchandise. Some of the exhibitors were moving on to other shows and other venues. What a great opportunity for RFID counting and tracking. In fact, Truecount has already developed the ideal trade show/event software. One hundred times faster than hand counts and 99+% accurate, Truecount helps you save time and money while keeping inventory in place. Our software automates receive and pack out functions, giving your staff more time to focus on promoting and selling your product.
If you’d like to learn more, or want to schedule a consultation, contact Truecount now, success@truecount.com.