COVID-19 introduced new safety norms such as social distancing. This has pushed businesses to use technology to avoid unnecessary contact with people, goods and infrastructure.
Contactless shopping allows consumers to do all of their shopping via mobile devices, sitting at home and not touching anything. These same solutions can also be used by those who prefer to store on their own.
Omnichannel for retail
New computer technology gives distributors an omni-channel presence at all points of contact with the customer. This means that they are moving from the format of traditional physical stores to social media, mobile versions of websites, e-commerce platforms and any other online channels that customers visit.
This helps retailers easily accomplish their objectives by attracting customers with a uniform quality of experience across different sales channels.
E-Commerce
The e-commerce toolkit makes centralized management of all orders and balances possible for both online venues and traditional stores. This technology allows online orders to be routed to the nearest branch for quicker delivery, increasing customer satisfaction.
Automatic inventory updates provide better inventory management for all stores, and allow for automated replenishment of running out of stock.
Self-service checkout counters
Self-service cash registers with cash handling modules have been a great success for retailers. Originally, they were conceived to enhance security measures and reduce costs. Now, such solutions have proven useful in reducing the amount of contact with banknotes by staff and customers.
Digital Payments
Businesses that can’t afford expensive machines can limit their cash contact to digital payments directly in the offline store. To pay, the customer only needs to hold a card or device with an NFC module to the terminal.
Virtual dressing rooms
Sellers of offline stores now have various options available for customers who want to see and try out products before buying.
One such innovation is the Magic Mirror. Responding to voice commands and gestures, the technology allows customers to see how they would look in other clothes.
Chatbots
Using machine learning techniques, chatbots mimic human communication and provide information upon written or verbal request, thereby proactively assisting customers during online shopping.
Online bots allow customers to be served around the clock, ensuring high customer satisfaction. They engage the interlocutor in interactive communication.
Chatbots ensure that the shopping process goes without delay. As an automated IT solution, they can serve multiple customers simultaneously.
Robotization in logistics
Companies need manpower to adapt to changing conditions. Around the world, COVID-19 has sent a huge portion of the working population on extended sick leave, causing a shortage of workers.
However, robotics can solve these difficulties. In the face of the pandemic, it is increasingly being used, gradually becoming more affordable. Robotization could potentially be the source of an unlimited workforce that does not require pensions, paid vacations, or other costs.
Using robots in logistics will accomplish the same number of tasks, but more efficiently and less expensively. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) reports that leading logistics companies, including 3PL operators, are increasingly turning to robotics and automation to survive the crisis.
