How Does BOPIS Work??
Shoppers want convenience shopping, they want flexibility in shopping so that they can purchase or make returns efficiently and quickly. BOPIS is a way to provide convenience shopping to customers as they can select which item they want and for which item they have to wait. Here’s how the process works:
1. Customers buy online, through the website or mobile app:
so in BOPIS, it’s an important factor for retailers to provide convenience by letting customers complete the purchases online or in-app, simultaneously they can select the time and store location to pick up the purchased products. With real-time local inventory visibility at hand.
2. The store fulfills the online order:
There are two circumstances when ordering through BOPIS. If the product is in stock at the customer’s chosen local store, the store associate can use an app to easily locate, pick and pack the order to keep for the customer. When it is ready, the associate can send an email or notification to the customer to let them know it’s ready for pickup. This saves customers precious time searching through aisles. In other circumstances, if the store does not have the item in stock, the associate will order it from a nearby store or warehouse facility. Once the product is restocked, the customer is notified that it is available for pick-up at his or her convenience.
3.The customer picks up their order:
Customers can go to the store according to their pickup location where a store associate will give them their order. One of the benefits they get from BOPIS is that stores provide curbside pickup — where a customer can drive up to the store location and receive their order without ever leaving the car.
Requirements for Offering BOPIS
1. A website or app for online ordering:
Retailers should have a brand website or app for customers to order items from. This online platform should provide accurate and real-time visibility into available inventory which creates a reliable and enhanced level of convenience. Retailers can use the application to communicate with customers by using push notifications to inform all the steps till the pickup so that they can know when the order has been received, notifying them the order is being packed, and in the last confirming the order is ready for pickup.
2. At least one brick-and-mortar location:
BOPIS doesn’t work for retailers who only have an online presence. It is a must for retailers to have at least one brick-and-mortar location to fulfill online orders and also act as a hub for customers to pick up their items. The store should be located where it should be comfortable for customers to go.
3. Real-time inventory:
3.Retailers need to have strategic planning so that they can analyze and implement the right technology to deliver the most up-to-date inventory available to the consumer. This involves connecting all details of the retailer’s fulfillment system to create real-time analytics on order statuses, workflows, overall cycle time, location handling and customer engagement.
