The internet has revolutionized almost every industry, and as technology has advanced to make online connectivity even more prevalent, mobile technologies have played an essential role in the revolution.
Food retailers are no exception when it comes to embracing mobile technologies to modernize their industry. To retain existing customers and win new ones, grocery and supermarket chains are implementing solutions that provide users with a unique mobile experience to bring them more convenience build brand awareness and retain customers.
WHY SHOULD GROCERY CHAINS BECOME MOBILE?
In addition to the general increase in mobile shopping in recent years, seen in the current survey, there are many other reasons for grocery chains and those in the food retail industry to implement mobile solutions for their activities.
It is even good to point out that the use of mobile has overtaken that of computers when it comes to purchases!
FOLLOW THE COMPETITION
Many grocery chains are leveraging the power of mobile technology to compete.
Modern customers use mobile as a means of accessibility and convenience.
Companies that can adapt to the changing world and deliver seamless shopping experiences through the integration of mobile solutions are more likely to convert users into loyal customers.
IMPROVE THE BRAND
In order to promote their brand, grocery chains often apply the omnichannel approach to appeal to all consumer groups, and mobile telephony is becoming an essential part of this approach.
By providing tech-savvy shoppers with a mobile, interactive and high-speed customer experience, supermarkets increase their chances of creating a lasting effect that amplifies their brand while generating user interest.
DATA-DRIVEN MARKETING
Customers are more focused on value than price. Therefore, providing them with easy access to the necessary information about a product will increase their chances of purchasing it.
A supermarket mobile app can provide customers with this necessary data while simultaneously collecting analytics that allows businesses to tailor their offerings to consumers’ needs.
Data-driven marketing will allow grocery chains to monitor and plan product offerings based on customer feedback and demand.
CUSTOMIZATION
Digitization has radically transformed the way purchases are made, making them more accessible than ever.
Through mobile sites and applications, businesses offer their customers the opportunity to have unique shopping experiences in which each consumer is at the centre of their own purchasing scenario.
In this way, grocery chains can engage with customers more personally, giving them 24/7 access to products and helping them manage their shopping experience.
MOBILE PAYMENTS
Various mobile payment systems are available in different countries and regions.
Since many people are moving away from credit cards to transact through apps, a mobile payment system can easily be integrated with an app to enable a seamless online shopping experience.
An integrated mobile payment system offers more convenience and the ability to serve more customers who want to order and purchase their items directly through an app rather than in-store.
BUILD WELL-DESIGNED LOYALTY PROGRAMS
To reward buying behavior and increase the need for customers to stay loyal to a particular brand, grocery chains can also look to the mobile environment.
Indeed, the latter makes it possible to offer loyalty programs offering advantages that make it possible to attract and retain customers.
Gamification of loyalty programs, using the principles of the endowment effect, helps retailers take advantage of the effectiveness of push notifications to alert customers to new rewards available or time-limited offers that can earn them a lot of points in no time.
INTEGRATION OF THE MOBILE APPLICATION INTO THE IN-STORE EXPERIENCE
Brands can use mobile apps to improve in-store shopping experiences, making them more efficient and enjoyable for repeat customers, as well as first-time buyers.
For example, grocery chains could build mobile apps to provide instant, detailed information about their products or help their customers find the location of a specific item. We all agree that it is not pleasant to search all the shelves to find the product you are looking for.
Apps that use location would also provide alerts for special offers when a shopper walks down the aisle, providing additional value to the shopper while making their shopping experience more enjoyable.
Be careful not to overdo it, as it would be counterproductive to notify the customer many times. He could thus feel harassed and decide not to buy in the end.
GET FEEDBACK FROM BUYERS
To better understand how a grocery chain works, apps can be used to collect feedback from buyers.
Retailers could allow customers to send inquiries or provide item reviews to help them improve their offerings.
Accumulating data directly from customers will allow different supermarkets to tailor their in-store shopping experience while helping them monitor a particular store’s overall demand and supply.
