How Offering Click and Collect Shopping Will Increase Your Profits

Click and Collect, a concept that doubled globally in value throughout 2017, has recently regained popularity in the wake of the pandemic with more people than ever preferring to keep interpersonal contact at a minimum [1].

While there are many reasons why shoppers love Click and Collect - it's convenient, it saves time, and it can often be cheaper than home delivery... but what's in it for retailers?

If you're confused as to how can offering click and collect services increase your profits... we've got the answers.

What is Click and Collect?

Before exploring the benefits of Click and Collect, it's good to establish exactly what the service is. Click and Collect is a shopping option that allows customers to buy products online via web or mobile app, and pick up in-store, typically with an order confirmation email and a form of ID. This convenient service is becoming increasingly popular with shoppers, as it eliminates the need for home delivery and waiting in long queues.

Which stores can use Click and Collect?

Order and collect services can be used by any retail store. From supermarkets and department stores to pharmacies, and even small local businesses, click and collect provides a convenient solution regardless of your business' size.

Do Click and Collect points have to be based in-store?

No, your Click and Collect point does not have to be located within your store. In fact, many businesses choose to locate their order and collect points outside of their store, such as in a nearby parking lot. These locations should be especially convenient for customers who are short on time.

Is there a perfect location for a Click and Collect store/point?

While there is no perfect location for a Click and Collect store/point, it is important to consider the proximity of your store to potential customers when determining the most convenient location.

Click and Collect stores are typically located in high-traffic areas, such as shopping malls or busy streets. This makes them easily accessible for customers who want to pick up their orders quickly. In many cases, Click and Collect orders can be ready for pick-up within an hour.

How to set up a Click and Collect system

If you're interested in offering Click and Collect services at your store, there are a few things you'll need to do in order to get started.

Before your customers can start using your Click and Collect service, you'll need to set up an order and collect point. This can be done by setting up a dedicated counter or station within your store, or by locating a suitable space outside of your store.

While setting up a Click and Collect order system can be done using a variety of methods. You can use an existing e-commerce platform, or you can set up a dedicated ordering system using services like the ones provided by Epos Now.

Once your Order and Collect point is set up, you'll need to promote your service to potential customers. This can be done by adding order and collect signage to your store, or by promoting your service online or through social media.

Keep Click and Collect close with NearSt

While you can set up your Click and Collect service using the methods mentioned above, if you're looking for the best way to offer optimised Click and Collect services at your store, NearSt can help.

Syncing seamlessly with your Epos Now POS system, this integrative app optimises your inventory management, to make eCommerce easy for both your customers and your business. NearSt's order and collect system provides greater stock visibility, letting patrons find and purchase products from your Click and Collect clothes shop, without the need for delivery or waiting in line.

What's more, with NearSt you can offer order and collect services without the need for a dedicated space within your store. NearSt's order and collect system can be set up in any location, making it the perfect solution for businesses of all sizes. You can access NearSt's features through the Epos Now AppStore.

What does the Click and Collect business model look like?

The Click and Collect model is typically based on a subscription or pay-per-use basis.

Under a subscription model, businesses would charge a monthly or yearly fee for access to their click and collect services. This fee would cover the cost of setting up and maintaining the order and collect system, as well as the cost of promoting the service to potential customers.

Under a pay-per-use model, businesses would charge a fee for each order that is placed using the click and collect system. This fee would cover the cost of setting up and maintaining the order and collect system, as well as the cost of promoting the service to potential customers.

What are the profit-pushing properties of Click and Collect services?

Now that we've answered the question "what is Click and Collect?” It's time to explore the benefits of offering this convenient shopping option at your store:

Increased foot traffic

Offering this service can help to increase foot traffic at your store, since Click and Collect shoppers are more likely to make impulse purchases while waiting to collect their orders. This can lead to an increase in sales, as well as an increase repeat business.

Higher order values

Due to the fact that customers can order items in advance and then add to their order when they come to pick it up, Click and Collect orders tend to be larger than in-store or home delivery orders. Customers are given the opportunity to pick up a combination of both online and in-store items that they may not have had access to through one medium.

Improved customer satisfaction

Since customers have the ability to order items in advance and pick them up at a time that is convenient for them, this can lead to improved customer satisfaction and an improved customer service experience overall. In fact, a recent study found that 80% of customers who used click and collect services were satisfied with the experience [2].

Reduced costs

Offering Click and Collect services can also help to reduce your business costs since you won't need to invest in delivering orders to customers' homes. This can free up your budget to invest in other areas of your business, such as marketing or product development.

Pick up on the order your business needs, with a powerful POS system

Point of sale (POS) systems are the backbone of retail businesses for a number of reasons. Designed to work as a complete business management system, Epos Now allows you to control all aspects of your company from one cloud-based system.

• Review auto-generated profitability reports based on individual product performance, trending items, best and worst sellers.
• Multi-award-winning inventory management that syncs sales across multiple channels and ecommerce platforms. 
• Customer management systems that save customer contact details and shopping preferences for more targeted marketing.
• Integrations with over 100 apps including marketing, accounting, bookkeeping, and loyalty program apps.