Page 7 - Logistics News - May 2021

TH O UGHT LEAD ERS HIP

now satisfy individual customer preferences. These One technology engineered to help retailers
systems enable retailers to build tailor-made products efficiently manage inventory is a store-fulfilment
at scale for each customer from a warehouse. For solution. Such solutions improve store inventory
example, customers can create unique colourways for availability accuracy and give retailers the ability to pick
a pair of sneakers or add personalised text. from store inventory efficiently, while keeping available
inventory 100 percent accurate. Achieving this enables
Allowing consumers to customise their orders creates flexible fulfilment such as BOPIS and buy online, pick up
a personalised retail customer experience and ultimately at curbside in a time efficient way.
pleases customers as they get to design products that
suit their needs. Customisation also helps retailers build With store-fulfilment solutions, sales associates can
an emotional connection with their customers through also locate inventory quickly and prepare it for delivery.
co-creation and improves customer loyalty. Store-fulfilment solutions make omnichannel shopping
a delightful experience for customers as they can shop
Distributed order management technology for a on their terms and satisfy their need for fast, free and
unified customer experience convenient fulfilment.
Customers expect a seamless omnichannel shopping
experience that enables them to buy anywhere and pick Distributed order management system for order
up anywhere with the least cost and hassle. However, routing
successfully delivering omnichannel fulfilment requires Fast delivery remains an area of crucial importance for
an up-to-the-millisecond view of inventory availability customers. Fifty-five percent of consumers switch to
across channels. That is where distributed order a competitor if that competitor offers faster service,
management (DOM) technology comes into play. according to a report from Capgemini. With distributed
order management (DOM) systems, retailers can meet
Unlike static traditional order management the customers’ need for fast fulfilment. DOM ensures
systems that provide limited inventory visibility, DOM speedy delivery by determining the most cost-effective
unifies disparate inventory pools across all channels and efficient shipping location to fulfil an order.
and locations to give retailers visibility into available- This may be to the store closest to the customer or a
to-promise inventory at eligible fulfilment locations distribution centre with the largest volume of products.
and guarantees customers are promised what can be
delivered. This creates a unified omnichannel experience The ability to intelligently route orders results in
that delights customers as products ordered online more positive post-purchase experiences as customers
will be available in-store for pick up. The ability to get their orders fulfilled accurately and fast. Rapid
consistently honour customer promises improves the delivery satisfies customers, improves the retail
retail customer experience, builds trust and strengthens customer experience and incentivises customer loyalty.
brand value as customers know they can depend on a DOM also enables retailers to control shipping waste in
retailer to deliver what they need. packaging and reduce carbon footprint in the last mile
through order routing and consolidation. By making the
Store-fulfilment technology for flexible fulfilment last mile eco-friendly, retailers create a great customer
As customers continue to demand convenient and experience for sustainability-minded shoppers while still
free delivery, big retailers are leveraging existing store meeting financial goals.
networks to offer flexible fulfilment options. However,
efficiently fulfilling orders from stores can be challenging Additionally, DOM has delivery management
due to inventory inaccuracy. Among retail executives capabilities that enable retailers to offer personalised L O GI S T I CS NEWS
surveyed by HRC Retail Advisory, 66 percent say that home delivery, such as white glove services and
inventory inaccuracies make their buy online, pick up appointment-based, in-home delivery using retailer-
in-store (BOPIS) offerings inconsistent. owned vehicles and personnel. For instance, a customer

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