Webrooming: Supercharging Your Retail Sales
Let’s dive into the exciting world of webrooming and discover how it can skyrocket your retail sales.
So, what exactly is webrooming? Well, it’s this awesome trend where people like you and me search for products online before heading to a physical store to make the purchase. It’s like bringing the best of both worlds together!
Imagine this: you’re sitting at home, chilling on your comfy couch, and you decide to buy something cool, like a shiny new gadget or a stylish pair of sneakers. Instead of simply buying it online, you do some research, read reviews, and compare prices. You want to make sure you’re getting the best deal out there.
Once you’ve done your due diligence, it’s time to hit the stores. You walk into the physical shop armed with all the knowledge you gathered online. You know exactly what you want, and you’re ready to make the purchase. Plus, you can’t wait to see and touch the product in person – that’s the beauty of webrooming!
Why is webrooming so powerful for retailers? Well, it’s like a secret weapon that boosts their sales. When customers like you choose webrooming, they don’t just browse aimlessly; they have a purpose. They’re more likely to make a purchase because they’ve done their homework and are already invested in the product.
Think about it this way: when you go to a physical store after webrooming, you’re on a mission. You have a specific item in mind, and you’re determined to find it. That kind of focused shopping mindset is a dream come true for retailers. They love the fact that webrooming brings highly motivated customers through their doors.
But here’s the best part: webrooming doesn’t just benefit retailers, it’s a win-win situation. When you visit a physical store and make a purchase, you get to experience the product firsthand. You can touch it, try it on, or test it out – all things you can’t do when you buy online. Plus, you have the satisfaction of instant gratification, walking out of the store with your purchase in hand.
So, how can you make the most of webrooming? Start by doing your research online. Look for the best prices, read customer reviews, and compare different options. Once you’re armed with knowledge, head to a physical store to see the product in person and make your purchase. It’s a winning strategy that combines the convenience of online shopping with the joy of hands-on retail experience.
Next time you’re looking to buy something special, remember the power of webrooming. You’ll be a savvy shopper, and retailers will thank you for boosting their sales. Happy shopping!
Are you a small retailer sweating over showrooming? This scary trend, where customers come to your store to check out products but then go online to buy them, has been giving retailers nightmares for years.
Who wants customers to come in, try on or touch the items you offer, only to purchase them at a steep discount from Amazon or another website?
This trend has been particularly unsettling for small, independent retailers. While big national chains with a lot of shoppers may be able to compete with online sellers on price, independent retailers are less likely to be able to do so without losing money.
But according to a new report from Merchant Warehouse, instead of worrying about showrooming, small retailers should embrace webrooming.
What does Webrooming mean?
Have you heard of webrooming? It’s the opposite of showrooming. Let me explain. Webrooming is when you search for products online, and then go to a physical store to actually buy them.
Webrooming is a big deal right now. In fact, it’s even more popular than showrooming! And because of webrooming, traditional retail stores have new opportunities to shine.
Here’s What You Should Know About Webrooming
A lot of people are into webrooming. About 75 percent of men and 63 percent of women choose to webroom instead of showroom. And it’s not just about gender – people of different ages also prefer webrooming to showrooming.
Did you know that both young and older consumers love using webrooming? It’s true! Sixty-nine percent of people aged 18 to 36 and 49 to 67 enjoy webrooming. But here’s the interesting part: only 50 percent of the younger group and 44 percent of the older group enjoy showrooming. Surprising, isn’t it? Another interesting fact is that while 90 percent of showroomers have also webroomed, only 60 percent of webroomers have tried showrooming.
So why do people choose to webroom?
- 47 percent don’t want to pay for shipping. It’s understandable. Nobody wants to spend extra money on shipping fees. To make sure you don’t miss out on any sales, you could try offering exclusive coupons that are only valid for users who visit your website and make an in-store purchase. Another option is to allow customers to order online and then pick up the items in-store. This way, they can save on shipping costs.
I want to share some important information about what customers want when they are shopping. These are things that we need to pay attention to in order to make our customers happy and increase sales.
First, 46 percent of people want to see and touch a product before they buy it. This is especially true for things like furniture, clothes, and makeup. To meet this need, we should encourage customers to try out our products in the store. We can also create displays that are inviting and allow customers to interact with the products.
Next, 42 percent of people want to check if a product is available in the store before they make a trip. This saves them from wasting time and effort. It would be a good idea to invest in an eCommerce system that lets customers check availability online. We should also make sure our employees understand how important it is to keep our inventory data accurate.
Finally, 37 percent of people prefer to be able to return products to a physical store. This means that if we offer the option to buy online, we should also offer the option to return in-store. This way, we can capture both online and in-store sales from these customers.
By understanding and meeting these customer needs, we can make shopping a better experience for our customers and increase our sales.
Now here’s the not-so-great news: 36 percent of shoppers will ask you to match online prices. So what should you do?
Well, that’s up to you. Merchant Warehouse suggests considering price matching during really competitive times, like the holidays. But here’s something to keep in mind: word spreads fast on social media these days. If you match the price for one person, they’re likely to tell their friends who might expect the same treatment. And if they don’t get it, well, they might say some not-so-nice things about you.
If you want to do price matching, you might want to consider some options. For example, you could limit price matching to one item per customer or offer a discount instead of matching the price exactly. This way, the customer can still get a good deal and receive the product quickly.
Take a look at the image below for more information.
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