Retail Apps Aren't Just For Shopping: Three Ways That Stores Are Putting Efficiency In Their Employees' Hands

By Mark Kirstein, Senior Director of Enterprise Software, Zebra Technologies

In the next few years, technologies like Bluetooth SMART, RFID tags, and the Internet of Things are really going to transform the in-store shopping experience into a mobile-integrated information extravaganza. The main store functionalities – from product discovery to inventory management to checkout – will see such enhancements render their practice somewhat unrecognizable from what we know currently. However, while we are a few years away from the wide implementation of these technologies, the precursors of these advances are available today, giving retailers no excuse to wait.

Retailers are enhancing the in-store experience with apps that allow customers to retrieve a map of the store on their devices, pay using their phones, and quickly find detailed information on products. Additionally, retailers are taking advantage of back-end apps that help the staff perform their jobs more efficiently and create a more enjoyable shopping experience for the customers. Here are three types of available mobile apps for helping retail staff connect with customers, access product information more quickly, and oversee the work of other employees:

1. Connecting Employees with Customers

New apps enable employees to better assist in-store customers in several ways, from facilitating checkout to responding to shoppers’ preferences. A number of retailers are beginning to outfit employees with mobile devices that allow them to ring up orders anywhere in the store (Apple, most visibly, has been doing this for several years). Not only does this make things more convenient for consumers, it also fosters new interactions between shoppers and staff––creating a more welcoming in-store experience.

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