Today’s consumers are accustomed to interacting with retailers on digital platforms. When customers do venture into a furniture store, they respond positively to in-store technology experiences. A rising component of in-store technology is the self-service Kiosk. Kiosks are effective at bridging a consumer’s initial online research phase with the physical store environment.
“Studies show an increase of 7% in incremental sales when Kiosks are added with other returns including increased customer satisfaction and reduced inventory and warehouse costs.” KioskIndustry.org
STORIS’ in-store, self-service Kiosk is an engaging part of our Unified Commerce Solution. It is the key technology device that bridges the consumer’s online research with the in-store experience. The Kiosk was developed specifically for home furnishings retailers to deliver functionality important to our industry.
The STORIS Kiosk enables furniture retailers to:
- Modernize the in-store experience with intuitive, digital tech
- Foster interaction between customers and sales associates
- Cater to trends in consumer shopping behavior
- Reduce on-hand inventory and subsequent warehouse costs
- Maximize revenue potential by meeting more customers’ need
- Showcase compelling in-store digital marketing messages
Features of the STORIS Kiosk
Intuitive User Interface (UI) Design
Kiosk design, first and foremost, must be intuitive and easy to use. As a self-service item, a customer should feel confident when using this in-store technology, making it a positive addition to their experience. STORIS’ Kiosk was developed with the insight and showroom testing of leading home furnishings retailers. Inventory hierarchy is at the forefront of design, allowing customers to easily navigate by category, group, and vendor.
Transition Point for Customer & Sales Associates
A hallmark of today’s consumer is that they are more informed than ever before, researching home furnishings retailers and their products online before heading to stores to shop. Customers take pride in sharing their research with in-store associates. The Kiosk format is an ideal transition point for a customer to show the sales associate items they added to their shopping cart as options. The sales associate can then can lead the in-store appointment by highlighting strong alternatives and complementary items to view while in the store.
Integrated Shopping Cart
STORIS’ integrated shopping cart is a unique feature of the in-store Kiosk. This technology enables the customer to access and share what they liked from the online research phase of their shopping journey with a sales associate. It’s the modern, digital equivalent of a customer printing out pictures of products. Shopping carts are also editable on the Kiosk and can be updated throughout the in-store visit. Additionally, carts are accessible across all STORIS devices and changes reflect in real time, including changes made on the customer’s phone or a sales associate’s tablet during the in-store visit. The items in the integrated shopping cart edited from the Kiosk while in a store can be purchased at the customer’s convenience on an eSTORIS website.
Endless-Aisle Inventory
When it comes to modern inventory management strategy, Endless Aisle inventory is a competitive advantage to retailers. Endless Aisle is a “virtual merchandising option in which physical space is extended to the fuller catalog assortments of products and accessible content.” (Retail TouchPoints) Customers are spoiled by the ability to shop “anything and everything” on Amazon. Digital catalogs enable retailers to utilize an Endless Aisle strategy, offering customers a wider variety of options, while maximizing sales per square foot and reducing costs of warehousing merchandise. Additionally, Kiosks drive revenue during out of stock situations, where items can be ordered directly for that customer.
Complement an In-Store Vignette
In the home furnishings industry, the ability to effectively display all inventory is limited by the size of the products. Showroom floorspace is a precious commodity. A big reason that customers visit a store is to evaluate the feel and quality of a brand’s products, but a retailer typically can’t physically display everything a manufacturer carries. An inventory display of key pieces in a collection allows the customer to evaluate the product, while the Kiosk compliments this by giving them the option to choose from a wider assortment catalog.
In Stock and On Display
A popular feature of eCommerce websites is the ability to verify if an item is “On Display” in a nearby showroom. This helps drive traffic to your showroom. Once in the store, a customer can use a Kiosk to confirm real-time inventory stock quantities and available delivery dates.
Highlight Promotional Materials & Product Photography
Large format, visual devices draw customers in. They are the ideal place to highlight branded and promotional messages that entice customers to buy. The beauty of a digital Kiosk screen is the ease and frequency in which marketing can be changed. With the Kiosk, your store receives digital impact, while reducing the cost of producing physical signage. Better yet, customers can interact and shop specific merchandise related to that promotion directly on the device.
Retail Customer Experience notes that, “With e-commerce options literally at their fingertips, shoppers are choosing with their dollars where they complete purchases.” Retailers must continue that positive customer experience in-store to win over shoppers.