This nChannel wrote about why we use the term “multichannel” when talking about the sweeping retail challenges we help customers address. That is relevant, because it reflects the need for commitment and pragmatism to be successful. Lofty theories and buzzwords sound great in a publication, but don’t help you build your business.
This week I picked a few articles that embody that same spirit. They speak practically about what’s happening in retail, to give you a more realistic path toward what you need to do.
Omnichannel: Buzzword or What’s Next in Retail – This is an easy pick, because the author talks about “omnichannel” much the same way we do. It’s so easy to get caught up in buzzwords and idealistic visions of how your business should run. What about the customer? Do they care if you are completely omnichannel or do they care that their needs are met? I like that the article brings you back down to Earth, focusing you on exactly what matters.
2014 Holiday Report: Getting Ahead of the Last-Minute Shipping Surge – It’s probably getting a little close to the holiday season to start rethinking your retail strategy. But, this article dives into what you need to consider when you do. It focuses particularly on what you can do with supply chain management and fulfillment to create better customer experiences. I love it, because that’s exactly the message we want to spread. Customer experience is in many ways about customer touchpoints, but there’s a whole behind the scenes piece that you have to consider.
From Catalog to Success: The Evolution of 3 Retailers – Sometimes the world moves pretty quickly and it’s easy to lose perspective. This article (complete with interactive timeline graphics) takes a look back at the evolution of three major retail brands: Abercrombie & Fitch, Urban Outfitters, and dELiA*s. It’s absolutely critical that you build your business (and implement technology) that empowers you to adapt to change. Otherwise, you’ll be left behind. Aside from just being interesting, the piece gives you perspective about how much things change in a relatively short period of time, to refocus you on why you need to intentionally seek agility.
Did you read anything interesting this week? Share in our newly minted comment box, below.
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