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Tag: Retail Kiosk

Interactive Kiosks: The Key To Customer Loyalty

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Advances in technology has made customer loyalty more effective and appealing to consumers. As a result, customer loyalty has become a lot more competitive across the major retailers. Multi channel retailing strategies are more effective in enhancing customer satisfaction and gaining customer loyalty.

Customer engagement

According to the loyalty guide, 90% of consumers in the US are part of a retail loyalty scheme. Customer loyalty is something that gradually builds up with time, usually stemming from the initial relationship with a brand. It then grows from the consumer being offered a reward, which drives behaviour. Tools like self-service kiosks are used to create another platform to help drive customer loyalty.

Loyalty cards are one of the most profitable aspects for retailers. The majority of shoppers hold some kind of store card, which they present at the point of payment to collect or use points. Effective in its own right, points cards are given another dimension through the use of a kiosk. 

Key example

Boots stores invested in the Extra Offers Kiosk to build customer loyalty. With 15 million members signed up to the Advantage Card loyalty scheme, Boots also aims to gain a better understanding of its customers, by collecting data with the use of the kiosks. In store shoppers are able to use the touch screen kiosks to access extra exclusive offers and get the most out of their Advantage Cards. Whilst boosting customer loyalty, the kiosks also improve the customers’ in store experience.

Loyalty

One of the reasons customers reject becoming a part of a loyalty scheme is because they assume the signing up process will be timely and inconvenient. Kiosks are put in place to offer shoppers a point to sign up in-store with ease and speed, without use of staff assistance. They become a member with the promise they will benefit from it, be treated well and receive special offers before others.  As well as offering additional benefits, self-service kiosks also improve the overall in-store experience. Customers remain loyal and keep coming back if they have had a positive in-store experience and are satisfied with the level of customer service.

Take a look at Protouch’s Ikea case study, where we introduced our Xen X5 kiosks to recruit Ikea Family members. They have increased efficiency of signing up to the loyalty scheme and in turn, enhanced the in-store experience.

 

Touch Screen Monitors: A Boost Within Budget

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Despite interactive screens moving towards the ‘bigger the better’, touch screen monitors can offer businesses a boost within budget. They combine both an input and output device, eliminating the need for separate plug-ins, such as a mouse and keyboard.

Types of touch screens

  • Capacative – durable and resistant, commonly used for industrial/ outdoor applications
  • Resistive – the most versatile and accurate 
  • Infared – reacts with heat and light, slower to react 
  • Multi touch- highly durable, registers 3 or more touches at a time

Multi touch monitors bring a unique touch screen experience for consumers, across a variety of applications and industries. Usually seen in busy retail environments or hospitality till points, touch screen monitors are beneficial in many ways. They are deployed to increase efficiency and accelerate services, in the aim to enhance the ‘customer experience’.

Retail
Touch screen monitors are more commonly being implemented in retail environments, predominately at the point of purchase (POP). Deployed at the till points, monitors quicken the payment process, reduce queuing time and in turn, keep customers happy. Managing the flow of customers efficiently can result in maximising sales and boosting business. Installing multiple monitors in demanding retail environments is advantageous for both staff and customers. Even smaller retailers can benefit from these applications, as they are affordable and can be used for both transactions and display purposes.

Hospitality
A plethora of fast food chains and restaurants are now utilising touch screen monitors to improve communication and efficiency. They are used for a number of functions, food ordering, tracking orders and payment. Cash management is another key use of touch screens within restaurants, processing bill payment more efficiently and quickly. Monitors allow for multiple terminals to be installed, used to create a networking system.

Hotels are also making use of touch screen monitors in their receptions and lobbies. Receptionists are able to interact with a user interface to register visitors upon arrival, check availability and process payments. In some cases, visitors use them to inquire about rooms and rates, without needing to talk to someone at a front desk.

Key benefits of touch screen monitors

  • Easy to deploy
  • Accessibility and connectivity
  • Flexible installation
  • Multi-touch experience
  • Cost effective
  • Durable and long shelf life
  • Usable screen sizes

Contact Protouch to see how our commercial grade touch screen monitors could have a positive impact on your business’ operations.

SportsDirect.com Rolls Out More Protouch Touch Screens

Posted on by Tom Quarry

Sportsdirect.com have recently bought 20 JJB stores, which they plan to upgrade by rolling out more Protouch touch screens. With 4000 touch screens already in place from Protouch, Sportsdirect have also acquired a further 400 units of the Geode2 17” touch screens for their new stores.

Sportsdirect.com required an easy-to-use system that manages their large flow of customers and improves their customer's shopping experience. These latest commercial grade touch screens have been put in place to boost the efficiency of the shops’ services, by accelerating processes, reducing queuing times and augmenting customer service. All in all, these improvements help to keep customers happy and in turn, maximise sales.

Protouch aim to meet the company's needs, in supplying reliable touch screen hardware and software, within set time frame and budget. Get in touch if your retail business needs a boost.

Multi-Channel Retailing Can Maximise Sales During The Christmas Period

Posted on by Tom Quarry

At this time of year, retailers should be utilising touch screen kiosks solutions to provide a multi-channel shopping experience. With the evident growth in online Christmas shopping, high street retailers have an increased desire to use technology to their advantage.

According to recent research there was a rise of 30% of online orders during the Christmas period in 2011, highlighting the need for retailers to assert their high street presence.  Giving customers access to an in- store retail kiosk allows full browsing and buying potential, which in turn maximises sales and reduces queuing.

Example 1
As an example, a corner shop in Germany has taken an innovative approach to multi-channel retailing, by introducing an all-in-one polytouch touch screen system. This gives customers another means for purchasing foods, toiletries and household items. The idea behind the concept was to create a more personal experience shopping in a small grocery store, in contrast to a large supermarket. Customers are given more control in their decision-making through the expanding number of channels they have to utilise when shopping. With this example, consumers can hand over a personalised shopping list to an assistant, or choose online shopping from the comfort of their own homes, using Smartphones, iPads etc. or using the in-store Wi Fi. If users are passing by during closing hours, they are able to interact with a QR code wall in the shop window, using their Smartphones. With the new polytouch system introduced, there are 5 possible shopping methods to choose from. This live system can link to customers’ pay pal accounts and it also includes a printer so customers are able to print a paper receipt to collect their goods. With all these processes in place, the consumer can have a stress free shopping experience during the festive period.

Example 2
Similarly, a John Lewis store in the UK has launched a new virtual shop window, which attracts passers by to interact via scanning a QR code. This display features a ‘Top List’ that gives users gift ideas that they can browse and also purchase using their Smartphones. The benefit of this innovative solution is that it is 24 hour, so users can interact with the shop outside of opening hours. Multi-channel retailing gives shoppers greater choice and brings convenience to a whole new level.

Example 3
In Europe, the retail industry has incorporated a novel gift card solution. Using self-service kiosks in major shopping centres, shoppers are able to securely buy a gift card with ease and convenience. During the Christmas period, this solution is invaluable, increasing revenue whilst reducing staff costs. With the pressure of Christmas shopping looming, this new gifting system gives consumers an alternative option, an easy, speedy method of purchasing gift cards for people. The concept could be developed with the deployment of kiosks in different locations.

Take a look at the Kiddicare and Matalan case studies, which give examples of how a kiosk can be utilised in store to maximise sales and enhance the customer's shopping experience.