Ecommerce as an essential part of every merchant’s business strategy

Beyond greater customer reach and shopping flexibility, ecommerce strategies should be adjusted as you grow. As small businesses scale, so too does the technology supporting them. While new systems can always be put in place, pain points are alleviated when your current system can be adapted or built out, instead of waiting for critical mass or a disruption.

Ecommerce is no longer a stand-alone channel. Rather, it’s a core business component that enables businesses to move from siloed online, in-store, and mobile shopping channels to an integrated commerce solution that seamlessly connects ecommerce and in-store point of sale (POS) to order management, inventory, financials, and customer service. Ecommerce is directly connected to inventory management, but having the right platforms in place is key to streamlining fulfillment across sales channels. Pandemic aside, retailers and manufacturers need visibility into every aspect of the supply chain to adjust to demand and purchase behaviors.

Consumers are spending much of their pent up-energy and dollars online. But online isn’t the only path to stellar customer experiences, as single-channel strategies will get merchants only so far in the long run. As the retail industry finds new ways to capture consumers’ attention and discretionary income, alternatives to brick-and-mortar and online shops like showrooms, retail-as-a-service, pop-up shops, brand partnerships, and shared spaces are driving even more competition.

Ultimately, in order to capture spend today and brace against any future disruptions to other channels, ecommerce should be an essential part of every merchant’s business strategy.

Source: https://www.business2community.com/ecommerce/how-to-keep-pace-with-consumer-spend-on-and-offline-02419523