Departmental Stores Have This Advantage
There is no question about the fact that the future for department stores has changed. Just like the rest of our culture, technology has made things possible that once were the stuff of fiction.
Instant communication is possible regardless of location. Shopping can be done without leaving your home. Financial transactions can be made from a pocket-sized device. Deliveries could be made by drones. Consumers can order from a competitor offering a lower price while they are looking at the item on the shelf. These things have forced change but that change is a source of growth.
The Power of Flexibility
Departmental stores already have a flexible format that should make it easy to adapt to change. Multiple departments like shoes and apparel and housewares are already different so adding some additional departments isn’t the stretch that a single-category retailer would have to make. A coffee shop and bakery could be contracted out to a local roaster. Add free wi-fi and there will be shoppers coming for the coffee and grabbing something that catches their eye on the way out.
Some department stores are experimenting with carrying less merchandise and offering more customized online shopping services. Personal stylists and decor advisors can facilitate customer browsing. Orders can be shipped to the buyer’s home or to the store for pickup. Returns are streamlined, making it attractive for the hesitant. Showcasing bloggers of interest to a specific customer base can result in sales of recommended items.
Departmental Stores Dynamics of Data
All this change means legacy systems must change, too. Commissions are difficult to apply when the shopper is convinced to purchase an item but decides to order it online. Job descriptions for sales associates won’t look like they did before a mobile point of sale software came into the mix. The flexibility of multiple departments is compromised when those departments are not integrated by a centralized database and software that can efficiently utilize all the information that is generated.
ChainDrive for Department Stores is designed to be the data infrastructure that gives the flexibility to move into the future with creativity and confidence. This integrated retail management solution is fully customizable for unique situations and fully supported for fearless expansion into the possibilities that tomorrow’s department store holds. Take advantage of the department store potential by using ChainDrive.