Kiosks Connect Retail Stores with Customers

Consumers are inundated with mediums in which to receive messages. As a retailer, you can utilize tweets, Facebook messages, emails, direct mail, in-store signs, word-of-mouth, and more. Which medium do you designate as a priority? Results from the most recent Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG) study, which surveyed 5,000 shoppers in the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, Mexico and China, confirmed just how important digital retailing has become: 65 percent of shoppers perform research online and then make purchases in the store, up from 57 percent who did so in last year's survey. In addition, 78 percent of all shoppers use the Internet to research and purchase products and services. Some won't even buy a product unless they can research it online! These numbers beg the question, what are you doing to reach your customers on a digital platform?

Interactive Kiosks as a Communication Solution

The Cisco survey confirms that over half (52 percent) of shoppers cite online ratings and reviews as the most influential sources of information about purchase decisions. Help inform customers and help them to make that purchasing decision by providing this information in-store in the form of an interactive kiosk. Seven out of 10 shoppers want to access digital content in the store, and surveyed shoppers have equal preference about obtaining that content through retailers' touchscreens or their own personal devices.

Tips to Implement An Interactive Retail Experience

• It’s about the customer. Everything from onscreen content to aesthetic and ergonomic kiosk design needs to be implemented with the customer in mind. Address the needs of your customers. Go beyond simply offering web portals, an application many phones already have in place. Make it simple for customers to get information, and let them quickly complete transactions to optimize their in-store product browsing time.
• Kiosk placement. Locate systems where they are convenient, highly visible, and coordinate well with the surrounding décor.
• Keep it simple. Self-service kiosks are becoming more popular, but that doesn’t mean all your customers will be technically savvy. Present content clearly and efficiently. Make is as easy as possible for customers to find the information they need. This will result in more sales.
• Take the time to test the system. There is nothing that ruins a customer’s experience more than poorly written software and unmet expectations. Your kiosk network should incorporate a remote-management system that you can monitor for signs of trouble. Finally, confirm that the system is secure, will properly protect and keep private personal customer information, and make sure it is reliable.

Adapt your communication strategies to fit the needs of your customers. An interactive kiosk will provide the information they need to make a purchasing decision on the spot!

If you have additional questions about the kiosk as a retail solution, download our eBook outlining important things to know before opening a kiosk. Keep current with industry discussions and product information on Twitter: @PalmerPRS. To connect with us you can visit our website at www.palmerretailsolutions.com. Palmer derives great satisfaction from designing unique interactive kiosks that incorporate maximum functionality, ergonomics and offer long-lasting service.

Palmer Retail Solutions strives to offer our clients the absolute best combination of innovation, quality, service, and value for our diversified custom store fixtures and merchandising displays. For more information about our designs, retail fixtures, cash wraps, kiosks, or point of purchase displays, visit our website at http://www.palmerretailsolutions.com.