6 Ways Retailers Can Combat Amazon

The rules of retail have changed and you're being left behind. Chances are, you know who the culprit is.

Sometimes it almost feels like your business is being suffocated by the online giant and it only feels more insulting when you see your customers checking Amazon in your store for better prices on the same items. Is it hopeless? Absolutely not.

Brick-and-mortar retailers don't have to fear Amazon. Your stores have the tools and technology at their disposal and a physical network of stores to keep pace with Amazon, or even beat them at their own game.

Defining the Amazon Effect

The Amazon Effect means the constant redefinition and improvement of the customer journey.

It stems from Amazon having created the expectation of exceptional service no matter where the consumer shops and regardless of the industry.

As a result, the traditional brick-and-mortar shopping experience has been flipped on its head and has led, in many cases, to a decrease in foot-traffic as consumers choose online channels in increasing numbers.

There's good news!

At the intersection of the real-world and mobile, physical retailers have an incredible advantage catering to customers with geo-targeted, personalized interactions that online sellers cannot deliver.

We'll let you in on the secret sauce of how to leverage the Amazon effect, as well as share your own key competitive advantages.

Rank in Google Ahead of Your Online Competitors

If you're a local business, Google is on your side. 50% of search traffic comes from the first three Google results and local businesses have a head-start in this game. With Google My Business, search results prioritize the top three local results in their search 3-pack (shown below).

So no matter what you sell, your potential customers will know about your offering before they see anything from Amazon.

As long as you ensure your stores information is accurate and optimized, your stores will always show up ahead of retailers that deal predominantly online.

Click here to find out more about location data management.

Your Advantage:

• Beat-out Amazon by appearing at the top of the Google Local 3-pack. Boost your search traffic, drive engagement, and encourage more in-store visits by optimizing your location data.

Drive More Sales with Mobile Customer Experiences

With location services, retailers have the ability to provide customers with enhanced shopping experiences driven by real-time activity.

Using in-store Wi-Fi and location technology enables customer interaction throughout the store via their smartphones. Coupons and promotions can be delivered while customers are shopping in specific areas.

This allows you to create highly relevant and targeted customer journeys, where you are ready to offer your product or service, almost before a customer knows they want it.

Your Advantage:

• Target and personalize customer experience with location-based capability and push notifications through smartphone apps.

Use Geo-targeting to Increase Foot Traffic

Retailers have a huge advantage in being able to target ads to consumers near their stores, drawing people in to fulfill an "in the moment" need. Learn more by watching the video below.

Your Advantage

• Utilize location targeted ads and deliver messaging that is relevant to consumer interests, exactly when they need it.

Customers Shop Longer and Spend More with In-Store Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi connectivity is the baseline for today's enhanced customer experience. SessionM found that more than 90% of consumers use their smartphones while shopping in retail stores. When shopping in person, consumers rely on in-store Wi-Fi to check product details, compare prices and read user reviews.

These connected consumers are more likely to shop longer and spend more. According to one survey, 74% of respondents would be happy for a retailer to send a promotion via email or text while using in-store Wi-Fi. Together with in-store messaging, QR codes and barcodes, in-store Wi-Fi can bring the customer experience to the next level.

Your Advantage:

• Capture customer details with Wi-Fi signup and target with in-store offers.
• Equip sales associates with smartphones or tablets that offer product information, comparisons and inventory levels.
• Established infrastructure for in-store Wi-Fi.

Make Payments Easier and Increase Return Business

As the smartphone gradually replaces the wallet, a significant development is that consumers are increasingly looking for easier payment options. As such, physical retailers should look to embrace Apple and Android Pay as in-store payment options.

The easier it is for consumers to make purchases, the quicker you can close the sale.

The added benefit is that customers will feel more satisfied with the smooth transactions and be more likely to revisit your business.

It also goes to say that mobile payments are quickly approaching the tipping point among consumers, and when they do, merchants who do not have the capability to accept these payment methods will be left in the dust.

Your Advantage:

• Assimilate POS systems that accept mobile payments into existing store infrastructure.
• Integrate this purchase data with a loyalty program to gain deeper insight into consumer behavior.

Generate Customer Loyalty with Mobile Apps

With purchase and activity data gathered through loyalty programs, retail stores gain highly valuable insights. First and foremost, the ability to communicate with consumers about what matters to them in the moment.

The best loyalty programs offer specific rewards based on consumer activity and even location. Meaning every customer can get individualized and in-the-moment incentives. If you're able to train your staff to use this information in real time, you'll have the added benefit of face to face customer service.

A key advantage over Amazon.

No matter how great their logistics and warehousing capabilities, they can't compete with retailers when it comes to human interaction. This can't be stressed enough as customers demand a positive shopping experience just as much as they want cheap prices.

Your Advantage:

• Go beyond traditional loyalty by combining with location-based promotions to deliver real-time, personalized offers to loyal customers.

Amazon will never be able to meaningfully connect with people in the real world. Physical retailers have the upper hand in customer experience with mobile marketing, location-based ads, easy payment options and mobile loyalty programs. You CAN compete against the biggest online sellers by using these tools to your advantage.

Drive traffic, increase sales and make customers happy by bridging the gap between the real and virtual worlds. Then, deliver a personalized customer experience that even Amazon can't fulfill.