D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) e-Commerce Is Growing In Popularity
With the continued popularity of D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) e-Commerce, the functionalities of various e-Commerce store platforms are proliferating, catering to the diverse needs of retail brands.
Now that consumers have matured in their behavior across both online and offline channels, it has become essential for brands to operate both physical stores and e-Commerce.
Consequently, OMO (Online-Merge-Offline) strategy has emerged as a dominant trend in the retail industry.
Given these environmental changes, relying solely on e-Commerce platforms may no longer be the optimal choice.
However, with seemingly countless ways to implement OMO, how should one evaluate the options?
Are there solutions to the management challenges that arise from operating both online and offline channels simultaneously?
Retail brands face 1+1>2 challenges in online-offline integration when implementing OMO strategies.
Choosing The Right Retail Solution for a Seamless OMO Shopping Experience
In simple terms, if you only want to run a small-scale business through e-Commerce, the current e-Commerce platform features are already mature and stable enough.
As long as you ensure good cybersecurity protection, there shouldn’t be any serious mistakes in your choice.
However, if a brand wants to develop its business simultaneously in brick-and-mortar stores and e-Commerce, regardless of which channel is currently the main focus, you’ll need a retail solution that can satisfy consumers’ OMO shopping experience and help you overcome obstacles to business growth.
However, there are a few things to take note:
An E-Commerce platform + POS is not true OMO!
- Many retail brands that previously focused on physical stores began developing D2C e-Commerce platforms.
- Initially, online and offline channels were operated separately.
- E-commerce mainly served as an additional sales channel, offering the convenience of 24/7 shopping.
- However, as consumer shopping habits evolved, the way customers choose between online and offline shopping fundamentally changed.
2. Retail brands now face several challenges beyond just managing multiple shopping channels:
- Customer Behavior: Understanding why customers abandon their purchases has become crucial.
- Holistic Experience: Consumers no longer just choose a shopping channel. They select the entire brand experience.
- Channel Switching: When faced with barriers moving between channels, consumers may abandon their purchase and switch to competitors.
Exabytes New Retail’s Role in OMO Development
As a pioneer in retail OMO (Online-Merge-Offline) solutions, Exabytes New Retail:
Offer a solution connecting brand apps with in-store staff.
Through the app, consumers can engage with physical stores, allowing staff to provide cross-channel services.
This approach enables staff to earn from both online & offline sales.
It has been widely adopted by many brands and inspired other e-commerce providers to follow suit.
However, why do we now believe this is not enough?
While integrating physical stores and offering cross-channel services is important for OMO, it is not enough to guarantee success:
- Investment in Marketing: Brands must invest in marketing resources and training to effectively engage customers.
- Sustained Effort: Without continuous effort, OMO tools alone will only help with the digitalization of physical stores, but won’t drive real business result.
A True OMO is able to Capture Consumers & Fully Controls Brand Revenue
OMO in retail isn’t just about driving traffic between channels; it must address these 3 aspects: “people, place, and product.”
Consumers expect guidance from staff and a seamless experience across channels.
The real challenge is combining external momentum from advertising and digital tools with internal momentum driven by consumers.
This approach builds loyalty and reduces customer churn.
OMO requires both recommended recalls and autonomous mobility
Consumer self-circulation is about managing inventory, offering easy online and offline ordering and pickup, and making payments and rewards simple.
Store staff also help across all channels.
Exabytes New Retail started as an online system but now offers a full retail solution for the OMO era.
Unlike other platforms, it focuses on fixing the challenges of running both online and offline stores.
Retail solutions should help guide customers and let them shop on their own.
To grow, brands need solutions that solve these problems.
True OMO is the Only Solution for Retail Efficiency
Retail solutions and e-Commerce platforms address different levels of issues
System Integration
E-commerce systems should connect with other brand systems like ERP, POS, and payment to keep data consistent and avoid errors.
Smaller brands might choose platforms with basic POS and e-commerce features, but they should consider future growth.
A system that can’t scale could require a complete overhaul later.
Scalability
System integration ensures the ability to grow.
As the market changes, new features will be needed, and integration allows brands to add them easily through API connections.
Scalability depends on having a flexible and fast system.
Customer Retention & Acquisition
Sales grow by retaining existing customers and attracting new ones.
Integration helps brands understand consumer behavior, send personalized offers, and manage inventory efficiently to avoid stockouts.
This leads to better customer loyalty and easier movement between online and offline channels.
By using the right technology, brands can grow, gain new customers, and strengthen their connection with shoppers.
Exabytes New Retail can help you manage both online and offline channels with ease.
Many retailers struggle with balancing resources, inventory, and organization across channels, and a simple approach just doesn’t cut it when you’re aiming for growth.
OMO is all about giving customers the freedom to move between channels seamlessly—whether they’re discovering products or making a purchase.
But it’s not just about having both channels; it’s about making them work together smoothly.
We have the expertise and experience to guide you through this.
With our solution, you can create a true OMO experience that helps you grow and stay ahead.
Let’s make OMO work for you!
- Visit our official website: www.exabytes.my/exabytes-new-retail
- Or directly get in touch with us: wa.me/60380842306