Brick-and-mortar businesses have a reputation for being behind the times. The term "brick-and-mortar" is itself a not-so-subtle reminder of how these businesses contrast to those with a predominantly digital presence. As a result, we often think of B&M business owners as stubbornly resistant to new technology.
Ask any B&M business owner, and they'll tell you that couldn't be further from the truth. They're just as interested in technology as those who operate entirely online. The problem - for many - is finding the right tech solutions for their specific business.
While B&M businesses vary in terms of specialty - ranging from antique shops to wine stores and beyond - the traditional nature of brick-and-mortar means there exists a core set of tech solutions that can be used regardless of what you're selling. The following are six tech solutions for your brick-and-mortar business:
Electric vehicle charging
Does your business have a parking lot? If so, consider installing one or more electric car charging stations for customers to use while they shop. It could be the deciding factor for why they choose your business over the competition. It can also help keep them shopping longer while they wait for their EV to reach full charge. The bottom line is it's a modern convenience your customers will appreciate. And as the number of EV owners grows, the more these complimentary charging stations will help boost sales.
After-hours lockers
Just because your business is brick-and-mortar doesn't mean customers can't shop online. Create a virtual store and follow up by providing secured package lockers that customers can access 24/7. Doing so opens your business up to more potential customers. That's because it gives them the option to make purchases on their lunch break without worrying about having enough time to do a pickup before going back to work. They can stop by after hours and safely retrieve their purchased items.
Contactless pickup
Many consumers got used to contactless pickup during the pandemic. Rather than remove this service option from your business, consider making it a long-term offering. Doing so gives peace of mind to customers who may have health concerns that keep them from entering your store. It's also convenient for people with limited time to spare. All the while, all you have to do is devise an efficient means of running their items out to their car. That's what employees are for!
Facial recognition
While it might sound intrusive and creepy, facial recognition software is an excellent way for B&M businesses to cut down on shoplifting, improve customer service, and streamline their security. Unlike the way it's depicted in the movies, where people are aware of their faces being documented in real-time, real-life facial recognition technology is far more subtle and nowhere near as intrusive. And when you stop to consider how B&M customers have been okay with security cameras recording their every move for decades, it's easy to see how facial recognition is an acceptable investment in beneficial technology.
Self-checkout lanes
Self-checkout systems are no longer just for supermarkets and big box stores. They're affordable enough that independent B&M retailers can install one or more in their stores. While you probably want to keep your traditional checkout system for customers who prefer to get rung up by a human, a backup self-checkout lane is handy for busier times of the day. It may also eliminate the need to hire an employee you'd otherwise need to man the second register.
Robotic inventory tracking
Tracking inventory is a monotonous, repetitive, and time-consuming process. This makes it perfect for robots! While it might sound like something out of science fiction, most supermarkets have already begun using robots to track inventory. As sophisticated as it sounds, inventory robots are little more than barcode scanners on wheels, going up and down aisles and tracking which items are flying off the shelves and which ones are collecting dust.
The proverbial brick-and-mortar business is one that seems trapped in the past. But that's an unfair perception. The truth is that B&M owners are as interested in using tech to their advantage as everyone else.
Michael Driver is a freelance writer from Texas. When not writing about business, he enjoys covering topics related to history, movies, and sports. Michael can be reached at ReddishRaddish87@Gmail.com
