Omnichannel Retail Strategies

Every consumer brand today understands that to grow and scale profitably, they have to be omnichannel. Simply because their consumers are. Whether it is commerce or content consumption, consumers are doing it across channels seamlessly. Research offline, buy online, and vice versa is extremely common For example- 70% of consumer durables/electronics research begins online, but 70% sales are still offline. The keyword searches for many categories on Amazon/Google is only a small % of actual sales happening online. Same for youtube views on product review videos And now, with the advent of Quick-com, there are categories like beauty, general merchandise where research/discovery is happening on Nykaa/Amazon/Google/offline and purchase on Q-com For brands which have both D2C websites and EBOs, the best/highest converting footfall in the EBOs are actually people who have visited and researched the products on the website But despite understanding all of these, most consumer brands fail miserably when it comes to being truly omni-channel. So, if you are looking to scale across channels successfully, here are some must-dos across 4 heads a) Organization Structure & KPIs : Traditional structures simply won’t work if you are trying to build omnichannel. Most often we see different sales heads for different channel. We also see independent teams for e-commerce/modern trade resulting in internal competition for same consumer and often conflicting promotions And as a result channel conflict emerges from different margins across channels, Separate targets and KPIs and separate marketing budgets by channel Even for many new age brands who have a good D2C business and have newly opened EBOs, there are no synergies. The team that drives D2C has absolutely no incentive to drive relevant consumers to EBOs. In fact I will not be surprised if D2C teams in these companies will hide/remove the store locator to improve site conversions as that is what they are incentivized for The first way to solve it is to structurally remove silos and align incentives. Incentives drive behaviour. Have common joint goals and KPIs. At Atomberg, the growth team which drives e-commerce demand is also responsible for generating searches on Google and Youtube as this has highest correlation with offline demand. They are also responsible for generating leads that can be forwarded to the local teams. They are also responsible for driving footfalls to our marquee MBOs using the store locator. And all of these at a city level and a state level. So, in addition to channel wise targets at a national level, there are region wise targets for all channels combined which is of equal importance for the growth team The link to the complete post is in the first comment. It covers technology, product portfolio and pricing/promotions must dos for an omnichannel brand Do read

Payment Orchestration and why it’s important for Merchants in an increasingly complex payments ecosystem. In a past role, I had the opportunity to manage the payments infrastructure of a large conglomerate across multiple lines of business (from Retail to Automotive to Hospitaity and beyond) and multiple jurisdictions. The business obviously had a growing ecommerce channel but predominantly a in-store model where we were adopting different types of alternative digital payments and obviously cash. Payment orchestration was a topic which use to keep the team and me busy on a daily basis. It still is critical for merchants, both with an e-commerce presence and in a traditional in-store business environment to have a strategy for how they want to orchestrate their payments - whether on propreitory infrastructure (my preference) or leveraging strategic acquiring partners. Overall, payment orchestration according to me acts as a strategic tool for merchants to navigate the complexities of modern payment processing, driving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction across various channels. Here are some of the benefits that I observed during my time….. ✳️ Unified Payment Management: Payment orchestration provides a single point of integration for various payment gateways and processors. This streamlines the handling of multiple payment methods, whether it's credit cards, digital wallets, or other local payment solutions, giving merchants the flexibility to offer a wider range of payment options. ✳️ Enhanced Security and Compliance: By centralizing payment data through an orchestration platform, merchants can more efficiently comply with security standards like PCI-DSS. This minimizes the risk of fraud and ensures that sensitive customer data is handled with the utmost care. ✳️ Optimized Payment Routing: Payment orchestration enables intelligent transaction routing, allowing merchants to send transactions to the most appropriate payment processors based on factors like location, cost, success rates, etc. This ensures higher conversion rates and cost-effective processing. ✳️ Improved Customer Experience: For e-commerce businesses and physical stores, offering a seamless payment experience is vital. Payment orchestration enables a unified and smooth checkout process across different channels, which can lead to increased conversion rates and customer satisfaction. ✳️ Easy Scalability and Global Reach: Whether expanding to new markets or adding new payment methods, payment orchestration simplifies the process, reducing development and maintenance costs. This enables merchants to scale their businesses more easily, adapting to local preferences and regulations without a significant investment in technical resources. Ahmad Omar Marina Parac Raffy Karamanian Marwan Nader Vaanathi Mohanakrishnan Oan Ali #payments #ecommerce #wallets #fintech #digital #paymentorchestration

Mastering Omnichannel Payments 💡 At its core, omnichannel payments is the ability to recognize customers, securely store credentials, cover all relevant payment use cases and payment methods with a common experience, and provide a single set of data and dashboard services to the merchant. Omnichannel payments is not a complex concept, but many PSPs and merchants struggle with infrastructure designed around a single channel, or disparate infrastructure resulting from acquisitions. We see omnichannel payments as driven by a handful of foundational principles: 1️⃣ For small merchants, it just has to be easy: Frictionless integration into the merchants' SaaS (WooCommerce plugins, etc.), single dashboard, single point of service, single set of settlement flows, etc. 2️⃣ For enterprise merchants, you also need a unified payment proposition … 🔹 Technical Integration Toolkit: a common set of technical tools (documentation, support, etc.), even if payment channels involve different APIs 🔹 Cross-channel tokenization: single tokenization service for recognizing customers across channels and, as needed, securely storing, and presenting the customer’s payment credentials 🔹 Settlement & Treasury: Automated and unified reconciliation across these channels achieved by the customers’ bank account harmonized in one single database 🔹 Data: Single data service with consolidated reporting for transactions across different channels and ideally, value-added analytics on customer behaviors 🔹 Commercial, relationship management: Single point of contact for account servicing, a common commercial and contracting model, and unified billing 3️⃣ … and for enterprise merchants, the PSP must enable all the relevant omnichannel use cases and transacting platforms: 🔹 Transacting Platforms: Web, In-app, POS device, Kiosk and Paylink (e-bill, chat, email, etc.) 🔹 Use Cases (noting that the commerce software does most of the work to enable these use cases, not the PSP): Click and collect, endless aisle, buy and return across channels, self-checkout, and Pre-auth or pay-as-you-go. PSPs must be omnichannel because most merchants (in mature markets) are now omnichannel and they increasingly demand an omnichannel payment proposition. Merchants need to be proactive and forward-looking when choosing a PSP that can facilitate their omnichannel strategy. PSPs, in turn, must adapt their offerings to deliver a unified proposition that is not channel siloed. Payment service providers that remain channel fragmented or limited will increasingly struggle to compete. Source: Flagship Advisory Partners - https://bit.ly/49gd2B5 #Fintech #Banking #Ecommerce #Retail #OpenBanking #API #FinancialServices #Payments #DigitalPayments #APM #Processing #Data #Omnichannel

Inventory management Methods: FIFO, LIFO, and FEFO Efficient inventory management is essential for businesses to optimize operations, reduce waste, and meet customer needs. Three commonly used methods are FIFO, LIFO, and FEFO. Here’s a detailed overview of each method, along with examples and their significance: FIFO (First-In, First-Out) Definition: FIFO ensures that the first items added to inventory are the first to be sold or used. Best For: Products with expiration dates, such as food or pharmaceuticals. Example: A grocery store practicing FIFO sells milk cartons based on their arrival dates, prioritizing those with the earliest expiration to ensure freshness. Importance: Reduces the risk of obsolescence or spoilage by selling older inventory first. Aligns with accounting standards and provides accurate cost tracking. LIFO (Last-In, First-Out) Definition: LIFO assumes that the most recently added inventory is sold or used first, opposite to FIFO. Best For: Primarily used in accounting for tax benefits; less common for physical inventory management. Example: In a grocery store following LIFO, the latest milk shipment would be sold before older stock, regardless of expiration dates. Importance: Offers potential tax advantages by reducing taxable income during periods of rising prices. May not align with actual product flow or quality standards, making it unsuitable for industries prioritizing freshness or safety. FEFO (First-Expired, First-Out) Definition: FEFO focuses on selling or using items closest to their expiration date first. Best For: Industries dealing with perishable or time-sensitive products, such as food and pharmaceuticals. Example: In a pharmacy, medications are dispensed based on their expiration dates, ensuring that items nearing expiry are used first. Importance: Minimizes waste and prevents selling expired products. Enhances product safety and quality, which is crucial in sectors where compliance and consumer trust are paramount. Conclusion The choice between FIFO, LIFO, and FEFO depends on the nature of the inventory and the business’s objectives: FIFO is ideal for reducing waste and ensuring product quality. LIFO may provide tax benefits but is less practical for physical inventory. FEFO is indispensable for industries with strict safety and expiration requirements. Implementing the right inventory management method ensures efficiency, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Inflation isn’t just an economic challenge—it’s a test of agility for businesses. As costs rise and purchasing power shifts, companies that rely on gut instinct risk falling behind. The real winners? Those who use data-driven insights to navigate uncertainty. 1️⃣ Understanding Consumer Behavior: What’s Changing? Inflation reshapes spending habits. Some consumers trade down to budget-friendly options, while others delay non-essential purchases. Businesses must analyze: 🔹 Spending patterns: Are customers shifting to smaller pack sizes or private labels? 🔹 Channel preferences: Is there a surge in online shopping due to better deals? 🔹 Regional variations: Inflation doesn’t hit all demographics equally—hyperlocal data matters. 📊 Example: A retail chain used real-time sales data to spot a shift toward economy brands, allowing it to adjust promotions and retain price-sensitive customers. 2️⃣ Pricing Trends: Data-Backed Decision-Making Raising prices isn’t the only response to inflation. Smart pricing strategies, backed by AI and analytics, can help businesses optimize margins without losing customers. 🔹 Dynamic pricing models: Adjust prices based on demand, competitor moves, and seasonality. 🔹 Price elasticity analysis: Determine how much a price hike impacts sales before making a move. 🔹 Personalized discounts: Use customer data to offer targeted promotions that drive loyalty. 📈 Example: An e-commerce platform analyzed customer behavior and found that small, frequent discounts led to better retention than infrequent deep discounts. 3️⃣ Demand Forecasting & Inventory Optimization Stocking the right products at the right time is critical in an inflationary market. Predictive analytics can help businesses: 🔹 Anticipate demand surges—especially in essential goods. 🔹 Optimize supply chains to reduce excess inventory and prevent stockouts. 🔹 Reduce waste in perishable categories like F&B, where price-sensitive demand fluctuates. 📦 Example: A leading FMCG brand leveraged AI-driven demand forecasting to prevent overstocking of premium products while ensuring budget-friendly variants were always available. 💡 The Takeaway Inflation isn’t just about rising costs—it’s about shifting consumer priorities. Companies that embrace data-driven decision-making can optimize pricing, fine-tune inventory, and strengthen customer loyalty. 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔? 𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒚? 𝑳𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔! #datadrivendecisionmaking #dataanalytics #inflation #inventoryoptimization #demandforecasting #pricingtrends

Supply Chain Control Tower (SCCT) What is SCCT? It is a centralized platform or system that provides end-to-end visibility, control, and management of a company’s supply chain operations. It acts as a command center, aggregating and analyzing data from various sources across the supply chain, such as orders, inventory, shipments, suppliers, and external events. Features Some of the specific features of SCCT are:   Data management A control tower uses cloud, IoT, and AI technologies to process and integrate the data and ensure its quality and accuracy. Business intelligence and analytics A control tower analyzes and visualizes the data to provide insights into the current and future state of the supply chain, such as demand and supply patterns, risks and disruptions, performance, and improvement opportunities. Performance management A control tower measures and monitors the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that evaluate the supply chain efficiency, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction, such as service levels, fill rates, lead times, costs, and emissions. Actionable insights A control tower offers recommendations and guidance for decision-making and action-taking based on wisdom and performance data. Process The orchestration process involves a few steps: 1. Build a supply chain network that connects suppliers, producers, distributors, wholesalers, and customers. 2. Establish a communication infrastructure that connects the SC partners. This includes software and systems for communication, collaboration, and data sharing. 3. Integrate data from suppliers, producers, distributors, wholesalers, and customers, into the supply chain management system. 4. Use analytics and machine learning to identify trends and patterns in the supply chain. 5. Set up rules and policies for supplier, product, and customer data management. 6. Establish supply chain controls to monitor the inventory and performance and trigger the supply chain orchestration processes. 7. Automate the supply chain orchestration process to synchronize the communication, data, and controls across the supply chain. 8. Monitor, measure, and adjust the supply chain orchestration process when needed. 9. Data quality and accuracy are crucial for SCCT. Only complete, updated, consistent, and correct data can lead to good decisions and actions, reducing the system’s value and user trust. Benefits - Improved decision-making - Reduced inefficiencies - Increased agility - Enhanced collaboration - Improved customer service - Reduced cost - Providing predictive and prescriptive analytics - Demand and supply insights - Risk and disruption insights - Performance and improvement insights Challenges - Lack of clarity on the span of control - Resistance to change - Questions on actual data ownership - Required talent - Ambivalence on a build vs buy decision - Inability to identify the right technology requirements Source: https://lnkd.in/ddtzB_Uz

🚀 The modern customer journey is anything but linear... Imagine this: A customer sees a product on TikTok, researches reviews across multiple sites, compares prices on retailers' websites, and then—three weeks later—buys it in-store. 📊 According to new research from EMARKETER and impact.com, 69.3% of consumers engage with brands three or more times across different channels before making a purchase. Yet, most marketing measurement models aren’t built for this complexity. Last-click attribution? 30-day windows? They miss critical touchpoints and undervalue partnerships that drive long-term revenue. 🔍 So, how can brands accurately measure the full impact of their partnerships? ✅ Zenni Optical uncovered $1.5M in hidden value by moving beyond last-click. ✅ DMi Partners found 3x higher customer lifetime value by embracing better attribution. ✅ Decathlon Canada increased affiliate revenue by 533% by analyzing cross-channel partner contributions. The key? A new measurement framework that captures the full customer journey—across digital, social, and in-store interactions. 📖 Read the full research-backed insights here: https://lnkd.in/enFb7cBE How is your team adapting to these changing consumer behaviors? #marketing #attribution #customerjourney #partnerships

📊 Retailers are rewriting the playbook - and it's not just about selling products anymore 🛍️ Bain's latest research reveals a seismic shift: "Beyond trade" activities now account for 15% of sales and 25% of profit for retailers in 2024, up from 10% in both cases in 2021. The new profit pools retailers are diving into are services: 💰 Retail media networks 🏪 Third-party marketplaces 💳 Financial services 📦 Logistics solutions 📊 Data monetization Traditional B2C sales are becoming commoditized. Smart retailers are building diversified revenue streams that often deliver higher margins than core retail operations. The 6 game-changing trends reshaping retail: 🤖 AI & Automation Takeover - Core functions like pricing and merchandising will run on autopilot 🛒 AI Shopping Agents - Consumers will delegate purchasing decisions to AI, threatening traditional brand loyalty 🎯 Hyper-Personalized Value - What shoppers value on Monday morning vs. weekend leisure time requires different approaches 🏷️ Private Label Explosion - Grocers becoming FMCG businesses as private label could hit 70% market share by 2035 🏬 Store Network Contraction - The US grocery market may need to trim 10% of retail space and 15% of stores 🌍 Cross-Border Scale Hunt - Local dominance isn't enough; absolute scale drives the biggest growth Retailers that don't embrace this transformation "might give away a few percentage points of profit margin" while bolder rivals reinvest those savings to gain traction with shoppers. We're witnessing retail's evolution from transaction-focused to ecosystem-focused businesses. The winners will be those who can seamlessly blend traditional retail excellence with new profit streams - think Amazon's playbook becoming the industry standard. 💥 Are you seeing this shift in your industry? 💬 How do feel towards these trends as a consumer? 🤷♂️ Which "beyond trade" opportunities are you most excited about, and which feel most threatening to traditional retail models? #Retail #Trends #DigitalTransformation #RetailMedia #Marketing #AI #Strategy #Commerce

Retail Restructuring: A Catalyst for Operational Transformation Retail faces significant challenges. Asda’s recent restructuring, following a reported 5.8% sales decline (Kantar), highlights industry pressures. While acknowledging the impact on affected employees, this situation offers valuable insights for the wider retail community. This move reminds us that retailers must constantly adapt, optimise operations, and make strategic decisions to thrive. Few can afford to stand still. Here are key strategic priorities: Omnichannel Excellence: Customers expect seamless experiences across all touchpoints. How can retailers create a unified omnichannel strategy that integrates physical and digital channels, personalises interactions, and builds lasting loyalty? Elevating the In-Store Experience: The physical store remains essential. How can retailers craft engaging in-store experiences that drive footfall, foster loyalty, and differentiate from online competitors? This includes store design, visual merchandising, customer service, and experiential elements. Supply Chain Resilience and Agility: A resilient, agile supply chain is key to navigating disruptions. How can retailers leverage technology, data analytics, and partnerships to improve forecasting and inventory management, and enhance responsiveness to market fluctuations? Data-Driven Personalisation: Data is critical to understanding customer preferences. How can retailers effectively use data, AI, and CRM systems to personalise marketing, optimise recommendations, and deepen customer relationships across all channels? Investing in Innovation and Sustainable Practices: Retail is evolving rapidly. How can retailers strategically invest in technology and sustainability to enhance efficiency, improve customer experiences, and maintain a competitive edge? Strategic adaptation, even in tough times, can drive positive transformation. But transformation requires focus and expertise. We help retailers navigate these complexities by: Developing robust operational strategies Driving improvements in efficiency and profitability Providing expert guidance on navigating market uncertainty I’m committed to helping retailers thrive. 2024 presented challenges; 2025 offers opportunities. Which of these strategic priorities resonates most with your current retail challenges? I'd welcome a conversation to discuss how I can help you address them. https://lnkd.in/ejbeXuwA

🚀 Boosting Electronic Payment Adoption: Lessons from Tanzania, India, Brazil, and Algeria 🌍 Digital payments are reshaping economies, with emerging markets leading the way. Recent innovations from Tanzania, India, Brazil, and Algeria showcase transformative strategies for accelerating adoption and enhancing financial inclusion. Here’s how these nations are driving change: 🌟 4 Inspiring Strategies 1️⃣ Tanzania – Breaking Barriers with Fee Removal • By eliminating fees on card transactions, Tanzania is paving the way for a cash-lite economy, ensuring digital payments are affordable for consumers and merchants. • Takeaway: Removing financial barriers at the point of use is a simple yet powerful way to encourage adoption. 2️⃣ India – Scaling Through Subsidies • India’s UPI platform, backed by government subsidies, offers zero fees for consumers and most merchants. With over 8 billion transactions monthly, UPI has become a global benchmark for scale and accessibility. • Takeaway: Public investment in digital infrastructure can create a massive, inclusive payment ecosystem. 3️⃣ Brazil – Balancing Low Costs and Sustainability • The PIX system, centralized by Brazil’s Central Bank, provides free transactions for individuals and minimal fees (0.5%-1%) for merchants. This model ensures both affordability and system sustainability. • Takeaway: A modest fee for merchants can sustain growth while driving widespread adoption. 4️⃣ Algeria – Incentivizing Inclusion with Tax Relief • Launching DZ MOB PAY in 2025, Algeria plans to offer free payments for users and merchants. Banks will cover costs through tax offsets, aligning with the nation’s goals for modernization and financial inclusion. • Takeaway: Tax incentives can motivate private-sector participation and foster a modern, inclusive payment ecosystem. 🌍 What Emerging Economies Can Learn To build a thriving digital payment ecosystem, nations can: 1. Eliminate Cost Barriers: Ensure low or nonexistent fees for consumers and merchants. 2. Leverage Public-Private Partnerships: Share costs through subsidies or tax incentives. 3. Prioritize Infrastructure: Develop secure, interoperable systems that scale effectively while earning user trust. 4. Promote Awareness: Educate citizens, especially in underserved areas, to build trust and adoption. 🌟 The Vision for a Cash-Lite Future Affordable, inclusive, and innovative payment systems are the cornerstone of a cash-lite economy. Emerging markets can draw inspiration from Tanzania, India, Brazil, and Algeria to empower citizens, modernize financial systems, and unlock economic potential. 💡 What do you think? Could these strategies work in your country? Let’s exchange ideas and shape the future of payments together! #DigitalPayments #FinancialInclusion #EmergingMarkets #Tanzania #India #Brazil #Algeria #Innovation #CashLiteEconomy