The End of Queues?
05.20.2020
The End of Queues? How Technology Offers a Road Map for Retailers to Overcome the New COVID-19 Era
By David Grenham, MishiPay
With the recent developments on the COVID-19 outbreak, we’re constantly being reminded to keep safe and adjust our behaviors during these unprecedented times. We’ve seen major retailers shut their doors as a precaution for their staff and shoppers’ safety. Stores that stock the essentials are remaining open, whilst implementing drastic measures to keep the public safe. These measures, whilst having everyone’s safety in mind, do present their own challenges. Social distancing has become the new normal and while we are advised to limit face-to-face interactions, weekly tasks such as essential shopping can still be a hotbed for the spread of the disease. David Grenham, marketing vice president at MishiPay, shares his perspective on key technologies that could help retailers tackle rising hygiene concerns now and in the post COVID-19 future.
Queues have been a problem for as long as modern retail has existed, but many retailers have seen a large increase due to the COVID-19 outbreak as shoppers flock to their nearest stores to stock up on essentials. Lines that are stretching further than usual have populated the news from day one of the lockdown. Although some measures have been lifted in countries like Germany and Italy, queueing remains a big issue worldwide and will likely influence the way we shop even beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
‘Scan and Go’ technology is a solution that facilitates immediate and contactless purchasing by giving customers the ability to scan and pay for items directly from their mobile phone, thus eliminating the need for the traditional ‘queue-and-checkout’ method.
Despite these challenges, there are technologies available that can aid retailers today and in the long-term. ‘Scan and Go’ technology is a solution that facilitates immediate and contactless purchasing by giving customers the ability to scan and pay for items directly from their mobile phone, thus eliminating the need for the traditional ‘queue-and-checkout’ method. Using MishiPay’s patent-pending technology, items equipped with UHF RFID tags (like those produced by Avery Dennison) can be automatically disabled when a shopper has scanned the QR code and paid for an item. Shoppers no longer need to approach a physical checkout to have these tags disabled. Their journey is now frictionless, queue-free and safe, while maximising the efficiency of the store by increasing transaction capacity and freeing staff from checkouts points to focus on other priorities.
Online sales have seen a drastic spike due to physical stores closing as a result of COVID-19. While retailers adjust their operations and supply chain efficiency, they can leverage the power of IoT and Intelligent labels to help better operate online stores while ‘Scan and Go’ platforms like Mishipay can help keep up with customer demand for a ‘touchless’ retail experience. In addition, by improving inventory management — which is critical to online and omnichannel success — retailers can ensure they satisfy customer demands in real time.
Whilst these technologies were already on the radar of retailers around the world, the impact of COVID-19 serves as a pivotal moment of no return; shoppers will naturally demand more convenient and safer ways to shop and checkout in the future, driving retailers to continue to look into social distancing measures and adjustments. A transition to automated, more agile supply chains will also be part of the change, leading the way to a ‘touchless’ experience end-to-end.