Why Your Retail IT Clients Could Need Solutions To Support Home Delivery

By Christine Kern, contributing writer

More and more retailers are entering the field of home delivery as part of an effort to win and satisfy customers. Consumers increasingly demand omni-channel shopping — and increasingly demand free, on-time delivery. Your merchant clients are challenged to compete.    

According to the Retail Systems Research study, Home Delivery: Retailers' Brave New World, created by and sponsored by Descartes, the problem is providing delivery services while remaining profitable. One solution is collaboration between retailers and vendors that could drop shop to consumers. Others are looking at outsourcing delivery or keeping it in house. The report points out that regardless of the plan, your retail IT clients will need systems and employees in place to manage these services. Those ahead of the pack have already made substantial investments in technology to support home delivery. The report found, however, that significant gaps remain between what retailers want to accomplish and the technology solutions they need to support those goals.

Among recommendations from RSR, is having a system in place to ensure customers get what they need and the intended experience is delivered. RSR also recommends technology that focuses on customers, providing a high degree of transparency. This not only will keep consumers informed, but also let your retail IT client keep track of how well they are meeting their goals.