Black Friday is back. It’s that time of year when eager shoppers take to high street stores and online shopping in search of the best deals. Black Friday is the traditional curtain raiser for the wider festive period, which carries through into January sales. It may be a chaotic time of year, but it’s a crucial period in the calendar that provides retailers with huge opportunities to maximise sales and growth. They must respond to not only meet but exceed consumer expectations.

Black Friday has huge potential to drive sales and is an opportunity for brands to build relationships with new consumers while strengthening existing ones. As a result, if merchants’ Black Friday sales are executed correctly, they will have created strong foundations that deliver both short-term sales and long-term customer loyalty.

During this epic sales event, retailers must ensure that they are delivering high-quality experiences that align with customer needs. Deploying the right tech can be a stepping stone in the right direction to solidify consumer experiences and strengthen relationships. During such a critical time, this can be the difference between success and failure.

To help retailers succeed during Black Friday this year, we have outlined three key tips which are essential to drive sales during this shopping period.

1 – Enabling Smarter Decision-Making

The retail industry is a fast-paced environment with changing trends and patterns. Throughout Black Friday there is a flow of constant change in terms of product stock, orders and store performance. Leveraging analytics and reporting tools in retailers’ tech stacks can provide them with the ability to act faster, make sales predictions quicker and maximize opportunities through better preparation.

One key tip for retailers for this year’s Black Friday is to not go in blind. Equipped with the best analytical tools, retailers can create effective decision-making that enhances performance during the Cyber weekend. Decision-making is one of the most significant aspects of retail when it comes to finding success.

Teamwork Commerce’s reporting and analytics tools supply retailers with accurate insights that assist with in-the-moment decisions. The tech allows retailers to track stock levels, sales performance and supply chain sustainability in real-time. The system provides retailers with automated reports and alerts that provide data on demand. If stock levels drop to a certain threshold, teams are informed and can take action to ensure they avoid stockouts.

On a broader level, the technology can also create a full image of store performance that allows brands to measure every metric needed to assess performance. Placing this into one easy-to-read dashboard, retailers can accurately interpret their Black Friday data and take decisive actions immediately.

2 – Tackling Tedious Stockouts

Once a retailer’s analytics and reporting tools are in place, they can gain control of their in-store operations. With our next tip, they can do the same with their supply chain – with inventory management control.

One of a retailer’s biggest drawbacks during busy periods – and a significant customer frustration – is stock availability and stockouts. Managing inventory effectively during Black Friday weekend will put brands on the path to success. Keeping shelves filled, which both ensures happy customers and maximizes sales opportunities, retailers can deploy item-level RFID, which enables them to accurately track all products from manufacturer to shop floor.

Teamwork’s RFID-powered stock counter app provides retailers with complete accessibility to stock levels from all locations across all channels. This allows merchants to remain on top of their stock availability, and provides them with the power to accurately and effectively prepare for weekend sales.

The Android Bluebird RFID Scanner App, in conjunction with Teamwork Commerce, allows retail associates to conduct stock checks in a matter of seconds, while providing them with complete visibility of inventory both in back rooms and on the shop floor. With real-time visibility of stock, retailers can track inventory levels as stock is sold. As products on the shelves sell, in-store associates can replenish effectively and quickly, maximizing sales opportunities. Meanwhile, with stock counts only taking seconds to complete, in-store associates can reduce their time spent in back rooms, and can dedicate more effort towards delivering high-quality customer experiences on the shop floor.

3 – Soothing Customer Chaos

Finally, control the chaos. Customers are the main puzzle piece to retail… right? Therefore, it is necessary for retailers to ensure they fully understand and anticipate their customers’ wants and needs to facilitate the best shopping experiences.

Retailers should constantly be on the lookout for the next best way to improve their strategies. The shop floor across Black Friday can be chaotic, from impatient customers to unreliable checkout systems. It can get messy.

The key to success is fast, seamless and consistent transactions that can keep up with demand. Teamwork Commerce’s RFID-powered self-checkout solution restores confidence and provides retailers with high-tier, reliable technology that supports day-to-day transactions across the shop floor. With RFID-powered self-checkout, customers simply place their items in a designated area on the kiosk. RFID readers scan all items, immediately, with full accuracy. Customers don’t need to spend time scanning individual items. Instead, they can quickly pay, with the transaction completed in under 30 seconds. This results in reduced queue times, enhanced customer experiences and faster transactions.

Another consideration during Black Friday is that theft can pose an issue for retailers. According to Statista, 15% of small business owners in the US claimed they suffer from retail theft every day, and one in four small business owners said they lose between $1,500 and $2,000 a month. RFID tags are capable of triggering in-store alarms and are only deactivated once transactions are complete. As a result, any items that pass through security barriers that have not been paid for immediately alert teams to any theft attempts. Not only does RFID facilitate high-quality inventory accuracy and seamless transactions – it can play a key role in battling theft.

Guarantee Success

In order to succeed this sales season, having the right tools in place for effective decision-making, enhancing customer experiences and staying on top of stock availability will define retailers’ success. High-quality experiences during busy periods go a long way to creating trust between retailers and their customers. Black Friday presents a unique opportunity to maximize sales over Cyber Weekend while creating long-term relationships.

…Good luck!

Want to find out more about how Teamwork Commerce’s efficient technology can support your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales? Click here.

https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/how-can-retailers-deliver-spook-tacular-shopping-experiences-this-halloween/

According to Statista, Halloween consumer spending this year in the U.S. is estimated to reach $3.5 billion, a significant jump from previous years. With spending steadily increasing, brands must take action to provide efficient service and high-quality customer experiences even during peak seasonal times.

Delivering high-quality customer experiences during the build-up to Halloween is critical for retailers, which will be looking to gain an advantage over competitors in as many ways as possible as they head towards the festive period. With the spooky season upon us, retailers need to ensure they stay ahead of the curve.

By leveraging the right technologies, retailers can meet consumer needs, deliver “spooktacular” experiences and drive long-term customer retention through short-term success this Halloween.

Creeping it Real During Peak Times

With the right in-store technology deployed, consumers can easily browse and navigate the shop floor, even during peak times. Omnichannel services allow customers to shop on their terms and utilize features such as buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) and buy online, return in-store (BORIS) to create seamless shopping experiences that help keep stores congestion-free. Not only do omnichannel fulfillment options allow customers to shop in ways that best suit their preferences and schedules, but it allows consumers to remove the risk of being left disappointed by out-of-stock items, with their purchase already confirmed with the retailer.

Omnichannel services play a significant role in building long-term trust between brands and customers and provide flexibility that caters to a shopper’s availability. From a customer perspective, they can receive an efficient shopping experience that completely streamlines their time in-store. This allows in-store staff to focus more time on providing value to in-store visitors while delivering a frictionless customer experience.

Related story: How Retailers Can Utilize Tech to Empower Their Workforces

Ensuring a ‘Fangtastic’ Customer Experience

In the rush of the festive period, retailers run the risk of neglecting high-quality customer experiences in favor of speedy service that reduces in-store traffic and maximizes sales. However, it doesn’t have to be a choice of one or the other. In fact, with the right technology, in-store associates can reduce in-store queuing and deliver bespoke interactions to customers at the same time.

Retailers equipped with mobile point of sale (POS) can empower their staff to serve customers and complete transactions from any point in the store. This significantly reduces wait times during busy periods and promotes terrifyingly good customer service.

With mobile POS capabilities, staff are no longer restricted to stationary kiosks. Instead, staff have the flexibility to meet customers on the shop floor, answer queries, and complete on-the-spot transactions.

This Halloween, staff can go the extra mile for their customers by offering exclusive deals and discounts through their CRM system. This allows staff to gain a complete view of the spending habits of individual shoppers, with access to customer data on all retail channels. Utilized correctly, this data can be leveraged to significantly enhance in-store experiences. Staff can make recommendations on products and provide tailored discounts and promotions. In-store visitors feel valued, and by integrating additional features such as loyalty rewards, retailers can turn short-term satisfaction into long-term retained business.

Just Treats, No Tricks

To ensure there are no unexpected monsters under the bed this Halloween, brands offering the latest retail technologies,, such as mobile POS and secure CRM, can provide customers with seamless and enjoyable shopping experiences during an otherwise hectic period. Not only does this allow retailers to sink their teeth into a streamlined in-store operation, but it can also help optimize revenue during busy periods and push retailers to prioritize customer needs. With the festive period fast approaching, providing efficient customer service will be paramount for retailers wanting to maximize sales towards the end of the year.

Amber Hovious is vice president of marketing and partnerships at Teamwork Commerce, a leading omnichannel solution provider.

https://retailvoices.co.uk/2024/09/the-importance-of-real-time-decision-making-in-a-busy-retail-environment

By Amber Hovious, VP Marketing and Partnerships at Teamwork Commerce

For any retail business to succeed, retailers and their staff must be able to make effective decisions at all times. Whether it’s making the right choices when it comes to stocking inventory or empowering associates to recommend customers a relevant alternative, retailers must lean on real-time inventory visibility and customer data to significantly enhance decision-making.

During busy shopping periods, inventory levels can vastly fluctuate due to demand. According to a Statista survey, one-fifth of in-store shoppers worldwide said that they had frequently not been able to buy a particular item due to that item being out of stock. Similarly, another survey found that more than half of global e-shoppers reported being unable to purchase products due to items being out-of-stock. Not only do stockouts result in lost sales opportunities, but they can also negatively impact customer loyalty and brand reputation in the long term.

With automated inventory tools that operate in real-time, retailers can automate their order procurement to avoid running out of stock and optimise costs through busy shopping seasons.

Decision-Making for Sales Growth

Today, retailers need to be aware of the constant changing of business needs. Having data to lean on at a constant live-time rate enables retailers to have an extensive level of reporting with all necessary information. With easy access to accurate impressions, retailers can analyse and prepare for the next steps imminently – which is extremely important in a busy retail environment. Innovative retail solutions that are integrated with each other can facilitate a seamless flow of real-time data, providing retailers with valuable insights.

Accurate real-time analytics help retailers make informed decisions when it comes to ordering inventory, preventing backlogging and uncovering excess costs for the business. Today’s integrated solutions can analyse real-time data and provide retailers with data-powered recommendations, allowing them to make effective decisions.

The data can represent any potential issues that may arise. For example, if an item is selling fast, retailers can quickly identify and order it to avoid running out of stock. Retailers can also optimise their stock distribution in real-time, facilitating high enough inventory levels at busy stores to drive sales. As a result, they can improve consumer loyalty and enhance sales opportunities by minimising the risk of out-of-stock situations. Ultimately, this can lead to significant growth and profitability for retailers.

Improving Customer Service

Personalisation is a crucial element of the customer experience. However, consumer habits are constantly changing. Something that may have previously been a customer’s priority – whether this is a specific product or even a certain order fulfilment preference – might not hold the same value to them anymore. To be able to create tailored interactions that resonate with customers, retailers must leverage up-to-date real-time customer data to keep up with their evolving preferences.

Today’s advanced customer relationship management (CRM) tools are capable of providing associates with real-time information at the tap of a button. Retailers can use real-time data such as customer purchase history, buying frequency, and shopping habits provided by their CRM tools to better understand their customers. This allows them to create meaningful interactions at each touchpoint of the retail journey, ultimately improving their shopping experience and satisfaction.

Retailers can also use real-time data to anticipate trends and opportunities, and be better prepared to meet consumer needs. This allows retailers to maximise efficiency when delivering high-quality customer service – driving sales and enabling them to remain ahead of the competition.

Additionally, in-store associates, armed with the right mobile devices, can use real-time data, available at a tap of a button, to answer product-related questions. From helping customers locate their desired items if available, to providing them with relevant alternatives, real-time data plays a key role in enabling staff to deliver high-quality customer experiences.

Real-Time Data for Optimised Operational Costs

With up-to-date analytics, retailers can gain visibility of their best-selling and less in-demand products, which can then be analysed further to support business priorities and make informed decisions on where to cut costs.

Leveraging real-time data, brands can access and monitor their KPIs. Effective forecasting with real-time data allows retailers to optimise their costs and allocate more budget towards profitable items. For instance, if the data shows a particular item is in high demand, retailers can allocate more costs for that item, ensuring it is available at all times to drive sales. Similarly, if an item is not selling well retailers can reduce purchases in the supply chain to save costs and avoid overstocking.

Retailers can also optimise their transportation of items based on individual store performance. Retailers can track this data using advanced analytics and reporting tools that are integrated with their wider technologies and individual stores, creating a holistic real-time view of the entire retail ecosystem. As a result, any unnecessary transportation costs of lower-performing products that are not necessarily required in specific stores can be reduced.

Retailers can also use this data to anticipate future trends, while mitigating risk and potential losses, helping them to achieve a more cost-effective operation.

The Takeaway

Utilising and benefiting from real-time analytics ultimately gives businesses a competitive edge and provides the ability to grow sustainably. Gaining real-time visibility of both customer shopping habits and wider retail operations allows brands to make informed decisions, ultimately resulting in improved customer experience, optimised operational costs and increased profitability. Retailers must leverage an integrated retail solution that weaves different parts of their retail ecosystem and facilitates accurate data in real time.

It’s that time of the year again when shoppers begin thinking about their purchases for Halloween.  As the air turns crisp and pumpkins appear on doorsteps, numerous opportunities lie ahead for retailers to attract customers, nurture relationships, and build a strong foundation ahead of the festive period. To be able to reap the benefits, retailers must be able to deliver magical shopping experiences.

In this blog, we take a look at three key strategies that retailers can use to deliver spooky and seamless customer experiences…

Using Limited Edition Halloween Products to Attract Customers

There is a fine line between tricks and treats for customers when it comes to Halloween shopping – and the decision can often be a result of inventory management practices. Poor inventory management doesn’t just give retailers a fright—it also scares away revenue and leaves customers haunted by a bad experience.

Stocking shelves with the right inventory is one of the foundational elements necessary for retailers to deliver top-tier customer experiences. Many retailers choose to stock limited edition items that are only available during Halloween in order to drive interest in their business. These could include Halloween-specific clothing, chocolates and other items packaged in Halloween-themed boxes. Retail giants such as Target and Lowe’s have already announced their Halloween collections in July – significantly ahead of Halloween, demonstrating their ambitions to capitalize on the Halloween sales opportunities.

 One way retailers can optimize their inventory management is by using an advanced tool that provides them real-time insights. Using the technology, retailers can turn on or off a store’s inventory feed with the tap of a button. This enables instant flexibility and control across retail channels, allowing inventory to be available where and when it is needed. Using Teamwork Commerce’s RFID Powered Stock Counter App, retailers can take the guesswork out of inventory and get real-time reports. The Android Bluebird RFID Scanner App, in conjunction with Teamwork Commerce, can streamline the stock count process, ensure that the inventory records are promptly updated, and provide real-time visibility into the inventory status. This allows retailers to make informed decisions based on up-to-date stock information.

This can enable brands to stock up on in-demand items just in time to satisfy eager shoppers, improving both customer experience and sales. After all, nothing should haunt brands’ shelves but the decorations!

From Themes to Experiences: Make the Customer Feel Special

From Halloween themes across physical and online stores to exclusive shopping experiences offering a Halloween vibe, retailers must go above and beyond to make the customer feel special. For physical stores, retailers can equip in-store associates with costumes or spooky job titles for the Halloween season. To further make in-store experiences more interesting, retailers can introduce special Halloween events in-store with exclusive performances and Halloween playlists all around the store.

 One way retailers can take the customer shopping experience to the next level is by creating Halloween-themed loyalty programs. This could include specific rewards on shopping during October, allowing customers to collect ‘pumpkins points’ as rewards and redeem them to buy spooky gifts. To be able to run these advanced and personalized rewards, retailers require cutting-edge customer relationship management (CRM) tools that can automate these processes, allowing retail associates to focus on providing value rather than manually calculating their rewards. The Teamwork Commerce Secure CRM tool allows retailers to create a single source of information around every individual customer, enabling consistent visibility of every shopper. As a result, retailers can help customers use their earned loyalty benefits across any channel with customer data & assets centrally visible.

Creating Omnichannel Magic to Scare Up Sales

To cater to modern customer needs, having a strong omnichannel presence is essential for retailers. This allows them to enable customers to shop at their convenience. While spooky in-store themes and promotions are crucial, retailers must connect them with their online platforms to deliver a magical bewitching shopping experience. By weaving their in-store tricks with their online treats, retailers can seamlessly cater to evolving customer requirements this Halloween.

However, integrating offline and online stores may not be as easy as it may seem. To strengthen their omnichannel presence and create consistent interactions with customers at every touchpoint during their shopping journey, retailers should deploy an all-encompassing retail technology stack that can weave different retail operations, both online and offline, together. This not only allows retailers to offer customers more convenience but also provides them with a holistic view of their operations, providing more insights and ultimately helping them make informed decisions.

As Halloween approaches, retailers should gear up with their strategies to capitalize on the opportunities around the season. Deploying the right technology can empower retailers to ensure top-tier customer experience and improved operational efficiency. Those who can enchant customers during Halloween can build a strong foundation for the upcoming shopping season.

Wondering where to start? Get in touch to see our solution in action.

It is officially autumn. The pumpkin spice lattes are out and Paris Fashion Week has been and gone again! This season was one of the busiest yet, as the annual week celebrated 50 years of fashion. Between September 23 and October 1, attendees were treated to over 70 shows and 38 presentations across the French capital. The runway also saw iconic brands such as Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Loewe, Hermès, Balenciaga, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton take centre stage.

As detailed in Vogue, this season was one to remember. Brands produced some truly spectacular moments from the outré sunglasses at Prada to the return of Alessandro Michele at Valentino. An array of celebrities were also on the scene with appearances from global stars such as Elton John, Harry Styles and Andrew Garfield.

With Paris already feeling the buzz left over from the Olympics and the aftermath of Paris Fashion Week, tourism levels are expected to continue to rise as we head towards the end of the retail year. So what are some of the key takeaways retailers can learn from such a jam-packed retail season?

International Impact

Paris and fashion go hand in hand. Fashion is a crucial part of the French economy and its cultural landscape. Paris Fashion Week had a 30% growth in media impact in 2023, and the expectation for this year is that the number has only increased.

The surge in tourists travelling to the fashion capital of the world also created a perfect moment for retailers to optimise sales opportunities. Ensuring customers enjoyed a positive experience will have been essential in building rapport with potential shoppers and enhancing brand reputation.

With visitors from all over the world having set their sights on the French capital, it is a vital time for retailers to brush up on their customer service skills to finish the retail year on a high. The Olympics welcomed over 1.7 million international visitors to the city. With tourism already on the rise, retailers have the opportunity to promote their brands to a global audience.

Savouring Experiences

On the runway this season, the top 2025 spring trends were revealed. Designers such as Dior featured a sport-inspired display, including well-check-adorned moto jackets. Lacoste showcased a preppy fashion comeback with variations of polo shirts and the Freedom Collection by Chloe’ was a ruffled chiffon parade of flowing dresses and boohoo-inspired looks.

During such a busy time in the French capital, retailers have had their hands full with shoppers wanting to get the latest fashion trends straight from the runway. Paris is home to some of the best luxury flagships such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, and it has been vital for retailers to seize sale opportunities. During these busy periods, ensuring stores are stocked with products for eager customers should be a high priority. Teamwork Commerce’s RFID Powered Stock Counter App allows retailers to quickly scan all products at any stage of the supply chain, and create complete visibility of stock.

If shop floor products are running low, retailers will receive an alert and can act to restock areas of the store that need it. Additionally, RFID appliances help retailers manage inventory accuracy, allowing in-store associates to focus more on customer needs and less on having to navigate stock levels.

Shop Till You Drop!

According to Statista, inbound tourist spending is forecast to rise by 24 percent in France and by 13 percent in the French capital. Especially after Paris Fashion Week, customers will be seeking the latest fashion items, and retailers need to ensure they are putting their best foot forward in providing a seamless shopping experience.

Brands should prepare for an increase in footfall within brick-and-mortar stores. With seasonal events such as Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, stores are expected to only get busier. To combat the influx of customers and avoid long wait times, Teamwork Commerce’s RFID-Powered Self-checkout technology allows retailers to facilitate transactions in 30 seconds or less.

When customers place their baskets in a designated area, RFID readers automatically scan all items accurately. This enables shoppers to complete the checkout process quickly and effectively, and retailers can focus on optimising sales opportunities. 

Keeping up with Fashion and Retail trends

Home to some of the most historic shopping districts such as the Haussmann-Opéra-Saint-Lazare quarter, retail has always been at the heart of Paris. After the hype of Paris Fashion Week, brands will be expected to have the latest fashions available at the drop of a hat.

To avoid any disappointed shoppers this season. Teamwork’s advanced Omnichannel Order Management System (OMS), online orders and in-store transactions are streamlined Offering features such as Buy Online, Pickup In-Store (BOPIS), Buy Online, Ship From Store (BOSFS) and Buy Online, Return In-Store (BORIS) fulfilment options. This allows retailers to create timely ways for customers to process returns and exchanges with minimal effort in-store or online.

With visitors heading to stores after an eventful fashion week, customers can shop in ways that suit them. Similarly, Mobile POS can help streamline the checkout process, allowing transactions to be completed anywhere on the shop floor. Instore associates can act quickly to limit queue times and effectively process payments while prioritizing customer service.

What’s Next?

The retail scene in Paris has been a busy one, from the Olympics to Fashion Week the city has been one of the tourist hot spots of the year. To finish 2024 on a high, brands need to ensure they keep up with retail technology trends by utilising RFID and omnichannel services. Entering the last few months of the year, busy shopping periods will continue. To ensure retailers are prepared to excel, it will be vital to provide key customer experiences, develop brand reputation and drive sales opportunities wherever possible.

Want to know more about how your brand can streamline sales this season? Get in touch here.