{"id":2357,"date":"2017-04-04T11:47:32","date_gmt":"2017-04-04T18:47:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/industry\/blog\/uncategorized\/unified-commerce-means-specialty-retailing\/"},"modified":"2023-05-31T16:45:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T23:45:15","slug":"unified-commerce-means-specialty-retailing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/industry\/blog\/retail\/2017\/04\/04\/unified-commerce-means-specialty-retailing\/","title":{"rendered":"What unified commerce means for specialty retailing"},"content":{"rendered":"
In today\u2019s digital world, specialty retailers are struggling to keep pace\u2014with both the changing speed of technology innovation and the changing expectations of consumers. All our new shopping channels have catapulted the need for a unified commerce experience, one that puts customer-centricity at the center.<\/p>\n
With unified commerce, retailers can blend the digital and physical and provide shoppers with a seamless, personalized and enhanced experience as they move from online to mobile to in-store, and back again. And without the retailer worrying about how and where an order\u2019s fulfillment will take place.<\/p>\n
Sounds great, right?<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the reality is that most retailers, especially specialty stores, lack the ability to provide this level of service today because of the traditional legacy systems they are using. While they are able to transact through multiple channels, they do not use one piece of software to do so, leading to multiple versions of the truth.<\/p>\n
When you analyze the challenges related to providing a seamless experience to customers, two clear perspectives are evident: the customer\u2019s and the retailer\u2019s. A solution must address both. Let\u2019s take a look at each of their needs and what\u2019s important in today\u2019s evolving retail industry.<\/p>\n
Meeting the needs of your customers<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Meeting the needs of your business<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Customer Experience.<\/strong> Shoppers today have higher expectations and want to engage with retailers seamlessly across multiple channels, anytime, anywhere.<\/p>\n Achieving customer-centricity across the shopping journey<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n As we evolve from omni-channel to unified commerce, all the channels are connected in real time providing only one version of the truth. Furthermore, the customer can truly be placed at the center of the retailer\u2019s business. Customers are no longer satisfied that online shopping is a better experience because of the rich catalog, ease of use, smart comparisons and advice it offers. New cloud-based solutions can provide a seamless and rich customer experience across all channels.<\/p>\n Microsoft Dynamics 365<\/a> was created to help retailers achieve the next level of customer centricity and service, with more personalized interactions supported by machine learning, analytics and the cloud. It also runs across devices\u2014from cash registers to tablets\u2014for seamless inventory management, and retail operations and information sharing to deliver amazing experiences to customers in this industry of constantly changing demands.<\/p>\n The commerce runtime (CRT), at the heart of the solution, serves as the engine for retail channels. This expedites time-to-market, provides consistency, and guarantees that each shopper is recognized regardless of the channel they are using. Because the CRT is the same across channels, all discounts, promotions, rules, and restrictions apply whether they are at the store or buying from their phone.<\/p>\n Microsoft also understands that the Internet speed and reliability has increased significantly over time, truly enabling scenarios where servers in the physical stores are no longer required. With that in mind, this solution can reside purely in the cloud. The points-of-sale clients can run as a modern application or in a browser, further simplifying deployment.<\/p>\n Quick study: learning from success<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n There are a number of great examples of specialty retail leaders using Microsoft Dynamics 365 to move to a more unified approach and take advantage of its many benefits.<\/p>\n Hickory Farms<\/a>, for example, made the move to Microsoft Dynamics 365, replacing four disparate legacy business systems to integrate its catalog and mail order, web, retail, and wholesale operations into a single platform. The company can now benefit from increased 360-degree supply chain visibility, including inventory and customer information; omnichannel order and cross-channel fulfillment functionality, including buy, pickup, return, and ship to and from anywhere; and position the company for growth.<\/p>\n Other specialty retailers like Saje Wellness<\/a>, Pet Supplies Plus<\/a> and Guy Degrenne<\/a> are also using Microsoft Dynamics and cloud services to achieve one source of truth, streamline business processes and boost performance, provide better customer service, and support their ambitious growth plans.<\/p>\n To learn more, try a Guided Tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n LinkedIn: Hayan Ortega<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter: @hayan_ortega<\/a><\/p>\n [1]<\/a> http:\/\/eknresearch.com\/2016\/12\/22\/plugging-stock-gaps-consumer-goods-2\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n [2]<\/a> http:\/\/www.retailwire.com\/discussion\/retailers-suffer-the-high-cost-of-overstocks-and-out-of-stocks<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n [3]<\/a> https:\/\/nrf.com\/media\/press-releases\/retail-inventory-shrinkage-increased-452-billion-2015<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With unified commerce, specialty retailers can blend the digital and physical and provide shoppers with a seamless, personalized and enhanced experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":10275,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1501],"post_tag":[],"content-type":[1483],"coauthors":[1209],"class_list":["post-2357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-retail","content-type-thought-leadership"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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