If you’re thinking of taking your bricks and mortar store online, there has never been a better time. Now integration between Meridian EPOS (Ireland’s leading EPOS system) and Shopify (The leading cloud-based, multi-channel commerce web platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses) has never been easier.
Surprisingly, many of Ireland’s leading “bricks and mortar” stores still don’t have an online store and are missing out significantly on this important and growing channel. Every hour, it is estimated that there is €850,00 spent online in Ireland*. Unfortunately, 84% of online sales are to websites located outside of Ireland*. And while 72% of of Irish SMEs have websites, only 30% of these can process orders online*.
More and more, retailers are being encouraged to practice an omnichannel approach (an approach to sales that seeks to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience, whether they’re shopping online from a desktop or mobile device, by telephone, or in a bricks and mortar store). Many retailers are reluctant to embark on this journey however, fearing the time and perceived costs involved in making this happen. However, if we’ve learned anything from the Covid crisis in 2020, it is that those with an omnichannel approach have coped and adapted best with the obvious challenges they faced.
Traditionally, the time and cost of implementing an online retail channel was significant, however, today, thanks to increased and better technology, these are nothing like those faced in the past. Also, in their desire for businesses to embrace online sales channels, the Irish government and many of its development agencies, have and continue to give significant grant aid to support companies in this regard.
In moving to online retail, what is critical is that your system is integrated. It is vital that your current EPOS system, which manages your day to day sales transactions, stock control, ordering and reporting, talks to your online retail system. If the two systems aren’t integrated and don’t talk to each other, you will find it very difficult to manage the process, particulalry if you have many SKUs, and this will result in stock outs, back orders and very irate customers. The perfect solution is an integrated system, where your EPOS and Online systems work in perfect concert together. Finally, at the entry level of the market there is a solution that achieves that objective; that solution is Meridian EPOS and Shopify.
* Source: Conor Cochrane, Social Media Elite, speaking at Retail Excellence Ireland Webinar #2 – Trade On – Short Term Strategies, 6th May 2020