Retail Appointment Scheduling software is an incredibly useful and versatile tool for retailers. Customers like the option of being able to book appointments for services in advance, and with the right Scheduling software in place, it’s easy to keep these customers engaged throughout their journey.
Find out more about appointment scheduling software
What is the use of Retail Appointment Scheduling software?
A Retail Scheduling software essentially enables customers to reserve appointments online for in-store or virtual service. It also allows enterprise retailers to track and manage customers to feed into their data analytics process.
The main features retailers receive from a Scheduling system include the ability to schedule appointments, send booking confirmation and/or reminders, print a list of upcoming bookings and edit their schedules.
What are the different types of appointment methods?
There are 8 different types of appointment scheduling, including:
- Time-slot scheduling
- Wave scheduling
- Wave and walk-in appointment scheduling
- Open appointment scheduling
- Double scheduling
- Cluster scheduling
- Matrix scheduling
- 40/20 scheduling
7 different ways Appointment Booking software can revitalize your customer experience
Here are seven engaging appointment booking use cases for enterprise retailers:
- In-store services
- Premium shopping experiences
- Store visits
- Click and collect
- Personal shopping
- Technical support
- Webinars and events
1. In-store services
Many leading retailers have been quick to recognize just how powerful in-store experiences can be.
However, as peak season approaches and foot traffic increases, customer pain points around how to reserve in-store services and products will soon resurge. There’s nothing more frustrating than traveling to a store only to find that the service you’ve been looking for is unavailable.
This is where a Retail Appointment Scheduling systems comes in. By giving customers the option to schedule appointments, you’re giving them the certainty that the service they want will be available. In the process, you’re also able to better predict foot traffic in advance.
Cosmetics and skincare retailer, L’Occitane, gives customers the ability to book appointments at its Hand Care Bar or for beauty rituals and the service is a huge hit. It’s incredibly effective at drawing customers into stores and building brand relationships.
L’Occitane’s Beauty Rituals and Hand Care Bar is powered by Qudini’s booking system.
Customers can sign up to these experiences online through the website by choosing a time and date that suits them. They’re then kept engaged throughout their customer journey with regular SMS and email notifications.
2. Premium shopping experiences
You can also use a Digital Scheduling System to create a VIP experience for particular customer groups using marketing and promotions.
Nike offers a great example of this in its NikeTown stores.
Here’s how it works:
- A customer wanting to buy a specific product in-store books an appointment
- They visit the NikeTown Express Shop desk and a store associate quickly retrieves the requested items
It’s that simple. This is a very popular service primarily because it saves the customer time.
According to a recent Audience Report by the Global Web Index, over 67% of customers feel more inclined to shop in a brick-and-mortar store that uses customer experience technology.
Nike’s Niketown Express Shop is powered by Qudini’s Appointment Scheduling System.
Discover the NikeTown customer journey
3. Controlling in-store traffic
If social distancing has influenced consumer behavior in any permanent way, it’s that customers no longer want to enter crammed stores. It can be unpleasant, stressful and a major deterrent to customers.
Retailers can create more relaxing and engaging customer journeys by allowing customers to book appointments to enter stores in advance. This way, they can better manage the flow of customers in their retail spaces and have greater control over the end to end customer experience.
Department store retailer, Brown Thomas, offers store entry appointments to its customers.
4. Click and collect
Click and Collect has skyrocketed as a direct result of the pandemic – but that’s not why customers are obsessed with it. They love it because it’s easy, efficient and convenient.
In fact, 68% of US shoppers say that they are going to make more use of drive-up curbside collection facilities at stores in the future, according to GlobalData, and almost 60% say they will make greater use of collect from inside store services.
A Currys PC World store associate bringing out an order to a curbside collection customer.
Curbside collection can be powered by a Virtual Wait Line system – where customers arrive anytime they wish to pick up their order and enter into a virtual line that updates them when it is time to collect their order. Another popular alternative is to allow customers to select a time in advance to collect their online orders from a store.
Find out more about our Click and Collect Pickup software
5. Personalized experiences
As experience-led retail thrives around the world, retailers have started offering personalized shopping experiences to gain a competitive edge.
Some of the most common personalized appointment services retailers offer include:
- One-to-one styling advice
- Product advice sessions (e.g., make-up or fitness tutorials)
- Live-streaming
Many brands now realize that there is not only a strong demand for personalized customer experiences but that they can connect with new audiences entirely.
A virtual appointment with a Brown Thomas style consultant.
6. Virtual support support
Many retailers are also giving their customers the ability to connect with tech and/or sales experts over video consultations.
For instance, Samsung uses retail scheduling services for virtual appointments with its technical experts for device, app features and support optimization.
Samsung’s virtual video support interface is powered by Qudini.
Read: Samsung case study
7. Webinars and events
Qudini offers an Event Management software that enables enterprise retailers to easily promote and manage in-store events and webinars (through our integration with Zoom).
Customers can sign up to an in-person or virtual event by simply clicking on the time-slot and entering some basic information. You’ll then have full visibility over the number of attendees and seamlessly sync those contacts into your post-event and after-sales processes.
Retail bank NatWest’s digital lessons are a great example. Using the Qudini Event Booking Software, the team have rolled out ‘digital lessons’ where customers can book a place in a fixed class event to learn how to use online and mobile banking channels in the absence of visiting branches during the pandemic.
NatWest’s ‘digital lessons’ proved particular popular during the pandemic.
Learn more about Qudini’s Appointment Scheduling Software
Picking the best Retail Appointment Scheduling Software
To find out which SaaS company has the right solution for you, check out our blogs on the 15 best appointment scheduling apps for:
