TimeTrade, the leader in Intelligent Appointment Scheduling, today launched the Retail Recovery Package. The new offering, which can be implemented in just days, is designed to help retailers in all categories prepare for store re-openings with a proven solution for pre-scheduled appointments that promotes safe, physical engagement policies for customers and staff, while also driving new store sales.
The Retail Recovery Package allows brick and mortar retailers to immediately offer customers virtual or in-person appointments at a time when stores are just beginning to re-open, many with restrictions for occupancy and social distancing. Given ongoing health concerns and the patchwork nature of local and state regulations, the consumer transition back to shopping in physical stores is likely to be a dynamic and unpredictable one. The Retail Recovery package gives retailers broad choice about how they want to implement appointments today, as well as the flexibility to expand as local guidelines, customer demands, or store operational requirements change.
Equally important, appointment scheduling offers a clear call to action for customers that can be used across all marketing channels – online and offline – alleviating confusion about how customers may shop, and instilling confidence in a brand’s efforts to create a safe, contact-minimizing experience.
“For many retailers, the coming days will determine not simply if they can re-open, but if they can survive the incredible business disruption the pandemic has created,” said Bill Clark, CEO of TimeTrade. “While in-store shopping is likely to look very different from pre-pandemic days, retailers must work aggressively now to build an action plan for their return. For brands in categories ranging from specialty apparel, to home furnishings, electronics, and bridal, online appointment scheduling has become a critical solution for enabling safe, predictable, and profitable retail experiences.”
The Retail Recovery Package is available in three versions: Virtual Only for phone and web-based appointments; Limited Store Access for both virtual and in-store meetings, as well as curbside or BOPIS fulfillment appointments; and finally, a full Enterprise deployment that extends the earlier package options to include customizations for named resources and personal calendar connectivity, single sign-on, in-store queue management, and more.
Retailers that deploy the new offering will join dozens of national retailers, including Best Buy, Sephora, Lowe’s, Sprint, and David’s Bridal, that already entrust TimeTrade to:
Deliver a Highly Personalized Shopping Experience. Intelligent Appointment Scheduling allows retailers to meet customers where they are – online, on their mobile devices, through search engines, or on the phone. Now customers can book anytime, connecting with the right team member in the right location to meet their specific needs.
Transform Appointment Visits Into Higher Transactional Spend and Increased Wallet Share. TimeTrade clients report that pre-booked appointments drive 3X more in spend per visit vs. walk-ins.
Optimize Allocation of In-Store Resources and Staff. Offering pre-scheduled appointments lets managers quickly match employee availability and physical space limitations with customer demand, making workforce planning safer, simpler and more efficient.
Remain Agile as Local Health and Regulatory Conditions Change
Opening 10 stores today, and then 100 next month? TimeTrade’s package options allow retailers to implement a solution that meets their needs today, and then grow as conditions and customer needs shift, with support for unlimited store locations.
“How retail brands respond during this pandemic, and the provisions they make for both customers and staff, will be remembered far beyond the immediate crisis. This presents a unique opportunity for retailers to demonstrate their commitment to safety, consumer choice and convenience as they reopen stores,” added Clark. “We’ve led the industry in appointment-driven shopping for more than 20 years, and TimeTrade remains the only scheduling provider with the experience and the expertise to make retailers successful in this critical time.”
