ARTICLE

How to make Omnichannel shopping easy with Shopify POS in APAC?

In the wake of rapidly advancing technology and the habits formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are increasingly blending their online and offline experiences. According to research by EY, 54% of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region now shop for groceries both online and in-store, with 41% visiting physical stores less frequently. Does your brand have an offline sales channel? If not, it’s time to consider establishing one. If you already have one, it deserves renewed focus. Why? Because contrary to the predictions made during the e-commerce surge of the pandemic, offline shopping is far from obsolete.

The New Offline: Embracing Hybrid Shopping

Shopify’s 2024 Commerce Trends Report highlights a significant shift in consumer behavior post-pandemic: customers now crave a tangible, in-person connection with brands, even as they continue to enjoy the speed and convenience of online shopping. The lockdowns and restrictions of recent years have only intensified the desire for physical shopping spaces that offer a personal touch, but today’s consumers expect these offline experiences to match the seamless efficiency of their online counterparts.

Modern shoppers effortlessly navigate between online and offline channels. Imagine a customer spots an item they love in your brick-and-mortar store but hesitates to buy it. Later, they regret the decision and quickly order it online before dinner. While browsing your webshop, they notice the item is available in different colors and decide to add another to their cart. When the order arrives the next day, they keep one color but plan to return the other in-store. During the return, they spot another product they like and decide to exchange it.

To meet these evolving expectations, your offline store must integrate seamlessly with your online presence. Enter Shopify POS, a point-of-sale system that unifies your physical and digital sales channels into a cohesive shopping experience.

What is Shopify POS?

Shopify POS is an app you can install on any mobile device—typically a tablet, though a smartphone works too—that allows you to process payments in person. It supports various payment methods, including cash, depending on the connected hardware, such as a payment terminal or cash drawer.

While POS systems are commonplace in restaurants and cafes, platforms like Shopify have optimized them for e-commerce brands with physical stores. Shopify POS is a sophisticated system known for the user-friendly experience that Shopify consistently delivers.

The Benefits of Shopify POS

One of the standout features of Shopify POS is its ability to link your physical store with your online shop, centralizing your data across all sales channels. This integration transforms your offline store into just another sales channel, with all activities logged in your Shopify account. Here are the key benefits:

Inventory Synchronization: Keep your inventory in sync across online and offline stores, so you always know what’s in stock and where it’s located. Depending on your Shopify plan, you can monitor stock levels for up to 1,000 locations.
Customer Data Synchronization: Register customers during in-store purchases to maintain a unified view of their shopping behavior. Access existing customer accounts easily to manage loyalty points, returns, and more.
Enhanced In-Store Experience: Quickly access your bestsellers, discounts, and frequently used features like emailing receipts to ensure a smooth in-house experience.
Omnichannel Shopping: Facilitate easy omnichannel shopping experiences. Allow customers to order in-store and have items delivered to their home, exchange online orders in-store, save in-store carts, or return in-store purchases by mail.
Comprehensive Reporting: Access detailed sales reports, cash flow tracking, product reports, and more across all points of sale to help you identify trends and adapt your business strategy.

And that’s just the beginning.

How to Set Up Shopify POS for Your Store

Setting up Shopify POS is straightforward. You’ll need some hardware, which you can purchase from Shopify or another provider:

A card reader/payment terminal (or several, depending on your store’s size)
A recent mobile device (or multiple devices) to install the Shopify POS app (Note: the app isn’t compatible with laptops or desktops)
Optional: A barcode scanner for easy product registration
Optional: A cash drawer for accepting cash payments
Optional: A receipt printer (one for each POS)

Once you’ve gathered your hardware, install the POS app on your mobile device, and it will guide you through the setup process. The app automatically syncs your product catalog, customer accounts, discounts, gift cards, and more.

Looking ahead, the setup process may become even simpler with the anticipated rollout of POS Go in Europe. POS Go is a handheld device with the POS app pre-installed, combining the functions of a card reader and a mobile phone.

Ready to Go Offline?

Interested in creating a physical space where customers can connect with your brand in person? VISEO has helped brands set up Shopify POS, and we’re ready to help you establish your offline presence as well. We’ll assist with setting up your chain of brick-and-mortar stores, integrating your POS with other systems, customizing functionality as needed, and offering expert advice on selling in person.

Fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment for a live POS demo. We look forward to helping you go offline!