8/1/17
It’s hard to believe school will begin in only a few weeks. Taking advantage of the back-to-school shopping season helps your store achieve higher sales and increased traffic.
According to a recent survey from Deloitte*:
Back-to school (B2S) shopping season accounts for almost 50% of annual school-related spending
In-store spending is expected to be twice that of online spending
Computers and hardware will get the highest average spend
Understanding the current trends in back-to-school shopping is crucial in capturing the business of these shoppers.
Here are four tips to help you catch the lion’s share of device sales this back-to-school shopping season.
According to The 2017 Retailer and Consumer Back-to-School Insights Guide from RetailMeNot*, 70 percent of respondents will look for deals on a mobile device. Brick-and-mortar retailers can capitalize on this trend by optimizing their Websites for mobile use.
Making sure that sales associates are aware of online promotions provides valuable support for customers looking for the latest deals. This can prevent misunderstandings and ensures the highest level of customer service. By tying in-store sales to the deals available on corporate Websites, retailers can enjoy the greatest synergy for their sales efforts.
While many begin their back-to-school shopping three-four weeks prior to the start of school, there are plenty of parents who continue to be last-minute shoppers. By creating opportunities for purchasing top-quality tech gear at affordable prices for these types of shoppers, retailers can achieve increased sales and profitability during this critical time of year.
Ensuring key products are on sale and available throughout the back-to-school season can also create increased customer satisfaction and an improved reputation for stores. By providing the cutting-edge products customers want and need and having these products in-stock makes a positive impact on last-minute shoppers for brick-and-mortar stores.
PC devices that are thin and light, yet portable and powerful are in top demand for shoppers. Clamshell and 2 in 1 PCs powered by 7th gen Intel® Core™ processors fit the bill.
2 in 1 devices that combine the power of a laptop with the portability of a tablet are expected to see increased demand, especially among parents of high school and college students.
The slim silhouette and lightweight convenience of these 2 in 1 PCs allow true, go-anywhere flexibility for studying and staying current with the outside world.
Customers expect store sales associates to provide expert advice in addition to guidance on a wide range of back-to-school PC devices and product add-ons. Managers should ensure their sales teams have the knowledge and expertise necessary to provide excellent customer service, particularly during this key shopping period.
Key advantages of advanced sales and product training courses include the following:
Ability to compare two products accurately and to make recommendations to customers
Awareness of new product releases and how these additions will affect the consumer technology marketplace
Confidence for dealing with customers in a face-to-face situation
By recommending and supporting educational opportunities for sales associates, managers enhance the brand’s position in the industry and ensure employees make the most positive impression on customers.
Understanding the trends in tech devices and consumer shopping helps retailers drive sales and increase revenue during the back-to-school season and through the upcoming holiday season.
The Intel® Retail Edge Program is designed to provide your sales associates with the expert knowledge and confidence needed to achieve increased sales and customer loyalty.
The Program’s Learning activities and interactive sales tools, such as the Retail Experience Tool (RXT), keep associates up-to-date on the latest devices powered by Intel. By providing the right tools and training, your sales team can confidently guide customers to the perfect device for their needs for the upcoming school year.
This article originally appeared on LinkedIn* here.
References:
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
©Intel Corporation 2017. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Retail Edge Program, and Intel Retail Edge Live are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.
