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Why Retailers Should Consider Curbside Pickup

January.27.2025

Why Retailers Should Consider Curbside Pickup

January.27.2025

Curbside pickup has become popular in recent years, giving customers another convenient way to grab their orders on the go. It can offer retailers a plethora of benefits like increased customer retention, satisfaction, and loyalty. It also opens companies up to broader demographics and helps physical stores compete with the convenience and speed of online shopping.

Retailers can invest in a curbside pickup system to provide customers with a more convenient and comfortable shopping option. Read on for important information on the benefits of curbside pickup for companies and how to overcome possible challenges.

How Does Curbside Pickup Work?

Curbside pickup is a service retailers offer that allows customers to place an order and pick it up outside the store. For example, a customer might place a grocery order at their local supermarket. Instead of going in and doing the shopping themselves or having the groceries delivered, they simply place the order online, drive to the store, park, and wait for an employee to bring the order out to their car.

What is Curbside Pickup

Unlike other alternative customer fulfillment methods like buy online pick up in-store (BOPIS), customers don’t have to enter the store at all to get the products they’ve ordered. Curbside pickup is a simple process that provides many benefits for customers and retailers, but several steps go into creating a seamless experience:

  1. Order placed: Customers order their desired products online on the company’s website or app. Payments are processed online, though some stores may offer a cash-on-delivery option.
  2. Delivery method selection: The customer selects the “curbside pickup” option as their preferred delivery method. They may also need to provide the name of the person who will pick up the order.
  3. Order received: The store receives the order, and the staff packs the items so they’re ready for pickup.
  4. Notification: Once the items are packed, the staff typically notifies the customer via app, SMS, or email that their order is ready.
  5. Customer arrival: The customer then drives to the store and parks at a designated curbside pickup area. Once they park, they notify the store of their arrival via app, SMS, or email.
  6. Delivery: A designated staff member then brings the customer’s order to their car.

Why Do Customers Enjoy Curbside Pickup?

Benefits of Curbside Pickup

With changing consumer habits, retailers that understand why customer loyalty is important implement methods like curbside pickup to embrace customers’ preferences and offer a competitive advantage. Here are the top reasons customers enjoy curbside pickup:

  • Improved convenience: Curbside pickup is faster than in-store shopping, as customers don’t have to navigate through busy aisles or wait in queues to check out. It’s also quicker than ordering online and waiting for a delivery.
  • Reduced contact: People who are concerned about getting sick or getting others sick can reduce contact with others.
  • Enhanced customer experience: Offering a wider range of shopping options for curbside pickup can improve customer service and create more appeal.
  • Reduced unnecessary spending: Curbside pickup eliminates the temptation to buy more products when strolling through the aisles. Customers can simply select what they need and pick it up — no impulse buying. If customers are interested in containing their spending, they may be much more likely to choose a business that offers curbside pickup.

What Are the Benefits of Curbside Pickup for Retailers?

Retailers attain a competitive advantage by offering options like curbside pickup. Here are the top benefits they can expect:

Curbside Pickup for Retailers

1. Increased Sales

Retail stores that offer curbside pickup can experience an increase in sales. Providing customers with more convenient shopping options draws in customers who are unwilling to stand in queues. This is especially beneficial during busy periods when customers are more interested in quick shopping, such as during the holidays. Curbside pickup also helps companies reach a broader demographic that may prefer nontraditional ways of paying and shopping in stores.

2. Reduced Delivery Costs

Companies that offer curbside pickup can reduce shipping costs for themselves and customers. The business saves costs on shipping, fuel, driver wages, and handling fees. With curbside pickup, there’s a reduced need for extensive packaging, so businesses also save on packaging costs. Establishments can use these savings to improve other areas of operations or lower prices to draw in more consumers. At the same time, customers can save money on delivery charges, which may increase loyalty and sales.

3. Improved Customer Loyalty and Retention

Curbside pickup provides shoppers with a convenient shopping experience that keeps them coming back. It’s easy for them to shop for items online, head to the store during the pickup window, and have their items delivered to their vehicles. Here are the top techniques to streamline the process and ensure it’s enjoyable for shoppers:

  • Ensure online ordering tools are user-friendly, mobile-friendly, and free from glitches so customers enjoy using them.
  • Use appointment scheduling tools to ensure there are employees on standby to assist with pickup.
  • Ask customers to provide a visual description of their vehicles during checkout so employees can identify them faster.

Compared to delivery, the return process for curbside pickup is much easier. Customers can simply schedule a time block that’s convenient for them and drop it off at the store.

4. Enhanced Inventory Management

Curbside pickup makes it easier for companies to manage their inventory by reducing the amount of stock needed in a warehouse. This allows for a smaller inventory and reduced storage costs. It can also aid in managing orders and coordinating pickups.

Smaller local retail stores can even eliminate the delivery process altogether and offer speedy curbside pickup instead. It’s easier to keep track of inventory and protects customers from inconveniences like forgotten or stolen packages.

5. Increased Accessibility

Curbside pickup can offer a more accessible option for people with autism and ADHD who may be prone to social discomfort and impulsive shopping. It also makes shopping easier for people with mobility disabilities, as they don’t have to leave their vehicles to do their shopping. Companies can make customers of all abilities feel valued by including accessible options like curbside pickup.

6. Improved Sustainability Efforts

Integrating curbside pickup services into the business model can help decrease the amount of deliveries. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and trucks release three times the amount of harmful emissions than a typical passenger vehicle. Setting up systems for customers to pick up items instead of delivering them can help companies ramp up their sustainability efforts.

7. Enhanced Competitive Advantage

Curbside pickup can help retail stores stand out. Offering speedy, reliable pickup can help retailers compete with companies that specialize in fast deliveries, such as Amazon. By offering more shopping options for pickup, companies can engage with consumers who may prefer the convenience of online shopping but enjoy the immediacy of in-store shopping.

Which Retailers Provide Curbside Pickup?

Many different kinds of businesses can provide curbside pickup as a convenient option. Here are some examples of retailers offering curbside pickup:

  • Supermarkets: Many grocers offer curbside pickup. After a customer places an order, an employee shops for their order and may even communicate about potential replacements if items are out of stock. Then, they load up the car just as the customer would if they were shopping in-store. Given the large size of most grocery orders, curbside pickup offers plenty of convenience for customers.
  • Restaurants: Some restaurants provide curbside pickup for takeout orders. This is similar to the already common practice of placing an order for takeout, but it provides some additional time savings for those on the go.
  • Hardware stores: Customers can order online or over the phone and arrange for curbside pickup of select items at certain home improvement stores. This option can be helpful for customers shopping for particularly large or awkwardly shaped items, as they don’t have to do the heavy lifting themselves — an experienced staff member can help.
  • Pharmacies: Pharmacies may offer curbside pickup for customers who collect prescriptions. If customers are sick, they may prefer this noncontact method over going into the store and collecting their medication.
  • Clothing stores: The clothing industry has also joined the trend with retailers providing curbside pickup for customers ordering online. Whether customers are picking up just a few pieces or have a large order, it can be much more convenient to shop for clothing this way.

Retailers that Offer Curbside Pickup

Implementation Strategies for Curbside Pickup

In order to effectively implement retail curbside pickup, businesses must ensure they have the proper infrastructure, training, communication, marketing, and safety protocols in place:

Infrastructure

Retailers need a designated space for customers to collect their items before offering curbside pickup. A well-marked and easily accessible zone is vital. A shaded structure with signage can indicate to customers where to park and also provide a cool and comfortable space to wait in.

Shade Structure Infrastructure

Retailers must also invest in systems that enable customers to place orders for collection, such as online storefronts, apps, phone numbers, or social media platforms. Companies offering curbside pickup need point of sales (POS) systems to enable purchases at pickup points or online. They also need stock management systems that integrate online orders with in-store inventory to prevent stockouts.

Training

Curbside pickup requires a staff member to deliver the customer’s order to their vehicle. That means retail staff must still present the same level of customer service and brand representation when doing so. For example, bringing out a large customer order and expecting them to load it themselves is not proper customer service — employees should aim to be helpful and accommodating throughout the entire process.

Businesses also need enough staff to deliver orders smoothly and provide fast and efficient curbside pickup. A team dedicated to curbside service can significantly speed up the process. If you can’t staff an entire crew for curbside pickup alone, make sure staff members don’t have any other responsibilities when working curbside pickup. This way, they can focus on delivering the items correctly and quickly.

Communication

Communication is key. Retailers need effective channels to keep customers informed about the progress of their orders, including status updates and delays. Retailers must either notify customers through the app or call, email, or text to inform them when their order is ready for collection. Customers must also have a method to communicate when they arrive at the pickup location.

Tracking systems are also helpful communication tools. They make locating and distributing orders smoother. Customers can view their order’s progress in real time, and retailers can ensure the right order gets to the right customer.

Marketing

Retailers can use various marketing tools to promote their curbside pickup service. Not every customer will be aware that a retailer offers curbside pickup, so businesses need to advertise this service across every platform. They can use their social media platforms, website, Google Ads, and in-store signage to promote the service and communicate how it works.

Marketing tools like data analytics can help retailers track customer behavior to make informed business decisions. It can show them when customers are most active with curbside pickup so they can have enough stock and staff available. Shaded parking structures also make practical marketing tools. Retailers can add signage to them that helps advertise their purpose as a curbside pickup zone.

It may even be beneficial to provide a discount on curbside pickup orders when you first launch the offering. This approach can attract new customers to your store and get existing customers to try out your new service.

Marketing through Shade Structures

What Are the Key Challenges and Considerations?

Curbside pickup can help businesses increase sales and customer loyalty. However, effectively navigating this service can pose the following challenges retailers must anticipate to ensure speedy deliveries, competent staff, and accurate stock levels:

Resource Allocation

To ensure an efficient curbside pickup process, retailers need to have every resource in order before anything starts moving. That means setting up ordering systems, equipping staff, and organizing where different orders wait.

Retailers need to designate staff for curbside pickup orders, ensuring they communicate when orders are ready, monitor customers’ arrival, and effectively deliver orders. They also need to provide staff with the correct devices required for completing the process, such as payment devices or a POS system to confirm orders.

Businesses must also dedicate specific areas within the store to store different orders until customers or delivery partners arrive. For example, a storage area may have shelf areas for delivery, in-store pickup, and curbside pickup to properly designate orders.

Improve Customer Loyalty

Another aspect retailers must consider is how much space to allocate for signage. They need to place enough signs indoors and outdoors to ensure customers are aware of the service, understand how it works, and know where to wait. This signage is also important for letting other customers know where they should not park.

Parking Setup

Retailers need a designated parking area to offer curbside pickup. The challenge is how accessible and comfortable that zone is and whether it’s large enough to accommodate its customers.

Retailers need to designate a spot close enough to the store entrance to be efficient but avoid creating extra foot traffic in the store or congesting the parking lot. They must also choose a spot that accommodates the number of curbside pickup orders they receive. Usually, a short row of spaces will do, since customers usually arrive, receive their orders, and leave within minutes.

Signage and shaded structures can help alleviate many parking concerns. Signage makes these zones more visible, reducing confusion and streamlining the parking process. Shaded structures provide more comfort for customers while they wait, showing them the retailer cares and boosting loyalty. Even though customers are waiting in their vehicles, being out in the intense sun or severe rain isn’t fun. Plus, protective structures can keep employees comfortable as they load items.

Improve User Comfort

Staff Training

When offering a new service, retailers must decide whether to hire new staff specifically for it or train existing staff to take on more duties. Retailers must train staff to accommodate both curbside pickup and in-store customers and know when to prioritize who. Adequate training leads to fewer delays, errors, and congestion in the parking lot or store. It also ensures more pleasant experiences for all customers, boosting loyalty.

Training should involve teaching staff how to pick, pack, and receive orders. It must also show them how to update customers, verify their information, and deliver orders to them respectfully and efficiently. If introducing new technology to facilitate the curbside pickup process, businesses should make sure their employees have a full understanding of the system.

Operational Complexity

Retailers must understand the number of moving parts involved in curbside pickup and the challenges they pose. From start to finish, each aspect can affect the customer and the business, so it’s vital to ensure seamless online ordering, customer communication, and inventory management.

Inventory management optimization plays a crucial role in making sure every step of the curbside pickup process functions efficiently. It helps retailers track stock effectively and confirm they have enough inventory to fulfill new curbside pickup orders as they come in. The right inventory management practices can also help businesses track where items are going, reducing order fulfillment mishaps.

Effective inventory management systems allow retailers to track stock in the store and online in real time. This makes it easier to account for inventory that may be in someone’s online shopping cart or that someone just purchased in person. Knowing this information helps businesses respond when stock levels lower, allowing them to mark something as out-of-stock before a customer buys it online.

Create Shaded Curbside Pickup Spots With VPS

Curbside pickup can help retailers appeal to a larger demographic and increase their revenue. In the age of convenience, it’s important for retailers to stand out and meet customer expectations — and curbside pickup is an enticing shopping option many customers consider a must-have. Beyond creating an effective, reliable pickup system, the finer details, like parking spots and signage, make a big difference.

It’s essential to ensure curbside pickup spots are protected with durable structures to keep customers comfortable. At VPS, we’re the industry leader in asset protection, and our range of structures is suited to offer protection from most weather elements. We have the manufacturing capabilities to cover thousands of parking spots, and our abilities extend past the typical fabric and steel shade structures.

We can even create solar parking structures that allow businesses to offer protected structures to customers, increase revenue, provide tax benefits, and cut power costs. Our customizable asset protection structures are suitable for companies of all sizes, whether your business wants to cover a small section of spots for curbside pickup or its entire lot.

Contact an expert at VPS today for a free quote and learn more about how we can help your business stay shaded and protected.

Create Curbside Pickup Places