For some retail workers, numerous apps are necessary to serve customers who expect the convenience of online shopping when they step into a store.
At an Old Navy in NYC, floor-level sales associates are expected to bridge the gap between in-person and online shopping, the latter of which boasts instant gratification and endless inventory. These associates are issued handheld devices loaded with numerous apps, including:
Amazon and other ecommerce giants move tons of products without staffing retail sales teams. Meanwhile, brick-and-mortar stores are struggling. In New York City:
So it makes sense that stores have taken efforts to offer the same conveniences as their online competition… and then some.
Some have installed Easy Online Order Return stations — basically library book drops for buyer’s remorse.
Sales associates, meanwhile, have become much more than personal shoppers. They are cashiers, brand representatives, and database managers.