The Rise of Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store During the Holidays

ooking ahead to the holidays, consumers are looking for ways to make their shopping experience as convenient and efficient as possible. One trend that has been growing in holiday shopping is buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS). This fulfillment model allows customers to purchase items online and pick them up at a nearby store, combining the ease of eCommerce with the satisfaction of picking up items at a nearby store.

Here’s a look at why BOPIS has become a popular option for consumers during the holidays and how retailers can capitalize on this trend to enhance the customer experience.

The holiday season is notorious for busy schedules, with consumers juggling work, family, and holiday activities. During the holidays, many consumers are often looking for last-minute gifts, and the ability to collect an order within hours can be a significant differentiator. Customers can browse for the perfect gift from their homes, place an order, and often pick it up on the same day. This flexibility reduces the stress of waiting for deliveries, which may be delayed due to the high volume of orders during peak periods, while giving customers the satisfaction of receiving their holiday purchases quickly. 

By allowing shoppers to purchase items online and pick them up at a nearby store, retailers can offer greater convenience while driving foot traffic to their brick-and-mortar locations. When customers arrive to pick up their orders, many take the opportunity to browse the store, often leading to impulse purchases. Retailers can maximize this opportunity by offering exclusive in-store promotions or displaying holiday-themed merchandise near pickup areas. 

In addition to enhancing the customer experience by providing fast and convenient fulfillment, BOPIS is also helping retailers navigate the complexities of holiday supply chain management. With supply chain disruptions becoming more frequent, retailers can use BOPIS to bypass some supply chain challenges during the peak holiday season. By encouraging customers to pick up their items in-store, retailers can ease the pressure on their delivery systems, which are often overwhelmed during the holidays. 

Leveraging local store inventories and offering same-day pickup allows retailers to reduce their dependence on strained delivery networks and mitigate the risk of out-of-stock items. BOPIS allows retailers to spread out demand across different stores, rather than relying on a central warehouse. This flexibility helps ensure that more customers get the products they want in time for the holidays.

This year there are just 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, a factor that will provide a key advantage to retailers with fast buy online, pickup in-store offerings. BOPIS will account for 33% of global online orders for the week before Christmas and Boxing Week this year due to the shortened holiday season, according to Salesforce forecasts. 

Delivery delays are a common concern for both consumers and retailers. BOPIS eliminates this issue by offering near-instant gratification. The assurance of being able to pick up an item quickly is a major differentiating factor. Customers can trust that their order will be ready when they arrive, minimizing time constraints and holiday stress.

As consumer preferences continue to evolve, BOPIS is expected to remain a staple of holiday shopping for years to come. The combination of convenience, cost savings, and immediacy makes it a highly attractive fulfillment option. By enhancing the in-store pickup experience, optimizing inventory management, and promoting BOPIS as a go-to option for last-minute shoppers, retailers can turn this growing trend into a competitive advantage this holiday season. As more retailers refine their BOPIS strategies, this trend will likely grow, with enhancements like faster pickups and expanded availability across more store locations.

BOPIS is a win-win for both consumers and retailers during the holiday season. It offers consumers greater convenience and reduces stress, while presenting significant opportunities for retailers to drive additional sales and improve customer satisfaction. 

For more information about how our delivery management solution can help you manage your deliveries more efficiently this holiday season, please contact info@bringoz.com.