Retail tech

The threat of COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve across the world. This has already wrecked the global economy and put a massive strain on the world’s health systems to develop a vaccine as soon as possible. Industries around the world have also impacted by the virus outbreak and companies are struggling to keep their businesses going amid the crisis. Moreover, the onset of coronavirus is now changing the way retail businesses function and transforming customer behavior alike.

However, as COVID-19 disrupted all businesses as well as the global supply chain, retailers are turning to technology to help navigate the crisis. They are increasingly looking for tech solution providers and making substantial efforts to meet the demands of consumers during this crisis. Even the most technology-savvy retailers are training their employees for ready-to-use devices in each physical location to serve and satisfy customers.

Thus, in the time of crisis, there are many tech vendors helping retailers in a variety of ways, by offering state-of-the-art services and innovative platforms.

Kustomer - A Customer Service CRM Platform

Kustomer is an omnichannel Software-as-a-Service CRM platform specializing in customer service. The company manages all customer conversations, empowering customer service teams to best serve their now wider consumer group. Kustomer scales to meet the requirements of any contact center and business by coalescing data from multiple sources. It enables companies to deliver service and support through a single timeline view. The company’s platform uses by leading customer service brands like UNTUCKit, Glovo, Glossier, Ring, Away, Rent the Runway and others.

Walmart Pay - The Walmart Mobile Payment App

Walmart Pay is a free feature in the Walmart mobile app for Android and iOS that lets customers make payments in a quick and secure manner with their mobile device in Walmart stores. This contactless payment service for in-store customers can prevent them from getting exposed to COVID-19. According to the company, by scanning a QR code that is synced with the Walmart Pay app, in-store shoppers can make contactless purchases. The Walmart Pay works with any iOS or Android device, at any checkout lane, and with any major credit, debit, pre-paid, or Walmart gift card. 

7-Eleven – Offering Contactless Pay Delivery Option

7-Eleven, a Japanese-American international chain of convenience stores, is offering a contactless delivery option that allows customers who order through its delivery app to indicate that their delivery be "contactless," with the goods left at the door by the driver. The retailer delivers services through its 7NOW app which generally takes 30 minutes to deliver items. According to the company, a leadership team at the company’s Store Support Center is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to make the best adjustments to business operations and policies as needed.

MishiPay – Offering Self-checkout Solution

MishiPay’s mobile self-checkout technology allows shoppers to simply scan items they want to buy with their smartphone. They can easily pay in app with any major credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and more. This scan and go solution can increase efficiency for the retailer, as stores can be designed and optimised to attract customers and deliver better experiences for them, attracting them to continue returning to the store. Mobile self-checkout technology from Mishipay can also assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by facilitating social distancing by enabling shoppers to use their own devices to scan and pay for their shopping from any location in their store.