Virtually all retail stores and eateries, large and small, have had to think of entirely new ways in the past year. 2020 was in many ways the year that changed everything for retail. Completely unexpectedly and still with devastating consequences for thousands of store owners. Here you can read Shopbox's account for 2020 - Have we been affected by corona, and what will we do for our customers in the new year? Find the answer below.
It's natural for the economy to fluctuate, but that doesn't make it any less devastating for the overall economy. The good news is that the market will eventually turn, and one day everything will return to normal. The bad news is that it could take some time, so it's good not to be too dependent on short-term sales. The government has provided some aid packages, but more may be needed if 2021 is also a year of restrictions and lockdowns.
"We initiated a dialogue with Copenhagen Business School and Amazon."
In our own business, Shopbox, we have certainly felt the effects of Corona and have had to prioritize some things while delaying others. When COVID-19 became a reality, we immediately recognized the need for an "e-shop" ordering app. In record time, our development team had a product in testing, and although such things usually take a long time, we did it in less than half the estimated time. The app has been well received and is now used by a large portion of our customers. The app makes it easier to receive orders directly into the cash register system from a mobile phone. Takeaway has been in high demand – especially during lockdowns, and as we can see, this trend is here to stay. The problem with most takeaway providers, however, is that they charge high fees for sales. Fortunately, you can avoid high fees by using Shopbox's ordering app, which can be branded with your name, logo, and colours. Business owners have suffered enough during this time, and that's why we've developed this app – so our customers can continue generating revenue despite the lockdowns.
Takeaway website
Takeaway app
In-restaurant orders
Corona also provided an opportunity to think ahead, so we initiated a dialogue with Copenhagen Business School and Amazon to develop something we call InstoreAnalytics, which monitors store traffic in real time and connects directly with the Shopbox POS. With this app, you’ll always know how many people are in your store, how many left without making a purchase, sales trends and patterns, and many other interesting insights. We are currently testing this with select customers. The app is expected to cost from DKK 299 per month.
Whether you're running an advanced restaurant or a small shop selling stuffed animals, the use and application of digital tools is crucial for everyone. From connecting with your customers to improving staff efficiency and inventory management. You may have a physical store, but you need to build it on a digital platform. We started Shopbox because we believe that retail is becoming more digital in terms of business administration and payments. We have much more work to do, and we're committed to it. We thank you all for being a part of our journey. We will do everything we can to create the world's best product.