Mobile Retail Execution Software is Redefining The Industry- Here's How

List Of The Top Mobile Retail Execution Software That You Need. 

1. Xenia- The Best Retail Execution Software For Mobile

Xenia offers a “mobile first” retail execution platform that guides the field sales teams through their day, automates administration tasks, incentivizes their activities, and provides the data and insights they need to win.

No more reliance on erratic paper processes and informal phone calls; our guiding philosophy is to empower our customers to do more with less.

On top of that, here's another important question: are you dealing with work orders, maintenance requests, and inspections?

Xenia can simplify and streamline all of your retail operations. With user-friendly workflows, adaptable forms, and digital checklists, the platform makes it easy for merchandisers to get their work done fast.

From checklists and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to preventive maintenance and collaborative chats, the tool acts as an end-to-end retail execution solution to keep your team on track.  Plus, it keeps your equipment running in optimal condition to minimize any downtime.

Managers can oversee all facets of their retail operations using one unified platform, eliminating the necessity for multiple software applications. This ensures smooth integration and data exchange with ERP, CRM, and data visualization systems.

Plus, with our intuitive analytics and reporting features, you'll have insights at your fingertips to optimize store performance and boost sales.

2. FieldPro

3. SimpliField

4. Yoobic

5. Pepperi

Also Read: 27 best retail execution software to ensure your business stays competitive in the retail industry.

What is Mobile Retail Execution?

To put it simply, the term "mobile retail execution" refers to streamlining the operations of field sales and marketing staff as well as how they perform various in-store tasks using mobile devices. 

Examples of these processes include customer relationship management (CRM), pricing and promotion administration, order taking, inventory management, and merchandising. 

Thanks to mobile solutions, retail teams can communicate and collaborate with headquarters, while providing exceptional customer services on the go, all while giving quick access to vital data and tools.

Service centric business, nearly 70% of consumers make their purchases at the point of purchase.

If a customer finds a better promotional deal, if a sales associate suggests another product, if a peer suggests a different product, or if the product isn't visible, they are more inclined to swap brands or products. This is where data-driven retail execution really shines. 

Having access to additional data allows you to better understand your consumers, approach them in a more effective manner, and establish a strong connection with them. Now, we'll observe the process.

How to Get Started on Transforming Your Retail Execution Strategy

If your business hasn't started its digital transformation journey yet or is just starting out, you can be asked what measures to take to ensure that you invest in the appropriate technology. 

You can make sure your items stand out from the competition by making decisions based on data. Retail execution management includes:

• Understanding retail execution, its origins, and its many facets       
• Drivers of in-store success in retail       
• Best practices for retail execution, including the need of using purpose-built technology       
• Essential features of a retail execution platform      
•  Which instruments are necessary for the execution of marketing and retail campaigns?       
• An overview of Opmetrix's retail execution solution and how it works

Quick and efficient decision-making for your field teams based on data obtained from a purpose-built solution is essential for successful retail execution, as it increases product exposure and availability on every retailer's shelf.

Data-driven Retail Execution Tools Are The Key To Success for any Retail Business

Planning and executing effective shelf strategies and other tactics at the point of purchase (POP) is what retail execution tools are all about.

Focusing on getting the appropriate items to the right places at the right times is key to making sure they reach the right consumers. Therefore, it guarantees that the POP employs appropriate techniques. It entails:

• Developing effective shelf solutions to increase product visibility
• Predicting needs via analysis of consumer patterns
• Improving merchandising via analysis of retail data
• Developing and implementing strategic plans for product sales

Whether it's retail related or any other service centric business, nearly 70% of consumers make their purchases at the point of purchase.

If a customer finds a better promotional deal, if a sales associate suggests another product, if a peer suggests a different product, or if the product isn't visible, they are more inclined to swap brands or products. This is where data-driven retail execution really shines. 

Having access to additional data allows you to better understand your consumers, approach them in a more effective manner, and establish a strong connection with them. Now, we'll observe the process.

Benefits of Mobile Retail Execution

There are a number of advantages that retailers and CPG/FMCC manufacturers can derive from mobile retail execution, such as:

• Improved Efficiency: Automating formerly manual processes like inventory management, order taking, and competition/pricing audits is how mobile retail execution simplifies retail operations. The elimination of paperwork and tedious data input allows agents to quickly update inventory levels, digitally collect orders, and report on rivals, price, and promotions while on the road, leading to better operational efficiency.

• Enhanced Inventory Management: The success of any retail establishment depends on its inventory management system. Retailers can identify slow-moving or out-of-stock products, monitor product motions, and keep track of stock levels with the help of mobile retail execution software. Not only does this streamline the supply chain, but it also avoids stockouts and decreases surplus inventory.

• Improved Store Compliance: The software makes it easy for the headquarters and retail employees to communicate with one another. For the uniform implementation of store layouts and marketing activities, retailers can communicate guidelines, planograms, and promotional materials straight to the smartphones of in-store staff.

• Real-time Data Insights: Retail execution management can make data-driven choices in real-time with mobile retail execution because it gives them access to data, analytics, and reporting in real-time. As a result, retail tactics are improved since brand and category managers have a better grasp of consumer tastes, can monitor sales figures, and can see possibilities.

• Enhanced Customer Experience: Mobile retail execution allows reps to improve customer service by responding quickly and personally to customers and businesses. With the ability to access data like optimal store inventory levels, promotional pricing, and planograms, retailers can more effectively adhere to corporate goals and experience fewer instances of out-of-stocks. Customers are more likely to be satisfied and committed to a brand when salespeople have access to their personal information, such their purchase history and preferences, so they can personalize their interactions and provide relevant suggestions. 

• Flexibility and Mobility: With mobile retail execution, salespeople can access data and complete activities from any location at any time, and management can use GPS fencing tools to verify that the tasks were carried out at the correct location. This improves efficiency and effectiveness since representatives can attend to more customers' requirements, visit more shops in a day, and operate more effectively while on the go.

As a result, this improves efficiency and effectiveness since representatives can attend to more customers' requirements, visit more shops in a day, and operate more effectively while on the go.

General Retail Store App Features

Planogram Check

Users can capture images of product displays and import them straight into the software for inspection using the planogram check feature.

The said mobile retail execution software then detects any differences or conflicts by comparing these pictures to the expected planogram layout. This lets stores see when things are misplaced, missing, or otherwise not in the right spot, so they can fix it right away.

Inventory Control

Item Manager is an essential component of any excellent retail execution platform, particularly for teams that handle a large number of SKUs. Based on the current number and status, it provides a comprehensive picture of all products in real-time. 

Ideally, it notifies the right frontline workers automatically whenever a stock is about to run out. 

Maintaining a fully stocked inventory is crucial to meeting rising demand and customer expectations. However, it's important not to overstock, as excess products may spoil and incur costs. Identify popular items and current trends, then ensure adequate stock levels to meet customer demand.

Proof-of-Performance

When used alongside mobile tasking, Proof of Performance becomes an essential tool for team leaders seeking a streamlined method of checking workers' accuracy and punctuality. 

The best mobile platform for retail store task management allows for easy capture and uploading of photos. An additional perk is photo-recognition technology, which automates much of the administrative review process for office employees who have to go through each submitted photo.

With proof-of-performance in mind, geo-location tracking becomes a useful tool for support teams. A time-saving feature of the retail store app is that it records the movement of field representatives in the background, rather than requiring them to manually record their time to, from, and between shops.

Training

By taking the time to educate the business manager and product promoters about your offerings, including product benefits, drawbacks, and unique selling points, they will be better equipped to sell the products in the store. 

Consequently, these shops are more likely to promote your goods to customers.

Tasking

Mobile task management is an essential component of any retail execution platform; what distinguishes a good tasking solution from an excellent one is the depth and breadth of its capability. 

Team leaders can organize and delegate work to their employees from any device, at any time. This is often achieved using a mix of automatic task creation for repeating projects and human task creation for one-off initiatives. 

With a well-designed tasking module, these frontline workers won't have to seek clarification or more information to find, evaluate, and complete their duties. The ability to escalate or reroute jobs is a bonus, but robust task-teaching skills are essential. 

Extensive Retail Audits

Auditing is an essential step to make sure your mobile retail execution activities are in line with your current plan. You can re-strategize in time since audits help you find and repair unavoidable problems. 

Restoring order to your in-store operations is now possible. Visual marketing initiatives, such as signage and planogram, quality, study of rival products, etc., are all part of an audit.

Checklists & Surveys

Users have the ability to create personalized checklists for various employee and retail manager tasks and activities using this functionality. 

These checklists can encompass a range of items such as product placement, pricing, promotional displays, and adherence to various merchandising guidelines. 

Real-Time Analytics & Reporting

To stay ahead of the competition and make informed decisions, executives must have the ability to gather real-time data.

Analytics play a crucial role in effective mobile retail execution software, providing valuable insights into consumer behavior, sales performance, inventory levels, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) essential for the success of a retail operation.

In a way, at a broader level, you can say that by analyzing real-time data, retailers can enhance consumer engagement, identify improvement opportunities, make better decisions, and respond more quickly to changing market conditions.

Best Practices for Implementing Mobile Retail Execution

Based on the latest research findings, the global Retail Execution Software market was valued at USD 245.33 million in 2022. Forecasts suggest a steady expansion with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.78% during the forecast period, leading to an estimated market size of USD 363.56 million by 2028.

The success of implementing mobile retail execution software depends on meticulous planning and execution. 

If you own a shop, you should follow these guidelines for mobile retail execution:

• Define Clear Objectives: Establish well-defined objectives and targets that are in line with your retail business plan before introducing mobile retail execution. Pinpoint the precise retail processes and activities that you would like to allow your field staff to carry out using mobile devices. The success of mobile retail execution can be measured by clearly defining the outcomes and success indicators.

• Choose the Right Application: Pick out the apps and tools that will help your retail company run smoothly, and make sure they're compatible with both Apple and Android. Because many stores have spotty mobile phone service, it's important to think about additional aspects including usability, scalability, security, interaction with current systems, and the capacity to work offline. 

• Provide Adequate Training and Support: Train your field members/staff members well on the usage of mobile applications for retail., and choose a retail store app that is simple to use even for temporary or seasonal workers. Extensive, free training is available for several apps via YouTube video.

Strategies of Implementing Automation in Your Retail Business

1. Selecting the Right Automated Retail Technologies

Retail automation begins with the selection of the most suitable technologies for your business. Here are some key considerations:

• AI and Machine Learning Solutions: By shedding light on consumer habits, industry tendencies, demand prediction, and inventory management, artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping the retail industry. Retailers can maximize profits via optimized pricing and promotions and individualized shopping experiences made possible by integrating AI and ML technology.

• IoT Devices for Inventory Tracking: Implement software or devices that are Internet of Things (IoT) enabled to keep tabs on inventory, monitor sales, and increase the precision of stock management. Retailers can see their whole inventory and come up with effective plans to restock thanks to this.

• Robotics and Automation in Warehousing: Using robotic automation helps warehouses expedite order fulfillment procedures (such as picking up things, packaging them, sorting them, etc.) with speed and accuracy, which in turn reduces the expenses of human labor and ensures that consumers get their orders on time.

2. Crafting an Effective Retail Automation Strategy

The effective deployment of automated retail technology requires the development of a strong strategy:

• Identifying Business Goals: Whether your goal is to increase revenue, decrease operational expenses, or improve client experiences, make your automation goals clear. Everything that follows will be based on your objectives, which are the bedrock of your retail automation plan.

• Budgeting and ROI Analysis: To guarantee a favorable return on investment (ROI), it is important to calculate the expenses of implementing automated retail technologies, assess them, and then compare them against the predicted benefits. To make sure your retail automation approach adds value without disrupting current operations, this phase is crucial.

• Partnering with the Right Vendors: Work with technology providers who have a firm grasp on the unique challenges faced by your retail sector and can accompany you on your automation journey with customized solutions and expert assistance.

3. Navigating Workforce Changes

Alterations to your staff may be required as a result of the use of automation. Some ways to handle this change are as follows:

• Employee Training and Upskilling: Educate your staff on how to collaborate with automated technology by funding training sessions. You can keep your workers useful and ready to work together with cutting-edge tech by providing them with chances to upskill.

• Strategies for Managing the Transition: To effectively handle the shift to automation, you need to reevaluate your pay structures, revise your recruiting practices to attract tech-savvy candidates, and reshape your staff to operate in collaboration with automated systems.

4. Ensuring Data Security and Compliance

Safeguarding data and complying with rules are of utmost importance when you adopt automation:

• GDPR and Retail Automation: Validate compliance with data protection standards, such GDPR, with respect to automated collection and processing of consumer data. All consumer information gathered and processed by retailers' automated systems must be protected in accordance with applicable legislation..

• Cybersecurity Best Practices: To keep sensitive information safe from cybercriminals, you should encrypt it, conduct frequent security audits, and educate your staff on security procedures constantly. Retailers can protect themselves against any financial losses and significantly enhance client confidence in this way.

Conclusion

An organization's ability to adapt to the changing retail scene depends on how well it uses technology.

Stores can enhance efficiency, boost output, and provide consumers a more pleasant shopping experience with the help of mobile retail execution software. Retailers can adjust to the ever-changing market by using real-time data, boosting visual merchandising, and better managing inventories.