Retail

By 2016 almost 40% of all e-commerce sales will come from Asia Pacific.¹

The way consumers shop and interact with brands has evolved and omni-channel retailing is drastically changing the retail landscape. Consumers don’t just want a bricks-and-mortar shop or an online experience; they need both. In the new omni-channel shopping environment, consumers may visit a physical shop in-person to see and feel the product, but then go home to buy online. Or, buy online and return to a store. As a result of these shifts in shopping behaviour, retailers are going beyond traditional business models to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Omni-channel retailing creates a huge opportunity to drive sales growth domestically and overseas, but it has its challenges. Serving many different customers all over the world results in a complex global network of customers, retailers, wholesalers and the manufacturers of goods. And with so many moving parts, the risk of costly disruptions is high. To build a more resilient supply chain, retailers must protect their shipments against loss or damage anywhere in the world, no matter how they move or where they are in the supply chain.

Another issue facing retailers is the ability to securely accept payments made in-store and online. Customers today demand safe, convenient ways to pay whether it’s with credit cards, debit cards, gift cards or alternative forms of payments. Offering these options is critical for reaching the broadest market you can. For businesses in emerging markets that have limited credit card accessibility or for certain markets that prefer to pay for goods in cash, alternative payment options must be made available to reach key customers in foreign countries or territories.

Today’s retailers have to stay one step ahead to meet the constantly changing tastes of customers. UPS Capital^® has high-quality products and services that can help keep up with the latest industry trends so you can maximise opportunities.