The digital world is evolving rapidly and is impacting every business. Retail business is no different. POS software has become a norm and now digital receipts are generated for purchases rather than physical ones. In fact, the best POS software for supermarkets is one that has the option of a digital receipt generation. It’s clearly a change for customers who have been used to paper receipts but many customers like getting their receipts emailed to them as it is stored with them. Unlike the paper receipts, it’s not tossed into the nearest bin as soon you one leaves the store.
Since the past few years, there has been an ongoing debate about whether or not paper receipts will completely disappear in a decade or even less. While, at present, it’s hard to believe it considering how a large number of people still prefer paper receipts and that many countries’ retailers still heavily rely on it. But, given how the balance of power is continually shifting towards technology, there could come a time in the future when paper receipts become obsolete.
How do Digital Receipts work?
When a customer is at the checkout point, he is asked by the cashier if he wants a paper receipt, a digital one or both. If the customer chooses either of the last two options then the cashier requests for the customer’s email address and enters it in the system. The receipt is then sent to the customer’s inbox. Data from this transaction is stored in the POS’s database and the marketing team can use it for future marketing campaigns.
Benefits of Using Digital Receipts:
Customer Data Collection and Convenience: Digital Receipts are beneficial for both customers and stores. The customers don’t have to wait for the paper receipts, they get their receipts saved in their inbox that they can access when they need to make any changes. Plus, they have a line to contact the store if they require to do so. Similarly, for the company, the email addresses of their customers are collected because of digital receipts. They can send newsletters, promotional emails, new stock information, etc. to the customers within seconds.
Save Time, Money and Environment: According to several studies, customers are starting to prefer digital receipts over paper receipts because they don’t have to wait for the printing of receipts. For businesses, providing digital receipts saves them money and allows them to work in an eco-friendly way. Paper is made out by cutting trees and through digitization of receipts, the paper isn’t required for receipt printing. Plus, receipts are thrown by customers increasing paper wastage.
Keep Your Customers Coming Back with Digital Receipts: As we’ve established above, generating digital receipts is profitable for businesses, so how can they encourage their customers to go digital? Well, instead of giving coupons and discount vouchers, upgrade your digital receipts and offer them discounts through it. Make them keep coming back to you while saving the cost of printing receipts as well as coupons!
Boost your Online Traffic: Digital receipts enable retailers to boost online store traffic and encourage the building of the social media community. Your digital receipt can contain links to your social platforms and website that customers only have to click to be directed to the page.
Easy to Compute Taxes: A company needs to be aware of the taxes due on it, as all the transaction details are stored in the POS thanks to digital receipts. They also come in very handy during audits.
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