Booming business with new-age kiosk model

Retailers from time to time keep updating and bring in new technologies at their outlets to impress upon the customers as the advent of e-commerce sector has forced them to get their acts together. These attractive kiosks are not only adding to sales, but are also making it easy for both franchise store owners and customers.

Some of the brands have kiosks where one can order things, if it is not available in the store at that time. While some other retailers have kiosks where one can try the product which they are going to buy at the store.

One of the leaders in the baby care segment FirstCry.com has introduced a touch screen kiosk at its outlets where one can buy the stuff which is unavailable at the store. “We have innovated to provide a 32 inch touch screen kiosk at our stores where a parent can order any product which is not available at the store at that moment but available online. This gives the parent a huge range of product to order from and not facing any barrier of buying online,” shares Supam Maheshwari, CEO and Co-founder, FirstCry.com.

The first generation entrepreneur feels, “Any sensible step taken to win over a customer works. The only condition is that we need to keep innovating, improving and adding value at each step of customer experience. Staying relevant in the minds of customers is imperative.”

Likewise, PN Gadgil Jewellers Pvt Ltd has also launched techno-savvy ‘Try On Kiosk’ at the Vile Parle store in Mumbai and will soon be available at Thane and Panvel where customers will use an interactive screen with their own photo for trying different types of jewellery.

'Try-On kiosk' being launched by Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon at an outlet of PN Gadgil Jeweller.

The made to order facility on the jewellery ‘Try-On’ enables the consumers to design and modify the shortlisted jewellery pieces and at the same time allows them to try it on virtually to check how it looks on them.

“We believe our jewellery ‘Try-On’ technology is a definite game changer in the sales and marketing of the gems and jewellery industry in terms of its uniqueness, convenience and privacy it offers. Moreover, the change in consumer behaviour is being sensed by PNG since the last decade. In order to maintain traditional loyal customer base and to cater to the new-age consumer, we feel it is necessary to implement hi-end technological facilities to help consumers holistically,” says Saurabh Gadgil, Chairman and Managing Director of the company.

Explaining about its benefits, Gadgil, further adds, “It will help customers in planning the right combination of jewellery be it contemporary, ethnic, royal, light-weight, etc. to adorn with their outfits on different occasions and of course best fitting their budgets. During festive seasons when there is heavy rush, the consumers have to wait for their turn. Our intention is to use these kiosks in engaging our customers to start the selection process right at the kiosks until their turn comes on the actual counter where our team member will have all the information on the jewellery they have shortlisted at the kiosk. This will facilitate in saving time and bringing in continuity in the process of buying thus enhancing the customer experience.”

Indian retail market: the next big thing

According to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India’s retail market is estimated to double to US$ One trillion by 2020 from US$ 600 billion in 2015 driven by income growth, urbanisation and attitudinal shifts, highlighted the Boston Consulting Group and Retailers Association of India’s report titled, ‘Retail 2020: Retrospect, Reinvent, Rewrite’.

While the overall retail market will grow at 12 % per annum, modern trade will grow twice as fast at 20 % per annum, and traditional trade at %, according to a report titled Retail 2020: Retrospect, Reinvent, Rewrite by Boston Consulting Group and Retailers Association of India.

With increasing spending power and more kiosk models being introduced, more business opportunities are expected to rise up for investors and franchisees in the country. Innovation with latest technologies and tools can surely help the retailers boost their business and make shopping experience convenient for their customers besides retaining and attracting them to the store.