Dark stores are traditional retail stores converted into local fulfillment centers. They come in the form of grocery stores, apparel, and home goods retailers. These stores are not open for a physical visit and act as fulfillment and delivery centers for the orders placed through online mediums.
Because of falling sales, negative profits, and stockpiling, some stores are just trying to survive. The dark stores concept can help generate revenue and rotate stock. It is an opportunity to exploit the changing consumer behavior of online buying and deliver the goods to them since they cannot visit the store because of Covid-19. If your business is suitable for dark stores, then you can bounce back and continue the momentum even post Covid-19. The experts say dark stores are here to stay.
Just keep in mind. The dark stores may not be right for all retailers, so assess the feasibility. Setting up or transitioning to a dark store involves investing in technologies, infrastructure, physical space, and retraining the staff.
A suitable location or a neighborhood, right layout of the store, effective inventory planning, order management software, data analytics, setting up of an online store, partnering with delivery vendors, and digital intervention will play an important role in transitioning to a dark store.
This pandemic has taught us one thing- to stay relevant and stay ahead of the competition, we have to innovate consistently and adapt quickly.
We have been helping companies move online and exploit digital. I will be happy to discuss how we can help transform your store digitally.
