D2C eCommerce Business

 

Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) in the manufacturing sector is a phenomenon of the digital age and specifically of this century. By the start of the 2000s, the sales structures in B2B were clearly defined: Manufacturers produced their goods, sold them to a network made up of intermediaries or wholesale dealers, who in turn supplied to smaller dealers locally or to the end users. At the turn of the millennium, more and more companies focused on establishing online shops and therefore on an accompanying online sales strategy also.

Influenced by increasingly strong international competition with digital customer experience strategies, the demands on B2B companies increased. This especially applied to customer focus and personalization. With more and more companies establishing direct and personal interactions with consumers, “Direct-to-Consumer” as a new form of sales was born.

 

eCommerce POS integration: Connect online and offline sales

eCommerce POS integration is essential as it connects and creates a communication bridge between your 2 main business channels: your online eCommerce platform and offline POS system. This article will dive into the definition, why, and how to integrate POS with eCommerce, and the top POS systems for eCommerce.

What is an eCommerce POS integration?

An eCommerce POS integration is a digital solution to build a streamlined connection between your eCommerce platform and POS system. In that way, you can pull detailed data in real time directly between 2 systems and process transactions and orders across online and offline channels.

 
 

Why do I need an eCommerce POS integration?

According to a study by Harvard Business Review, customers will spend 13% more in physical stores if they’ve conducted prior online research via the brand’s websites. It means that customers who interact via multiple channels tend to spend more in retail stores.

Thus, it’s critical to provide customers with a seamless buying journey from offline to online to meet their growing expectations. Below are some specific benefits.

See inventory in real time and avoid overselling

An eCommerce-integrated POS system allows you to view your inventory in real time across online and offline channels. Streamlining your inventory management across channels is vital to any business owner.

  • Track which products may need promotion and which products are hot to order more
  • Restock the right item at the right time and in the right place
  • Transfer stocks between warehouses and locations
  • Avoid out-of-stock and overstock situations to optimize your inventory holding price

You can automate inventory management processes such as:

  • Control inventory levels to ensure timely procurement
  • Set minimum inventory level according to SKU
  • Automated order generation for suppliers with auto-replenishment