Blog 4: OMNI-CHANNEL MARKETING
Retailers are facing a strong imperative in an increasingly customer-centric world: transform your supply chains into digital supply networks or risk the possibility of becoming obsolete.
Play video and write a min of 150 word response. Add a URL of a brand and discuss how it relates to the video. DUE NOV 24 11:29 PM.
November 15th, 2019 at 3:30 pm
Instant gratification is something mentioned in the video that got me thinking about all the ways that businesses have altered themselves in order to fulfill the “right now” wants and needs of their customers. One thing that came to mind is the newer trend of ordering groceries online and picking them up in store or even having them delivered to your home. My preferred local grocery store is Woodman’s, however, until the creation of their app and order pick-up option, I found myself going to other grocery stores that offered those ‘instant gratification’ options. Now, I consistently get my groceries from Woodman’s (my preference) since they offer the same order online, pick-up at the store options as most other stores do. This instant gratification costs me an extra $5 every week, but saves me an extra hour at least. For me, the last thing I want to do after a long day is wander around the busy store–that makes the $5 more than worth it.
https://shopwoodmans.com/
November 16th, 2019 at 1:54 pm
Instant gratification was something that I also thought of for when I am online shopping. I enjoy purchasing a lot of things from amazon, but sometimes I just need to find the clothes a little quicker. So, I normally go to Target.com and find something online. Once I find it I figure out the nearest store that has the item I am looking for and I go and pick it up later that day. It is really nice being able to purchase things online but sometimes it is so much easier finding online, and instead of waiting those two days for amazon, I can go that day into Target and pick up exactly what I was looking for. There are some days where I could wander the aisles of Target for hours on end but there are other days where I am in a rush and I just need to go in and out. It is so convient to be able to have that option now, and that I can do it from anywhere on my phone. This is almost standard within every store now to be able to pick it up in only a couple of hours with no problem.
https://www.target.com/
November 16th, 2019 at 3:15 pm
Omni-channel marketing is more prevalent than ever and the first thing that comes to my mind when I watched this video was Metro Market (a grocery store owned by Kroger). I used to work at Metro Market as a grocery stocker and as I kept working there, more options to recommend and receive groceries grew. There was the obvious brick and motor option where customers could come in a physical store and shop the items on the shelves. Another option was to use Kroger’s website to order your groceries online and their software would recommend you items and deal based off your previous buying history. There are many sub-channels on their website, including online business delivery, straight to home delivery and in store pickup. Their website matches your location with local stores and lets customers know how fresh their food is from the self-life and by the time it was distributed to a store. Just like finding the rain jacket in the video Metro Market integrates many aspects of their services the best fits for their customers.
November 16th, 2019 at 3:25 pm
Being able to offer more is a big advantage for many companies when it comes to getting sales. People today are constantly wanting more and more done for them. Whether it be delivering, driving, or even taking care of their pets. The video talks about being able to adjust to the customers’ wants and needs, which is extremely important in maintaining customers and acquiring new ones. In my opinion, Walmart does this very well. I know Walmart does get a bad rap most times, but they are so large, it is extremely common for people to go there. In offering groceries pick-up, busy moms and parents that don’t have time to waste grocery shopping are able to do it all online and then just pick it up. Additionally, in some market, they even have delivery. Also, for those who still want to go inside, walmarts are continually offering more and more self-check out lines for those who just want to get in and get out without having to deal with anyone. Walmart’s supply chain is incredibly complex and large seeing that they have stores all over. Since they are so large, they are able to keep prices lower than the competition which is very attractive to customers.
https://grocery.walmart.com/?adid=1500000000000039636430&veh=wmt
November 16th, 2019 at 4:42 pm
I think the video brought up a lot of important factors that businesses have to take into consideration in our ever changing and ever evolving world. They mentioned the example of the millennial woman, who the businesses are trying to learn how to keep up with. I think this is key for businesses as they need to adapt to the new ways in which people shop. So many people are turning away from the traditional methods of shopping, especially as instant gratification comes into play. They mentioned how many goods can now be purchased on a mobile phone and delivered by a third party. One company that I really like that does this is DoorDash. DoorDash is a third party delivery company that has a central hub website where consumers can order food from a variety of restaurants in the area. DoorDash then sends out a driver to pick up the food and deliver it. This has expanded the offerings of food that did not used to be your traditional delivery experience, like pizza. Now you can get sit-down restaurant food delivered to you by ordering it on DoorDash. I think this intermediary has increased the business for the restaurants, and has created a whole new service model.
https://medium.com/@DoorDash/the-doordash-story-b370c2bb1e5f
November 17th, 2019 at 8:25 pm
While watching this video, I found myself rambling off several retailers that have had to change their supply chain to cater to the changing industry and the consumer. I was listing, Walmart, Woodman’s, Target, and so on. Since many of these retailers have changed how quickly we get access to the products we need, I have found myself using their apps and services more frequently. Every week, I place an order for my groceries to be picked up. I no longer need to drag my three kids into the store and buy unnecessary items I normally would have. Kohl’s is a place that has allowed me to do this as well. When getting ready for a vacation and the kids are short on clothes, I can quickly search their app, ensure they have what I need at a nearby store, and have it waiting for me to pick up within an hour. I have done this at many places. The convenience and instant gratification of receiving the products I need definitely help when I have many other things to be doing.
https://www.kohls.com/
November 17th, 2019 at 11:11 pm
Omnichannel focuses on a marketing, servicing, and sales approach that puts the customer at the center of their shopping experience. This allows customers to shop with minimal effort and increased convenience. Omnichannel marketing is adapting and expanding to meet customer’s dynamic lives. An omnichannel works together seamlessly to provide consistent and stable service to its customers. Starbucks is a top-performing omnichannel. Starbucks uses a software-defined WAN that allows information to be integrated efficiently and accurately between its app and stores. Starbucks takes into consideration their customer base and their ever-changing needs. They have pinpointed that their customers are becoming incredibly tech-savvy and are short on time. They have created an omnichannel that supports their customers’ needs by allowing their customers to use their app, phone, website, or instore channels to create a unified experience in real-time. Customers can accumulate rewards for their purchases, locate stores, send gift cards, peruse the menu, and place their orders using the app. Their omnichannel is so unified that a person can even view and download what song is currently playing in the store to their Spotify account.
https://www.paralleltech.com/why-starbucks-is-considered-one-of-the-top-omni-channel-experiences/
November 18th, 2019 at 8:45 am
In order for companies to remain players in the game they need to participate in omni-channel marketing. Customers want a seamless experience and companies are aware that they need to give the customers what they want, when they want it and where they want it otherwise someone else will. While watching this video Disney came to mind as a company that utilizes omni-channel marketing. Disney’s technology helps vacationers from the start of their planning until the end of their trip. After you book a Disney Resort you can plan your entire trip through the My Disney Experience. Within My Disney Experience you can purchase tickets, access tickets, view showtimes, see estimated wait times for each attraction, reserve and manage Fast Passes+, reserve and manage dining, order food, link hotel reservations, check transportation times, and purchase merchandise. Users can access their My Disney Experience account form the web or their mobile device. Disney then continues the omni-channel experience with the use of Disney’s Magic Bands, wristbands that are linked to your My Disney Experience account. Magic Bands allow you to enter the parks, unlock your hotel room, check-in to Fast Pass lanes, connect to your Disney Photo Pass account, and charge all purchases made in the park. For on-site hotel guests that make purchases in the park Disney will even deliver your purchases right to your hotel. Besides benefiting the vacationer Magic Bands also help Disney track everywhere their visitors go giving Disney data on crowd traffic trends and food consumed all with the aims of improving customer experience.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/.
https://smartercx.com/4-brands-that-mastered-the-omnichannel-customer-experience/. I
November 18th, 2019 at 3:34 pm
After watching this video, I believe that there are a lot of brands using a few of these tactics to gain and keep customers in this ever-changing retail business. This video reminded me a lot of what Amazon does for their consumers. The three main described tactics that reminded me of Amazon included suggested items, reminders to rebuy and inventory notification.
When they were talking about the suggested items to buy, I instantly thought about Amazon. With every item that you look at, there is a list of either similar or related items to the item you look at. Once you purchase an item through Amazon, it gets added to your past orders. When it comes to disposables, the Amazon app will send you reminder notifications that you may need to order more of that item after a certain amount of time. Lastly, I noticed that Amazon also takes advantage of the inventory notification portion mentioned in this video. When shopping on amazon, I also noticed in certain popular items it will say “only 3 left in stock” or “only 1 left in stock”. Although this may be helpful for consumers to know how many are left, I recognize this as more of a trap to consumers. I say this is a trap because this may induce consumers to jump on the deals or impulse buying because they may not be able to get it soon if it goes out of stock.
https://www.amazon.com/
November 18th, 2019 at 4:53 pm
The blog video talked a lot about Instant Gratification and how it is used in todays society and in todays retail world. A few examples of instant gratification in retail today are same day delivery for food or groceries, same day in store pickup which is used by many local retailers, and one-day shipping that has become popular by Amazon and even some local retailers. I have used the instant gratification services numerous times but just recently I used Target’s same day pickup service. I had a baby shower the same day that I honestly forgot about and I just went on the Target app and ordered a product off of her registry and it was ready for pickup within the next half hour! I love this service because whether I am in a hurry, or just don’t feel like shopping I can order online and have it ready for pickup in under an hour most times. It has saved me on time numerous times and it so quick and easy to use!
https://www.target.com/
November 19th, 2019 at 10:00 am
The video discussed instant gratification and in today’s world, that could not be any truer. As a full-time working, part-time student and a busy mom of 2, I have come to find that convenience really is everything. In today’s market I can shop on Amazon and have an item delivered the same or next day, I can order all my groceries at Metro Market or Woodman’s and have the option of delivery service for a small fee or pick up. I can even order all my Target items on my mobile app and pick up without having to get out of my car! Getting back to instant gratification, when my to do list continues to pile up, using mobile apps to quick pick out what I need/want, hit a button and pick up with little effort is worth it. I have also found that for convenience I have settled for products that I can get right now versus later. I have paid more, bought a different brand or settled on a different variation of a product for convenience. I wonder how the development of the online drive-ups/pick-ups will eventually change the in-person shopping experience and the need for it? Will we start to see more of distribution centers versus traditional stores?
https://www.metromarket.net/
https://shopwoodmans.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1534237803&utm_adgroup=79375608639&mkwid=saGiXQA1C-dm_pcrid_391014888644_pmt_p_pkw_woodmans_slid_&pgrid=79375608639&ptaid=kwd-297307187721&gclid=CjwKCAiAws7uBRAkEiwAMlbZjrACTXJtCuPE3qqCZmi78CemtJlbgb2lzTuXtL-dzKbSS8mRZ-C_qRoCH9IQAvD_BwE
https://www.target.com/
https://www.amazon.com/
November 19th, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Omnipresent marketing is important for companies who want stay competitive and maintain their market share in today’s consumer-focused market. Consumers do not want to wait two weeks for their products to arrive or have to spend their day browsing multiple stores searching for an item. Retailers are catching on to this trend and making it easier than ever for consumers to get the products they want when they want them. They are making their products visible and available for purchase on many different platforms and helping customers find goods locally. Personally, before I take a trip to the store I usually check online to see if they have what I want in stock or if there are better options nearby. This is why it is so important for firms to be accessible to their customers all the time by marketing across multiple platforms and keeping up with the competition. One chain who excels at omni-channel marketing is Home Depot. Through their app I can see if they have an item in stock, find nearby stores that have it, get it shipped to store or home, and even find its store bin location.
https://diginomica.com/home-depot-building-interconnected-retail-digital-diy
November 19th, 2019 at 4:44 pm
It was interesting to learn how important instant gratification is and relate it myself and the people I know. The video mentioned that AI is always advancing. The first thing relating to this that comes to my mind is Amazon. I have the student discount for Amazon prime so I get free one-day shipping on items. It is so convenient because the amount of products offered on the website and you can also look back at past orders to repurchase them if you want. I typically don’t enjoy buying things online because I have to wait awhile for the shipping. However, Amazon has this one-day shipping that people greatly appreciate. Another thing that comes to my mind is grocery delivery or instant pickup. This is a great option for working parents and people who just don’t have time to grocery shop. You instantly get your groceries after simply picking them up online. It will be interesting to see how AI and shopping advances in regards to instant gratification.
https://grocery.walmart.com
https://www.amazon.com
November 20th, 2019 at 1:55 pm
Omni-channel marketing is very important to any business. I believe that the more options you give a customer, the better profit the company will bring in. The video talked about instant gratification, and I personally can relate to this. I often use Amazon and get one or two-day shipping. This is really nice around Christmas for last minute things. Another thing I really take advantage of is the Woodman’s app. This allows me to pick out my groceries just by using an app, and then I can go the store and get those actual items. This allows for me to shop on a budget or know what to expect a bit more. Sometimes it helps to shop around and see what stores have certain items cheaper than others. Often, I personally shop more smart online because I can see the numbers add up in my online cart, versus the actual store where you just throw stuff in your cart and do not always know the price till the register.
https://shopwoodmans.com/
https://www.amazon.com
November 20th, 2019 at 5:47 pm
Omni-channel Marketing seems to be very important for retailers to adapt to in order to keep customers and make sales simpler. It lets people get what they want, when they need it, which is a big deal to people. It often involves a lot of AI, which is where the future is at. A company that has been great with using omni-channel marketing would be Disney. They have so many ways to connect to customers. For instance, once you book your Disney trip, they use omni-channel marketing to suggest things to make your trip even better. They have a massive platform and dozens of websites, all to make the customers experience even better. If you have their app for the Disney park, you are able to use it to your advantage and make your trip better. It will tell you the wait time for rides, and the map of the park with names of everything along your path. You can order food from the app, or buy a FastPass which makes it so you can get through the ride lines quicker. They want people to have the tools to make their experience perfect.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disney-vacations/
November 20th, 2019 at 10:57 pm
Digital supply networks and omni-channel marketing are getting more advanced every day. We live in the age of information and we are only at the forefront of it. A company that I believe is enhancing their supply network with technology is Zego. Zego is a food company that sells various snacks that are safe and free of allergens, gluten, and potential toxins. They have created a blockchain system that connects food safety testing data and their finished products. Customers can use a QR code to view the test results in seconds. The use of blockchain allows customers to make health conscience decisions about the food they are consuming. It can allow consumers to have more control over what they put into their bodies. Zego hopes that all food industry companies adopt this technology. Innovations like this are a huge step in the clean food movement. Most companies do not measure their food products to this degree of testing. This test of technology across food industries could be revolutionary.
https://zegofoods.com/
November 21st, 2019 at 8:12 am
It is hard to believe how quickly the transition has been made on how we go about purchasing products of all sorts. Companies being able to create an easier, more efficient, and cost-effective way to purchase products, thrives as our generation has become very impatient, needing and wanting things at the snap of a finger. The omni-channel marketing is quite frankly a game changer, and if companies do not eventually transition to this route, there is a high chance that the company’s revenues will decline rather quickly. While watching this video, the first thing that came to my mind is how Pickin’ Save and other similar stores offer a new way to purchase food, necessities needed for around the house and personal hygiene through order online. The customer simply orders, pays and everything is gathered together for them, all they have to do is come to the store and pick up. As many adults are busy with kids, kid activities, work, etc this allows them to cut out the time of physically going to the grocery store to shop. This even has an impact on the elderly as they are able to order and pick up or have them delivered.
https://www.picknsave.com/i/ways-to-shop
November 21st, 2019 at 8:56 am
This week’s blog video was very interesting to watch. I think that there are a large amount of companies utilizing a few of these techniques to gain and maintain customers in a retail business that is constantly changing. The video talked a lot about instant gratification and how it is used today. Instant gratification in retail today are same day delivery for groceries, or same day in store pickup. I for one, am guilty of wanting instant gratification. Amazon for an example takes advantage of this, because of the inventory notification portion mentioned in the video, Amazon will say a popular item will only have a few left in stock to encourage the customer to purchase right away; This may be helpful for consumers to know how many are left, but this is more of a trap for consumers. It is a trap because this may pressure the consumer to impulsively buy because they may not be able to get it as soon as it is out of stock.
https://www.amazon.com/
November 21st, 2019 at 10:29 am
I found omni- channel marketing to be very interesting, in today’s lifestyle we are busy. Walmart grocery pick up is an example of omni-channel marketing, Walmart makes it easy to order grocery’s and home products right from home. In the morning I select a time slot to pick up my groceries, around 3 so I can go right after I pick my kids up from school. I select the recipes that I am going to make for the week, then add all the ingredients I need to my shopping cart. I am an impulse shopper, being able to order my groceries online helps me stick to a budget. When it is time to pick up my grocery’s Walmart sends you a text to check-in, the GPS on my phone lets them know when I get there. As soon as I pull into a parking slot the employee comes right out to my car, they load the bags into my car for me and always has fruit snacks for the kids and a water for me.
https://blog.cheapism.com/walmart-grocery-pickup-review/
November 21st, 2019 at 2:40 pm
One thing mentioned in the video was how important it is to give customers what the want, when they want it and where they want it, Which places increasing pressure on retailers to ensure customer satisfaction. From a consumer standpoint, I would agree that customer satisfaction is met when being able receive exactly what I what, when I want and where I want. In the video, I was really intrigued by the technology used when Adriana was shopping for a rain jacket. It recognized the upcoming weather forecast, giving her a number of options. From those options, it gives her options of when and where she can get the rain jacket. It’s really cool to me how these things work. If I search for a product on amazon, similar products will pop up on my Facebook feed. In relation to this video, Freshly food is a fairly new healthy food distributer that offers a large variety of food options. They offer a number of different things, from premed microwaveable meals that you can purchase at grocery stores to customized meal plans that can be delivered to your door. By having different options for consumers, they are able to pick exactly what they want, where they want, and when they want it.
https://get.freshly.com/summer-30/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc-brand&utm_campaign=md-plans-dsk-all-p-acq-cpc&utm_term={keywordid}_e&utm_content=374554549101&plan_id=422&promo_code=gsn30&utm_id=go_cmp-1727026016_adg-70298692529_ad-374554549101_kwd-15368936103_dev-c_ext-&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmluUyyytDiWXjG-yA9ys5N4qqBBYVZ8f1rbnqWHYJ42nar9-m_XJPdYaAnd-EALw_wcB
November 22nd, 2019 at 7:04 pm
One of my newest gratifying brands is the Farmer’s Fridge. The OMNI-channel in this is slightly different than being able to order from my phone anywhere anytime; but it does solve another problem. Farmer’s Fridge provides a variety of fresh food choices via a vending/fridge machine. But this is not your typical food vending machine. They offer fresh foods such as Greek Yogurt with fresh fruits and salads that contain special ingredients such as avocado, pistachio, chick peas, feta, sweet potatoes, goat cheese and more. Additionally, they offer pasta bowls, deli sandwiches and several choices of proteins. Not only is the food tasty and unique, all unsold food items are donated. What a great way to connect to people. Being a working mom and student, I don’t have time to pack a lunch or stop and wait for lunch, sometimes I don’t even have time to order food online, but Farmers Fridge solved my problem. I wanted fresh quality food fast and convenient. The vending machine makes getting a fresh healthy snack, meal or desert fast and easy and the machines are interactive and smart too. The foods are served in a reusable jar, there is a huge screen that assists you with making your purchase, there’s even an option to share your favorites. Getting a health delicious meal on the go without having to go to a restaurant or store is awesome. I think this relates to the video because it is about getting people what they want when they want. With the smart fridges, Farmer’s Fridge can meet customer demands by serving them a tasty healthy fresh meal or snack on the go, fast, at any time of the day and conveniently. Additionally, Farmer’s Fridge was established in 2013 and their presence is still growing. I am also a rewards member and subscribe to text and email promotions. They can be found in schools, private businesses, convenience stores, airports and more. I am staying confident their use of OMNI-channel will grow.
https://www.farmersfridge.com/
November 22nd, 2019 at 10:40 pm
It must be the gen-x salesman/marketer in me, but I don’t necessarily trust all the recommendations that AI is giving me. The article I chose is from this summer and I’m not the only one who is wary of omni-presence marketing. According to marketing charts 49% of respondents survey, say they trust the retail recommendations given to them, 38% trust hospitality recommendations and percentages drop from there for other industries.
As the video shows people are busy. As a consumer it seems to me that we are turning over the control of our shopping to the almighty AI. At this stage of consumerism, we are trusting companies who have their own profits and shareholders at stake to send us the “best” options for our lifestyle and not the company’s best interest. Yes, new technology and lifestyles are changing the way we shop and when we shop, but that doesn’t mean we should trust that the marketing information being sent to us, are the best options for us.
https://www.marketingcharts.com/customer-centric-109306
November 23rd, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Omni-Channel marketing is becoming one of the most important key elements in any business. I feel that in today’s society, instant gratification is a huge factor for customers. Businesses of all sorts are now offering online shopping, pick-up in store, and even one-day (same-day) shipping. An example of this is Walmart. My mom has constantly complained about going grocery shopping and how it takes over an hour pretty much every week. Walmart now offers an online shopping and pick-up option. You simply pick out what you want, add it to the cart, and then an employee at Walmart will grab everything you need and bring it out to your car. Another example that I love is Amazon Prime. Amazon prime offers free shipping for certain items and also same-day delivery. This instant gratification is one of the main reasons I often order from Amazon instead of different stores. Amazon also has a “recommended for you” option that is based off of your previous orders. I’ve often found myself ordering items off of this even when I’m not looking for or need to buy anything. Amazon even offers it’s own AI bot called “Alexa.” AI is something that companies are using to grow and expand in an ever-evolving world.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2018/07/16/how-amazon-has-re-organized-around-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning/#37aad5647361
November 23rd, 2019 at 1:55 pm
Instant customer gratification is something that all businesses focus on. It is always about the customer, what they want, where they are and how fast they need it. This has become an easy idea for most companies because of technology and more specifically cell phones. I think that it is mind blowing how smart a little device actually is. In the video it gave the example that when the women was shopping online it gave her other ideas on what to buy or what they think she might need. I have seen this before when I was online shopping and I never thought of it as the company genuinely trying to help the customers. I know one of the main goals is to make money but the video also made it seem like they were trying to help you the best that they can. I think that if you have happy customers, the happy customers are going to talk about their experience to their friends and family. The services that are available nowadays are crazy and amazing! People are hired to literally go above and beyond for customers, like in the video where the guy transfered a product to one store to the store that was closest to the buying customer. This video really puts a perspective on the innovation companies and business are experiencing!
I choose a URL to amazon same day delivery, because this service that amazon uses causes more customers to use their website compared to other online stores and is all about the customer experience and convenience. https://www.amazon.com/same-day-delivery-prime/s?k=same+day+delivery+items+prime
November 23rd, 2019 at 5:36 pm
After watching this video, it is looking like the common theme for whether a sale is made relies very heavily on the omnichannel strategy used by many companies that we all shop from today. In the video, it talks about instant gratification, and I think that is a very important point to bring up. Instant gratification is something that I and many others want to experience when purchasing something. Personally, when I buy something, especially online; the quicker I get it, the better. With that, when watching this video, and hearing how instant gratification plays a large role in the purchasing process of the consumer, one website came to mind. That website was Amazon. Being an Amazon prime member, you get quicker delivery, and nearly every time I am making a purchase or shopping, it says right under the product, order within the next however many hours and it will be delivered tomorrow. Not only is the shipping free, but it will also be here the next day. Because of that, I always check to see if an item is available on Amazon, even if I find something on another website. The ease of purchasing, the quickness of delivery, and the free delivery are why I always use Amazon.
amazon.com
November 23rd, 2019 at 7:01 pm
The first thing I think of when I hear convenient, predictive and cost-efficient deliveries is Amazon. Amazon is constantly trying to have the fastest, cheapest, best delivery options for everyone. Not only do Prime members get free two-day shipping, but there are also many other shipping options. Amazon even has a release-date delivery option where you can have a product delivered the day that it’s released. They have same-day delivery if you need something right away. They ship large or bulky items which takes away the stress of you hooking up a trailer to transport products, or the stress of trying to fit it in your car or trying to carry it to her car from the store. They now also have Amazon Hub Lockers where you can pick up your package. Amazon has also created a secure delivery with one-time passwords. Amazon focuses a lot of time and energy on how to best get the product to the customer.
https://www.amazon.com/
November 24th, 2019 at 8:04 am
I think it is so important for companies today to have a presence on digital media. I agree with the video that this is something that many retailers must do or they do risk becoming irrelevant or obsolete. I think the most important think for businesses today is to be customer-centric and extremely convenient. Like many other people, the first company I think of when I think of this is Amazon. I use amazon a lot simply because it is so convenient and efficient. I feel that they are truly pioneers when it comes to this stuff. Amazon pretty much has anything a person can think of, and the delivery is very efficient. I am a prime member, so the shipping is very fast and there are other great perks that come along with that as well. A business’s number one priority should always be focused on the customer in order to make money. Making things more convenient and efficient will only help a business in my opinion.
https://www.amazon.com/
November 24th, 2019 at 10:19 am
I find Omni-Channel marketing to be very interesting. The part of the video where it discussed the company suggested a new backpack to Adrianna based on her recent purchases. I love it when I’m scrolling through a site and the company has a section of other items that I may be interested in. One company that I use that does an excellent job at this is Thrive Market. Thrive is an online grocery store for discounted pantry staples. I describe it as an online Whole Foods without the produce department. Thrive Market does a great job at auto-saving items that I purchase, anticipating when I’ll need to reorder the product, and suggesting new products that I may be interested in based on past purchases and eating habits. Thrive Market is also really good about offering various free items on most of my orders. I’ll get an alert on my phone when a new free offer is active, which is what usually prompts me to place my order.
https://thrivemarket.com/membership/welcome
November 24th, 2019 at 2:17 pm
I really appreciated how the video mentioned instant gratification when it comes to omni-channel strategy. This is what people want; they want what they want, when they want it. Sometimes this is due to an emergency, like when the zipper on a kid’s winter jacket breaks and its below zero out. Sometimes it is due to just seeing something online that you never knew you needed and now you can’t imagine living without it. For me, as a working mom also going to college, I have found that buying online and picking up in store has been a time saver for me. This makes me think of groceries the most. I dread Saturday mornings dragging the kids to the store; just to end up buying things that were not on my list or leaving without buying anything because the kids can’t stop acting up. I fully utilize Festival Foods and Woodman’s pick-up options now and I can’t image living without them. I recently also found that Aldi’s in Janesville will deliver through InstaCart.
https://www.festfoods.com/shop
https://www.aldi.us/en/grocery-delivery/
November 24th, 2019 at 3:48 pm
I am not a big online shopper but instant gratification plays a major role with me as well. Especially when it comes to gaming where I can order games from a store and have them delivered to me on the spot. This allows you to not do much but still get the game or device you want.It may cost more to do this but it is very convenient. Like the video people today, especially younger generations enjoy convenience at the easier it is to obtain item and the speed by which you get plays a major role in businesses of today. Businesses have to adapt to these wants in order to obtain the millennial generation which is becoming a big spender the American economy. PlayStation store caters to that, you can buy games and miscellaneous items and have them delivered fast. You can also directly purchase a game and download instead of having a hard copy which can be quite helpful.
https://store.playstation.com/en-us/home/games
November 24th, 2019 at 4:47 pm
One company example that illustrates some of the key ideas within the video would be Walmart. Almost everyone goes to Walmart for many of their needs however, many also choose not to. The reason that customers can choose to shop in store or online is because Walmart now offers a pickup option. Walmart has chosen to do online pickups for those shoppers who just don’t want to go in the store and shop themselves. According to the article, a Walmart has now curbsiede pickup where you don’t even have to get out of your car. I think that this advancement is huge and I know a lot of people personally who use it. I also think that Walmart has really increased the use or demand for having people use it. If something is not available in the store closest they will also deliver it to your house or you can pick it up in a couple of days.
November 24th, 2019 at 4:49 pm
I forgot to insert my article along with my post above so here it is:
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/news/80284/walmart-unveils-curbside-pickup
November 24th, 2019 at 5:31 pm
The needs of customers are always changing along with the marketplace. If a supplier does not adapt to, they will fall out of place and become irrelevant. To stay relevant suppliers need to come up with new things that make them stand out. Customers are impatient and want things now with no wait. This also makes the buying process very quick. The article I found is about faster delivery with most big companies. Amazon is in the forefront setting the pace for deliveries. Especially with prime some things are same day delivery. To stay up with customers needs many companies are trying to do the same thing. Offering so such fast delivery put all companies on edge. Trying to have the fastest delivery is always a competition. Walmart is another company leading in the fast delivery service. To do this a company needs to have a lot of money at its disposal. Walmart a $550 million startup to starts its same day delivery nationwide. Here is the article I found.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-faster-delivery-20180702-story.html
November 24th, 2019 at 5:33 pm
This instant gratification/same day model is being greatly utilized by food retailers. We now have the ability to order groceries for pick up where an employee does your shopping for you and brings it out to your car. Although I have yet to try this way of shopping, I like the idea of being able to restrict myself to what I search for online instead of buying impulse items in the store. It ends up saving the consumer time and money, but it does create more work for the people behind the scenes. Another type of food retailer using this model are food delivery services like Eat Street and Grub Hub. These companies work with individual food vendors to provide quick delivery services at the push of a button. Jimmy Johns, using their own employees to avoid slow service through third-part vendors, initiated their “freaky fast” delivery model where they guarantee your food to be prepared and delivered within a certain small timeframe. Similar to the model utilized in this video, Jimmy Johns dispatches delivery drivers (or bikers) from the store that’s closet to you to ensure your food arrives on time.
https://thetakeout.com/jimmy-johns-delivery-third-party-grubhub-seamless-1832461638
November 24th, 2019 at 5:34 pm
One of the retailers that have implemented the omni-channel marketing is DSW. The company sells mostly shoes which must keep up with the latest trend of shoes in the market. DSW communicates with its customers through different channels such as buying online and picking items in-store, rewarding points for shopping either on-line or in store, store app, and providing after-pay. This store sends emails after the customer purchases an item to find out if the customer was pleased with the purchase. Keeping the communication with the customers on the likes and dislikes of their purchase, it gives the retailer an input on their products. Additionally, it allows the retailers to know which products they should stock in their inventory after every purchase. For example, I love buying shoes at DSW, and picking up the shoes at the store which are located in a central area with other stores. After my purchase, the store sends me an email on how many points I earned from my purchase. Later, the store mails discount coupons for my upcoming purchases. DSW keeps the channel of communications open with their customers by providing rewards for them to come back. I think retailers store like DSW continuously want to keep in touch with customers so they can come back and purchase their products.
https://www.dsw.com/en/us/
November 24th, 2019 at 5:56 pm
While some may be against online ordering and pickup, this customer could not be more excited when more and more stores throw their hats into the ring. One of my favorite stores to do this with is Kohl’s. Kohl’s has been doing this for years now and it is one of the first retailers that started doing this as far as I know. I love online shopping, but like most people, I like instant gratification. I don’t like waiting 2-3 days for shipping and that comes with a cost. The ease of using their service has saved me countless of hours and probably dollars seeing that I would probably pick up a few more things than I needed if I had to walk around the store myself. After using this service time and time again, my app pretty much knows my style down to the exact skirt style I like. Every time I go into my app, I always see recommendations for the next product they think I might be interested in. I absolutely love that more stores have jumped on the bandwagon and added this service to their company. While some may think of this as another form of laziness, I think of it as creating more jobs, saving time, and helping a lot of people in the long run. I can’t wait for more retailers to add this feature and to be able to use it at all of my favorite stores!
https://www.kohls.com/
November 24th, 2019 at 6:58 pm
As social media dominates to this present day, instant gratification in relation to Omni-Channel Marketing perhaps is the reason this new digital marketing approach works. Typically, social media is used for personal entertainment, but social media is also a place where individuals gain instant gratification based on any information wanted. Alerts are set and notifications from friends and favorite brands keep users up to date. Living in Whitewater for college education does not present too much exposure to many businesses. On the weekends it is common for me to order pizza and business wise, I think Toppers Pizza does a fantastic job integrating Omni-Channel Marketing so their customers experience personalization. Usually once per week I am sent a text message via mobile phone with new products or big discount offers. Many times the messages are relevant during a sports game or holiday weekend. Personally, I want to receive messages because Toppers products are very delicious. Even if I do not make a purchase based off messages I receive, Toppers is refreshing my mind so when I think pizza, I purchase from them.
https://gritsandgrids.com/2017/06/toppers-pizza-branding-marketing/
November 24th, 2019 at 7:35 pm
Being a part of today’s generation where instant gratification is almost expected at this point, this is an amazing tool to help reach that. Being able to pick-up or have an item delivered within the same day or within hours of when you may need it is something I feel a lot of people could get used to and almost prefer. A company that does a really good job at this is Redbox. You can find a Redbox at almost any grocery store or Walgreens in your area. The thing that they do differently that goes along with what the video was talking about is that not only can you go at any time and get the movie or game you want, they also allow you to reserve movies or games online ahead of time so that you are guaranteed that the movie you want will be there. Not only are you able to go at any time, any day, you are also able to rent said movie online if not available at the kiosk.
November 24th, 2019 at 8:08 pm
Online retailers for particular products, like movies, clothes, or videogames, often improve their marketing by targeting a particular user with content they may like. Steam, the premier online game retailer, is no exception. Like all storefronts, they have a system that recommends new products that they think the user will like, in the hopes of earning their sale. Being an online, digital retailer, that sells digital product at the click of a button, they tap into the instant gratification that is all too prevalent in the current days. You click the button, and the product of your choice is now yours, with the only thing stopping you being a brief download. Unlike similar, brick and mortar retailers, a consumer doesn’t have to leave the comfort of their own home. They can even order and begin downloading from their phone. For media that can be transferred digitally, the instant gratification is quite literally instant, and I think that’s why we’ve seen a rise in it, lately.
https://store.steampowered.com/
November 24th, 2019 at 8:21 pm
Instant gratification is a massive part of today’s world as people want something and they want to have it as quickly as possible. So many retail companies today have embraced this instant gratification with same day pickup and instore delivery. A company that has really embodied this concept is Walmart with their grocery pickup. Here, people can order groceries on their smartphone and pick them up when they are ready. Walmart has went full bore on this with specialized parking for this reason where employees bring the groceries out to the car and put them in there for you. It should be understood that people have really busy lives now and don’t have time to go shopping anymore as they are too preoccupied looking through Facebook to do basic chores. So with today’s technologically addicted populous, Walmart has mastered this instant gratification with instore delivery, pickup, and self checkouts. It is a template that other corporations such as Target and many local and national grocery chains have tried to copy. Make no mistake about it, people want accessibility and do not want to wait for things so that is why we are seeing this shift to digital shopping and A.I. powered shopping based on consumer algorithms.
https://grocery.walmart.com/?adid=1500000000000039636430&veh=wmt
November 24th, 2019 at 8:24 pm
This video touches a lot on today’s stores. I feel like almost all grocery stores offer an online pick up service where you place your order online and pick it up. It is crazy to see how vastly different the shopping experience is even compared to just a few years ago before smartphones and the internet really took over. In a way, before all of the technological advances were made the shopping experience was still very personalized. You went to the store, and you interacted more on a human level. You had to interact at the checkout, and now that experience almost taken away. The new experience requires very little to almost no human interaction if that’s the way you choose it to be. Take Pick N Save for example, one of the grocery stores I shop at weekly, you can order your groceries online, pay for them online, and have them ready to pick up. This creates an experience to be personalized exactly how you want it to be with little to zero effort required. I see this feature to be very handy for people with disabilities and for many other situations, but it also means very little human interaction; Which has become increasingly less and less with more and more technology taking over our world.
https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Pickpi-433640063.html
November 24th, 2019 at 8:59 pm
Jacob Bartkowiak
In response to the video I am going to take the opposite approach. As I have stated before, I am a craft beer enthusiast and I brew my own beer. Omni channel marketing may work in some instances, but in the craft beer world it has no place. Beers that are readily available across state lines and that are plentiful are not popular. In fact, they are looked down upon by serious craft beer drinkers. In our industry freshness, exclusivity, and seasonality are what drives the popularity and sale of most beers these days. The best example of this phenomenon is the annual Bourbon County Brand Stout release on black Friday. It is seasonal and exclusive which is a huge draw. People dedicate an entire day, if not more, to wait in line and purchase one or two bottles of this exclusive beer. This year’s offerings will prove to be the most sought after yet as there are two stouts ages for 24 months in rye barrels. Certain beers you don’t want to be able to get all the time everywhere, because if it is readily available is it really worth drinking? The art and the craft is lost at that point causing the allure to fade and fans to seek out a different white whale to slay.
https://www.gooseisland.com/barrel-house-beers/
November 24th, 2019 at 10:03 pm
It’s very interesting to see how companies are changing and growing to keep up with consumers’ wants and needs. People are looking for faster and more convenient ways to purchase and receive their items, so companies have to adapt to keep consumers happy and purchasing their products. It’s crazy how someone can order groceries online and have them ready to pick up. It’s much more time efficient and convenient to be able to do things like this. One form of instant gratification that I’m pretty familiar with is EatStreet. I like to use this app whenever I am visiting friends in college towns or bigger cities. It makes getting food so much easier because you eliminate the driving and having to get it yourself. This app is especially convenient for people who go out for drinks and want food after the bar.
https://eatstreet.com
November 24th, 2019 at 10:14 pm
This video showed how marketing is more than promoting a product, but also understanding the customer’s wants and needs. Artificial Intelligence is much more prominent in everyday purchases than many people might realize. One brand that comes to my mind is StitchFix. They are a personal shopping company that delivers clothes to your door. Customers have a personal stylist that chooses outfits based on a customer’s personal profile and preferences. You can choose to have these outfits delivered automatically as often as you would like, or pick a specific date that you would like to receive the package. In order for the stylist to deliver outfits that are specific to their customer’s unique style, they must rely heavily on artificial intelligence. It tracks a customer’s previous purchases, keeps track of their unique style, what they have “liked” in the past and what they have “disliked”. They can connect their account to a Pinterest board which will link similar outfits based on their pins. All of this technology helps ensure that the customer is getting outfits that match their size and style preferences.
http://www.stitchfix.com
November 24th, 2019 at 11:41 pm
A lot of companies today are moving in this direction. Customers want to be able to have their needs met in a way that is simple and convenient. Wayfair is an online furniture store that makes shopping for your home extremely easy. I recently went furniture shopping at an actual store and the process took over an hour to just to make a purchase, and walking around the store looking at pieces took awhile as well. Wayfair provides suggestions based on your searches to help you find additional items you may be interested in. It also has two camera features within its app that are extremely useful. Customers can take a picture of a furniture item and the Wayfair app will find the same piece or something similar on their website. Customers can also see how different furniture pieces fit in their home using the augmented reality feature in their app.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/wayfair-view-in-room/
November 25th, 2019 at 11:39 am
The wave in businesses now using omni-channel marketing and the term instant gratification go hand in hand. Businesses know this generation wants things quick and easy. So many firms have gone above and beyond to provide customers with apps they can download from their phone, data to track what their customers like to purchase, and reward cards to bring future benefits to shopping from a company. Starbucks has gone full steam ahead into the omni-channel marketing. They have a mobile app where customers check out their menu, customize drinks, and order in advance to avoid long lines. Every time a customer pays with the Starbucks card, they will accumulate rewards that will bring them discounts towards future purchases. The app even lets customers check out nearby stores to figure out which location is most convenient to them. Today, more than 19 million U.S. customers use the Starbucks app and they generate 30 percent of their sales through it. This is a great example of how omni-marketing can elevate an already thriving business.
November 25th, 2019 at 6:58 pm
A lot of things that the video talked about reminded me of Amazon and the features that it includes in their website. Each time you click on a product on Amazon’s website, you can scroll down and see an entire list of other products that the customer may be interested in. For example, I was recently look to buy a new fishing reel. After clicking on the one I wanted, the site presented me with a laundry list of other products that would go well with the reel. It suggested a new rod that would match the style and size of the reel, it showed me some potential baits and lures that this reel would perform best with, and it also suggested that the appropriate line for the particular reel. I rarely add those suggested products to my order but if I were new to fishing and didn’t know what other products I needed, the suggested items that Amazon provides their customers would help out a ton and save time and effort to find them.
November 25th, 2019 at 6:59 pm
https://www.amazon.com/
November 25th, 2019 at 10:12 pm
In the video the topic of instant gratification caught my attention. I think many companies are trying to transform or develop new methods to better serve instant gratification, especially for the millennials. One of the reasons that millennials have become conformed to instant gratification is because of the internet and they grew up being able to access so many things instantly. One company that comes to mind that provides instant gratification is UberEats. UberEats is a platform that allows you to order food from an app from restaurants that don’t offer delivery and it is delivered to your door step by an UberEats driver. Food delivery services have become popular in the last couple of years because people would rather pay an extra few dollars for a service fee then have to go and pick up food themselves. I think this is a great example of how a company found a service for instant gratification and how it has been integrated into the marketplace and used by millions.
https://www.ubereats.com/en-US/
November 25th, 2019 at 11:11 pm
The biggest thing that stood out to me was the idea of instant gratification and my thoughts were right away connected to this day in age and grocery shopping. The internet has become so powerful with all of its capabilities and endless potential. That it has become intertwined with the people who not only with people who grew up and are growing up on it but the people who have seen how easier it can make our lives. Grocery shopping is a pain and can take up a big part of the day if you count in working and other daily activities you are out of time on that day. I think that companies like Peapod which you can subscribe to certain foods and they are delivered to you every week or month as you request. I think this is a great example because you are instantly ordering food that you will be set for several months or years without having to worry about going to the store or even thinking about it. The company is using this idea to their advantage and creating a service that is almost unmatched so far but I would assume that it is going to change very quickly in the future.
https://www.peapod.com/