Officials: the repercussions of the "pandemic" and the increase in competition in support of the provision of new patterns and alternatives
Coronavirus Encourages Retail Outlets To Introduce Initiatives To Shop Through Whatsapp
Sales outlets offered offers and products via WhatsApp. Archives
Some consumers prefer to obtain purchases remotely through various means. Archives
picture
The retail trade markets in the country have witnessed during the recent period several competitive aspects imposed by the Corona pandemic, most notably the launch of outlets and initiatives that allow consumers to shop and buy through the WhatsApp application, and then receive purchases either using home delivery means or obtaining them from delivery points. Near the entrances to the outlets and their car parks.
Officials of retail outlets told "Emirates Today" that the repercussions of Corona and the circumstances imposed by the pandemic, as well as the increase in competition, all factors that speeded up and stimulated the outlets to provide new patterns and alternatives for shopping in line with the changes in the markets.
Fundamental factors
In detail, the director of supply and merchandise promotion at the Sharjah Cooperative, Rashid bin Hoyden, said that the cooperative recently launched an initiative to shop through the "WhatsApp" application that allows consumers through a certain number to view offers and order purchases in Arabic and English, then obtain purchases through the car pick-up service. .
He added that the conditions and repercussions of the Coronavirus pandemic are among the main factors that speeded up the launch of this initiative that is commensurate with the new market variables by providing new alternatives for shopping without requiring consumers to go to the outlets.
He stated that the initiative is witnessing a growing turnout among consumers, which indicates the extent to which the initiative keeps pace with their requirements, indicating that competition in the retail sector in light of precautionary measures to face the repercussions of Corona was one of the factors that encouraged sales outlets in general to offer new styles and alternatives for shopping.
New offers
For his part, the first sales supervisor at the Michael Kors store in the Mall of the Emirates, Tayseer Jabri, said that the company had recently launched an initiative for consumers to allow them to shop and view new offers and product listings through the WhatsApp application, so that they could order any Products through the application and obtain them through the home delivery system for free.
Jabri added that the new initiative provides an innovative new pattern of shopping, especially in light of the repercussions of "Corona", which is one of the main catalysts for these initiatives, pointing out that some consumers prefer not to frequent sales outlets and obtain purchases remotely through various means.
He mentioned that shopping through WhatsApp is one of the new patterns that are easy to use in the retail sector, especially with the application being one of the technical solutions familiar to a large number of shoppers.
alternative
In turn, the General Director of the Emirates Cooperative Society, Muhammad Yusuf Al-Khaja, said that the cooperative provided purchase services through the application of "WhatsApp" during the early stages of the spread of the "Corona" virus, which provided a new alternative for consumers to shop, especially in light of the preventive measures to combat the spread of the virus, Which made a number of consumers prefer not to go to outlets for shopping, in order to avoid being crowded and waiting in the outlets, considering that shopping through the application is one of the innovative and easy ways that allow a suitable shopping style.
He explained that the cooperative currently has between 20 and 25 thousand dealers through the account designated for purchase through "WhatsApp", which indicates the extent of the increased demand for using this method.
Stimulate
In the same context, the director of the corporate communication department at the Lulu Mall Group, Nanda Kumar, considered that the repercussions of Corona, and the rise in competition in the retail sector, are among the factors that motivated a number of sales outlets to introduce new initiatives and patterns in shopping to attract consumers, indicating Among the most prominent of these initiatives are shopping through WhatsApp, or obtaining purchases through telephone services, especially for shoppers who are difficult to purchase through the mobile application’s digital platform, in addition to initiatives to buy and obtain purchases inside the car in parking lots.
Kumar added that the group has recently been interested in developing its digital application platform and providing fast and multiple delivery methods for orders to homes. However, it is also looking into ways to offer shopping services through the WhatsApp platform during the coming period, as it is one of the means that suit a large number of consumers.
Hot line
In addition, Abdul Hamid Al-Khashabi, the spokesperson for the centers of the "Aswaaq" group, affiliated to the Dubai Government Investment Corporation, said that the group recently launched new shopping patterns, especially for elderly and people of determination consumers by allocating a shopping hotline that allows them to buy by phone. And obtaining orders using the delivery system, pointing out that "aswaaq" intends to offer services to shop through "WhatsApp", while it is one of the new methods that provide easy ways to shop.
Al-Khasabi added that the group also plans to develop technical systems for a virtual employee supported by artificial intelligence to deal with consumers through shopping through the application of "WhatsApp".
Digital services
"Union Coop" recently announced the launch of new digital shopping patterns and services, including a service called "Click and Collect" that allows consumers to order all supplies and set a date for their delivery, then come to collect them and pay their value only from the outlets entrances, which saves shopping time Traditional within the branches.
She mentioned that it also launched the "Drive and Throw" service, which allows for purchases to be identified and received by car in a designated area in the car parks without the need to enter the outlets, with the possibility of completing all steps of shopping through the cooperative application, and providing payment channels available in cash or by cash cards.
Natural progression
Tariq Aziz, the commercial director of the National Foodstuff Company, said that the company has recently launched a purchase order service for its own products, as well as offering a delivery service through the application of "WhatsApp", considering that this is a natural development of the strong commitment towards consumers and facilitating their access to the company's products. Pointing out that in the circumstances of "Corona", contactless delivery has become more necessary to preserve the safety of everyone.
Shopping via WhatsApp is one of the new easy-to-use patterns.