The retail industry is constantly evolving, and businesses are always looking for ways to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve the customer experience.
Two technologies that have been widely adopted for these purposes are Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).
BLE is a wireless communication protocol that enables devices to transmit data over short distances. It is widely used in consumer electronics, healthcare, and automotive industries. In the retail industry, BLE technology is being used for indoor navigation, location-based marketing, and customer engagement.
According to a report by Research and Markets, the global market for indoor location-based services is expected to grow from $4.4 billion in 2021 to $17.4 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 31.4% during the forecast period. The report also states that BLE technology is the most commonly used technology for indoor location tracking. Having complete visibility of shoppers on the floor allows retailers to advertise products based on customer interests.
Let’s see how BLE beacons and tags should be leveraged in a retail setting to engage customers and boost sales.
A Step-By-Step Implementation of BLE Tags and Beacons for Retail Use
Step 1: Determine the Use Case for BLE
The first step in implementing BLE technology in retail is to determine the use case. Retailers can use BLE technology to track inventory, monitor customer behavior, and deliver targeted promotions. The use case will determine the type of BLE tags and beacons required.
Step 2: Choose the Right BLE Tags and Beacons
The next step is to choose the right BLE tags and beacons. Retailers must consider the frequency, range, and latency of BLE when selecting tags and beacons. Tags and beacons should be able to communicate with BLE-enabled smartphones (of customers and retail staff) at a range of up to 100 meters while consuming minimal power.
Step 3: Install BLE Beacons
Once the right BLE beacons are chosen, retailers must install the BLE beacons in the store. BLE beacons can be placed on walls or ceilings throughout the store to provide accurate location tracking for customers and products. These beacons support bidirectional communication thanks to the BLE 5.3 specification upgrade and also offer Periodic Advertisement with Response (PAwR). PAwR allows beacons to periodically send advertising messages to customer smartphones directly, based on their location and the range of a beacon in the vicinity. A mobile app is leveraged for this purpose.
At encstore.com, we offer high-quality, sturdy BLE beacons to our customers. We also offer help in setting up a BLE-based solution for retailers, educational and healthcare institutes, and more. If you want to get started with a BLE-based solution, get in touch with our BLE experts.
Step 4: Attach BLE Tags to Products
BLE tags are somewhat different to BLE beacons. While beacons can send signals periodically, BLE tags or transponders only send information when inquired upon.
These tags are used for tracking retail assets and people. Retailers should attach BLE tags to products. Tags can be attached to the products with adhesive or integrated into the product’s packaging. Each tag should be unique and have a unique identifier that can be read by a smartphone (app).
Step 5: Implement BLE Software
The next step is to implement BLE software to collect and analyze data from the beacons and tags. Retailers should use software that provides real-time analytics and actionable insights to optimize inventory management and store layout.
A BLE-based app that manages BLE tracking and BLE advertising can be offered to customers with membership coupons and discount offers.
Step 6: Optimize Store Layout and Inventory Management
Using the data collected by the BLE software, retailers can optimize the store layout and inventory management. Retailers can use data to identify popular products and optimize product placement to increase sales. Retailers can also use data to improve inventory management and reduce waste.
Step 7: Deliver Targeted Promotions
Using the data collected by the BLE software, retailers can deliver targeted promotions to customers based on their location in the store. Promotions can be delivered to customers’ smartphones or via in-store displays to increase the likelihood of making a purchase.
Step 8: Improve Security and Reduce Theft
Using BLE tags, retailers can track high-value items and receive alerts when these items are moved or taken from the store. This can help retailers to identify theft in real-time and take action to prevent it.
To summarize, implementing BLE tags and beacons in retail requires careful consideration of the use case, the right tags and beacons, and the implementation of software to collect and analyze data. Retailers can use BLE technology to optimize store layout and inventory management, deliver targeted promotions, and improve security and reduce theft.
Retailers can benefit more from BLE technology than other AIDC technologies due to its greater flexibility, accuracy, security, and customer experience. By implementing BLE technology, retailers can provide a better customer experience and increase sales.
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