More than just a seat, the sofa offers moments of safety, security, even sanctuary. And increasingly, it has a new role. It acts as the vehicle that takes us on a journey - a trip to the shops.

With bricks and mortar stores shuttered, we’ve been denied our in-person retail therapy, turning to our smartphones, tablets and laptops for virtual fulfilment. We can go shopping without worrying about the weather, the parking or opening hours.

But, the retail doors are open again and the stock is patiently sitting on shelves waiting for the till to start ringing.

So, how do we get shoppers off their sofas and back in-store?

Safety first

You won’t even be in the game unless your customers feel safe – basic stuff like the store is clean and hygienic; staff are dressed appropriately and safety measures are in place – masks and social distancing are not going away.

Experience is everything

We know shoppers are desperate to get back to 'normal', to get back to enjoying a day out, to get back to using their senses. Ecommerce is great but it’s, dare I say it, a bit soulless?

People want to travel again. To go Tax Free shopping again.

We want to feel again, to smell again, to hear again. So, make sure your store is an immersive experience – a place where shoppers will realise the moments they've been missing. Load those shelves with must have, beautiful things and hang those rails with clothes to die for.

Shoppers will want to look, touch and talk. Talk? Yes, we’ve missed the casual conversation, the insightful bit of advice, the human moment.

For that, your floor walkers must be prepped like never before. They need to extend the welcome, to reassure the anxious, to inform the doubtful. But remember, staff are people too – they’ll be worried. Don’t overlook their needs. A bit more training? A bit more TLC? A bit more understanding?

Online shopping has spoilt us

We know instantly if something is in stock; what colours and sizes it comes in and how much it costs. If it doesn’t fit, we can send it back – returns are getting easier. And of course, paying is simpler than ever before.

We'll expect the same in store. When you plan your moments – the wow moment, the advice moment, the 'I want this' moment – don't forget the payment moment.

Shoppers want quick and easy, a ‘hardly noticed’ it moment. Equip assistants with feature rich, handheld terminals and you’ll see the benefits. The A920 from PAX connects to WIFI and frees your staff to roam, taking payments to the customer and eliminating queues. It accepts contactless payments, one of the key things shoppers are looking for in-store, but also works for chip and pin, so is totally flexible. It integrates to Tax Free shopping, providing immediate VAT refunds so your international shoppers can spend the money there and then while in your store.

Personalise shopping

Personalise your customers' shopping; something that ecommerce struggles with. Let customers pay the way they want to. If they prefer to pay in their currency, let them, while you receive the money in yours, plus an incremental thank you for the service you’re providing.

As mobile wallets increase in popularity make sure you don’t miss a sale because you can't take Apple Pay, Alipay or WeChat Pay. The right terminal will handle all of this seamlessly and will put an end to the ‘hang on I just need to find the right machine’ moment.