Is there room for new innovations in the extensive catalogue of online payment methods? Can the delivery process in eCommerce be further accelerated? Are online purchases better than in-store ones? The answers to these questions are: "yes," "yes," and "it depends." Want to know the reasoning behind these answers? Read the 75th edition of Advox's Press Release, where we present the most exciting news from the world of online commerce
“Trade your old products for new ones” - a new online payment method
Imagine you want to buy a new TV online. You have many fast and intuitive payment methods to choose from – you can pay with a card, via smartphone (using Apple Pay or Google Pay), or opt for BNPL options (like Klarna, PayPo, etc.). But that's not all. Residents of the USA can now pay by trading in their old TV or other unwanted items for credit towards their new purchase. This is all thanks to the startup TipTop, which is introducing a completely new online payment system.
TipTop offers a unique service that allows you to trade in old devices for credit to use during online shopping. How does it work? After selecting TipTop as the payment method in an online store, the user chooses the device they want to trade in from a list and provides all necessary details (brand, model, condition). The TipTop system instantly assesses the value of the item using advanced algorithms and market data. Once the offer is accepted, the trade-in value is immediately credited towards the purchase of a new product, and the user sees the reduced amount to pay before completing the transaction.
The buyer then receives a shipping label and instructions for sending the old device to TipTop or a designated refurbishment point. TipTop handles all the logistics, from shipping to receiving and processing the device.
This solution is currently available in the United States and has already garnered significant interest. The startup collaborates with many renowned retail partners, such as Samsung, Apple, Best Buy, as well as smaller stores. Do you think this solution will come to Poland as well?
eCommerce vs in-store shopping: who will ultimately win?
The ability to see a product in person, talk to a professional advisor, and have immediate product availability are features that make consumers still value in-store shopping over online shopping. These conclusions come from a study conducted by SW Research on behalf of MediaMarkt Polska. The report shows that despite the dynamic growth of eCommerce, Poles still prefer shopping in traditional stores, but is this always the case? Which form of shopping is ultimately more preferred?
The study indicates that 70% of customers rate the service in physical stores as equal to or better than online. However, this does not mean that customers reject online shopping – it remains a convenient and quick way to shop, with many significant advantages (e.g., the ability to place orders anytime and anywhere, or an extensive catalogue of payment methods).
In the "in-store shopping vs. online shopping" battle, there is no clear winner. Modern consumers highly value omnichannel solutions, which seamlessly integrate both sales channels, allowing them to benefit from the best aspects of both worlds. Omnichannel offers the flexibility that contemporary customers expect, enabling them to smoothly transition between online shopping and physical store visits.
eCommerce vs in-store shopping: who will ultimately win?
Fast and efficient delivery of ordered products is crucial to ensuring the satisfaction of demanding eCommerce customers. Enhancing the efficiency of "last mile" deliveries (the final stage of the supply chain, involving the transport of goods from the distribution center to the end customer) is essential to achieving this goal. According to a report by Postis, 93% of surveyed eCommerce retailers consider the last mile phase very important (83%) or important (10%) for customer satisfaction and maintaining market position. So, how can this be managed effectively?
The most critical factors affecting delivery efficiency include:
- Real-time tracking of shipments,
- Precise estimation of the expected delivery date,
- A wide variety of delivery options (e.g., pickup points, parcel lockers, couriers),
- Same-day delivery options.
The study also confirms that the last mile is the most expensive and time-consuming stage of order fulfillment. To improve the efficiency of this process, retailers should invest in advanced technologies and automation, which can help optimize costs and increase delivery precision. Technologies such as AI algorithms and monitoring systems can significantly boost operational efficiency, reducing delays and errors in shipments, as well as minimizing the number of returns.
Interested in learning more? Find out more here:
Innovative TipTop Payments
SW Research Study for MediaMarkt Polska
Postis Report on Last Mile Deliveries
