![\"retail](\"https:\/\/www.walkme.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_579439177-1.jpg\")
\nDon’t let your digital transformation effort fail. Discover how WalkMe instantly simplifies the process.<\/a><\/h3>\nConsumer demands are shifting<\/h2>\n![\"digital](\"https:\/\/www.walkme.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_631362125-1.jpg\")
\n\nConsumers no longer think of shopping as online or offline.\n\nThey want one, seamless experience that combines the best elements of both. While agile companies<\/a> adopted digital strategies early on, those that clung to their traditional business models are on the verge of extinction, if they\u2019re not already dead.\n\nIt\u2019s now obvious that a digital strategy isn’t only critical for success, but for survival.\nA digital transformation primer for retailers<\/h2>\nAt this point, many leaders of retail companies have put digital transformation at the top of their to-do list.\n\nBut important questions remain:\n\n \t- Is it even possible to embark on digital transformation this late in the game?<\/li>\n \t
- How can big box retailers adopt digital retail strategy with their massive storefronts and thousands of employees?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nThe answer to the first question is yes. Digital transformation is not only possible, it\u2019s a must.\n\nThe answer to the second question is a little more complicated.\n
Retailers have no choice but to go digital, and other industries should take note<\/h2>\n![\"digital](\"https:\/\/www.walkme.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/03\/shutterstock_530222965-1.jpg\")
Most businesses will struggle to meet consumers\u2019 expectations for convenience, immediacy, and personalization<\/strong> without a powerful online presence.\n\nThe demise of many retailers should be a warning to company executives in all industries. Consumers expect access to digital tools in banking, healthcare, education \u2014 you name it. Companies that fail to provide these things will quickly lose out to the competition.\nWhen creating a digital retail strategy, leaders must account for existing brick and mortar stores.<\/h3>\nFor many, declining foot traffic and lower in-store sales might necessitate closing some locations.\n\nBut done correctly, companies can integrate their digital retail strategy into the in-store experience.\nCase study: Walgreens<\/h2>\nWalgreens is a prime example. The pharmacy chain, founded in 1901, operates 8,100 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\nWalgreens\u2019 digital transformation effort is anchored by three core goals, which can be applied to any business:\n\n \t- \n
\n \t- Bridge the gap between the physical and digital experience<\/li>\n \t
- Improve customer-centricity and personalization<\/li>\n \t
- Better integrate technology to improve the overall customer experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The customer experience drives digital innovation<\/h2>\nThe customer experience<\/a> is central to every change the company has introduced, Deepika Pandey, chief digital marketing officer of Walgreens, wrote<\/a> for Think With Google.\n\nFor example, Walgreens\u00a0wanted to replicate the personal relationships customers have with their pharmacists online. With Pharmacy Chat, customers can talk to pharmacists through its website or mobile app at any time and from anywhere.\nThe key is integrating the digital with the physical<\/h2>\nThe company also wanted to use technology to improve the in-store experience, according to Pandey.\n\nTo help customers choose the best product for them, Walgreens partnered with WebMD to create Relief Advisor. After answering a few questions, the digital advisor recommends products to best meet customers\u2019 specific needs.\n\nWalgreens linked its loyalty program with Android Pay to make the checkout process smoother. This allows customers to save digital coupons and apply their loyalty points when they make purchases through their phone.\n\nThe response has been positive.\n\nOMG. Android Pay worked so AWESOME at Walgreens. Started Android Pay app, touched the machine, heard the tone and DONE! #androidpay<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Jeff Hensel (@henselj) October 1, 2015<\/a><\/blockquote>\n
\n\nConsumers no longer think of shopping as online or offline.\n\nThey want one, seamless experience that combines the best elements of both. While agile companies<\/a> adopted digital strategies early on, those that clung to their traditional business models are on the verge of extinction, if they\u2019re not already dead.\n\nIt\u2019s now obvious that a digital strategy isn’t only critical for success, but for survival.\nA digital transformation primer for retailers<\/h2>\nAt this point, many leaders of retail companies have put digital transformation at the top of their to-do list.\n\nBut important questions remain:\n\n \t- Is it even possible to embark on digital transformation this late in the game?<\/li>\n \t
- How can big box retailers adopt digital retail strategy with their massive storefronts and thousands of employees?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nThe answer to the first question is yes. Digital transformation is not only possible, it\u2019s a must.\n\nThe answer to the second question is a little more complicated.\n
Retailers have no choice but to go digital, and other industries should take note<\/h2>\nMost businesses will struggle to meet consumers\u2019 expectations for convenience, immediacy, and personalization<\/strong> without a powerful online presence.\n\nThe demise of many retailers should be a warning to company executives in all industries. Consumers expect access to digital tools in banking, healthcare, education \u2014 you name it. Companies that fail to provide these things will quickly lose out to the competition.\nWhen creating a digital retail strategy, leaders must account for existing brick and mortar stores.<\/h3>\nFor many, declining foot traffic and lower in-store sales might necessitate closing some locations.\n\nBut done correctly, companies can integrate their digital retail strategy into the in-store experience.\nCase study: Walgreens<\/h2>\nWalgreens is a prime example. The pharmacy chain, founded in 1901, operates 8,100 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\nWalgreens\u2019 digital transformation effort is anchored by three core goals, which can be applied to any business:\n\n \t- \n
\n \t- Bridge the gap between the physical and digital experience<\/li>\n \t
- Improve customer-centricity and personalization<\/li>\n \t
- Better integrate technology to improve the overall customer experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The customer experience drives digital innovation<\/h2>\nThe customer experience<\/a> is central to every change the company has introduced, Deepika Pandey, chief digital marketing officer of Walgreens, wrote<\/a> for Think With Google.\n\nFor example, Walgreens\u00a0wanted to replicate the personal relationships customers have with their pharmacists online. With Pharmacy Chat, customers can talk to pharmacists through its website or mobile app at any time and from anywhere.\nThe key is integrating the digital with the physical<\/h2>\nThe company also wanted to use technology to improve the in-store experience, according to Pandey.\n\nTo help customers choose the best product for them, Walgreens partnered with WebMD to create Relief Advisor. After answering a few questions, the digital advisor recommends products to best meet customers\u2019 specific needs.\n\nWalgreens linked its loyalty program with Android Pay to make the checkout process smoother. This allows customers to save digital coupons and apply their loyalty points when they make purchases through their phone.\n\nThe response has been positive.\n\nOMG. Android Pay worked so AWESOME at Walgreens. Started Android Pay app, touched the machine, heard the tone and DONE! #androidpay<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Jeff Hensel (@henselj) October 1, 2015<\/a><\/blockquote>\n
Retailers have no choice but to go digital, and other industries should take note<\/h2>\nMost businesses will struggle to meet consumers\u2019 expectations for convenience, immediacy, and personalization<\/strong> without a powerful online presence.\n\nThe demise of many retailers should be a warning to company executives in all industries. Consumers expect access to digital tools in banking, healthcare, education \u2014 you name it. Companies that fail to provide these things will quickly lose out to the competition.\nWhen creating a digital retail strategy, leaders must account for existing brick and mortar stores.<\/h3>\nFor many, declining foot traffic and lower in-store sales might necessitate closing some locations.\n\nBut done correctly, companies can integrate their digital retail strategy into the in-store experience.\nCase study: Walgreens<\/h2>\nWalgreens is a prime example. The pharmacy chain, founded in 1901, operates 8,100 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\nWalgreens\u2019 digital transformation effort is anchored by three core goals, which can be applied to any business:\n\n \t- \n
\n \t- Bridge the gap between the physical and digital experience<\/li>\n \t
- Improve customer-centricity and personalization<\/li>\n \t
- Better integrate technology to improve the overall customer experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The customer experience drives digital innovation<\/h2>\nThe customer experience<\/a> is central to every change the company has introduced, Deepika Pandey, chief digital marketing officer of Walgreens, wrote<\/a> for Think With Google.\n\nFor example, Walgreens\u00a0wanted to replicate the personal relationships customers have with their pharmacists online. With Pharmacy Chat, customers can talk to pharmacists through its website or mobile app at any time and from anywhere.\nThe key is integrating the digital with the physical<\/h2>\nThe company also wanted to use technology to improve the in-store experience, according to Pandey.\n\nTo help customers choose the best product for them, Walgreens partnered with WebMD to create Relief Advisor. After answering a few questions, the digital advisor recommends products to best meet customers\u2019 specific needs.\n\nWalgreens linked its loyalty program with Android Pay to make the checkout process smoother. This allows customers to save digital coupons and apply their loyalty points when they make purchases through their phone.\n\nThe response has been positive.\n\nOMG. Android Pay worked so AWESOME at Walgreens. Started Android Pay app, touched the machine, heard the tone and DONE! #androidpay<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Jeff Hensel (@henselj) October 1, 2015<\/a><\/blockquote>\n
Case study: Walgreens<\/h2>\nWalgreens is a prime example. The pharmacy chain, founded in 1901, operates 8,100 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\nWalgreens\u2019 digital transformation effort is anchored by three core goals, which can be applied to any business:\n\n \t- \n
\n \t- Bridge the gap between the physical and digital experience<\/li>\n \t
- Improve customer-centricity and personalization<\/li>\n \t
- Better integrate technology to improve the overall customer experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The customer experience drives digital innovation<\/h2>\nThe customer experience<\/a> is central to every change the company has introduced, Deepika Pandey, chief digital marketing officer of Walgreens, wrote<\/a> for Think With Google.\n\nFor example, Walgreens\u00a0wanted to replicate the personal relationships customers have with their pharmacists online. With Pharmacy Chat, customers can talk to pharmacists through its website or mobile app at any time and from anywhere.\nThe key is integrating the digital with the physical<\/h2>\nThe company also wanted to use technology to improve the in-store experience, according to Pandey.\n\nTo help customers choose the best product for them, Walgreens partnered with WebMD to create Relief Advisor. After answering a few questions, the digital advisor recommends products to best meet customers\u2019 specific needs.\n\nWalgreens linked its loyalty program with Android Pay to make the checkout process smoother. This allows customers to save digital coupons and apply their loyalty points when they make purchases through their phone.\n\nThe response has been positive.\n\nOMG. Android Pay worked so AWESOME at Walgreens. Started Android Pay app, touched the machine, heard the tone and DONE! #androidpay<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Jeff Hensel (@henselj) October 1, 2015<\/a><\/blockquote>\n
- \n \t
- Bridge the gap between the physical and digital experience<\/li>\n \t
- Improve customer-centricity and personalization<\/li>\n \t
- Better integrate technology to improve the overall customer experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The customer experience drives digital innovation<\/h2>\nThe customer experience<\/a> is central to every change the company has introduced, Deepika Pandey, chief digital marketing officer of Walgreens, wrote<\/a> for Think With Google.\n\nFor example, Walgreens\u00a0wanted to replicate the personal relationships customers have with their pharmacists online. With Pharmacy Chat, customers can talk to pharmacists through its website or mobile app at any time and from anywhere.\n
The key is integrating the digital with the physical<\/h2>\nThe company also wanted to use technology to improve the in-store experience, according to Pandey.\n\nTo help customers choose the best product for them, Walgreens partnered with WebMD to create Relief Advisor. After answering a few questions, the digital advisor recommends products to best meet customers\u2019 specific needs.\n\nWalgreens linked its loyalty program with Android Pay to make the checkout process smoother. This allows customers to save digital coupons and apply their loyalty points when they make purchases through their phone.\n\nThe response has been positive.\n
\n
OMG. Android Pay worked so AWESOME at Walgreens. Started Android Pay app, touched the machine, heard the tone and DONE! #androidpay<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Jeff Hensel (@henselj) October 1, 2015<\/a><\/blockquote>\n