Method for in-store product fulfilment in a retail store having a retail display space
A method for in-store product fulfilment in a retail store having a retail display space and an inventory station in an inventory area where expensive products are stored to avoid theft and bulky products are stored to conserve retail display space. The method involves a step having an electronic request for a product being sent directly from an in-store customer in the retail display space. This electronic request is directed to the inventory station. The method involves a step of having the inventory station send an order confirmation to the in-store customer acknowledging the electronic request, confirming to the in-store customer that the product is available in inventory and directing the customer to proceed to a designated pick up point at the conclusion of their shopping.
1. A method for product fulfilment in a retail store having a retail display space and an inventory station in an inventory area where products are stored, the method comprising the steps of:
at a first communications device of the inventory station of the retail store, receiving an electronic request for a product sent from a second communications device operated by a customer, the electronic request being associated with a request-specific identifier created by the customer at the second communications device for the electronic request;
determining an order status for the electronic request at the inventory station;
responsive to the electronic request and based on the order status, at the first communications device of the inventory station, sending an order confirmation directed to the second communications device operated by the customer acknowledging the electronic request, confirming to the customer that the product is available in the inventory, and directing the customer to proceed to a designated pick up point for the product;
receiving the request-specific identifier from the customer at a point of sale device located within the retail store;
at the point of sale device, adding the product to a transaction for purchase by the customer based on the request-specific identifier received from the customer; and
completing the purchase of the product at the point of sale device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inventory station sends an order notification to the point of sale device where the customer will be making payment to complete purchase of the product prior to picking up the product from the designated pick up point.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second communications device operated by the customer is sent an electronic notification when the product is at the designated pick up point.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second communications device operated by the customer receives targeted advertisements of retail purchase offerings, or surveys that are complementary to the product.
5. A system for in-store product fulfilment in a retail store, the system comprising:
a retail display space in the retail store;
an inventory station in an inventory area of a retail store, the inventory area being an area where products are stored;
a first communications device that:
receives an electronic request for a product sent from a second communications device operated by a customer, the electronic request being associated with a request-specific identifier created by the customer at the second communications device for the electronic request;
determines an order status for the electronic request at the inventory station; and
responsive to the electronic request and based on the order status, the first communications device of the inventory station sends an order confirmation directed to the second communications device operated by the customer acknowledging the electronic request, and directing the customer to proceed to a designated pick up point for the product if the product is located within the inventory;
a point of sale device located within the retail store that:
following the order confirmation, receives the request-specific identifier;
adds the product to a transaction for purchase by the customer based on the request-specific identifier received at the point of sale device; and
completes the purchase of the product.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the customer is an in-store customer and the second communications device is located within the retail store.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sending the electronic request from the second communications device to the first communications device.
8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the customer is an in-store customer and the second communications device is located within the retail store.
9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising the second communications device.
10. The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a communications link that enables the second communications device operated by the customer within the retail display space to communicate directly with the first communications device of the inventory station as part of receiving the electronic request.