In the past five years, the push to convert traditional retail operations and spaces into modern e-commerce businesses has ballooned nationwide. As consumers have turned to easy-to-use online platforms, especially during the midst of a global pandemic, suppliers have looked for ways to make this transition while limiting downtime. If your business is considering a reorganization of space designed for modern shipping, receiving, and storage, consider these four keys to a smooth change.
The Speed Of Government
When considering a business change of this scale, it is always a good idea to get out in front of the things that you cannot control. It is no secret that state and local regulations have a way of causing delays that can linger on business projects for weeks and months. Our team at DMW&H has years of experience navigating any issues when it comes to securing zoning permits and other municipal regulations, and our staff is here to help you in this process. Clearing up any governmental requirements early on is an easy way to make transitions happen with little downtime.
Digitization and Tracking
One of the first steps in facilitating the change from retail to e-commerce is bringing all product data under one digital umbrella. Having all data and information of pricing, shipping, returns, and sales in the same set of software will enable an easier switch from brick-and-mortar retail to online commerce. In some cases, this can mean digitizing information stored as hard copies, or combining databases so that all of the information can be accessed from one network. This specialized aggregation of many different data streams is a primary goal for many of our clients at DMW&H and is a major step in streamlining your business.
Know Your Location
This shift away from brick-and-mortar retail will stress different factors when it comes to the physical location of your business, as previously mentioned with zoning and governmental requirements. It can be equally important to consider information such as population and distance to nearby metropolitan areas that may be important delivery points, highway and interstate access routes, and contractual agreements on your property. Getting all of these ducks in a row will limit the possibility for hangups, and will also serve as important due diligence before embarking on a large transition.
Know Your Space
When it comes to implementing modern solutions like automated warehouse management, digital delivery tracking, and efficient modular storage, knowing your space is key. It will be important to have up-to-date building plans and schematics in order to understand available floor space, safety systems including security and fire suppression, delivery points and loading bays, and exterior space for trucking operations. While a digital commerce operation may still offer the same products as a physical retailer, the demands in terms of workspace can be very different. The first step in bridging the gap between the two is to have a comprehensive blueprint of your interior and exterior space. This way when the transition begins, there will not be downtime needed to retrofit for unseen problems.
