Buy Online Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) has quickly become a cornerstone of modern retail as more shoppers seek flexible options that fit their fast-paced lives. Combining the ease of online ordering with the immediacy of in-store pickup, BOPIS allows customers to shop online and collect their purchases at a physical location, often within hours, using existing store inventory.
For BigCommerce merchants, Buy Online Pick Up in Store is a strategic tool to reduce costs and drive traffic to physical locations. With over 34% of U.S. shoppers reporting the use of BOPIS in 2024, this trend continues to gain momentum across industries.
No matter the size and scale of your online business, the right BOPIS solution can help you stay competitive. In this guide, we’ll explore how BOPIS works, the advantages it offers to retailers, and how IntuitSolutions can help you implement a tailored solution for your BigCommerce store.
Key Benefits of Buy Online Pick Up in Store
BOPIS has become a significant component of retail strategies, with U.S. BOPIS retail sales reaching $113.2 billion in 2023 and accounting for 9.11% of ecommerce sales. This figure is projected to grow 16.8% annually from 2024 to 2030, outpacing overall ecommerce growth.
More businesses are adopting the trend for several reasons:
- Reduced Shipping Costs: By enabling in-store pickups, BOPIS eliminates expensive last-mile delivery costs, saving businesses money while offering customers a free or low-cost fulfillment option.
- Lower Cart Abandonment Rates: High shipping fees and long delivery times are two major reasons for cart abandonment. BOPIS provides a convenient and cost-saving alternative for shoppers.
- Faster Fulfillment: BOPIS leverages inventory already available at the store, so customers can get their purchases in hours rather than waiting days for shipping.
- Increased Foot Traffic and Sales: BOPIS drives customers into physical stores, and it’s estimated nearly 85% of shoppers make unplanned purchases during pickup. This creates opportunities to showcase new products and increase overall revenue.
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Buy Online Pick Up In Store FAQs
What Are Some Other Terms for BOPIS, and How Do They Differ?
Several terms are used interchangeably with BOPIS, but some refer to slightly different fulfillment methods:
- Click and Collect: Widely used in Europe, “Click and Collect” is essentially synonymous with BOPIS. It refers to the process of ordering items online and collecting them in-store, typically from a pickup counter, locker, or similar area.
- Curbside Pickup: A subset of Buy Online Pick Up in Store where customers retrieve their orders from a designated area outside the store, offering a contactless experience.
- Ship to Store: Unlike BOPIS, “Ship to Store” involves shipping items from a warehouse or distribution center to a store for customer pickup. This method may result in delays compared to BOPIS, where products are already available.
- Reserve Online, Pick Up In Store (ROPIS): Customers reserve items online and complete the purchase in-store, whereas BOPIS finalizes the transaction online.
What Do I Need to Implement BOPIS on BigCommerce?
Buy Online Pick Up In Store for BigCommerce requires a combination of technology, processes, and infrastructure to ensure a seamless experience for your customers and your business.
Key components include:
- Real-Time Inventory Management: BOPIS assumes that inventory is already at the pickup location, which requires real-time inventory visibility to complete the transaction.
- Streamlined Fulfillment Processes: In-store staff must have the tools and training needed to quickly locate, prepare, and hand off orders. Efficiency in this process is critical to delivering a positive customer experience.
- Dedicated Pickup Area: Stores must have a designated spot where customers can collect their purchases. A well-marked, easy-to-access pickup area ensures a smooth and organized fulfillment process.
- BigCommerce Integration: A custom BOPIS solution connects your online store, inventory system, and customer notification workflows. This will simplify order processing, keep customers informed, and ensure your team can manage pickups.
Case Study: Tailoring BigCommerce BOPIS for a for a Regulated Industry
Mile High Shooting, a retailer operating in a regulated industry, required a custom BOPIS solution to meet compliance requirements while ensuring a hassle-free customer experience. Their business needed a checkout process that adhered to Federal Firearms License (FFL) guidelines while simplifying in-store pickups for shoppers.
Our BigCommerce developers designed a tailored solution that included the following:
- Enhanced Customer Communication: Developed custom checkout messaging to clearly guide customers through the pickup process, minimizing confusion and ensuring a seamless experience.
- “Pick Up In Store” Button: Added a “Pick Up in Store” button to the shipping step of the checkout. This feature automatically completed the store’s address in the required fields, reducing manual input for customers and simplifying the process.
- Streamlined Compliance Workflows: Simplified the in-store pickup process by removing the need for additional documentation or third-party dealer details, as the store itself was a licensed FFL dealer.
Ready to Implement BOPIS for Your BigCommerce Store?
Buy Online Pick Up In Store is more than just a convenience for customers—it’s an opportunity to elevate your ecommerce strategy. Whether you’re operating a local retail store or managing a large-scale ecommerce business, a tailored BOPIS solution can enhance the user experience, reduce operational costs, and drive in-store traffic and sales.
As an Elite BigCommerce Partner with over 20 years of ecommerce expertise, IntuitSolutions specializes in custom BigCommerce checkout solutions, including BOPIS functionality. From custom ecommerce integrations to personalized workflows, our team can design the right features that keep your online store competitive and thriving.
Contact us today to learn more and discuss next steps for your business.
Customize Your BigCommerce Checkout
Take control of your customer's checkout experience. See what's possible.
