Originally posted on thenextweb.com.
Let’s face it, automation has revolutionized every industry around — sales, marketing, advertising, cybersecurity and fintech. Sales, and specifically B2B sales, is a niche market that has been changed forever by automation.
So let’s break down how 5 important retail industries are seeing the effects of B2B sales automation:
1. Jewelry & Watches
Since these are expensive, luxury items, inventory levels are critical. Sales automation helps manage inventory levels more precisely and therefore reduces the amount of money tied up in inventory. This means lower stock levels, translating to a reduction in the amount of dead inventory, which is very expensive for a business.
Automated, B2B sales software also changes something fundamentally for sales reps: because of sales software’s hi-res images of jewelry and watches, the need to carry around clunky samples of watches and jewelry has become obsolete. Most B2B sales softwares are Cloud-based and can be accessed on a tablet, so sales reps can fill out all the order documentation easily without the need for a laptop or paperwork. SaaS solutions on tablets also allow for sales reps to streamline various sales channels into one place.
With sales automation software, sales reps can filter by shape, color, carats, etc. Reps can show off the hi-res images by zooming in to see the tiny minute details that are necessary for selling jewelry and watches.
2. Eyewear
Because eyewear has so many detailed variants — lens type, UV rating, color, gender, etc. — sales automation software allows outside sales reps to present a wide variety of options to customers, as well as the option for stores to purchase on wholesalers’ online store if they prefer.
Similar to the jewelry and watch industry, eyewear sales reps need not carry around hundreds of samples of glasses to show stores anymore. Automation software allows reps to show off digital samples with all the minute details needed for stores to purchase with confidence.
3. Food & Beverages
Since the food and beverage industry typically has orders that are more or less stable over time (as opposed to industries that depend on the changing fashion), sales automation software makes it easy for companies to automate orders over time. Of course, businesses have the option to change their order whenever they need.
The best perk of automation software for the food and beverage industry is the option to order according to any unit of measurement: bottles by 12 pack, 6 pack and singles; dry commodities by kilo or pound; liquid goods by fluid ounces or liters; and snack items by packages or volume.
Route accounting is particularly relevant for this industry. Platforms like Pepperispecialize in many industries, including food and beverage, where their route accounting software streamlines direct store deliveries.
4. Sportswear
Sales automation software has revolutionized this industry in one word: e-catalogs. Since sportswear lines change with the season, it’s much easier and cheaper to upload items digitally than to create and print a catalog with each season. This not only benefits companies with ease and saving money, it prevents unnecessary waste on printing, benefiting the environment too. This seemingly small benefit can help you brand your company as eco-friendly and green, appealing to potential customers and the general public.
As stated, sportswear completely depends on the season and the weather, so sales automation completely changes the way brands order their items in bulk. It allows brands to complete large orders in advance for the right season.
5. Fashion
The fashion industry’s wholesalers are busy all year round — pre-season, during, and post-season. This means that sales software needs to be flexible and customizable, with multiple catalogs and multiple delivery dates.
For fashion especially, e-catalogs are extremely important. Similar to the sportswear industry, e-catalogs are critical as the clothing and accessories industries change seasonally. Having up-to-date stock on your e-catalog ensures that stores will always be updated and ready for the fast pace in retail.
Get ready
These 5 industries have shifted as of late due to the innovative effects of B2B sales automation. The most game-changing features of B2B sales automation are e-catalogs, hi-res imagery, cross-channel consolidation, online stores, and customization.
The holiday season is now in full swing, so both B2C and B2B retailers are busy bees, benefitting from the positive changes brought about by sales automation. Things can only get better in time, with the ease, eco-friendly nature and resources saved as a result of B2B sales automation.