Omnichannel fulfillment — a strategy for seamlessly bridging digital and physical retail channels — is now a battleground for retailers.
Consumer journeys have grown more complicated amid the rise of e-commerce, making options like BOPIS (buy online, pick-up in store) table stakes for any retailer looking to serve both in-store and online shoppers. To fulfill orders quickly and accurately, retailers must prioritize efficient distribution, inventory visibility, and last-mile flexibility.
Striking this balance is especially crucial in grocery, where thin margins raise the stakes on profitability. A well-executed omnichannel fulfillment strategy can yield strong customer loyalty and repeat visits, while serving a wider customer base.
Below, we analyze and benchmark the strategies of 4 grocery leaders — Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, and Target — to shed light on the markets and technologies that retail executives need to watch. These include:
- Demand forecasting & inventory management
- Automated distribution centers
- Microfulfillment (MFCs)
- On-demand delivery
- Drone delivery
