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Exploring omnichannel strategies: a path to improve customer experiences

Susana C. Silva (CEGE, Católica Porto Business School, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal)
Francisca Pinto Silva (Católica Porto Business School, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal)
Joana Carmo Dias (COMEGI, Universidade Lusíada Norte, Porto, Portugal)

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

ISSN: 0959-0552

Article publication date: 13 November 2023

Issue publication date: 18 January 2024

747

Abstract

Purpose

In today's world, retailers must embrace technological devices to provide fluid, convenient and complete customer experiences. Therefore, combining the offline and online spaces into a single strategy becomes essential, representing a significant opportunity for retailers to improve customer experience. Therefore, this study aims to explore and compare the importance of digital elements in an omnichannel experience by companies in the luxury and non-luxury segments.

Design/methodology/approach

The research offers a model to explore and compare the omnichannel strategies that brands use, considering six dimensions that cover recent technological advances, thus offering a complete experience to their customers. A multiple case study was selected based on a sample of six international companies from two different price segments (luxury and non-luxury).

Findings

The data collected allowed the authors to verify the presence of some dimensions, even though some had little evidence. Nevertheless, the dimensions connectivity, innovativeness and flexibility (only in luxury segment companies) were not present. Overall, and even though they present just little evidence, the results showed that retailers for the luxury segment invest more in delivering digital experiences within omnichannel strategies than the non-luxury ones.

Originality/value

This study improves the existing knowledge of omnichannel retailing. By analysing and comparing the omnichannel experiences, companies can identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall customer journey. Additionally, the model allows managers to compare and re-evaluate their omnichannel strategies with other competitors to gain competitiveness in an ever-evolving market.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The first author would like to thank CEGE – Research Centre in Management and Economics, funded by the Multiannual Funding Programme of R&D Centres of FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, under the project UIDB/00731/2020. The third author would like to thank COMEGI - Centro de Investigação em Organizações, Mercados e Gestão Industrial, funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (through project UIDB/04005/2020).

Citation

Silva, S.C., Silva, F.P. and Dias, J.C. (2024), "Exploring omnichannel strategies: a path to improve customer experiences", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 52 No. 1, pp. 62-88. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-03-2023-0198

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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