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APIs Will Shape the Retail of Tomorrow

With more and more retail customers using a webshop it’s becoming a challenge for Retail to keep up. API’s are one of the critical pieces of technology that will give the retailers enhanced possibilities to keep their systems and processes ready to meet this challenge.

With more and more retail customers using a webshop it’s becoming a challenge for Retail to keep up. To ensure their customers continue to have a more convenient digital-first way of shopping they need to turn their heads towards API’s. API’s are one of the critical pieces of technology that will give the retailers enhanced possibilities to keep their systems and processes ready to meet this challenge.

By implementing API’s retailers have been able more accessible to their remote customers by offering services such as;

  • Order online and Pick up in-store
  • Being able to pick up their order from a convenient location
  • Fulfilment of orders through delivery partners
  • Personalized recommendations while using the webshop

These services have been more important than ever since Covid19 changed the world as we know it last couple of years and online shopping has taken over. With an ever changing online shopping experience, API’s will continu to play a critical role in providing the best possible online shopping experience for their customers. 


Innovate in New Ways With APIs

With implementing API’s retailers can experiment and connect teams for faster collaboration, helping them to use data for revolutionary experiences that increase customer engagement. 

APIs can be used as a digital nervous system to connect every part of the entire Supply Chain. They can help retailers to:

  • Enhance internal efficiency
  • Boost productivity
  • Implement Machine Learning to optimize the systems and processes

APIs can make various kinds of technological value interoperable and easy for developers to access and reuse so they can innovate in new ways. APIs make it super easy and simple to onboard, manage and train employees and contractors. They can help connect various internal and external third-party systems for use cases like tracking real-time package status and gathering consumer shopping insights.


Personal Shopping Experience of the Future

Data is everything and with using APIs behind the scenes retailers will be able to connect the (web)store with:

  • Consumer data (more personal approach of the employees)
  • Business Intelligence (what items do customers look for?) 
  • Enhanced privacy security while shopping 

On the customer side some of the more innovative ways APIs are providing a more personal digital shopping experience are:

  • “magic” mirrors that reflect personalized clothing, accessories etc
  • Smartphone alerts to let the user know what special items the Retailers want to highlight
  • Provide special offers and coupons and much more.

The more the Retailer is able to provide those enhanced personal digital experience, the more successful the Retailer will be. Not pushing these options today will only lead to an increasing disadvantage. 


Shape Your Own Future

As you can see implementing APIs will be critical to stay relevant in all areas of Retail. They will drive the innovation needed and provide Retail with a continues digital transformation needed to keep up with the wishes of the customers. 

Retailers are already harnessing the power of APIs to prepare for:

  • Omnichannel experience
  • Interactive and intelligent merchandising that evolves in realtime to predict consumer needs and bolsters buying decisions.
  • Autonomous and virtual shopping experiences that develop deeper consumer interactions and product insights 


We are Here to Help!

As you grow your API program, and start powering business-critical applications and front-end experiences with APIs, you need an effective way to manage and scale them. By using our solutions and knowledge we can get you in the driving seat, show you how to maximize your performance and tackle every challenge you might face in the future! If you want to keep ahead of your competitors and achieve extra flexibility contact us today to explore your possibilities.