How BOPIS and PUDO Drove Retail Strategy During the Pandemic – Listen

Retailers turned to online strategies in droves during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced retail establishments to think creatively. Most developed strategies where consumers could buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) or pick up and drop off (PUDO). Both methods have their benefits and drawbacks but are effective strategies in the modern retail environment.

Host Tyler Kern spoke with Mo Cheema, Director of Solutions Design and Implementation at Position Imaging, where he designs omnichannel retail fulfillment solutions for the iPickup platform, about Cheema’s role, BOPIS, PUDO and the benefits of both strategies.

“BOPIS is a more retailer-centric solution, while PUDO is a more courier-centric solution,” Cheema said. “But PUDO does have some benefit to the retailer, as well, meaning it helps them bring that additional foot traffic to the store.”

BOPIS refers to when a customer orders something online and picks it up in store. It’s probably one of the most common ways to order something. It was around before the pandemic but gained steam as retailers and consumers considered new ways to shop.

According to Cheema, a common variation of this is the curbside pickup model, where many retailers will put the order in a consumer’s car or truck for them.

On the other hand, PUDO is where couriers can drop off the packages at locations and customers can pick them up at their convenience. Customers can opt-in for this option, but it also happens when a courier attempts to drop off at a home location but cannot, so they’ll leave the package at a store.

“Through direct and in-direct research, we’ve learned that every one-third of the customers who come into the store to pick up a package, whether it’s via BOPIS or PUDO, actually shop in the store,” Cheema said.

BOPIS is often attractive to retailers because it saves them on shipping costs. PUDO is a strategy for the couriers, though retailers usually pull in foot traffic when consumers show up to pick up their packages.

Listen to learn more about these online retail strategies.