Cheers BevX 2022 | Page 22

seeing in the industry ,” says Ouzts . “ We ’ re automating many of the old , manual processes of running a beverage retail store . Our software integrates with most beverage distributors and automatically updates stock levels when products are delivered . Our software also uses artificial intelligence to optimize stock levels . It will automatically identify the increase in sales volume and suggest ordering more . The common theme in all these process improvements is that we are eliminating the need for extra staff through automation .”

This automation is in service of facilitating communication , according to Ouzts . “ We ’ re helping business owners communicate with their customers . Our software has a built-in loyalty program and allows businesses to tailor the text messages they send an individual customer based on that customer ’ s buying behavior . This personalization of highly-customized messages helps small businesses humanize themselves .”

Thirstie works to help retailers expand their online presence and get products into the hands of eager customers , even in the era of social distancing and shutdowns .

“ Thirstie ’ s network of licensed retailers are fully integrated through our proprietary technology , and our platform helps increase revenue for retailers without having to perform any marketing services for their stores ,” says Southworth .

Thirstie also provides valuable insights to retailers . “ Consumer data is at the forefront of what Thirstie offers . Historically , given the threetiered system , brands did not have access to data . We provide brands with user data ( who is purchasing , what they are purchasing , how they are purchasing ) attribution data ( where consumers are coming from ) and behavioral data ( how consumers are interacting with products and the overall digital experience ).”

“ Thirstie also provides our brand partners with persona-level data , essentially creating profiles for each

Modern technology providers allow retailers to track and use sales and consumer data in real time .

consumer type and breaking down where they live , how much money they make and what type of shopping experience they prefer ,” he adds . “ This allows brands to not only more effectively reach new consumers , but the right type of customers and the opportunity to re-target consumers with new offerings and products .”

City Hive is another company making full use of customer data . It provides full package ecommerce solutions to businesses .

“ In many cases , beverage retail owners do not have the time or expertise around implementing ecommerce and marketing experiences into their day-today workflow ,” says director of customers success Monika Figura . “ City Hive has been able to solve this problem by offering website and app builds , automated weekly marketing programs that highlight the stores best sellers and an easy way to implement online promotions and loyalty programs with minimal effort .” Professional design , marketing and advertising services executed by experts of its platforms will be soon available to add on as a feature , she says .

Koverly targets necessary B2B transactions within the industry . “ Koverly saves businesses time managing bills and increases profits and cash flow with more time to pay ,” Ostrovsky says . “[ The company ] also reduces the time businesses spend paying bills with streamlined accounting automation .”

WHAT ’ S NEXT ? We have only touched on the beginning of what technology is poised to change within the industry in the years ahead . So , what ’ s next ?

According to Southworth , “ The demand for branded ecommerce webstores will certainly continue to increase . While online marketplaces will always have a place in our industry , brands will more heavily invest in their own digital storefronts and experiences .”

Nothing will ever replace the in-person experience of going to your local beverage retailer to talk about different flavor profiles or hard-to-find bottles of whiskey . That experience is as much why local retailers exist as anything .

But that doesn ’ t mean beverage retailers can ignore the changing landscape in front of them , cautions Ouzts . “ The common denominator for successful solutions is that they must be easy to use for consumers ,” he says .

Trigg puts it succinctly : “ We see the future of ecommerce as being deeply connected to the onsite experience for merchants of all shapes and sizes .”

22 • BevX Issue 2022 www . cheersonline . com