7 Game-Changing Strategies to Supercharge Your Order Preparation and Boost In-Store Sales
By Charlotte Journo-Baur, founder of WISHIBAM
In today’s rapidly evolving retail landscape, order preparation has moved from a simple logistical step to the beating heart of omnichannel performance. Across hundreds of retailers, one pattern clearly emerges: those who optimize order preparation outperform. Why? Because customers are buying more than products—they expect seamless, fast, and reliable experiences. Here, we reveal the concrete strategies that empower retailers to transform their stores into high-performing logistics hubs perfectly aligned with the new reality.
Why Order Preparation Has Become Retail’s Critical Battleground
E-commerce Explosion and Phygital Growth: The Numbers Tell the Story
Retail as we knew it has irrevocably changed. Recent FEVAD figures are revealing: in 2023, 72% of French consumers used click & collect. And, according to McKinsey, 76% of shoppers leverage at least three different channels before purchasing.
“I used to see my store as a simple sales outlet. Now it’s a mini-warehouse, pickup point, showroom—and sometimes even a shipping center,” confided a major ready-to-wear brand director.
This evolution is structural, not anecdotal.
Physical stores are now true logistics hubs, fully integrated into an omnichannel chain. Practically, it means rethinking store layouts. Our clients who have created dedicated order preparation areas have seen productivity soar—by an average of 23%!
Customer Expectations Have Changed: Speed, Reliability, Transparency
Today’s customers are impatient and demand transparency. Data is striking:
- 87% abandon their carts if delivery is too slow
- 55% of abandonments are due to logistics issues (Baymard Institute)
With one home décor retailer, we saw online conversion rates jump by 17% after cutting preparation times from 48 hours to just 4 hours.
Fast and reliable order prep means higher sales—and happier, more loyal customers. Considering that capturing a new customer costs 5-7 times more than keeping one (Harvard Business Review), the stakes are considerable.
Keys to Streamlining In-Store and Online Order Preparation
Centralizing Inventory and Unifying Flows: The Foundation of Effective Omnichannel Logistics
The number one mistake retailers make? Siloed management of store and web stock. Imagine a customer seeking a size in-store that’s in fact available online—yet unreachable. Result: lost sale and disappointed client.
- Unified inventory reduces stockouts by 30% and boosts web sales by 20% (IBM Study)
One sporting goods client reduced their site’s stockout rate from 15% to 4% after shifting to store-based web order preparation (ship-from-store), fueling a +23% revenue rise in just three months.
Centralizing inventory is more than tech—it’s a new mindset. Tools like our platform give real-time, total visibility across all stocks, unlocking the flexibility buyers expect.
Equipping Store Teams to Gain Efficiency and Peace of Mind
Salespeople have become pickers, often without sufficient support. In some cases, up to 2 hours per day are lost just hunting for web order products.
- Mobile scanners
- Smart picklists and real-time alerts
- User-friendly, intuitive interfaces
- Targeted training
For one retailer, equipping staff with mobile terminals cut order prep time from 12 to just 3 minutes each.
Providing tools without training is pointless. Retailers investing at least 3 hours of team training report up to 40% more results than those who just deploy new tech.
Interface matters. We designed WISHIBAM’s tools with—and for—salespeople, achieving a 94% adoption rate (vs an industry average of 67%).
WISHIBAM: The Sovereign Solution for Frictionless Order Preparation
A Platform Designed for Retailers, Not Web Giants
WISHIBAM stands apart. While mainstream solutions cater to pure players or force foreign models on local retailers, we built a sovereign, 100% French platform tailored to your real-world operations.
- Native interconnectivity with ERP, PIM, CRM
- Interface focused on store teamwork
- Complete data control
One fashion client with 120 stores had wasted six months with an American system before turning to us—adopting WISHIBAM in eight weeks, with initial 87% adoption.
Your store shouldn’t adapt to our tech—our tech adapts to you. Results are quick, sustainable, and never disruptive.
Concrete Results: +40% In-Store Productivity, -50% Customer Returns
Our clients typically see:
- +40% gain in in-store productivity
- -50% in customer returns
- -70% in new hire training time
- +25% web order conversion rate
Maisons du Monde reduced prep time per salesperson from 1.5 hours to just 20 minutes daily. Another client, a sporting goods brand, saw satisfaction jump from 3.7 to 4.6/5—with customers citing “orders ready right when promised.”
“These are not isolated cases, but the rule. With the right approach, order preparation becomes your key advantage, not a logistical headache.”
What If You Turned Your Store Into an Omnichannel Growth Engine?
Order preparation is now a strategic priority. As the lines between online and offline fade, mastering order management is fast becoming the ultimate retail differentiator.
Every day, WISHIBAM helps retailers turn logistics into growth. We believe your store can—and should—become an omnichannel powerhouse.
Contact us to discover how WISHIBAM can help you meet this challenge.
FAQ: Optimizing Store/Web Order Preparation
How can I reduce in-store order preparation time?
By organizing dedicated storage areas, equipping sales staff with mobile devices and scanners, and optimizing picking routes. WISHIBAM clients average a 65% reduction in preparation time.
Which KPIs should I track to measure order preparation efficiency?
Monitor average preparation time, error rate, stockout rate, lead time from order to availability, and customer satisfaction. WISHIBAM provides a real-time dashboard for all these indicators.
How can I effectively train my teams for order preparation?
Combine theoretical (omnichannel issues) and practical (hands-on tool use) sessions. Opt for short formats (max 2 hours), delivered regularly, and based on real scenarios. WISHIBAM offers a turnkey program proven with thousands of users.
What’s the difference between ship-from-store and click & collect?
Ship-from-store involves sending web purchases directly from a store to the customer’s home, while click & collect allows in-store order pickup. WISHIBAM covers both flows seamlessly.
How can I manage peak activity periods in order preparation?
Plan ahead using historical data, enable team flexibility through cross-training, and adapt processes as needed. Our forecasting module notifies your teams before peak surges.
What ROI can I expect from an order preparation optimization solution?
WISHIBAM clients average 300% ROI over 12 months, with breakeven typically reached in 3 to 6 months. Savings come from cost cuts, increased sales, and improved satisfaction.
How do I integrate an order preparation solution with my existing system?
WISHIBAM offers native integration with over 30 leading ERPs and e-commerce solutions. Our team provides custom integration, typically operational in 6–8 weeks and non-disruptive for daily business.