Retail is all about the consumer, but is the sector truly addressing its customers’ requirements? No, unless they design something that is unique to each client. Configure-to-order is a relatively new concept that Expivi embodies and they’ll be at NRF 2023.
Retail’s Big Show is taking place in mid-January at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, in non-other than New York City, one of the main retail capitals in the world. The event is meant to connect top retailers and retail solutions, therefore building a stronger industry. It’s about discussing the future of the sector and finding out where it’s going.
The traditional is being replaced by the innovative, providing the best customer experience while moving the industry to a more sustainable level.
Make-to-stock is, therefore, bit by bit, being replaced by make-to-order. Why? Make-to-stock is the old way of producing, guessing what the customer is going to buy, purchasing a shedload of materials to create it, and leaving it on your shelves in the hope that someone purchases it.
Make-to-order quite simply means that a product is only manufactured when it’s ordered, which is why it can be tailored to the customer’s needs. This comes with great benefits for companies as they only have to buy the materials and components needed to make specific orders.
Businesses no longer have to rent or own large storage areas because there’s nothing to store. The environment also benefits from this way of producing, since there’s less waste and less energy needed for manufacturing
Make-to-order comes with its challenges though, such as the lack of uniform quality standards and miscommunication between brands and manufacturers. The fact that customers are unable to visualize what they personally order adds to the difficulties experienced by businesses that adopted this way of producing.
But what if there was a way of having all the benefits of make-to-order without having to worry about its setbacks?
That’s right, configure-to-order enters the chat.
Configure-to-order is the manufacturing process where products are assembled and configured according to customer requirements. The client is responsible for the design of the product at the time of the order.
That’s what Expivi is about - 3D configuration that empowers both shoppers and brands to get the best out of their intertwined journeys. How do they do it?
By the means of a multi-function platform, they integrate a 3D configurator onto a company’s website, replacing the normal product imagery with an interactive experience.
After the integration, customers have 360-degree views of products, providing them with the opportunity to zoom in and out, rotate, and even change features such as size, material, and color. It can go as deep as a business wants it to go. Some online companies allow accessorizing and engraving, for example. All while the pricing is updated in real-time.
No more guessing what the product is going to look like, or how much it will cost. Clients will have a real ‘feel’ of what they are designing.
After the purchase, a bill of materials with all that is necessary to produce the item is created and sent to the manufacturer that has access to the same platform. This decreases the chances of miscommunication and production errors.
It works. Brands like L'Oréal, Prominent, IMONTANA, and T1tan joined Expivi in its journey to a better online shopping experience.
The future of retail is moving towards personalization, customization, and sustainable consumption. Expivi is leading the charge and they’ll be at NRF 2023 to tell you all about it.
About Expivi
Expivi is a Software-as-a-Service that enables businesses to offer a fantastic customer experience powered by a 3D configurator and Augmented Reality.
The platform instantly configures prices and quotes; streamlines the flow from manufacturer to the customer by automating the bill of materials for production; provides greater sales velocity; and reduces production errors.
Brands can give customers more choices without consuming an excess of products and reducing inventory.
Expivi accelerates the path towards a direct-to-consumer sustainable future.
Founded in 2017, Expivi is headquartered out of Eindhoven in The Netherlands and has established a team in Salt Lake City, USA, in 2020 and Munich, Germany in 2022.
Press Contact
marketing@expivi.com