Everyone knows that getting rid of paper receipts is good for the environment. But these “green” receipts are now widely used. What’s the main reason? Digital receipts are good for business, no matter how big or small the store is. Even more, digital receipts are changing the way stores market themselves.
How to use digital receipts
Here’s how digital receipts work at the point of sale at their most basic level:
- When a customer checks out, this same cashier asks if they want a paper receipt, a digital receipt, or both.
- If the customer selects a digital receipt, the bank teller simply enters the customer’s email address, and the receipt is delivered to the customer’s email inbox.
- The digital receipt system records information about the transaction, including the email address of the customer. All of this information can be used for present and future marketing programmes.
The Advantages of Using Digital Receipts
Retailers spend billions of dollars every year on thermal paper receipts. Digital receipts are much cheaper than paper ones because they don’t need to be printed. This also cuts down on overhead costs.
With the latest digital receipt technology, stores can put marketing messages on the receipt, which can sometimes be tailored to the specific customer. With digital receipts, it’s easy for stores to construct email lists and get customer information at the point of sale.
With the digital receipt program’s dynamic content, retailers can send each customer unique information that is relevant to them. For instance, the receipt could list other items that would coordinate well with the one just bought, or it could show relevant things that are only available online.
The disadvantages of using digital receipts
Although there are numerous advantages to just using digital receipts, the Washington Post lists some of the disadvantages.
It is easier to overlook
Digital receipts are helpful in many ways, but they can also be inconvenient in some ways. For example, customers are more likely to miss them, which could make it hard for them to balance their checks and keep their books.
Tech knowledge needed
Even though you don’t have to be a tech genius to get a digital receipt, the customer should know at least a little bit about technology or it could be a problem.
Possibility of data compromise
We all know that when we do things online, our security could be compromised. Even though these are rare, there is a chance that the personal information of your customers could get into the wrong hands.
Read more: Understanding Paperless E-Receipts’ Benefits for Your Business
