1/23/2025

Shopify Store Strategy: Setting Up Effective Local Pickup Options

Are you ready to revolutionize your Shopify store's customer experience? Setting up effective LOCAL PICKUP options can significantly enhance your sales strategy. Not only does it provide convenience for your customers, but it also allows retailers to save on shipping costs & speed up fulfillment times. Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of establishing a robust local pickup strategy that will help your business THRIVE!

Understanding Local Pickup

Local pickup refers to a delivery method that allows customers to order products ONLINE & then collect them from a designated retail location. This is an attractive option for many consumers, as it saves them shipping fees & time waiting for their items to arrive. According to the Shopify Help Center, you can even set up specific arrangements for different product types by using the built-in features of your store.

Benefits of Local Pickup

Cost Savings: Customers avoid shipping fees, while you save on shipping costs.
Increased Convenience: Customers can choose a time that works for them to pick up their orders, reducing their waiting time.
Improved Inventory Management: Local pickup creates a streamlined process that enhances how you manage stock across locations.
Maximized Store Foot Traffic: Local pickup initiatives bring customers to your store, presenting opportunities for additional purchases.
Customer Engagement: A convenient pickup process fosters better customer relationships as they engage directly with your brand.

Requirements for Setting Up Local Pickup in Shopify

Before you hop on the local pickup train, ensure your Shopify store meets the following requirements:

At least One Location: You need to have at least one location that fulfills online orders. If you want to dive deeper into locations, refer to Shopify's locations guide.
Updated Checkout Version: You must have the latest version of checkout extensibility activated, especially if you're on a Shopify Plus plan. Check this checkout configurability guide.
Supported Theme: Make sure your Shopify theme supports pickup availability to display whether products are available for local pickup at checkout. Not all themes include this feature, so consult the Shopify Theme Store to find the right one.

Setting Up Local Pickup in Your Shopify Store

Now, let's dive into the practical steps to set up local pickup:

Step 1: Enable Local Pickup

To enable local pickup for your customers, follow these steps:

Log into your Shopify admin.
Go to Settings > Shipping and delivery.
In the Pickup section, click on Set up.
Select the locations you want to designate for pickup.
Specify any expected processing times & instructions for customers.
Save the settings.

For a visual guide, check out Shopify's Set Pickup Store guide.

Step 2: Managing Store Transfers

In some cases, you might need to transfer items from different locations to fulfill a local pickup order. To set up store transfers, do the following:

In your admin, navigate to Settings > Shipping.
Choose the Pickup store section, click ›.
Click on the locations for which you want to set store transfers.
Specify the locations you wish to transfer inventory from when needed and adjust processing times as required.
Save your settings.

Step 3: Setting Transfer Exclusions

If you have specific product collections that should not be available for transfer to the pickup location, follow these steps:

In Settings, go to Shipping delivery.
Find the Pickup store section & click on Set up.
Select Transfer exclusions. Choose collections you want to exclude & hit done!
Save your choices.

Step 4: Activate Pickup Service with Custom Apps

If you want to use a custom app for managing in-store pickup, make sure to activate that service via Shopify Admin. Here’s how:

Under Settings, select Shipping delivery.
Click on Set up in the Pickup store segment.
In the Pickup service section, click Change.
Choose the custom app you want to enable. Click Save.
Select Choose pickup service to finalize.

Step 5: Fulfilling In-Store Pickup Orders

Once you’ve set everything up, fulfilling local pickup orders becomes a breeze. Here’s how:

In your Shopify admin, navigate to Orders.
Click on the in-store pickup order you wish to fulfill.
If transfer is required, ensure that is completed before continuing.
Click Prepare pickup followed by Send pickup notification to the customer informing them their order is ready for collection.

Local Pickup User Experience

Creating a seamless & user-friendly experience for local pickup orders is critical. Here are a few ways to enhance that experience:

Clear Instructions: Provide clear instructions on your product pages about how the local pickup process works. The more transparent you are, the better!
Easy Notifications: Use automated notifications to let customers know when their order is ready for pickup and provide important details like time & location.
Pickup Window: Introduce designated pickup windows during busy days, such as weekends, making it easier for customers to plan their visits without long wait times.

Delivering a Compelling Local Pickup Strategy

To make the most of your local pickup options, consider these best practices:

Use Themes that Highlight Pickup: Choose Shopify themes promoting pickup availability right at the cart page, making it easy for customers to see that they have this option.
Integrate Engaging Chat Options: Join thousands of brands enhancing customer engagement by implementing chatbots via platforms like Arsturn. These chatbots help answer queries related to orders, including local pickup, quickly & efficiently.
Stock Management and Inventory: Ensure your backend system accurately reflects inventory levels across all locations. This enables customers to see real-time availability of products for pickup in their preferred outlets.

Conclusion: Optimize with Arsturn

As you craft your local pickup strategy, don’t forget to use tools that will elevate your operations. Consider utilizing Arsturn, which empowers you to create customized chatbots without coding! With Arsturn, you can effortlessly engage your audience on your website, address their needs, & make your local pickup process even more efficient. With features that allow you to fully customize your chatbot & analyze engagement metrics, Arsturn is the perfect companion for your Shopify store.

Now is the time to revolutionize how you manage local pickup & customer interactions. Don't let your store fall behind - leverage local pickup to boost sales & create memorable experiences for your customers. SIGN UP for Arsturn today & see the difference in your customer engagement. With proper setup & tools in place, your customers will appreciate the convenience & you will enjoy the increased sales!

People enjoy flexibility and speed. So cater to that with a solid local pickup setup that delights your shoppers. Start transforming today!