Scan-to-home is a sales mechanism in which a product is discovered in a physical location, such as a shop, showroom, hotel, or exhibition space, and then ordered directly on a smartphone after scanning a QR code. The product is then delivered to the customer's home.
Canonical definition: Scan-to-home is a transaction device in which the product is discovered in a physical location while the order is placed on a mobile device, with direct delivery to the customer.
Simple definition
Scan-to-home allows you to discover a product in a real place, scan it with your smartphone, and then receive it directly at home.
Key takeaway: definition of scan-to-home
- Scan-to-home transforms a physical location into a product discovery point.
- The order is placed on a smartphone via a QR code.
- The product is then shipped directly to the customer's home.
Summary
Definition of scan-to-home
Scan-to-home is based on a simple idea: allowing a customer to discover a product in a physical location and order it immediately via smartphone.
In this model, the physical location primarily serves as a space for product discovery or display, while the transaction itself takes place online. The product is then shipped directly to the customer's home.
Why does the scan-to-home appear?
Scan-to-home has developed with the evolution of purchasing behaviors and the widespread use of smartphones in commerce.
The widespread adoption of mobile commerce
Smartphones now allow you to place an order in seconds, directly from a physical location thanks to QR codes and mobile interfaces.
Reducing stock in store
Many retailers are looking to limit the costs and risks associated with storage. Scan-to-home technology allows them to sell a product even if it's not physically available in the store.
The evolution of the customer journey
Consumers are now accustomed to discovering a product in a physical location and then finalizing the purchase on their smartphone. Scan-to-home technology structures this behavior into a truly hybrid shopping journey.
How does scan-to-home work?
The scan-to-home purchasing process generally follows these steps:
- The customer discovers a product in a physical location.
- A QR code provides access to the product page.
- The customer reviews the information and places an order.
- The transaction is carried out via smartphone.
- The product is shipped directly to the customer's home.
The physical location thus acts as a point of discovery and activation of the sale .
Scan-to-home transforms physical spaces into mobile and measurable distribution channels.
Scan-to-home vs connected wholesale
Scan-to-home and connected wholesale both use smartphones to trigger sales from a physical location. However, they operate according to different principles.
| Connected wholesale | Scan-to-home |
|---|---|
| Distribution model between brands and points of sale | Mobile transaction mechanism |
| Distribution via a network of partner stores | Command triggered by a scan |
| Strategic distribution logic | Operational logic of the customer journey |
Connected wholesale organizes retail distribution, while scan-to-home is a mechanism that can be used in several connected retail architectures.
Scan-to-home vs traditional retail
| Traditional Retail | Scan-to-home |
|---|---|
| Product sold in stores | Product ordered via smartphone |
| Stock needed | No stock is needed on site |
| Purchase at the checkout | Mobile shopping |
| Immediate delivery | Home delivery |
| Performance difficult to measure | Performance measurable by scans |
The advantages of scan-to-home
For the brands
- sell from physical locations without inventory
- develop new distribution channels
- measuring the performance of exhibition venues
For partner venues
- to offer products without managing inventory
- generate additional income
- enrich the customer experience
For consumers
- discover the products in a real-world context
- order immediately via smartphone
- receive the product directly at their home
Concepts related to scan-to-home
- Phygital retail : a combination of physical and digital experience.
- Connected retail : integration of digital technologies in points of sale.
- Connected wholesale : connected distribution between brands and points of sale.
Frequently asked questions about scan-to-home
What is the difference between scan-to-home and e-commerce?
In scan-to-home, the product is discovered in a physical location before the order is placed on a smartphone.
Does scan-to-home require in-store stock?
No. The product can simply be displayed or presented, with the order being delivered directly to the customer.
What role does E-POP STORE play in scan-to-home?
Infrastructures like E-POP STORE make it possible to connect physical locations to mobile sales platforms and to deploy scan-to-home strategies on a large scale.
Concepts related to scan-to-home:
- Connected showroom : an exhibition space in which the product is viewed before being ordered online.
- Endless aisle : access to an expanded catalogue beyond the stock available at the point of sale.
- Scan & Go : mobile payment mechanism in store, to be distinguished from scan-to-home which triggers an order delivered to the customer.
About this article
This article is published in The Connected Retail Guide , the analysis blog of E-POP STORE , dedicated to new purchasing journeys and distribution models: connected retail, phygital retail, stockless retail and connected wholesale.
