How to Use WhatsApp Business API for Supermarkets?

Processing orders and maintaining the customers’ crowd for grocery shopping is now easy. How? Let me tell you. WhatsApp is now accessible for supermarket operations as well. Yes, the supermarkets can integrate WhatsApp Business API to simplify their operations. 

Afterall, WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging application in the world. Every brand, industry, or business is using WhatsApp to sell their products, engage with customers, and, most importantly, compete with other brands. Businesses of different sizes are using the strength of WhatsApp Business API to get real-world results. 

In this article, we will be discussing using WhatsApp Business API for supermarkets. To know more about this, you can read the features, benefits, and steps to integrate WhatsApp for business.

How WhatsApp Has Impacted the Supermarkets Statistics?

WhatsApp has been mostly used by businesses to make their operations more efficient. It has significantly impacted the supermarket’s tasks and customer engagement, driving notable changes in sales and interaction strategies. We all know very well that WhatsApp has more than 2 billion active monthly users who leverage it for their personal and professional tasks.

Here are the key statistics of using WhatsApp Business API for supermarkets:

• A study shows that around 84% of Indian retailers and sellers use WhatsApp to receive orders from their customers. It simplifies the ordering process and improves customer satisfaction.
• In Brazil, 32.67% of the biggest retail stores have integrated WhatsApp into their sales process. It shows a substantial shift in digital engagement in supermarkets.
• Companies that use WhatsApp have monitored conversion rates between 45-60%, which is especially higher than old marketing methods like Email and SMS, which generally have 2-5% conversion rates.
• Across 57% of clients, brands are often on WhatsApp, with 70% reporting enhanced brand awareness due to these conversations.

What is Supermarket Shopping on WhatsApp?

One of the newest features of using WhatsApp Business API for supermarkets is that it allows them to sell items, groceries, and household items through WhatsApp. This is the most convenient way for clients to browse through groceries, add items to their cart, and complete payment. Everything can be done in real-time or in the user-friendly interface of WhatsApp.

WhatsApp merges quite effective features to allow good shopping on WhatsApp, via:

Product Catalog: Offers brands the ability to display their entire list of products in the WhatsApp interface itself. Customers do not need to search for products somewhere else on the website to process their shopping.

Quick replies: Having this feature does not let your customers go without getting a reply. Businesses can respond to FAQs or common questions immediately via pre-defined WhatsApp message templates.

Payments: Introducing the UPI payment feature on WhatsApp’s platform has uncovered the option for online businesses to grow their business and sell items.

According to a Statista analysis, the country’s online grocery sector is expected to be worth over one trillion Indian rupees by 2024. WhatsApp’s end-to-end shopping capability is a winning strike in the current era of rapidly growing quick commerce enterprises because it makes food purchasing even easier for customers.

Top 6 Benefits of Using WhatsApp Business API for Supermarkets

The WhatsApp Business API gives companies many options for engaging with their consumers. Yet, there are effective benefits you should see before going to integrating tools for supermarkets. That’s why we have mentioned below the top 6 benefits of using API for supermarkets.

1. Convenience 

For any business, including supermarkets, convenience is one of the greatest benefits of online shopping for houses over WhatsApp. Since we carry our mobile everywhere, you can explore product catalogues. Your family could share the list of items on chat while you can instantly fill your shopping cart without hustling among various shopping platforms.

You can even talk in real time to make your order, complete online payment, track your order, and receive help quickly when your order is on the way to your destination.

2. Time-saving

Consider visiting the supermarket to buy your monthly groceries, as it’s essential and takes so much to travel to the store, choose items, and check out after a long wait in the queues. Instead of going and buying items for your home, grocery shopping on WhatsApp is super convenient and time-saving. It can help you to get rid of the long queue in supermarkets, which can be a time saver for people having a tough schedule and limited time on weekends to chill.

3. Real-time interactions      

Customer queries will never go unanswered on a virtual platform. How? WhatsApp engages you with the store in real time. Hence you can ask questions about particular products or brand availability, cost, etc. All while being in the app chat interface. 

4. Personalized shopping experience

Supermarkets have the chance to give their customers a customized shopping experience through a verified WhatsApp business profile. Businesses can share relevant product recommendations, make promotional suggestions, and even provide customized discounts by examining past purchases and preferences. This degree of customization raises the possibility of recurring business and improves consumer satisfaction.

5. Immediate customer support

This is when WhatsApp chatbots are experts at offering quick customer support when compared with other platforms. If you have a very expensive app interface such as Swiggy or Zomato where you have integrated chat support, then others. Your buyers can ask about product availability, cost, and offers directly via the chatbot on WhatsApp. Automated replies can manage common queries, reduce your staff workload, and let them focus on other tasks. Quick replies offer to boost positive shopping experience, customer satisfaction, and trust.

6. Effortless ordering and delivery

Through WhatsApp automation, supermarkets can simplify the ordering and delivery process. Clients can easily share their requirements in a chat with the business. They can select specific time slots for delivery and place orders via a chat interface. Customers can specify their preferences and delivery details. Integrating WhatsApp Business API for supermarkets, they can offer real-time order updates, estimated delivery time, and also tracking orders. Such convenience motivates customers to pick the supermarket’s delivery service more than competitors.

Use Cases of WhatsApp Business API for Supermarkets

Here are the best use cases of how supermarkets are using WhatsApp Business API to simplify business routine tasks. Check it below:

1. Order updates

In every business, customization increases customer experience as it boosts the shopping experience. Users can easily track their orders to know when the order will be delivered. Order placement, item assembly, and delivery levels are informed with real-time updates. Providing clear and transparent updates to clients creates their trust and the convenience of receiving the order.

2. Exclusive deals

For providing instant alerts and information on special offers, WhatsApp has proven to be an excellent platform. However, customers frequently missed these exclusive offers, and businesses lost out on sales since the proper medium was unavailable. Additionally, customers will be encouraged to buy more and save more money if they use WhatsApp for grocery shopping and receive exclusive reward notifications on the same platform.

3. Quick support

As WhatsApp is the most effective platform for quick conversation. Clients are offered immediate response through chat for any concerns like product availability, billing errors, and missing products. Clients can interact with support teams without any long waiting process for customer support.

4. Promotion and special offers via WhatsApp broadcasting

Supermarkets can introduce exclusive discounts and offers to inform clients of ongoing promotions and deals by WhatsApp broadcasting. By sharing targeted messages depending on client preferences, customers will always be informed about WhatsApp marketing campaigns that are relevant to them. It not only enhances sales but also creates a sense of exclusivity and encourages buyers to take advantage of the limited offers.

5. Loyalty Programs and Rewards

Employing loyalty programs via WhatsApp Business API can prompt clients to buy at the supermarket continuously. The chatbot can handle customers’ records of buying, offer loyalty, and offer updates on available rewards. Such a game-changing platform for the shopping experience not only enhances customer retention but also stimulates additional investment to achieve more rewards.

6. Feedback and enhancement through survey forms

Pre-defined WhatsApp message templates could be utilized to collect valuable feedback from shoppers via Survey forms. Supermarkets can leverage the important details to know customer interests, know things to improve, and increase product offerings. By actively listening to client feedback, businesses can stay constant and adhere to changing market demands, basically growing customer loyalty and trust.

For instance, Reliance Industries-backed JioMart (Jio WhatsApp number), an online and offline grocery (supermarket) platform in India, uses WhatsApp Business API + Shop to interact with clients and assist them in making quick grocery purchases.

Supermarket Store Examples Leveraging WhatsApp

Below are some examples of supermarket stores utilizing WhatsApp Business API in real time for effective marketing campaigns.

Bigbasket 

Bigbasket, a renowned online supermarket retailer launched in India, started a ‘weekly deals & recipes’ campaign through whatsapp to spread awareness of the products. They broadcast WhatsApp messages for subscribers, providing coupon codes and exclusive weekly offers to all members of the store. Also, they shared quick and simple recipe videos or images showing ingredients readily available across the platform to keep clients entertained. This creative Bigbasket product line encourages users to cook healthy dishes.

Jio Mart

JioMart revolutionizes the online shopping of households and groceries by integrating WhatsApp Business API. The integration presents clients with a seamless, end-to-end experience directly within the app. For people who have never shopped anything before, experience effortless catalog browsing. Buyers can add items to their cart and complete payment all without leaving the WhatsApp chat interface.

Flipkart supermarket

A renowned Indian brand, Flipkart is a supermarket store as well. The platform leverages WhatsApp Business API to improve customer engagement and boost conversation. By linking a WhatsApp chatbot, the platform transformed its customer service strategy and made communication more dynamic and user-friendly. The ‘Flipkart grocery’ is a separate option in the Flipkart app. Using WhatsApp, the platform can empower customer support and order placements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How to promote my supermarket store to customers?

A. You can promote your supermarket store by sharing your WhatsApp Business contact number with consumers. You can do it via social media posts, updating your Whatsapp status, website, email, and SMS campaigns. 

Q2. Is a website required to start grocery shopping on WhatsApp?

A. Not at all. It is not necessary to have a website to start buying groceries on WhatsApp. Though, it’s good to have it if you have to expand your business. To provide grocery shopping on WhatsApp, contact GetItSMS to link WhatsApp to your store. Prospects can complete their shopping process and place orders via WhatsApp directly.

Q3. What are the charges for setting up a supermarket on WhatsApp?

A. There is no price for setting up the available catalog option on WhatsApp. However, companies leverage WhatsApp Business API through WhatsApp Solution Providers like Getgabs. The provider may cost for some additional features, including AI chatbots, hosting catalogs, platform charges, etc.

Q4. Can we use multimedia files in WhatsApp messages?

A. Yes, adding multimedia files like images, PDFs, emojis, and GIFs in WhatsApp text-based messages helps to resolve support communication more quickly and effortlessly.

Q5. How to integrate WhatsApp Business API for supermarkets?

A. GetItSMS is the top-notch WhatsApp Business Solution Provider that offers WhatsApp marketing services. You can contact the team to integrate WhatsApp API for your store.

Q6. How to market products on WhatsApp?

A. Marketing products on WhatsApp requires following a few steps, like setting up a WhatsApp business platform account. Integrate WhatsApp with your store, known marketing campaign goals, and audience, and set up entry points. Write a campaign message, check your campaign performance, and send.

Conclusion

Integrating WhatsApp Business API for the supermarket is the right opportunity to elevate the customer’s online grocery shopping. WhatsApp Business API is changing the consumer experience in the space where foods and technology collide. Supermarkets that use these technologies are establishing new benchmarks for everything from virtual cooking classes to tailored advice. The combination of convenience and interaction offers a purchasing experience unlike any other as we traverse this digital frontier!