The first trulyomnichannel auto repair system is upon us as AutoZone partners with Openbay. The partnership, launching this month, will allow consumers (beginning in the Boston area) to comparison shop service and maintenance packages with local repair shops for their specific vehicles. The service combines AutoZone store parts with Openbay's online marketplace for auto repair. Learn more details about the partnership on Openbay's blog. The partnership enables true omnichannel retailing from both parties, combining the online comparison shopping enabled by Openbay and the in-store experience consumers have come to know and depend on for both parts and service from AutoZone.
The partnership also enables ease of use for consumers, allowing quick and easy comparison shopping, where previously consumers may have had to drive from repair shop to repair shop to find the best price and value for their vehicle. This partnership provides benefits to both retailers. Openbay gains lower customer acquisition cost and a 10% commission. AutoZone gains another channel of expertise by having a network of professional repair and installation services. The partnership offers obvious omnichannel advantages, but also opens new channels of expertise and revenue potential for both organizations. In a time where consumers are increasingly educated about their purchases and are apt to comparison shop, the Openbay/AutoZone partnership allows retailers to catch up, meet and exceed consumer expectations. Omnichannel retailing also provides a seamless shopping experience across stores and online channels. This has become somewhat of an inevitable move for U.S. retailers, as online revenues have been substantial for almost all retailers, but it has not turned into big business for any of them. As AutoZone partners with Openbay, the current landscape of omnichannel retailing will become more developed. As AutoZone partners with Openbay expanding their omnichannel reach, they follow many other major retailers.
Forbes article, Why Is Omni-Channel Retailing So Important For Bed Bath & Beyond, shows how brands like Wal-Mart, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Costco have focused on omnichannel and their customers experience in their own ways. Brand choice is at the heart of a successful loyalty and incentives program. Want to learn more?
