BOPIS for Shopify: Complete Buy Online Pickup In Store Guide

BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup In Store) has transformed retail, with 67% of US shoppers using this service. For Shopify merchants with physical locations, BOPIS offers a competitive advantage that drives foot traffic and increases customer satisfaction.

What is BOPIS?

BOPIS stands for Buy Online, Pickup In Store. Customers browse and purchase products online, then collect their orders from a physical store location. Related terms include:

• Click and Collect: Common term in UK/Europe
• Curbside Pickup: Customer picks up without entering the store
• Store Pickup: General term for in-store collection

Why BOPIS Matters for Retail

Statistic	Impact
67% of US shoppers	Have used BOPIS in the past year
85% of BOPIS users	Make additional purchases when picking up
35% reduction	In last-mile delivery costs
50% of shoppers	Choose BOPIS to avoid shipping fees

Benefits of BOPIS for Shopify Merchants

For Your Business

1. Increased foot traffic: Customers visit your store to pick up orders
2. Additional sales: 85% of customers make impulse purchases during pickup
3. Lower shipping costs: No carrier fees for pickup orders
4. Reduced returns: Customers can verify products at pickup
5. Competitive advantage: Match big-box retailer convenience

For Your Customers

1. No shipping fees: Save money on delivery costs
2. Faster fulfillment: Often same-day availability
3. Convenience: Pick up when it suits their schedule
4. Product assurance: See items before taking them home
5. Flexibility: Easy returns or exchanges at pickup

How to Set Up BOPIS on Shopify

Step 1: Enable Store Pickup

1. Go to Shopify Admin > Settings > Shipping and delivery
2. Under "Local pickup", click Manage
3. Toggle on pickup for your location(s)
4. Set pickup instructions and expected preparation time

Step 2: Configure Pickup Locations

For each pickup location, you'll need to set:

• Location name and address: Exactly as customers will find it
• Pickup hours: When customers can collect orders
• Preparation time: How long before orders are ready
• Pickup instructions: Where to go, what to bring

Step 3: Set Up Notifications

Configure automatic notifications:

• Order confirmation with pickup details
• "Ready for pickup" notification
• Pickup reminder (if order isn't collected)

BOPIS Best Practices

1. Optimize Your Checkout Experience

Display pickup availability clearly:

• Show which items are available for pickup
• Display estimated ready time
• List available pickup locations

Make selection easy:

• Default to pickup for local customers
• Show pickup as first option
• Highlight "Free pickup" benefit

2. Manage Inventory Effectively

Real-time inventory sync is critical:

• Only show items actually in stock at pickup location
• Reserve inventory when order is placed
• Update availability immediately

Handle out-of-stock scenarios:

• Offer alternatives (ship instead, different location)
• Set buffer stock for high-demand items
• Enable backorder notifications

3. Streamline the Pickup Process

Create a designated pickup area:

• Clear signage directing customers
• Dedicated parking spots if possible
• Separate queue from regular shoppers

Train staff on pickup procedures:

• Order verification process
• Customer identification requirements
• Handling substitutions or issues

4. Communicate Proactively

Before pickup:

• Confirm order is ready
• Send pickup location details
• Include parking instructions

During pickup:

• Enable "I'm here" notifications
• Offer curbside delivery option
• Have staff ready during peak times

Curbside Pickup Implementation

Curbside pickup became essential during the pandemic and remains popular. Here's how to implement it:

Setting Up Curbside

1. Designate parking spots: Number them clearly
2. Create a notification system: Let customers announce arrival
3. Establish a delivery process: Staff brings orders to cars
4. Set operating hours: May differ from store hours

Curbside Best Practices

• Keep orders organized by pickup time
• Use packaging that's easy to hand over
• Have a backup plan for identification
• Consider weather protection for staff

Measuring BOPIS Success

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Track these metrics to optimize your BOPIS operation:

Metric	Target	Why It Matters
Pickup completion rate	>95%	Orders actually collected
Time to ready	<2 hours	Customer satisfaction
Additional purchases	>30%	Revenue opportunity
Customer wait time	<5 min	Pickup experience
NPS for pickup	>50	Overall satisfaction

Common BOPIS Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Orders not picked up

• Solution: Send reminders, set expiration policies, charge for uncollected orders

Challenge: Long wait times

• Solution: Improve staffing, better organization, appointment scheduling

Challenge: Inventory discrepancies

• Solution: Real-time sync, regular audits, buffer stock

Challenge: Peak time congestion

• Solution: Time slot scheduling, curbside option, extended hours

BOPIS for Multi-Location Stores

If you have multiple locations, consider these strategies:

Location Selection

• Let customers choose their preferred location
• Show inventory availability by location
• Offer "ship to store" for out-of-stock items

Consistent Experience

• Standardize pickup procedures across locations
• Use the same notification templates
• Train all locations on the same process

Performance Comparison

• Track metrics by location
• Share best practices across stores
• Identify and address underperforming locations

Future of BOPIS

BOPIS continues to evolve with new technologies and customer expectations:

Emerging Trends

1. Automated pickup lockers: 24/7 collection without staff
2. Drive-through pickup: Dedicated lanes for order collection
3. Scheduled pickup windows: Customers book specific times
4. Integrated loyalty programs: Rewards for pickup orders
5. Real-time tracking: See order preparation status

Preparing for the Future

• Invest in inventory management systems
• Consider pickup locker technology
• Implement scheduling capabilities
• Build mobile-first pickup experiences

Conclusion

BOPIS is no longer optional for retailers with physical stores—it's expected by customers. By implementing a smooth buy online, pickup in store experience, you can:

• Increase sales through additional in-store purchases
• Reduce shipping costs and delivery failures
• Improve customer satisfaction and loyalty
• Compete effectively with major retailers

Start with the basics: enable Shopify's built-in pickup feature, train your staff, and create a dedicated pickup area. Then optimize based on customer feedback and performance data.

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Want to offer scheduled pickup times to your customers? A pickup scheduling app can help you manage time slots and prevent long wait times.