Learn how automated payment collection can help with one of the industry’s biggest challenges.
All across the country, disruptions to the global supply chain and labor struggles caused by the pandemic are bringing a new challenge to the three-tier system – a delivery driver shortage. Early on, distributorships were considered an essential business, and thus, drivers became not just a necessity for business but unsung heroes. Unfortunately, nearly two years of demand have brought about labor challenges, and we’ve heard stories from a few of our distributor partners of drivers stopping for their first delivery of the day, and deciding to quit.
And it’s easy to understand the challenge. Drivers who have remained after the ongoing shifts in the field have worked tirelessly and dealt with changing restrictions, requirements, and now mandates. All while demand for alcohol went through the roof, especially in the off-premise segment. Additionally, the industry is experiencing a genuine shortage of certified drivers who are licensed (and willing) to drive the trucks.
While the tip in supply and demand caused by product and driver shortages have driven up the price of goods and made operating more difficult, it’s remained evident that valuing and respecting the time and energy drivers spend on delivering products promptly is vital. For a while, the priorities have been providing proper PPE and following health and safety guidelines. While those initiatives are still important, it’s time to do a little more. Giving drivers the tools necessary to improve efficiency and make deliveries easier is key to not just retention but consumer and customer satisfaction with your brand.
Streamline Manual Alcohol Payments
Implementing an automated invoice payment collection solution is one easy way to help deliveries run smoothly. With Fintech, delivery drivers and sales teams no longer have to chase checks or cash for alcohol payments; they receive a signature on the invoice, drop off the product, and head back out on the road. On average, drivers report that these contactless payments save about 15 minutes per delivery! Even better, these time savings aren’t only a benefit to the driver; they also reduce driver check-in times and eliminate manual processes for AR teams and other areas of the business.
Electronic payments benefit both the distributorship and its customers, so encouraging retail locations to sign up should be considered an extension of the already excellent customer service you provide. Plus, Fintech offers retailers a free solution for automated alcohol invoice payments, making it both beneficial AND affordable.
Easily Invite Your Retail Customers to Simplify Alcohol Payments
Over the past 18 months at Fintech, we’ve seen an astronomical increase in both distributors and retailers making the switch to cashless and even paperless operations. To help distributors encourage automated payments, we’ve developed the new e-Vite tool. E-vite is an easy-to-use tool that allows distributor teams to invite their retailers via text or email to enroll in free, electronic invoice payments. Plus, e-Vite allows distributor teams to track and understand where their retailers are in the enrollment process.
We’ve heard from all different kinds of distributors about the dramatic, positive changes that automated payments have brought to their businesses – a “revolutionary” change, to quote one of our partners. With faster, more efficient deliveries, teams can focus on doing more with less, a concept that’s particularly helpful in the face of a nationwide labor shortage. Instead of waiting around at a retail location, drivers will be able to maximize routes and focus on what they do best – delivering the very best libations all across the country.
Ready to learn more about electronic payment collection and the e-Vite tool? Complete the form below to request a call.
