Why Implement a Mobile Ski Tech Solution in Your Store?
On the heels of heavy snowfall and a resort occupancy rate of 71% during the 18/19 season mirroring the success of the previous year the industry has enjoyed a period of robust performance. While the Union Sport & Cycle noted a marginal 1% dip in ski rentals compared to the “historic” 2017-2018 peak, customer satisfaction remains exceptionally high. For mountain retailers, this positive sentiment is an encouraging sign as we look toward the upcoming season.
As the first dusting of snow begins to settle across the French massifs, preparations are reaching a fever pitch in-store. Retailers are working tirelessly to ensure everything is in place to welcome the first wave of enthusiasts as soon as the ski domains officially open.
Three years ago, Orisha Commerce revolutionized the rental market by launching its “Skiman” mobile application a major leap forward in managing the rental workflow. Building on that momentum, the software expanded into several stores to power specialized equipment rental services directly within chalets and hotels.
Drawing on two decades of expertise in in-store mobility applications, we are taking a closer look at why mobile solutions have become such a powerful driver of profitability for retailers and a catalyst for innovation for the end consumer.
Accelerating Queue Management
The stakes for mountain ski shops are high: they typically have a narrow six-week window to generate 80% of their annual revenue. This requires managing massive customer volumes without compromising on the speed, personalization, or quality of service regardless of the conditions. Our application is designed to flex around any rental workflow. Whether you prefer to greet customers with their web reservations directly at the fitting bench or require them to check in at the counter before heading to the technician, the software adapts to your specific operational model.
The Orisha Commerce solution ensures a much smoother service flow, even when dealing with the sudden arrival of large groups. Our shop handles a high volume of half-day and full-day rentals, which means we must serve customers rapidly while still making them feel valued. Using Orisha Commerce’s tools, we can process between 600 and 650 equipment movements skis, boots, and helmets in just 45 minutes. The mobility tool has effectively freed up nearly one full staff position during peak periods, allowing me to reassign that team member to other critical tasks.
Offering In-Chalet Ski Rental Services
“Orisha Commerce’s mobility tools give us the freedom to operate both inside and outside the store. For our summer bike rental business, returns are handled outdoors, making Orisha’s mobility tool perfectly suited for the task,” explains Pascal Espitallier, who operated six stores in Les Deux Alpes until this season. This mirrors a growing trend in several resorts: the premium delivery of skis, helmets, and boots directly to a customer’s chalet or hotel.
Orisha Commerce stands as the only ski-specific software in France to offer an application capable of fully digitizing these “off-site” rental services. By utilizing 3G or 4G connectivity on a standard smartphone, the app brings every in-store feature to the field: customer profiles, rental vouchers, and equipment check-outs, returns, or exchanges. This provides retailers with granular, real-time visibility into the status and location of every single pair of skis in their fleet.
Delivering a Personalized, VIP Customer Journey
The application enables staff to instantly pull up web reservations and pair them with selected equipment to generate a rental voucher on the spot. You gain immediate access to a comprehensive customer profile, detailing their history with your shop, equipment preferences, family members, and more. Whether you use the app strictly for equipment assignment or as a tool for high-touch, end-to-end customer guidance throughout the store, you are empowered to deliver a truly bespoke experience.
Optimized for High-Volume and Rapid Operations
For high-efficiency return management, nothing beats the ability to scan items on the fly. The app immediately flags if a piece of equipment is missing such as a child’s helmet accidentally left in the back of the customer’s car. Once every item is scanned and the app confirms the rental is complete, the process is seamless.
If the customer has already prepaid, they are free to head out immediately without clogging up the checkout lines. The entire rental is closed out directly within the app.
Maximizing Valuable Floor Space
Naturally, a mobile app tucked into a technician’s pocket occupies zero floor space compared to a bulky desktop workstation. Given the premium price of retail real estate in resorts, this is a significant advantage. A traditional setup requires a screen, a PC tower, a scanner, and potentially a card reader at every station.
In contrast, the mobile configuration runs on a ruggedized professional smartphone with a built-in barcode scanner. These devices are purpose-built for the shop environment fully resistant to drops, impacts, and moisture.
A Solution for Customer Loyalty and Revenue Growth
While resorts innovate annually to captivate a broad audience of mountain enthusiasts, retailers are playing their part by evolving their service models. Today’s consumers are understandably demanding; they seek simplicity and a frictionless journey from start to finish.
In this competitive landscape, Orisha Commerce’s mobile solution for ski technicians isn’t just a tool it is an essential strategic ally for any forward-thinking mountain retailer.
