POS Sales Increase, Point of Sale Signage Requirement, Small Retail Brokers, Google Helps Local Retail, Top Retail News Stories of 2009

The holiday shopping season is nearing its end and that means its time to focus on resolutions for the new upcoming year. This week we feature three ideas that you might consider implementing into the business plan for your retail establishment. Starting the New Year with at least one of these solutions could mean an increase in profits, upgrading your small retail POS to accept EBT cards, hiring a small business sales broker or being chosen as a favorite place by Google. We also feature a new requirement for retailers in New York in regards point of sale signage for returns. Ending this weeks round up is the best retail stories of the year as picked by the Retail Customer Experience.

1. Retailers See Market Opportunities Below the Poverty Line – Considering the numbers it’s not surprising that many small retail stores are upgrading their point of sale equipment to be able to accept EBT cards. EBT cards are used by food stamp recipients and according to the numbers that’s one out of every eight people at the present time. The number of retailers that accept food stamps has increased by 17% since 2007 and can account up to 12% of the revenue in some cases.

2. Law aims to make returns easier – If you’re a small retail business operating in NY as of Dec. 1st you’re required to post the conditions for merchandise returns at the point of sale. This includes any details such as restocking fees, amount of time you have to return and item and receipt requirements. Small retailers quoted in the article agree that the new requirement is good for customers and they try to always make the customer happy.

3. Brokers a necessity for small retailers – An interesting way to get your product out in the public eye to increase sales. A broker for a small business essentially finds places for your product to be shelved that you might not the extra time to do.

4. Google Comes to Brick and Mortar Store Windows – Google creates more help for the local business by deploying a great new feature. They have chosen over 10,000 local businesses in the US to receive a window decal that features a bar code. When a consumer scans the bar code on the decal with their mobile phone, they receive details, reviews and coupons for the store. This article is extremely interesting, it also contains a video to see it in action with a real retailer.

5. The 5 biggest retail customer experience stories of 2009 – If you read the weekly retail news roundup often you’ll already know that we love the articles featured at the Retail Customer Experience. This week they have a great one on what their top 5 retail stories of the year are. From Walmart, Apple to generic brands they cover the best customer service experiences to learn from.