Wireless POS, Small Retailer Confusion of PCI, Small Retailers are Small in America, Giving Through Retail

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istock_000002468759xsmallThis weeks roundup highlights the benefits of a wireless hand-held point of sale and the benefits of holding a type of charity event for your community. We also feature a couple articles on the PCI compliance regulations for retailers and how they can make sure their POS is up to code.

1. Wireless Hand-held POS System Aids Restaurant Business – An inspiring article about how a hand-held wireless POS system manufactured by Motorola is benefiting the restaurant industry. This is coming of the age technology that will help reduce wait times, reduce order errors and super improve customer service. The days of long lines at your restaurant point of sale are over…welcome to wireless hand-held POS.

2. Research Finds PCI DSS Awareness High Among Small Retailers, Lack of Understanding Remains Huge Hurdle – The new PCI standards for security seems like a painful process but an important one for all people involved. It seems many small retailers are still in the dark about the new PCI standards and what they are to do to meet the standard. The article includes a link to a PCI Knowledge base that can help small retailers understand what exactly need to be done and how.

3. Survey: Level 4s Recognition Of PCI High, Understanding Of It Almost Nil – This article is related to the one above, but offered answered to very commonly asked questions by small businesses about PCI compliance and their current POS system.

4. America’s (Very Small) Small-Business Sector – This short but stunning article took me by surprise. A study published by the Center for Economic and Policy Research shows that although America is known as the country to achieve the “American Dream”, only 7.2% of the retail industry consists of small retailers. Greece leads the list with 35.9% leaving America second to last in this global small retail market.

5. Give and Get Back—The Value of Cause Marketing – A wonderful idea to increase customer loyalty, increase the overall perception of your business and bring customers in. Hold a charity event! That’s right give back to the community that has supported you for so long by holding a fundraiser or other type of charity event. It will help your community and your business.

Small Retail Customer Service Tips

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istock_000007195515xsmallThis is a special post for all small retailers to help focus their attention on the importance of customer service. These tips and examples will help you improve loyalty, image and overall profits.

1. Why good customer service is like billiards – Great analogy focused on the importance of retail training for employees and how it reflects on your customer service.

2. Does your sales staff sabotage your business? – Another great personal experience from an author that’s in the retail sales industry. A great example on how one bad employee can lose you a customer for life, which in the small retail world could be crucial.

3. Three reasons customer service is so bad – This is a short, but informative article listing three reasons you may not think of when it comes to bad customer service. From health insurance to erratic pricing learn how to avoid these small business pitfalls.

Small Retailer Business Strategies, Back to School Woes for Small Retailers, Tips to Organize, Mobile POS Benefits, Traditional Point of Sale is Changing

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Would you like some tips on excelling your small retail business in a drowning economy? Maybe you’re one of the small retailers that can’t obtain stock for back to school items? Are you familiar with the benefits of deploying a Mobile POS or even know what Mobile POS is? Are you ready to lose the magnetic stripe used to purchase products at your point of sale? If you answered “Yes” to any of those questions read on for this weeks round up of retail and point of sale news.

1. How Small Businesses Win Big in Tough Economies – A positive article stressing the importance of small businesses in the economic recovery. The author states

For every small business failure, dozens more are actually thriving despite the economic panic.

Then the article proceeds with a list of five things that will ensure your small retail business will strive in today’s economy complete with links to some great resources.

2. Credit Worries Limit Small Retailers’ Back-to-School Stocks – The Wall Street Journal features this article which explains why small retailers are limiting their back to school stocks. Many do not have the money or credit to bring in big supplies which in turn will hurt consumers and profits.

3. How to Organize Your Paperwork – Organization can be a problem for any small business. Many times small retailers may feel overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork piling high on their desks. Here are some quick tips to help keep you organized and up to date.

4. Unwiring the store: aligning with the evolving customer lifestyle – Mobile POS (point of sale) has to be one of the best new technologies. It allows for so many options including setting up a payment location anywhere you would like to sell your product or service.

If you have no idea what Mobile POS is or you would like a simple explanation with a great list of benefits then read this extensive article. From benefits to explanations to examples it’s simple to understand and easy to see exactly what you’re missing by not having a mobile point of sale for your small retail business.

5. U.S. magnetic stripe credit cards on brink of extinction? – Finally a day when you can pay for item without worrying if the magnetic stripe still works on your bank card. Not only will this make it easier on customers but better on retail customer service. How many times have you been in a line to pay for an item and another person checking out can’t get their card to read and the cashier has no idea how to send it through manually?

This concept has already been put in place in many areas across Europe. The article gives some insight on why it hasn’t quite taken off in the U.S. yet.

POS Trends, Mass NFC Deployments, Small Retailer Bargain Finds, Customer Service Survival Guide, Small Business CRM

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istock_000005997582xsmallRead about the latest trends in the point of sale industry and get answers to the top four upcoming questions in the small retail pos industry. Then read on and learn about the mass NFC technology deployment being made by large retailers to place contactless readers at point of sale terminals across the country. Ending the weekly round you will find an inspiring article about small retailer real estate bargains, customer service tips and what it means to have a good CRM in place.

1. 4 Retail POS Trends to Watch Out For – An interesting article that focuses on the top four small retail technology trend questions such as new software and hardware trends that are specific to retail. The questions were asked to a variety of vendors close to the field and you’ll be surprised at how close all their answers really were. A clear sign of where small businesses are headed in the point of sale industry.

2. North American NFC Payment Deployments March On – I was amazed at the number of major retailers that are installing contactless readers at point of sale terminals. Among the top stores are Home Depot with a whopping 20,000 systems and Sports Authority. Another very informative and interesting article on where POS technology is headed.

3. Small retailers find opportunity – A truly inspiring article showing that even with the economy looming the small retailer can still come out ahead. Although the article focuses on the New York City area, it’s nice to know that small mom and pop shops that have been around for years serving the community can run their business in the best areas at the best rates.

4. The Small Retailer’s Survival Guide Part 4 Customer Service – We showcase a lot of article on Customer Service, but this one added a few extra tidbits that were interesting. From eye contact, complaints to hygiene and disrespect this article deserves a good reading from every small retail business owner.

5. Small Business CRM Is Here To Stay – If you do not know what a CRM is , it’s simply a customer relationship management system. If you’re not using one, you should. Read up on some important information about why and what to look for in a good CRM.

Retail POS Buying Tips, EPOS Surveillance Integration, Shoplets for Retailers, Minimum Wage Debate

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istock_000004668910xsmallThe endless minimum wage debate will forever cause a stir in the retail industry, particularly in the small retail sector. Who can afford to pay higher wages and who can afford to live on what minimum wage pays? This week we feature two great articles that give three different valid opinions on the subject. There is also help for choosing the best retail POS, increasing sales with a thing called a “shoplet” and fascinating security integration for small retail EPOS.

1. Choosing The Right Retail POS System For Your Business – Amy Nutt offers some great tips and advise on how to decide on the right retail point of system for your business. From identifying your need to creating a budget this article will help you make an informative choice when purchasing a POS.

2.IndigoVision introduces EPOS integration – Truly amazing new technology integrates IndigoVision’s powerful surveillance system with your retail EPOS. Data being sent to a live video display from the EPOS allows you to view the camera feed and the till transactions at the same time. It bookmarks transactions by thumbnail for easy searching and has an alarm system when certain transactions send a trigger.

This security feature could save retail businesses from theft, security breaches or many other losses. It can alert staff of a door left open, an open till or a large refund. Plus the transaction analysis can improve efficiency like finding a credit card transaction by searching every till in the store or across all stores from the main office.

3. Are Shoplets Better Than Banner Ads? – This is a follow up to an article we featured back in may. A test program put in place before Mother’s Day by Alvenda and 1-800-Flowers. They put “mini-webstores” on advertisers’ sites versus the traditional banner ads. This allowed customers to directly purchase flowers without having to go to the main website. Read the article for the amazing results…This could truly improve internet sales of the future.

4. Small Business Owners Question Minimum Wage Increase – The opinion of what the minimum wage increase means to the average low income American and the perspective of a small retailer that has to pay that wage. You are clearly able to see the great points that both sides of the sector make. How can one do without it and how can the other just do it?

5. Living wage: The salvation of the retail economy – After reading the article above I ran across this one. The author makes a very valid, unique point about the impact of a minimum wage increase to $10. The outlook benefits both the employee and the small retailer. Employee retention, better training and back to the days when employees were helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.

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