by Stacey on March 12, 2010
Welcome to another week of our point of sale and small retailer news roundup where we feature five interesting articles from the previous week. This week our first article might take some time to implement but the idea of having one standard barcode for all applications seems like a good one with the introduction of various types of mobile and online coupons, discounts and loyalty programs. The second article is a short but sweet announcement from our sponsor MerchantOS for their customers. We then feature an article that shows the actual number of retailers that are adopting to mobile customers and why they are doing so. Our fourth feature is an important one for any small retailer that advertises online coupons and how to avoid fraud. We end our roundup this week on a positive note showing that the outdoor signs outside your small business are still working.
1. Branding Campaign 2D-Image Barcode Could Do It All – The global trade group GS1 is pushing to create an industry standard barcode that would combine linear barcodes, 2D barcodes, mobile commerce and other barcode symbols into one 2D-image barcode. This could take as much as 20 years to implement but think how much easier it would be to have one barcode for every application that could be read at every point of sale system worldwide.
2. We Can Print Jewelry Labels! – MerchantOS has announced to their customers that they are now able to print rat tail labels (2”x1”). This will be a huge convenience for any small retailer that uses their web based POS and need to make small labels for jewelry, electronic or any small item.
3. Retail Industry Is Going Mobile – As new devices become available the retail industry doesn’t have a choice but to keep up with consumer convenience, mobile shopping. The numbers in this article proves that if you’re not considering the move to mobile in the future you may be left behind considering there was an 18% increase of smartphone users in the last quarter of 2009. The articles also states that mobile shopping increased to $1.2 billions dollars in 2009 from $369 million in the previous year of 2008 and is projected to be around $2.4 billion this year. Large retailers are jumping on the bandwagon quickly, Target announced this week that they are rolling out a program to send coupons directly to customers smartphones. As small retailers look for a way to compete they will have to start looking to the future of mobile shopping.
4. Ten Tips for Curtailing Online Coupon Fraud – To compete with bog box companies like Target mentioned above you might consider or already have in place an online coupon program. I like many consumers enjoy the added benefit of being able to grab an online coupon for my local small retailer. An online coupon program is not difficult to incorporate but they are subject easily to fraud. This article will give you ten great tips on how to avoid fraudulent activities with your online coupon program.
5. Outdoor Signs are Still Rabid Advertising Tools – Great news, your outdoor signs advertising your local small business are still working. With the population becoming increasingly busy and always on the go, what a great way to remind them you’re still there than with a large sign displaying your business name or a new sales event. Keep those signs up, keep them simple and if you have a sign advertising a sales event keep it current but let the customer know a few days or a up to a week in advance.
by Stacey on February 12, 2010
One of the easiest ways to run your small retail business is to know your point of sale. That means everything form software, hardware, applications, troubleshooting and more. Being knowledgeable and having the right resources will help you maintain the level of efficiency you need to have with your point of sale system. This weeks first featured article actually came from a press release but that it would be an excellent point of sale resource similar to our Wizard of POS site. Our second article focuses on a mobile point of sale application that was tested by a small businesses owner and comes highly recommended. As we roll into our third article you will read about Radiants Systems new employee theft deterrent application. The last two articles in this weeks roundup reflect on your small retail online presence, tips for your business blog and how online pricing should be handled.
1. New Online Magazine Launched for Point of Sale Industry - Expert Retail Knowledge and Breaking News on Pointofsale.com – PointofSale.com is a new website directed at giving information to business owners and small retailers about various POS topics. This online magazine covers many topics such as hardware, mobile products, specialized retail software and software for various niche retailers.
2. Leave The Credit Card, Take The Cell Phone – Marketing director of Wallace Oil, Rachel Wallace has a review of a new mobile point of sale payment solution that is affordable for small retailers. This service called Bling Nation is a mere $40 a month but could save thousands in the long term.
3. Radiant Systems Announces Launch of Widely Adopted Employee Theft Deterrent Application – Radiant Systems may be trying to redeem itself after the major security breach that is making headlines. They are introducing a new application that promises to deter employee theft.
“Aloha Restaurant Guard has been the most impactful application to our operations that we have installed since Aloha POS,” said Jim Nichols, owner of Nichols restaurant in Marina Del Rey, Calif. “We discovered that more than 40 percent of our employees were stealing, and in one instance with a single person, the overall theft equated to a loss of $10,000 per year.”
4. How to Use Your Business Blog for Brand Evangelism – If you don’t already have a blog for your small retail business, create one according to these great branding tips. If you currently have a blog for your small business, hurray, just tweak what you have to help build your brand and bring in new customers. The Noobpreneur has some expert advice on what will work to get your blog noticed.
5. The pros and cons of concealing product prices online – Some great advice on how to decide if you should display the price of a product or service online. This is a great article that features a panel of retail industry experts called BrainTrust
by Stacey on February 7, 2010
Emerging technology is once again the focus in this weeks roundup. As a small retail business you need to embrace the new technology that is available in order to create a loyal young customer base. These new applications and ways to market your business are the future which will be the norm for future generations. This week we feature another new mobile point of sale application that can be used with an average POS and a customer’s mobile phone. Next, JcPenny is joining the mobile coupon realm from a different approach which may prove very profitable. We then touch on a different form of technology, websites. This is something that every small retail business should have in place to reach customers online in some way. Our fourth article is the reason why you as a small business owner need to be embracing and using these new technologies. Last we end the roundup with some tips for bookstore owners to compete with the new digital books on the iPad.
1. FaceCash: a simple, elegant mobile payment application – FaceCash is a new mobile POS application that can be run on a computer with an internet connection and barcode scanner. Payment processing is done through the FaceCash program for a fee lower than the traditional credit card networks. Users load their FaceCash account (much like PayPal) and they can use a barcode on their mobile phone to pay for their purchases.
2. J.C. Penney to launch mobile coupons – JcPenny is joining stores like Kroger, 7-Eleven and Tom Thumb in offering mobile coupons. They are testing a different 2D type barcode but it’s sure to prove effective considering the average paper coupon redemption rate is 1% and for mobile coupons it’s 15%-25%.
3. 8 Reasons Why Your Small Business Needs A Website – This is a must read and study hard type of article posted at Noobpreneur.com. It’s advice meant to reach small business owners that still believe the internet will not improve their business. Grab a pen and paper, take notes and start implementing your start to reaching customers online.
4. Why Generation Y isn’t buying your products – If the article above did not convince you that you have to embrace technology I guarantee that this one will. This article is written from the perspective of a real 23 year old consumer. He reveals some very important insight into the mind of generation Y and how to better understand their buying habits plus how to market to them.
5. What the iPad means for booksellers – The announcement of the new iPad might have some bookstore owners a bit weary but don’t worry you have the overall true experience of read a good old fashion book. The iPad offers digital copies of books through a service called iBook that delivers a close to real experience as you can get with technology. These tips for bookstore owners will help you remind your customers of the true experience of reading a book like taking it to a sandy beach, reading in the tub and passing it along when you’re done.
by Stacey on October 7, 2009
Our first feature this week in the roundup is a video demonstration of Intel’s new POS kiosk. The concept is simply amazing although I think shoppers may spend way to long during the checkout process. Our second pick this week is a company named ChaCha that is offering an outstanding mobile coupon service that would be ideal for small retailers. There’s one catch you can’t have an outdated point of sale machine but it may be worth investing in an upgraded POS service with the new upcoming mobile technology. Third on the list this week is an extensive article about direct response through customer care. This has to be the most informative customer service advice I have ever read…don’t miss that one. We then feature an great from the Specialty Retail Expert about ways direct mail can still help small retailers succeed. Ending the roundup this week is the top 10 brand and marketing trends for the upcoming year. I thought this might help some specialty retailers out there…
1. Intel Point-of-Sale Kiosk Skips Sales Personnel But Not Fitting Rooms – The future of Point of Sale is here…checkout what Intel is calling the ultimate customer checkout experience. Personally I think there are way to many choices but it’s still great.
2. ChaCha Unveils Coupon Service – ChaCha is a text and voice based mobile search service that has recently added a coupon services. User can get discount coupons and special offers from their favorite local retailer. They plan to roll this service out across 20 markets over the next year. What a great opportunity to bring in local customers that will be loyal customers.
3. Driving Response Through Customer Care – This is an incredible article about how to make sure your customers are always happy customers. After all isn’t that what makes your business is a happy customer? This article covers simple and extensive things that may not have even crossed your mind. Read this for small retail success!
4. Direct Mail is Not Dead – Many companies have resorted to online marketing only through email, social media, websites, ect. According to this article they are missing out on a great chance to potential customers. The author lists four cost effective ways to make direct mail work for the small retail industry.
5. Top 10 Brand and Marketing Trends for 2010 – This is a great list of 10 trends that are sure to help develop a strategic retail plan over the next year. It’s always smart to know what new an emerging concepts are hitting the market.
by Stacey on May 17, 2009
Company: Sprint
Product: Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200
Price Range: $100 after a $50 mail-in rebate, bundled with a new two-year service plan.
Available: First week of June 2009
Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Overview
Sprint’s Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 intelligent mobile hotspot device will be available the first week of June 2009. It will allow you to connect up to five Wi-Fi devices simultaneously to Sprints 3G network. The MiFi 2000 creates a localizes Wi-Fi connection that any device equipped with Wi-Fi can use such as laptops, desktops, iPhone, MP3, game consoles and much more. The device is small and provides a built in battery that will run up to 4 hours or 40 standby hours with a single charge. The MiFi 2000 is equipped with security using WPA2-PSK, WEP and SPI Firewall. Sprint anticipates that businesspeople will be interested the device when traveling or out of the office.
Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Features
- Easily fits in the palm of your hand
- Brushed aluminum finish
- Provides mobile broadband Rev A Internet access wirelessly
- Supports up to five WiFi-enabled devices
- Simple to connect with Hands-Free Activation (OMA-DM). No software installation required
- Universal Wi-Fi compatibility
- Advanced security through WPA2-PSK, WEP and SPI Firewall
- Battery provides four hours of user time, 40 hours standby on single charge
- MiFi GPS capabilities to take advantage of select location and mapping applications, such as getting driving or walking directions or finding the best restaurant nearby
by Stacey on April 24, 2009
This weeks weekly roundup is full of technology news for the retail industry. It seems shopping has come a long way from the old clunky cash registers and little variety. In today’s retail environment a customer can find what they want, when they want it and quickly. This makes every market very competitive in which you will only survive if you can provide the best customer service combined with an excellent product.
1. Low-Cost Marketing Ideas to Help You Ring Up More Sales – Another great marketing article from the Specialty Retail Expert. Patricia discusses five low cost marketing ideas to improve your overall business. These ideas are simple and straightforward she suggests giving away a monthly prize or a product giveaway promotion with a purchase. Customers love when they get something for free and it will keep them coming back for more.
2. Penney’s ’smart fixture’ rolls out as next technological step – This is amazing technology that you must read about! J.C. Penney has taken shopping to a whole new level by implementing the smart fixture. The smart fixture is a door frame size structure that has a touchscreen and runs an application allowing for customers to scan an item, learn more about the different features and even have the information e-mailed to them. J.C.Penney has applied for a patent on a smart fixture they plan to test next month in a few stores…it’s called “findmore jcp interactive store”.
3. Live chat drives sales, satisfaction, but only when executed honestly – It’s amazing to learn that a live chat application on a website can bring more satisfaction to a customer than calling the store customer service hotline. James Brickers discusses the benefits and downfalls of offering live chat to your web-based customers. Number one no-no don’t use chat bots and always train your chat operators to be superior in customer service.
4. Which businesses should use Mobile Point of Sale Equipment? – We all know the answer to that question…any business that wants to keep their customers happy. Times are tough economically right now and the fastest ways to lose a customer is poor service and long wait times. This article discusses various options for mobile point of sale along with logical reasons every retailer should be using it.
5. Bravestorm unveils click-to-call for small retailers – This goes hand in hand with the live chat article. Bravestrom has announced a beta version of BoldCall Express click to call. It is an online lead generation tool to help retailers connect with their customers. A button placed on a website is clicked by the customer requesting that a representative from the business call them. The calls can be routed a variety of different ways to suit the business using the feature. It’s affordable, it’s new and it will bring personalization to your web based customers.
“Our goal was to make click-to-call technology easily accessible to any business,” says Bravestorm president and CEO Steve Castro-Miller.
by Justin on March 3, 2006
There is a lot of buzz on the web about Microsoft’s Origami Project. Though Microsoft has not released any details about the project, we already know that Origami is a hand held device sized between a tablet PC and a PDA, running the Windows XP operating system.
Such a device might be of great use for traveling salesman. A laptop or a tablet PC are too heavy and too slow for daily use on the road, and PDA’s have a too small screen and lack the broad range of software offerings available on the Windows XP platform. A small device running ‘regular’ Windows XP can be used in many innovative ways, Of course, whether this device really can be used as a mobile system depends on the hardware options. Does it have Bluetooth to connect printers? What networking options will be available? WiFi? UMTS?
The device will be presented next week on the CeBIT show.
