point of sale news

We start the roundup this week with a very simple but informative article that lays out a few questions small retailers need to ask when deciding on a POS for their restaurant. The second feature in the roundup is again a short article but I considered it important since it could save many small business owners money on credit card processing fees. Then we focus on an exciting upcoming event at the digital signage expo which is being considered the future of advertising. The fourth article this week is closest to my heart. It shows that local small retailers can still win the battle over online stores by providing physical products. The last article was chosen for the roundup due to the unusual perspective of customer feedback that caught my attention immediately. After reading the article it makes sense what the author is saying so it’s important for you to acknowledge.

1. Questions You Might Want To Ask A Restaurant POS Professional – This article lays out seven questions you need to consider when purchasing a point of sale system for your restaurant. It’s very informative giving you a list of available options that you might not have thought of or planned for. One of the questions list three available forms of POS computer you could use for your business.

2. New Credit Card Processing Systems Help Small Businesses Save Money – Leap Payments is a new credit card processing application designed to help save small retailers a few dollars. They actually offer their service at the same rate as large volume businesses. Leap Payments also promises simple account management and next day funding.

3. Digital Signage Content Strategies Book Launches at Digital Signage Expo – Digital signage seems to be the way future advertising is heading and this expo is here to prove it. Leading industry expert and speaker, Kelsen will be signing copies of his new book Unleashing the Power of Digital Signage. The book helps understand the benefits of three digital signage networks including point of sale (POS).

4. Study: Consumers desire better ‘touch and feel’ shopping experience – The word is out and customers still prefer shopping for a good old fashion physical product. This survey covered more than 3,000 people representing 18 countries. It shows that 75% of consumers want to so into a retail store when buying products. The article goes on to reveal more stats about what customers prefer when visiting a small retail business.

5. Over-reliance on customer feedback is hurting local retailers – The headline immediately drew my attention and after reading the article I could relate to the authors perspective. Simply put, if you’re a small business owner that thinks they have a great relationship with their customers, you might want to think again and read this perspective of what could be happening to your future relationships.

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

The release of TranZfinity’s new mobile point of sale solution is the first review on our roundup this week. It’s important to education yourself on new POS technology in order to be successful when making decisions for your business. We then go into a few ways that social media can help your small retail business which is a must read to be prepared for the Holiday shopping season. The peak-end rule is an interesting concept for transforming your customer service it’s definitely an eye-opening article. We end the roundup this week with two features on Holiday sales but from different spectrums. How the flu may affect sales and some tips for increasing your sales this season.

1. TranZfinity Launches New Mobile POS Solution for Global Markets – The new mobile point of sale solution is called Myztro. The concept is using an existing mobile with Myztro and a secure mobile POS application you can move freely and perform secure POS transactions from anywhere. At this time it only supports pre paid cards but will eventually support other payment options.

2. Social Media and Your Business – A few simple ways that you can start gaining a web presence for your small retail business. The article gives a short background on why you need this and suggestions to get started.

3. The ‘peak-end’ rule: Can it transform your customer experience? – This was by far the most interesting piece I read this week. I had never heard of the peak-end rule so it immediately sparked my attention. As I was reading it all made sense to me and it was very easy to see myself in that situation as a consumer making it an important article for all small business owners to read.

By “peak” we’re not just talking about the most enjoyable or positive moment or aspect of the experience; peak in this case refers to the moment that is either the most positive or negative.

4. Study: H1N1 flu could have a big impact on holiday retail – The thought never crossed my mind but when I read the headline it makes total sense. This is something that could have a huge impact on the small retailer during the Holiday shopping season. That’s why it will be so imperative that you establish an online presence with your business. A TIP from me to you (as a consumer): Maybe you could give out free samples of hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes.

5. Brighter Outlook for Holiday Retail – On a lighter note the Specialty Retail Expert gives a more positive outlook on the Holiday retail season. Plus she adds five suggestions for increasing sales during the shopping season.

New point of sale products highlight our weekly round up this week. A POS printer with a easy to use LCD screen and a new mobile handheld POS system. The introduction of more mobile solutions for the point of sales brings us to what mobile payments will mean for the marketing world. The economy is still slow for many consumers so we feature an article with 7 tips to market to families during the recession. Then we end will the revelation that 85% of consumers will shop online during this holiday season.

1. New Citizen Printer for More Efficient POS Applications – Citizens Systems Europe has released a new point of sale printer that features an LCD screen for easy configuration and delivery of messages. Read our full review of the CT-S801 Thermal Printer.

2. New Handheld Thermal Makes Order Taking a Simpler Process – Partner Tech has released the new OT-100 handheld ordering terminal or mobile POS. It’s a wireless touch screen point of sale aimed at the hospitality industry but could have potential for all retail environments. The system features a flexible operating system, a 4.3” touch screen and Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s even small enough to place in your pocket.

3. What Mobile Payments Will Mean for the Marketing World – Although the Us has been slow to adapt to mobile payments the question still arises as to what will happen to marketing once a consumer uses a mobile phone for purchases instead of their credit card. Starbucks has introduced the use of mobile payments at the POS allowing iPhone users to download a special app that delivers customer loyalty incentives and re-fill a gift card. Perhaps small retailers will be able to learn form the marketing techniques of Starbucks and the 20% of Japanese consumers that have been using mobile payments over the last four years.

4. ISME 09: Seven tips for marketing to families during a recession – Small retail businesses seem to feel the most effects from a downed economy. Here are 7 tips to marketing to families, particularly women during the time of recession. Women will still shop and buy things that their families need but they tend to shop differently when money has become tight.

What’s different? A drastic uptick in private label brand usage, more coupon clipping, and more online research of purchases before getting in the car to head to the store.

5. Consumers say holiday budgets are tight, 85 percent will shop online – After reading this article and looking at the survey results you better hope you have an online presence this holiday season. Even a small retail shop can benefit form having their store or prices online. Connecting with customers online will be crucial during the holidays as 57% of those surveyed said they will shop around online to find the best deal. If your small retail shop is not on the world wide web you could miss out on important holiday sales.

The weekly round up of POS and retail news features informative information from the top stories of the week.  Learn about the launch of Visa’s new venture and Martiz Real-Time Rewards programs. You will  also find some tips for retailers to make it through the current economic slow down.

1. Visa Makes NFC Payment Commercially Available – This was the big news of the week being discussed by businesses across the web. Visa has implemented the first commercial mobile payment service for point of sale transactions. Although the service is only available in Malaysia it’s a start to a great new concept.

Perspective customers simply flash their NFC-enabled Nokia in front of a contactless reader and the goods are paid for. Visa has also teamed up with mobile operators Maxix and Maybank to take this venture further. There are currently 1,800 shops accepting this type of payment, but I have a feeling the trend will pick up.

2. Maritz, Welcome Real-Time Announce POS Based Marketing and Loyalty Program – The new partnership between Welcome Real-Time and Martiz has resulted in the launch of a new customer loyalty program in the U.S. and Canada.

The Martiz Real-Time Rewards will allow customers to receive special targeted offers, earn points through a retailer program and delivers behavior driven marketing incentives. All offers are printed on the customers receipt through the existing point of sale system so there is no additional hardware to purchase.

3. Free or Low-Cost Marketing Ideas – In today’s economy we are all looking for a low cost solution to everything that we do. This is a great article about some low cost or even free marketing tips. We all know the more you market the more your sales will increase.

Learn tips on email marketing, hosting store events and working with other stores to cross promote therefore increasing the sales for your retail business. It’s all about using the resources you have available and making your customers happy to receive a free item or a discount.

4. Get Your Business Ready Now for Tomorrow’s Recovery – This is a great article about the current economic situation and what you should do as a retailer or small business owner to not get left in the dust.

Rieva Lesonsky talks about how retailers have cut their staff and inventory due to lack of money. She points out that this can backfire when it comes to your customers.

I’ve been in too many stores lately where I was disappointed with the lack of stock on the shelves and vowed to find other places to shop. Or I’ve been greeted with long lines in stores with not enough personnel to handle the currently lightened customer load.

Think twice next time you have to make a budget cut, maybe you could do it in an area that won’t effect your customers’ experience.

5. Top Technology Trends for Convenience Store Retailing – The article is based on a webinars hosted by Convenience Store News highlighting the results of its 2009 technology study. It states spending trends, technology trends, and employee issues.
The main focus of the article is the ability to get real-time information. This helps a business improve across many lines without having to jump through hoops to get information.

“What we’ve noticed for a lot of retailers, that attitude—which we consider a ‘legacy attitude’—is diminishing. It’s now about the employee and the customer,” Kilcourse said

This is the first edition of a weekly post we are starting at The Wizard of POS. The post will feature 5 recent news or interesting point of sale and retail articles. If you have a suggestion on an article that should make the weekly round up, email us and we will contact you.

This week we tried to focus on a couple articles that feature the latest POS news and a couple that will help retailers with point of sale decisions.

1. BlueStar Offers New ID Card Printing Solution With Zebra QuikCard ID – A great new innovative product from Bluestar technology promises a QuickID Card solution for smaller retailers without requiring a major money investment.

“By removing these entry barriers, Zebra’s out-of-the-box solution offers new and existing market segments a practical way to deploy entry-level card applications.”

This QuickID Card is available in four different models for dual or single side printing.

2. Point of Sale Integrated Security Camera Cuts Theft – An inspirational true story about how an integrated POS system helps catch customers scamming the business with fraudulent refund request.

This gives all of us a reason to research investing in a competent point of sale system.

3. Thinking of Going Blond? Consult the Kiosk First – Kiosks have come along way since the days of train tickets and family snapshots. New Kiosks offer so much more personalization that can recognize customers, previous purchase histories and even recommend products to buy.

Flash a card… like a customer card from a local drugstore or grocery store and your Kiosk nay address you by name! They can give a depth of detail that is advancing by the day. Intel has many plans for the POS Kiosk industry so hold onto your hats and indulge iin the technology.

4. Security Advantages of a Web Based POS – This is a great post by Justin over at Merchant POS dealing with the security advantages of a web based point of sale. This is a major concern for many retailers around the world.

This article features the top 5 security failures and security precautions that everyone should take. There is information on wireless security, firewalls/routers, employee access, viruses and more…

5. POS Software Will Increase Your Business the Least Expensive Way – Bob Brown over at Prophetline has a remarkable article about point of sale software increasing your business. Bob states

POS software can help you become an efficient retailer in three important ways. Market more too existing customers, control your inventory and expand your geographical territory by making your products and services available through the Internet.

We can’t agree more, Bob! Every business no matter how small needs an efficient, reliable POS system to help organize their business and increase their profit.

Hope you have enjoyed our first series of Weekly Point of Sale and Retail News Round Up at The Wizard of POS! Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly updates and leave a comment for other retailers like you.