Bathstore enters administration, putting 500 jobs at risk

Ecommerce Merchandising

Article | March 18, 2024

Embrace the future and need of business operations with cloud-based POS systems. Experience unrivaled features such as unparalleled flexibility, scalability, real-time analytics, and more. Introduction Key Reasons for Businesses to Switch to Cloud-based POS System • Accessibility and Mobility • Flexibility and Mobility • Scalability • Improved customer experience • Cost saving Introduction With constant evolution in payment technologies, businesses are constantly looking for innovative ways to streamline their operations and improve their bottom line. As a result, innovative payment solutions are increasingly playing a crucial role in enhancing their transforming and upscaling businesses. One such technology that has revolutionized the way businesses operate is cloud based POS systems. A significant transition from traditional POS systems to cloud based POS systems has been witnessed in recent years. Businesses worldwide are increasingly deploying cloud-based point of sale systems to adapt to emerging payment technologies, improve customer experience, enhance payment security, and others. According to a study by SalesForce, more than 20% of retail businesses currently use a cloud-based POS, and around 29% of businesses plan to deploy it in the coming future. Key Reasons for Businesses to Switch to Cloud based POS System Payment processes are presently propelled by connectivity and technological advancements, which have resulted in a significant impact on the payments industry. Consequently, it has become imperative for businesses to adopt point-of-sale systems powered by agile, cloud-based software to harness the full benefits of modern cutting-edge technology. Deploying a cloud POS system can guarantee optimal customer experience to businesses while remaining aligned with the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Here are the primary reasons why businesses should contemplate the adoption of a cloud based POS system: Real-Time Accessibility In today's fast-paced business environment, the ability to access real-time data is crucial. Cloud based point of sale systems allow businesses to access data from any device with internet access, enabling real-time inventory management, sales tracking, and customer insights. This real-time data accessibility empowers enterprises to make informed decisions, optimize operations, and improve customer experience. Flexibility and Mobility Cloud POS solutions are highly flexible, making it easier for businesses to adapt to changing needs and ecosystems. Leveraging a POS system, businesses can quickly and easily add or remove products, update pricing, and make other changes to their inventory. Furthermore, with the accessibility from any location, these cloud based POS systems enable employees/ staff to work remotely. These capabilities are especially useful for businesses that sell seasonal products, experience fluctuations in demand, or have multiple locations. Scalability With legacy POS systems, businesses need to invest in new hardware to expand their operations, which can be costly and time-consuming. However, cloud-based POS systems offer businesses the flexibility to scale up or down their operations without worrying about upgrading their hardware. In addition, businesses can seamlessly add new locations, products, and users without any hardware upgrades. Improved Customer Experience Cloud based POS systems for retail enable businesses to provide a seamless customer experience by allowing employees to access customer data from any device with an internet connection. This allows businesses to personalize their offerings, offer faster service, and resolve customer complaints quickly. The ability to access real-time data also enables businesses to anticipate customer needs and preferences, allowing them to provide tailored promotions and recommendations. Cost Savings Businesses need to invest in expensive hardware and software, as well as pay for ongoing maintenance and support while using a legacy POS system. Switching to a cloud POS system can result in significant cost savings for businesses. As these POS solutions require minimal hardware and software investments and often come with a low monthly subscription fee, businesses can save on maintenance and support costs, as these are typically included in the subscription fee. Bottom Line A cloud-based POS system with seamless integration offers an extensive business overview and can perform operations much more than accept orders and payments. Not only does it streamline services, but it also provides insightful data and simplifies day-to-day business management, allowing business owners to focus on development. It is evident that combining day-to-day operations with cloud-based POS software is now a critical requirement for businesses. In addition, the technological evolution of these systems in recent years and the possibilities for continuous development have made point-of-sale data, inventory, staff, and payment management much easier for businesses. Since the world is becoming increasingly digital, it is imperative that businesses adapt and adopt cloud based POS systems to remain competitive and relevant. Therefore, businesses should consider the benefits of cloud based POS systems and make the switch to ensure long-term success and growth.

POS Retail

Article | May 10, 2024

At my current company Monizze, we issue social vouchers, like meal, eco and gift vouchers. These vouchers are consumed using a specific Monizze payment card via a physical terminal. As a result, I come into contact with card payments on a daily basis. Unfortunately, I am still far from being a card expert, but along the years I can say I have built up a good basic understanding of how a card payment happens. As I had to collect information from different sources to get this first good understanding, I thought it might be interesting to share my summary for "dummies" of how card payments work. First let us have a look at the card itself. A card is just a plastic carrier on which a design is printed. Afterwards a chip (an embedded microprocessor) is attached to the card, on which 1 or more applications can be deployed. A card with such a chip is often also called a smart card or an EMV card, with EMV an abbreviation for "Europay MasterCard VISA", which are the 3 companies that originally established this global electronic transaction standard. A card does not need to have a chip, some cards only have a bar code or QR code on them, while others have a magnetic stripe. Obviously an EMV chip card is more secure than those other models. Most EMV chip cards today are Dual Interface chip cards. This means the card can be used in both contact (i.e. the card is put in the terminal to read the chip) and contactless (i.e. the card communicates via an NFC antenna with the terminal) mode. This should not be confused with co-branded / co-badged cards, which exist quite a lot in Europe. As many countries still have their local payment method (like Bancontact in Belgium, Girocard in Germany, Cartes Bancaires in France, PagoBancomat in Italy, MultiBanco in Portugal…), most banks in those countries issue such a co-badged card, which supports both this local payment method and a more international payment method. E.g. in Belgium almost all debit cards are co-badged with Bancontact and Maestro (Maestro being an international payment method owned by MasterCard). When fabrication of EMV chip cards starts, all cards are the same. Of course by printing the design on the card and personalizing the card (with the name, card number…) you get a specific card. Additionally there is a personalization of the EMV chip. On the chip the specific application(s) of the card is deployed, as well as the specific personal information. This personal information stored on the card consists of the card number (also called the PAN number = Primary Account number), the expiration date, a security code (also called CVV = Card Verification Value or CVC = Card Verification Code), a number of cryptographic keys and the list of CVM checks (CVM = Card Verification Methods). This list indicates which type of security check should be applied and can depend on the type of payment (e.g. contact versus contactless), what the terminal supports and the amount. E.g. the CVM list can indicate that a contactless transaction can be executed up to 50 EUR without asking for a PIN. The cryptographic keys ensure the necessary security. E.g. they are used to calculate a cryptogram (based on one of the stored secret keys and the info of the transaction), which is sent along to the issuer. The issuer can then verify that the transaction message was not altered along the way by calculating itself the cryptogram and comparing it with the provided cryptogram. In the same way, it is possible to encrypt a PIN code and send it to the issuer for verification. The PIN code can be stored on the chip and verified by the chip directly. This so-called PIN offline verification is however only possible when the chip can be read by the terminal. In case of a contactless transaction requiring a PIN, card issuers usually work with PIN online, which means the PIN is sent in an encrypted way to the issuer, who verifies the correctness of the PIN, before authorizing the transaction. The information on the chip of a card can also be virtualized. This means that instead of the card sending the NFC signal (in contactless mode) to the terminal, it is also possible that your smartphone sends out this signal (and emulates the card). This can be a specific app, using HCE (= Host Card Emulation), but this technique is only available on Android phones, as Apple does not give access to the NFC antenna. A more common technique is of course Apple Pay and Google Pay, where you onboard your card on the Apple/Google infrastructure and your smartphone emulates the physical card. Now that we have clarified what the card does, it is good to have a look at how a payment works. The first step is of course telling the terminal (POS = Point of Sales terminal) how much the customer needs to pay. This can be inputted directly on the terminal, but large retailers have of course an integration with their cash register (= ECR = Electronic Cash Register). This integration allows to pass immediately info like the amount, which card types can be accepted (cashier can select a specific payment method) and potential other reference information. Obviously, a lot of cash register systems exist (e.g. Lightspeed, Square, Casio, Toshiba…) and also a lot of protocols to integrate ECRs with terminals (e.g. VIC protocol) and finally also a lot of different terminals (e.g. Wordline, Ingenico, CCV, Adyen, SumUp, VIVA Wallet, Cetrel, Loyaltek…). All these differences make those integrations quite a mess. The terminal will then read the card (contact or contactless) and determine which verification methods need to be applied. Once the verifications on the terminal are ok, the payment is sent to the Acquirer (often the merchant’s bank), which sends the payment to the Issuer (usually the bank of the card holder, which issued the card). This Issuer validates if the card is still active, if the PIN code is correct (in case of PIN online), if the customer is allowed to do a transaction at this merchant (e.g. card might be disabled for foreign transactions) and whether the customer has sufficient funds to execute the payment. In case of a positive reply, the payment is considered as successful, even though the actual settlement will usually happen later. This settlement consists of the acquirer requesting payment to the issuing bank, the issuing bank debiting the cardholder’s account and transmitting the money to the acquirer bank and the acquirer bank crediting the merchant’s account.the cardholder’s account and transmitting the money to the acquirer bank and the acquirer bank crediting the merchant’s account. For the communication between the terminal, acquirer and issuer a "Payment Network", like VISA, MasterCard, American Express, UnionPay, Bancontact… is used. This payment network sets all the rules of how these different players should interact. Additionally there are multiple protocols of how terminals can communicate with the Acquirer, like CTAP, EP2, Nexo (EPAS), IFSF, STD70, ABI-CB (Italy)…, making it for international players very hard to support all local payment methods. It is also important to understand the difference between a "Four Corner model" (also called a Four-Party scheme, Open Scheme or Open Loop payment model) and a "Three Corner Model" (also called a Three-Party scheme, Closed Scheme and Closed loop payment model). The first model is the model described above and is the most widely used. E.g. VISA, MasterCard and UnionPay use this model. In the second model ("Three Corner Model"), the issuer, acquirer and payment network are the same party. This means the payment network provides the card to the card holder and contracts with the merchant to configure/setup the terminal. Typical examples are Diners Club, Discover Card and American Express, but often also niche payment methods, like the social vouchers (e.g. meal voucher payments) of Monizze fall in this category (even though in many countries, social vouchers are also handled via an "Open Loop" model based on VISA or MasterCard). As you can see a card payment involves a large number of parties. While cash registers and terminals are bought or rented by merchants and typically include also a monthly service fee, the other players are usually paid per transaction. The Acquirer will recover those transaction fees from the merchant through a "Merchant service charge". The Acquirer however keeps only a small part of this fee, as around 20% of this fee (the so-called scheme fee) is going to the payment network (e.g. VISA or MasterCard) and up to 70% (the so-called interchange fee) to the Issuer. Part of this interchange fee is often used in the form of rewards (e.g. cashbacks) to the customer, thus encouraging the card holder to use his card as much as possible. Card payments are clearly undergoing a major transformation. On the one hand, there is a strong push towards a cashless society. This trend, strongly accelerated by the Covid crisis, increases the use of card payments. On the other hand, there is a trend to replace the physical cards by payments with smartphones. This includes the exponential rise of the use of Apple Pay and Google Pay, but also new payment techniques, often based on QR code scanning (like e.g. Payconiq in Belgium). Additionally due to the aggressive take-over strategy of the 2 major American players (VISA and MasterCard) in the last decade, there is a strong feeling, especially in Europe, that there is need for more competition and a new European player. As a result, several large European banks are joining forces to create a European alternative. It is however doubtful that this new initiative will be successful, as new technologies and payment methods, like PSD2 Payment Initiation, SEPA Request to Pay (SRTP), instant payments, CBDCs… can likely give better (more frictionless and cheaper) alternatives to the traditional card payment schemes.

POS Solutions

Article | February 14, 2024

Discover effective retail POS strategies to transform retail checkout into a smooth, customer-friendly process. Enhance shopping experiences with latest retail point of sale system features. Contents 1. Seamless Checkout Experiences: The New Retail Standard 2. Comprehensive Strategies for Checkout Optimization 3. Latest Trends in POS Systems 3.1. Cloud-Based Deployment: A Growing Preference 3.2. Mobile POS systems 3.3. AI in POS systems 3.4. Robust Data Privacy 3.5. POS System Integration for Retailers 3.6. Advanced Analytics for Market Segmentation 4. POS System Features for Retail Success 5. The Road Ahead for Retail Checkout 1. Seamless Checkout Experiences: The New Retail Standard In the fast-paced world of ecommerce, consumers are not just looking for the perfect products but also a seamless and hassle-free shopping experience. Retail POS strategies that address the checkout challenge head-on convert consumers’ buying intent into action. The rapid pace of digitalization, especially in the retail and restaurant sectors across North America, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa, has significantly fueled the adoption of POS software. POS systems assist restaurants in dynamic ways to increase their ROI and popularity. This transformation is aligned with the global move towards cashless transactions, propelling the demand for reliable and efficient POS systems. From the psychology of a shopper to the technical nuances of payment processing, every aspect needs to be covered to ensure that checkout experiences not only meet but exceed customer expectations. Security and trust, the cornerstones of any successful e-commerce operation, are also scrutinized when making decisions related to effective retail POS strategies. That means taking a deep dive into the latest advancements in encryption, fraud detection, and secure payment gateways, ensuring that retail ecosystems are equipped to protect customers and businesses effectively. With the rise of mobile commerce and the influence of social media marketing, shopping has become an activity that fits into the brief interludes of a consumer's day. In such moments, a complicated or unclear checkout process can deter potential sales, highlighting the importance of simplicity and efficiency at this final, critical stage of the shopping journey. Research indicates that a significant factor in shopping cart abandonment is the absence of preferred payment options, with many consumers also discouraged by the need to manually enter extensive payment details. This suggests a clear opportunity for retailers to capture lost revenue by simplifying the payment process and offering a wider array of payment options. The concept of frictionless checkout gains prominence, particularly during the holiday season when time is of the essence for shoppers. Retailers can enhance the checkout experience by minimizing the need for consumers to enter new information or perform unnecessary actions. Implementing single-click purchasing and standardized wallet flows can significantly expedite the checkout process, reducing cart abandonment and fostering customer loyalty. In the digital realm, where personal and financial information is exchanged with ease, establishing robust security measures is imperative to protect transactions and build consumer trust. 2. Comprehensive Strategies for Checkout Optimization Optimizing the checkout process is pivotal for retail success, especially during the bustling holiday season. A smooth, efficient checkout not only enhances customer satisfaction but also drives sales. The ultimate objective of strategies for enhanced retail transactions is increased sales and deeper market penetration. Amasty.com highlighted how embracing a global strategy and facilitating easier transactions for customers worldwide can significantly broaden a company's market presence. Exemplifying, We Are Knitters, an e-commerce platform based in Spain known for its knitting kits and supplies, it explained how the platform successfully ventured into 15 new countries. This expansion was made possible through a strategic partnership with Stripe, integrated via Magento, which provided the flexibility in payment options essential for gaining the trust of a diverse new customer base across the US, France, and Germany. Moreover, Magento's integration with Stripe and seamless checkout experience ensured that We Are Knitters could reliably manage a surge in orders during April 2020, demonstrating the effectiveness of their global expansion strategy. Here's a comprehensive look at strategies for checkout optimization, incorporating various industry terms and practices to achieve the benefits of advanced POS features for retail success: Frictionless Transaction Process: Retailers should focus on minimizing the steps to complete a purchase, leveraging advanced POS software and digital transformation in retail to streamline operations. Regularly updating and maintaining POS systems would ensure optimal performance, security, and customer satisfaction. Secure Data Retention: Implementing secure data retention practices is a pivotal step towards accelerating the checkout experience. By securely saving customer information upon their consent, an online platform can swiftly recall these details for future transactions. This method not only expedites the checkout process by eliminating redundant data entry but also significantly minimizes the chance of input errors. Adopt Next-Gen POS System Features: Modern POS strategies include integrating next-gen POS system features that support various payment methods and enhance retail checkout strategies. Features like mobile payments, contactless transactions, and personalized shopping experiences cater to the modern consumer's expectations. Focus on Strategic POS Implementation: Ensure that the system aligns with the retailer's overall sales and marketing strategies. This includes integrating inventory management to keep track of stock levels in real-time and using data analytics for personalized marketing efforts. Optimize Retail Checkout: To optimize checkout in retail, it's essential to streamline the checkout flow, reduce wait times, and remove all unnecessary steps. Strategies for enhanced retail transactions include offering multiple payment options and simplifying the user interface. Leverage Advanced Retail Tech: The future of retail checkout lies in the adoption of advanced technologies. This includes mobile POS systems that allow for payments anywhere in the store, self-checkout options for customers who prefer a DIY approach, and the integration of AI to predict and fulfill customer needs proactively. Personalized Retail Experience: Personalization is key to optimizing the retail checkout experience. From greeting customers by name to offering expedited shipping options, small touches can significantly improve the retail checkout experience. By collecting and analyzing customer data, retailers can also offer personalized recommendations, promotions, and payment options. This not only enhances the customer's experience but also increases the likelihood of repeat business. Incorporating these strategies into retail operations can significantly improve checkout process, leading to higher customer satisfaction and increased sales. By focusing on these areas, retailers can reduce cart abandonment rates and enhance their sales, ensuring a positive shopping experience that encourages customers to return. 3. Latest Trends in POS Systems The surge in demand for bespoke POS software solutions across various industries is a pivotal growth driver of next-gen POS system features. These solutions facilitate enhanced operational efficiency, enabling businesses to concentrate on core activities with their technological advancements while leveraging advanced analytics and customer management tools. The North American and EMEA POS software market, integral to the rapidly evolving retail and hospitality sectors, stands as a testament to the shift towards digital transactions. With a market size valued at $6,553.1 million in 2021, it is projected to experience robust growth, reaching $21,140.1 million by 2031, at a CAGR of 12.7%. This growth trajectory is underpinned by the burgeoning demand for sophisticated, user-centric POS solutions across diverse corporate sectors, aiming to streamline operations and enhance customer engagement. Advancements in modern retail checkout are a testament to the continuous evolution of POS software. Let’s study the latest trends in retail point of sale technology and advancements in POS systems. 3.1. Cloud-Based Deployment: A Growing Preference The shift towards cloud-based POS solutions is notable, providing businesses with the agility to manage operations remotely and scale as per evolving needs. This trend is particularly beneficial for SMEs seeking cost-effective, scalable solutions. Cloud deployment is emerging as the preferred choice for its remote accessibility and scalability. However, on-premises solutions remain relevant for businesses prioritizing data control and security within their IT infrastructure. 3.2. Mobile POS systems Digital transformation in retail has led to the growing popularity of mobile POS solutions. This trend reflects a dynamic balance in the market, where the longstanding dominance of fixed POS systems, particularly in traditional retail and restaurant environments, is being complemented and, in some cases, challenged by the advantages offered by mobile alternatives. With COVID-19, people have witnessed a surge in using contactless payment methods. This trend gave way to contactless payments using mobile phones and similar devices, which will likely transcend from a temporary to a new norm. [Source: hostmerchantservices] Android POS systems have been gaining traction as mobility is especially beneficial for businesses that operate outside traditional settings, such as outdoor markets, pop-up stores, and food trucks, as well as for those looking to enhance customer service by reducing wait times and streamlining payment processes right at the table or the point of decision. 3.3. AI in POS systems The integration of AI into POS systems signifies a leap towards adapting swiftly to industry-specific needs. Coupled with machine learning, POS systems will offer personalized customer recommendations based on purchase history, making personalized shopping experiences the standard. 3.4. Robust Data Privacy Robust data security festures in POS systems has emerged as a critical trend in safeguarding customer information and maintaining trust. The retail giant fell victim to one of the largest and most publicized data breaches of all time in late 2013 after attackers infected its POS systems with the Trojan.POSRAM malware and stole PII and payment card information on as many as 70 million target customers. Target ended up settling a class action suit from the breach for $39 million and incurring another $19.9 million in associated legal costs. [Source: digitalguardian] With the rise of sophisticated cyber-attacks, implementing application whitelisting, and maintaining up-to-date software with regular vulnerability assessments cannot be overstated. These measures, along with network segmentation, two-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring for threats, will continue to hold importance in order to thwart POS security compromises and protecting sensitive payment information. 3.5. POS System Integration for Retailers POS integrations offer retailers a unified, detailed overview of their operations, linking customer management, inventory tracking, employee scheduling, and financial flows transparently. These integrations enable tailored compensation for employees with varied responsibilities, adjusting wages according to the role and time worked, thus streamlining payroll processes. Time and attendance features automate tracking and compliance, reducing manual effort and ensuring accuracy. Commission calculations are simplified, directly integrating with payroll solutions for immediate compensation adjustments. 3.6. Advanced Analytics for Market Segmentation To stay competitive, businesses are utilizing the advanced analytics capabilities of modern POS systems. These insights can drive strategic decisions, optimize operations, and enhance customer experiences. The retail sector, followed closely by hospitality, represents the largest market share, leveraging POS software for comprehensive management solutions, from inventory to customer loyalty programs. Insights are helpful for geo-based decisions also. North America, particularly the US, and Europe are the primary markets for POS software, driven by robust retail and hospitality sectors. The Middle East & Africa region, although at a nascent stage, shows promising growth potential, attributed to increasing digitalization and economic diversification efforts. 4. POS System Features for Retail Success Selecting the right POS system is crucial for the success of any business. Focusing on the below-mentioned integrated features can enhance efficiency, customer satisfaction, and sales: Sales Management: Automate the sales process with real-time reporting and inventory updates, facilitating quick, accurate transactions and seamless stock control. Inventory Management: Implement advanced features for real-time stock level maintenance, accurate forecasting, and minimization of waste, ensuring product availability and optimizing storage costs. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Utilize tools for building strong customer relationships. Implement loyalty programs and integrate marketing efforts to boost retention and engage effectively with your audience. Employee Management: Streamline staff scheduling, payroll, and performance tracking. Automated reporting aids in efficient workforce management, enhancing productivity and job satisfaction. Analytics and Reporting: Gain invaluable insights with comprehensive analytics on sales trends, inventory management, and customer behavior, enabling data-driven decisions that drive growth. Loyalty Programs and Offers: Encourage repeat business with loyalty programs that reward customer loyalty, thereby enhancing customer retention and increasing sales. Marketing Integrations: Leverage software that integrates seamlessly with email marketing and social media platforms, simplifying your marketing efforts and amplifying customer engagement. It is vital to note that the hardware components must not be ignored during a discussion on ideal POS system. The shift towards simpler, more intuitive POS hardware is significantly improving the retail experience by focusing on enhanced mobility and streamlined operational efficiency. A thorough knowledge of key features and hardware not only streamlines business operations, but also provides a foundation for sustained growth and customer satisfaction. 5. The Road Ahead for Retail Checkout The road ahead for retail checkout is marked by technological innovation, consumer-centric strategies, and a heightened focus on security. Retailers who adapt to these evolving trends, embracing the capabilities of advanced POS systems, will position themselves for success in the dynamic retail ecosystem. The future of retail checkout is not just about transactions; it’s about creating memorable shopping experiences that foster loyalty and drive growth. The future also lies in the continuous innovation of POS systems. As technology advances, so do the opportunities for retailers to create more engaging, efficient, and secure shopping experiences. Embracing these changes and adapting to the latest trends will be key for retailers aiming to stay competitive and meet the evolving expectations of their customers.

Article | April 10, 2020

CPG companies have been feeling the pain from store brands for close to a decade now. Increased quality, curated offerings and better graphics have all led shoppers to try and in many cases then switch to the store brand offering. The latest salvo in this war is about data. Supermarkets used to rely heavily on data and insights on everything from shelf placement to how to market and promote foods from the likes of their CPG partners as well as Nielsen and IRI, to name just a couple. Then "category captains" were created. Usually staffed from the leading CPG brand and headquartered at the retailer’s location, those CPG companies offered retailers insights and recommendations on how to sell more product across the entire category—not just their own brand. Those positions are being eliminated. The source and quality of data has changed. Grocers are relying on their own proprietary research to decide how and where and at what price to place products—their own brands as well as those from CPG.