How omnichannel shoppers create new delivery challenges for retailers

Consumers have consistently sought easier, more convenient, more efficient ways of shopping for the products and services they want. E-tailers have responded: When brick-and-mortar locations and call-in orders were not enough, companies provided streamlined e-commerce websites. When smartphones and tablets took off, those websites became mobile-optimized. Some e-tailers have even developed apps to provide an easier shopping experience. This drive to better respond to customer demands has also translated into offering a multitude of delivery options: Home delivery, in-store pickup, orders sent to a different location for in-store pickup, and so on.

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Crane Stationery

At Crane & Co, we pride ourselves on helping our customers make their own individual mark on the world. Whether designing custom stationery that becomes your signature, forging new business connections with a stylish stack of business cards, or staying in touch with loved ones with handwritten notes, our expert printers are there to help you create lasting memories – just like they’ve been for 200 years.

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POS Solutions, POS Retail

Elevating Payment Experiences: Unmasking Top 15 POS Solution Providers

Article | January 12, 2024

Delve into top POS providers and their comprehensive offerings. Discover how these robust payment solutions collectively shape the trajectory of payment experiences and customer satisfaction. An extensive Point-of-Sale (POS) solution is essential in the current business environment. These solutions seamlessly integrate sales, inventory, and consumer data, enhancing overall operational efficiency. With streamlined transactions, accurate inventory management, and extensive sales analytics, businesses are able to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and improve customer experiences. A robust POS solution exceeds transaction processing to become a strategic tool that enables businesses to navigate complexity and flourish in an increasingly competitive market. Thus, adopting a POS payment solution from reliable and recognized companies is crucial for businesses. From secure transaction processing to real-time inventory tracking and insightful sales analysis, a dependable POS solution provider equips businesses with the tools to enhance efficiency, optimize decision-making, and elevate overall customer experiences. Here are some of the leading POS solution providers: Toast Toast is a transformative force in the hospitality industry, empowering businesses of all sizes to cultivate exceptional teams, increase revenue streams, maximize operational efficiency, and captivate customers. The company offers an exhaustive platform encompassing point-of-sale, visitor marketing, digital ordering and delivery, payroll and HR functions, as well as restaurant-grade hardware by combining profound insight into the culinary space with innovative cloud software and restaurant-grade hardware. Toast redefines the contours of restaurant administration with its sophisticated technological suite as part of its unwavering dedication to enhancing dining experience. Lightspeed Lightspeed Commerce is a cornerstone for the organizations that constitute the core of the worldwide economy. It enables merchants to drive innovation, expedite operations, and deliver unparalleled customer experiences by providing a comprehensive commerce platform. The company's cloud-based solution integrates and harmonizes both physical and online operations, from facilitating multi-channel sales to ensuring efficient global payments and providing financing options. Lightspeed's solution is a strategic enabler for businesses pursuing growth, efficiency, and superior customer engagement when navigating the complex terrain of commerce. TouchBistro TouchBistro has established itself as a key participant in the hospitality industry by providing an integrated platform that combines front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest engagement solutions. The company assists restaurant owners in optimizing and streamlining their operations by leveraging its powerful combination, thereby reducing the need for manual tasks and augmenting the focus on customer interactions and business expansion. This advanced solution redefines operational efficiency in the restaurant industry, reinforcing TouchBistro's dedication to facilitating seamless connectivity and nurturing sustained growth for its clients. Clover A subsidiary of Fiserv, Clover Network Inc. is at the forefront of innovation with its complete, open-architecture point-of-sale system designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized business owners. As an influential force, the company's products redefine the consumer-merchant engagement dynamics and pave the way for frictionless interactions. Through Clover, Fiserv embarks on a mission to establish a leading operating system, bringing in a new era of commerce-enabling applications and solutions designed to empower business owners in a variety of industries. Revel Systems Revel Systems serves as a catalyst for the goals of retailers and restaurants by providing a cloud-based POS and business management system. Engineered for optimal security, user-friendliness, stability, and service excellence, Revel's ecosystem surpasses obsolete legacy solutions by offering an iOS-based POS platform that combines cloud-based innovation with the mobility of the iPad. This transformative strategy positions Revel Systems as the centerpiece for businesses seeking to modernize operations and enhance consumer experiences in a dynamic market. Talech Point of Sale Talech Point of Sale emerges as the preeminent solution, providing merchants with practical and user-friendly POS software solution that is enriched with holistic analytics and deep insights. Talech is steadfast in its mission for empowering small and medium-sized businesses to improve operational efficiency and accelerate sales growth in a fiercely competitive environment. Talech intends to provide local companies with insights comparable to those available to large-scale retailers and sizeable online commerce platforms, thereby leveling the playing field for all parties. Lavu Inc. Founded on the visionary principle of utilizing technology to design products, Lavu Inc., assists in enhancing the customer experiences by providing POS system for small business owners. The company's cloud-based iPad point-of-sale system integrates the extensive functionality of traditional systems with built-in customization and adaptability powered by cutting-edge technology. This convergence positions Lavu Inc. as a dependable partner for small businesses attempting to navigate the complexities of commerce with innovation and efficiency in the lead. LevelUp LevelUp is a pioneering force in the creation of cutting-edge mobile experiences for over 200 national brands. Its mission is to equip businesses with the tools needed to cultivate meaningful customer relationships, accelerate sales growth, and develop a robust, scalable mobile strategy. The company's platform offers a flexible suite of customized functionalities, including mobile rewards, seamless native online ordering, secure payments, dynamic customer relationship management, and a variety of other features. LevelUp's unwavering dedication to innovation positions itself at the forefront of enabling businesses to cultivate long-lasting consumer relationships. MenuSifu Menusifu Inc., based in New York City, was founded in 2013 by a group of ambitious and inventive high-tech engineers to introduce next-gen restaurant POS software solution. The MenuSifu POS terminal, MenuSifu mobile apps, and MenuSifu's online order system designed for iPad, iPad mini, and iPhone have helped the company achieve prominence in a remarkably brief period of time. By balancing innovation and cost-effectiveness, Menusifu Inc. has emerged as a significant contributor in the ever-evolving sphere of restaurant technology, offering businesses comprehensive solutions to improve operational efficiency and cultivate dynamic customer engagement. Trivec Trivec is a renowned provider of restaurant-specific POS systems in the European hospitality market. Its extensive POS solutions are designed to improve the ordering and payment processes of restaurants, bars, and hotels. Trivec's portfolio comprises traditional POS systems, QR-based solutions, card payment terminals, mobile POS solutions, handheld devices, and beverage systems, among other products. Through its dedication to innovation and seamless integration, Trivec delivers a transformative suite of hospitality solutions that expedite operations and enhance customer experiences. eHopper eHopper is a global provider of user-friendly management systems committed to empowering small enterprises worldwide. With a devotion to enhancing seamless interactions and facilitating operational efficiency with customers and clients, eHopper offers wide-ranging solutions, including POS hardware, mobile POS, inventory management solutions, POS software solution, and others, tailored to the particular requirements of small businesses. By effectively addressing the operational landscape, eHopper intends to substantially lower operating costs, thereby fostering increased profitability for small businesses attempting to thrive in the modern competitive market. Heartland A division of Global Payments Inc., Heartland is a market leader in the field of payment processing across the US. It offers a range of services, including debit, credit, and prepaid card processing, powered by its cutting-edge security technology, Heartland SecureTM, and a robust breach warranty. Furthermore, Heartland provides point-of-sale systems, e-commerce platforms, mobile commerce solutions, payroll solutions, marketing tools, and various additional business services. The company plays a pivotal role in influencing modern business transactions and services, with a reach of over 400,000 business and educational locations across the country. Mad Mobile Mad Mobile is an internationally recognized technology company famous for its exceptional and scalable restaurant and retail solutions. The company specializes in redefining consumer engagement and enables businesses to transform their interactions with customers. Their one-of-a-kind platform enables the seamless incorporation of mobility into existing systems, thereby boosting sales performance and digitizing the passenger experience. As a leader in technology-driven solutions, Mad Mobile is at the leading edge of propelling innovative mobile experiences in the business environment. ItsaCheckmate ItsaCheckmate is a notable provider of an all-encompassing two-way integration solution that connects point-of-sale systems to the dynamic realm of on-demand services. This integration not only ensures a seamless transition to the evolving on-demand world but also equips businesses with robust monitoring and reporting capabilities, thereby optimizing profitability, revenue, and operational efficiency. ItsaCheckmate has partnerships with over 150 point-of-sale systems and third-party marketplaces, including industry leaders like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, ASAP, EZcater, and ChowNow. ItsaCheckmate is committed to democratizing technology, thereby making it accessible and cost-effective for restaurants of all sizes. KwicKPOS KwicKPOS has emerged as one of the leading full-featured POS providers for restaurant management. The company exceeds hardware limitations by integrating diverse clientele requirements onto a unified platform, displaying the qualities of intelligence, fluidity, and efficiency. KwicKPOS revolutionizes the course of restaurant operations by providing a broad range of features, including POS, kiosk systems, online ordering, CRM, Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), marketing tools, delivery services, and cloud-enabled features. This robust solution improves administration and increases profitability, making it an indispensable asset for enhancing restaurant performance. Bottom Line In the vast tapestry of contemporary commerce, the function of cloud POS systems extends beyond the mere facilitation of transactions. These top 15 POS solution providers collectively aim to enhance payment experiences, leveraging their individual strengths. By entrusting their payment requirements to these POS solution providers, companies can emphasize their core operations, secure in the knowledge that their technological foundation can adapt and expand alongside the business. As businesses navigate an ever-changing environment, the profound impact of these providers becomes apparent; an integration of technology, competence in business, and consumer-centricity that collectively alters the trajectory of commerce itself.

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POS Solutions, POS Retail, Ecommerce Merchandising

Fashion retailers may have to write-off £15bn worth of spring and summer stock

Article | June 10, 2024

Unprecedented volumes of clothing are building up in warehouses as fashion retailers are unable to sell their spring and summer stock. The majority of physical shops in the UK remain closed under the government’s current lockdown measures, with sales of non-food items down by 70 per cent according to research by Retail Economics and Alvarez & Marsal reported by the Times. The study found that more than 50 per cent of non-food retailers in the UK will likely run out of cash in the next six months, with all major non-food retailers operating in negative cash flow at present.

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POS Solutions, Ecommerce Merchandising

SEE WHO IS SPEAKING AT MPC20!

Article | June 7, 2024

This year, we’ve rounded up an incredible lineup of industry experts to share their knowledge about the latest FinTech technologies, innovations, and trends for our now virtual MPC20. Our generous sponsors are covering your ticket in full—a $599 expense. If you haven’t locked down your seat yet, you can do so here using the code VICTORY2020 for your complimentary discount: As a guest, you can expect the same quality content as years past, now with virtual perks such as an exclusive digital wallet, gift cards, attendee rewards, and more. We’ll cover key topics including the post-COVID consumer journey, the COVID-19 impact on payments, the 5G future, and other relevant topics.

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Cloud Based POS

Why You Should Acquire a Cloud-Based Point of Sale System

Article | June 21, 2022

"Digital is a very busy ecosystem, so nail first what you are trying to achieve, who you are trying to engage with and what you want to convey." - Yolanda Valery, Head of Digital Engagement at Ocado Group. In this age of networked businesses, connectivity and technological advancements impact the payment system. POS systems may sound familiar to retailers. However, you may also be aware of the term "cloud computing," which has garnered much attention in modern technology. Consequently, you must combine POS technology with cloud technologies. It is also advantageous for brick-and-mortar businesses that wish to construct a neater, more contemporary register and reduce wait times by collecting payments from many locations. Investigating and making the switch to a point-of-sale (POS) system that is hosted in the cloud is something that businesses ought to do for a number of different reasons. Let's take a quick look at them in-depth. Reasons to Shift to Cloud-Based POS System: According to Cloud POS Market Statistics 2028, the worldwide cloud POS market was valued at $2.24 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $13.24 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 24.5 percent from 2020 to 2028. Robust Security Security is one incentive to using cloud-based POS, which reduces risk. Possessing a POS system may considerably reduce all types of danger. If you've selected cloud-based POS software, your data is in good hands with tight security standards and automated backup and synchronization through a remote server. Without sensitive cardholder data to steal, SMBs can dramatically lower the likelihood of a data breach. Cloud-based POS systems play a crucial part in ensuring that SMBs provide their clients with the most significant payment experience possible. Better Remote Control of Your Operations Cloud-based POS software helps you better handle your operations remotely by allowing you to monitor the performance of your various departments while you are absent. This enables you to respond quickly to any potential difficulties. You can manage your business and obtain essential information from anywhere. Your POS terminals will communicate information in real-time, allowing them to stay flawlessly connected even if you have different retail locations. Cost Reduction Profitability and expenditure management should be your top concerns when selecting a POS software solution for your firm. The project becomes lucrative immediately by choosing a POS system, particularly a cloud-based one. The initial expenditure is small, and the software vendor assumes most of the IT administration responsibilities. Most cloud-based point-of-sale systems are offered as SaaS models with no upfront charges and cheap monthly fees. In addition to decreasing labor expenses, these solutions improve worker utilization. Cloud POS Mobility The use of cloud-based POS software increases your mobility and adaptability. It is compatible with many desktops and mobile internet-connected devices. With 24/7 access to all system reports, you can manage your business from around the globe. Your employees may accept credit card payments and email receipts to customers at any moment. Seamless Integration Last but not least, cloud POS systems may be coupled with various other methods, including accounting, buying, and inventory management systems. Cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) systems that enable simple integration and scalability are necessary for SMBs in a rapidly changing business environment. Integration with several other systems will further simplify the operations of your retail business and increase sales. Bottom line: It is evident that cloud-based POS systems are essential for SMBs and a precondition for integrating them into your daily operations. The reasons for using cloud-based POS software are innumerable; we have only enumerated a handful. Therefore, consider cloud-based POS if you have decided to move to a POS system.

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Spotlight

Crane Stationery

At Crane & Co, we pride ourselves on helping our customers make their own individual mark on the world. Whether designing custom stationery that becomes your signature, forging new business connections with a stylish stack of business cards, or staying in touch with loved ones with handwritten notes, our expert printers are there to help you create lasting memories – just like they’ve been for 200 years.

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