How the Amazon effect is disrupting e-commerce logistics

POS Retail

Article | May 10, 2024

Discover cutting-edge innovations, learn about operational efficiencies, and explore ways to enhance customer experiences through modern POS solutions with the most awaited POS events in 2023. As the significance of customer satisfaction, efficient inventory management, and omnichannel experience grew, the adoption of Point-of-Sale (POS) systems has gained significant momentum in the last few years. These advanced systems offer businesses numerous benefits, including enhanced efficiency, real-time data analytics, and seamless integration with other essential operations. With the addition of features, such as time data accessibility, seamless integration with other business operations, enhanced mobility, and automatic software updates, these cloud POS solutions empower businesses to make informed decisions, improve operational efficiency, provide personalized customer experiences, and adapt quickly to changing market demands. To stay at the forefront of this technological revolution and garner the latest insights in the sector, industry professionals and enthusiasts are flocking to various events and conferences dedicated to cloud POS. Here are some of the top payment-related POS conferences for businesses to attend: The Payment & Innovation Forum 2023 November 16-17, 2023 | Budapest (Hungary) The Payment & Innovation Forum 2023 is a premier event that brings together industry leaders, experts, and innovators in the banking and fintech sectors. With a focus on the European Union regulatory landscape, the forum explores the safe and responsible adoption of the latest innovation trends in banking. Speakers, including Javier Santamaría, The Chair of the European Payments Council; Daniela Bobocea, Chief Digital Officer at Digital Banker; and others, will share valuable insights and exchange ideas on the evolving payments landscape. Attendees can expect insightful discussions on topics such as the new era of customer experience, the relationship between fintech and banks, disruptions and digital banking trends, regulation and innovation, instant payment solutions, and the future of EU cybersecurity. Driving the Future of Ecommerce in Asia Pacific October 11-12, 2023 | Marina Bay (Singapore) Driving the Future of Ecommerce in Asia Pacific, eCommerce Expo Asia is back in 2023 for its highly anticipated fourth edition. With an impressive lineup of industry experts, including David Jou, CEO & Co-Founder of Pomelo Fashion; Jay Teo, Head of Point of Sales Business at Shopline; Alexandra Morris, APAC Head of Marketing at BigCommerce; and Jay Jenkins, Global Tech Evangelist at BytePlus, the event will shed light on the latest innovation and highlight game-changing solutions that will propel their ecommerce endeavors forward. Attendees can expect insightful keynote speeches, informative panel discussions, and thought-provoking sessions on the emerging trends and strategies driving the future of ecommerce in the Asia-Pacific region. Advanced E-Commerce & Retail Expo October 25-27, 2023 | Makuhari Messe (Japan) Advanced E-Commerce & Retail Expo is a comprehensive event showcasing a wide range of products and solutions tailored for the retail and ecommerce industries. It focuses on store operations, customer attraction, customer service, and online-offline store connectivity. The POS event presents professionals from various sectors, such as retail, ecommerce, food and service, manufacturing, and management of industries like hotel and leisure, making it a valuable platform to explore cutting-edge solutions that drive business growth. Attendees can expect to connect with industry experts, discover innovative technologies, and gain insights into the latest trends in retail, ecommerce, marketing, logistics, and systems. Los Angeles eCommerce Summit 2024 May 16, 2024 | Los Angeles (California) Los Angeles eCommerce Summit 2024 is a highly anticipated one-day event that brings together a curated group of local eCommerce experts, decision-makers, and industry professionals from the vibrant LA area. The conference is thoughtfully designed to deliver high-impact impressions through panel discussions, presentations, and one-on-one meetings covering a wide range of topics such as eCommerce strategy, marketing, operations, customer experience, payment solutions, shipping logistics, and loyalty programs. With industry leaders and innovators from established retailers and brands as participating speakers, attendees can expect to gain valuable insights, forge meaningful connections, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving eCommerce landscape. Payments Summit February 26-⁠28, 2024 | California (USA) Hosted by Secure Technology Alliance, the 16th annual Payments Summit will be held in conjunction with an Identity Summit, as well as the Winter Member Meeting of the U.S. Payments Forum and Identity Access Forum. Under the theme of ’Smarter Faster Payments,’ the summit showcases renowned keynote speakers Ben Nemtin, no. 1 New York Times bestselling author and Shola Richards, Founder of The Positivity Solution, who will share their invaluable insights on the future of payments. With a focus on enhancing the user experience, improving decision-making, and reinforcing security measures, Smarter Faster Payments is an important industry event for those seeking to stay ahead of the curve and make a meaningful impact in the world of payments. Payments Forum May 6-8, 2024 | Florida (USA) Payments Forum is a premier event where industry experts, leaders, and decision-makers from financial institutions, card issuers, payments processors, merchants, and retailers gather for strategic discussions on revenue growth and product development. This POS event serves as a vital platform for attendees to gain valuable insights into the latest technological advancements, regulatory impacts, and the evolving landscape of consumer behavior. With a focus on innovation, digital transformation, and staying ahead of industry trends, the Payments Forum provides a unique opportunity for professionals to exchange knowledge, explore new options, and drive their organizations toward success in the dynamic payments sector. PAY360 Conference March 19-20, 2024 | London (UK) An essential event, the PAY360 Conference, is where professionals in the payments industry come together to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the payments ecosystem. With speakers such as Kosta Du, Founder and CEO of Dapio; Charles Damen, Chief Product Officer at Token; and Denise Johansson. Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Enfuce, on the deck, the conference provides a unique platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. Recognizing the growing demand, this POS event has expanded to a larger venue, reflecting its status as the preferred meeting point for forging partnerships, acquiring new customers, and influencing policy. By pushing boundaries and going the extra mile, PAY360 is committed to serving and benefiting the payments community, enabling attendees to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in this dynamic and fast-paced sector. MoneyLIVE Summit March 6-7, 2024 | London (UK) MoneyLIVE Summit, held in the world's FinTech capital, is the premier global event for payments and banking professionals. Bringing together industry leaders at the forefront of their fields, this POS summit serves as the epicenter of ground-breaking partnerships, amplifying innovation, and nurturing the brightest ideas. With five remarkable stages to choose from, attendees can delve into a wide range of topics, including open banking, new revenue models, payments innovation, digital identities, and more. MoneyLIVE Summit provides a unique platform to stay informed, inspired, and connected with the latest trends and advancements shaping the payments and banking landscape, making it an important event for industry professionals seeking to drive success and embrace the future of finance. Smarter Faster Payments 2024 May 6-9, 2024 | Miami (USA) Smarter Faster Payments 2024 is an exceptional industry event that recognizes the transformative power of technology and information in revolutionizing the world of payments. This POS event is dedicated to organizations that are at the forefront of driving innovation, delivering value through groundbreaking solutions and services, and utilizing these advancements to meet their business requirements and engage with customers. With a focus on enhancing the user experience, empowering decision-making processes, and ensuring robust security measures, Smarter Faster Payments offers a unique platform for diverse organizations to come together, share insights, and explore the latest trends and strategies in the payments landscape. Attendees can expect to gain valuable knowledge, establish meaningful connections, and stay ahead of the curve in this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry. CMO in eCommerce Conference - 2023 September 27, 2023 | Online A must-attend event, The CMO in eCommerce Conference - 2023, designed specifically for eCommerce Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) looking to optimize their online stores and drive business success. This POS conference brings together a panel of experienced eCommerce CMOs who understand the challenges of managing and developing thriving online businesses. With a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to share, these industry experts will provide valuable insights on optimizing store performance, enhancing customer engagement, and boosting sales. Attendees can gain critical insights into the latest trends, platforms, tools, and apps, gaining a competitive edge and making their marketing efforts more effective. The Future of POS The future of Point-of-Sale (POS) is poised for significant transformation through the integration of cloud-based technologies. Attending the top 10 POS conferences in 2023 presents a remarkable opportunity for industry professionals to gain invaluable insights and stay abreast of the latest advancements in this ever-evolving field. These conferences serve as vibrant platforms where retailers, technology providers, and industry enthusiasts can converge, share knowledge, and forge meaningful connections. Attendees can stay ahead of the curve by participating in these events, leveraging the power of cloud-based POS systems to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and drive business growth.

POS Solutions

Article | February 15, 2024

Retailers are rapidly adapting their businesses as covid-19 continues to hinder sales. The most successful are shifting towards online experiential retail. As a business owner, you’re probably hearing a lot of ways that small businesses can adapt to the changing times. The most common that we’ve seen are: Move your store online, or improve your online sales processes. Offer on-the-go product deals Shift product focus to hands-on usage and activities. While these are definitely great starting points, they aren’t really specific to any industry. We’ll cover different ways you can adapt your retail business using the tools from right within your Erply account. We’ll even cover examples specific to a variety of industries so you can be inspired to change up or improve your covid-19 sales strategies. The strategy: Adapting your retail business Retail adaptation can seem overwhelming at first, especially if you’ve never undergone large-scale product changes before. A good place to start to is to think: what would you want to see in a retailer during the covid-19 shutdown? Think about yourself as a consumer, not a store owner. Life might be slowing down, but it’s not coming to a standstill — you probably want to find more ways to maintain safe, healthy protocols when shopping for necessities, looking for gifts, or seeking entertainment. As a retailer, your customers will be looking to you for ways to do all of these, while also minimizing the risk of coming into contact with covid-19. There are plenty of creative ways to shift your business offerings to fit these fast-changing times. We’ll first give examples of how your existing Erply tools can be used to adapt your business, then will cover industry-specific examples. Create special deals Remember, short-term value translates into long-term customer relationships! Loyalty points Looking to boost sales without discounting your products? Try offering loyalty points at an increased rate to encourage shopper support during covid-19. Loyalty programs are a great way to encourage repeat business by incentivizing customers to repeatedly choose your store over competitors in exchange for rewards. Bundles and assemblies Product bundles and assemblies can be used to sell items together in a group. Product bundles can be used to sell large items together at a slightly discounted price or to help sell slow-moving inventory. Think subscription boxes, holiday-themed gift sets, or even items commonly purchased together. Promotions Seasonal, event-based, or brand collaborations; there’s never a bad time for a sales promotion! They’re a great way to encourage customer sales by offering enticing product discounts. Erply’s powerful promotions builder enables you to set up flat discounts, percent discounts, BOGO-type deals, and more. Price lists An alternative to promotions, price lists allow you to create highly specific discounts for any sales campaign. Price lists can target specific product groups, store locations, or even customer segments (think VIP pricing). Coupons Coupons can offer one-time, redeemable rewards. They tie into promotions, but aren’t available to every customer, only the ones who have a coupon or a coupon code. Improve customer service Customer service is more than just employee-to-customer interaction; it also includes accessibility and streamlined shopping. Buy online, pickup in-store Offer flexible, health-conscious ways for your customers to purchase products in your store. Our e-commerce options allow customers to buy products online, then purchase them in-store. Flexible retail tools mean you can offer a variety of pickup order options that suit the needs of you and your customers. Purchases can be paid in full, partially paid, or can be paid once the customer arrives for pickup. Offline mode for sales anywhere Covid-19 regulations might mean that you’re not able to sell out of your store as you normally would. Maybe you need to make sales on-the-go or from an outside location. Erply’s offline POS ensures that all sales are accounted for, even if you have no internet access. Once connection resumes, all sales data will sync up to your back office to keep your records accurate. The ability to make sales and perform basic POS actions without wifi connection means you can think up creative ways to service your customers outside of your physical store. Contactless payments Depending on your payment hardware, you may be able to accept contactless payments like NFC tap-to-pay, ApplePay, GooglePay, and SamsungPay. This allows you to offer flexible payment options for your customers, while also protecting them (and your employees) from physical contact. See if you own a contactless payment-enabled device. E-commerce for paid online classes and services Webstores are a great opportunity to boost sales when your physical store locations are closed or operating at limited capacity. Can’t sell your products in-store? Try demoing them online instead. Maybe you occasionally host in-store events. Those can be moved to the web, with an e-commerce solution to help you keep track of attendance (online passes can be sold for $0, if needed!) Right now, you can get set up with Shopify, WooCommerce, or ShopZ. Remote payments If you’re offering curbside pickup or phone orders, you can charge customers remotely through your payment processor. This can be done for curbside pickup phone orders, deliveries, or other unique payment processes that you might be implementing. Right now, customers using Global Payments (formally TSYS, Cayan) as their payment processor have access to theGenius Vault to charge customers remotely. Recurring billing If you’re setting up subscription services, you might want to set up recurring billing in your Erply account. Recurring billing automatically creates product invoices at set increments, which can be billed for any predetermined length of time. Erply does the hard work for you so you can focus on servicing your customers. Industry-specific retail adaptation ideas Below, we’ll list some industry-specific ideas on how you can adapt your retail business to the changing times. Be sure to check out all of the sections, even if an industry does not match your business, you might gain inspiration on how certain ideas can be adapted to your specific store! Most, if not all of these ideas can be implemented online or in-store. Be sure to contact our team if you need e-commerce set up on your Erply account, Remember, although people are spending more time indoors, those numbers will decrease as states open up and as the weather improves. Try to envision how your products can be used outdoors or during seasonal events while still adhering to social distancing policies. Fireworks stores Areas particularly affected by stay-at-home orders are seeing an increase in one-off fireworks usage, This will, of course, only increase as the weather warms up and we inch closer to summer holidays. Recommend setting up fireworks bundles to encourage sales, to new and existing customers. Starter packs can be used to help sell slower moving items and introduce new audiences to your store.. Depending on your state’s fireworks regulations, you might also want to set up subscription boxes, or a “fireworks of the month” bundle. Customers can pick up a box each month or sign up for delivery. Both options can take advantage of contactless payments or recurring billing. Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of promotions and coupons during those summer holidays to increase sales! Gardening stores Quarantined or not, your green-thumbed customers will still be looking for your expertise on plant care and gardening tips. We recommend providing online gardening classes with Q&A sessions. These can be paid for in your online store, which may also encourage customers to make additional online purposes. You also can set up bundle and assembly products in your Erply account to create planter kits or herb sets. Some gardening stores have been offering creative options too, such as a paint your own planter kit. Sports stores Sporting events might be cancelled, but that doesn’t mean your customers won’t have a need for your merchandise in the future. Warm weather encourages at-home practice, even if full on competitions are off the table. Now is a great time to take advantage of sales and coupons to keep inventory moving in preparation for season reopenings. These can come bundled with online training classes that give customers tips and tricks for different sport techniques, stretches, etc. Online video game sporting alternatives, like NBA 2K and FIFA, can be used to keep your customers engaged with your brand. Try partnering with local schools or recreational leagues to form online brackets, then charge online entry fees for players looking to participate. Arts and crafts shops The arts have seen a huge boom during state-wide quarantines. From therapeutic activities to creating artwork that supports good causes, such as Healthcare Heros or Rainbow Hunt, there’s a place for craft shops in every home. You might also want to consider bundling items that can be used to create drive-by signage. Online classes or video tutorials are a popular indoor activity that you can sell to your customers through an online webshop. Maybe your shop hosted paint and sip nights. You can either take these to the web, or provide customers with resources and ideas to host their own. Apparel stores Did you know that the color red is the hardest color to capture on photo and video? As more and more people adjust to working from home, promotions and coupons can be used to highlight webcam-friendly clothing and accessories. If you want to take on a more hands-on response to covid-19, you can try to repurpose inventory items to create protective face masks. What’s more, you can offer online classes on how to transform different clothing items into face masks. All of the above can be done using a basic e-commerce platform! Beauty brands Wellness is a huge focus during these coronavirus times, which means you can attract new customers by offering different wellness-themed bundles and packages. You may want to set up subscription boxes using Erply’s recurring billing tools. Brainstorm creative ideas for your products, such as webcam beauty tips for women and men. Bonus points if you can partner with actual customers or a local influencer and work a creative social hashtag to build a sense of community. You can even use coupon codes to encourage more of these sales, and commission an influencer from right within Erply.

POS Solutions, POS Retail, Ecommerce Merchandising

Article | June 10, 2024

Most European countries and the United States have been in lockdown since mid-March due to the Covid 19 pandemic, and brick and mortar stores have been closed accordingly. Although online retail continues, it is proving difficult due to falling consumer spending, transport issues and disruptions of the supply chain. A forecast by Indian management consulting company Wazir Advisors, which focuses specifically on the apparel sector, predicts a decline in apparel consumption in 2020 of 45 percent in the EU and 40 percent in the US, which could lead to a reduction by 300 billion US dollars (around 274 billion euros or close to 240 British pounds).

Article | April 15, 2020

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.