Retailers are improving their operations by letting the tech do the heavy lifting.
With tough trading conditions making retail challenging for even the most successful business owners, you need all the support you can get. More retailers than ever are tapping into technology to help them make smarter decisions that boost sales and lower costs.
As a third-generation retailer, Arif Jehad of Shop Local Wishawhill Stores in Glasgow was keen to invest in some new kit from MHouse to make his operation more efficient. “The challenge we faced with our last point of sale system was the fact that it was very old, with 1970s or 80s-style tills,” he says.
This made it nigh-on impossible to keep tabs on pricing and margins. “Prices are shooting up. Unless you’re checking over the invoices for every single item, you never know if the price has increased or not,” he says. “The benefits we found of using the MHouse system [are], first, keeping up to date with the prices and the reporting system. They’ve been fantastic to make sure that they’re always in profit.”
He also praises the system’s ability to aid promotion management. “We know that we’re constantly running promotions at the right price – when they start and when they’re ending,” he says.
Arif is a big fan of the handheld device as it enables him to walk around scanning, updating prices and setting promotions on the move.
He is equally positive about Nisha and Shajeel on the MHouse support team. “Any issues, you phone the number and they’re always there to help you and support you,” he beams. “I actually recommended MHouse to other fellow retailers and friends. The reason being the simplicity of it.”
Retailer recommendations have also been spreading the word about ShopMate EPoS. The firm is set to reward Londis Solo Convenience owner Natalie Lightfoot with £150 off her ShopMate fees for recommending their system to fellow Glasgow retailer Nathalie Fullerton.
“It’s exactly what this [refer a friend] scheme is all about – retailers sharing what works, helping each other get set up for success, and being rewarded along the way,” says ShopMate. “Natalie Lightfoot will receive her £150 reward once Natalie Fullerton has been with ShopMate for six months.”
Retailers can make up to 10 successful referrals, earning up to £1,500 off their ShopMate fees.
Nathalie Fullerton, who changed her Dumbarton Road store over from One Stop to Go Local earlier this year, has already seen a big difference from using ShopMate.
The new system can integrate with Nathalie’s Snappy Shopper online delivery offer. “It helps so much with time-consuming stuff – adding promotions can just be done automatically, and if you sell out of something in store, it automatically marks it as out of stock online, which saves so much hassle,” she says. “It will help us manage our stock levels a lot, lot better.”
She is also hoping to gain more insights through the system. “They give you so much data you don’t know what to do with half of it, which is great!”
Most convenience stores operate with small teams and tight margins, so owners need systems that save time, reduce waste and give better day-to-day business visibility, states Gander.
“We help retailers maximise the value of reduced-to-clear products by making them visible to nearby shoppers in real time,” says Business Development Director Stacey Williams. “Traditionally, reduced items rely on customers already being in the store at the right moment. That often means products are missed and end up wasted.
“Our technology connects directly into existing store systems and automatically promotes live reductions through digital channels including retailer apps, websites and partners such as Olio.”
Williams’ advice to retailers is to start simple and focus on technology that solves real operational problems.
“Independent retailers should not feel they need to transform everything overnight,” she says. “Even relatively small technology improvements can make a meaningful difference to profitability and operational efficiency.”
