Retailers and manufacturers explain why a good EPOS system is essential to the running of a convenience store.
NOT all EPOS systems are created equal, and when choosing such an essential component of your business, it’s worth paying close attention to what is available on the market.
When he opened his latest store, Greens of Markinch, Nisa retailer Harris Aslam decided the EPOS equipment and software he was using didn’t fit his purpose and went in search of something more suitable. He chose to work with Huddersfield-based IT Retail Systems.
“We’d been using another system for about seven years, but it had its fair share of challenges,” said Harris. “Moving to ITS is one of the best things we’ve done.
“Their head-office system works perfectly and can be accessed from multiple PCs. Cashiers are able to log in at all stores with their own customised controls and promotions are easier to set up.
“They get the basics down so well, but we’ve also been able to request so much more and develop different features that give us additional benefits. It’s much more slick, saves a lot of time and everyone’s just finding it much, much better.”
Abdul Rashid, owner of Salina Mini Market in New Stevenston, had a similar experience two years ago, when he switched from his old EPOS system to The Retail Data Partnership.
“It’s much better than the system we had before,” he said. “It’s connected to Bestway Batleys, so any changes they make in their offers come straight through to my system and that’s a lot easier for me. It used to take me three hours sometimes to take the old prices off and put the new prices on. With this all I need to think about is what lines I’m going to keep.”
• Different businesses have different requirements when it comes to EPOS, especially with news and magazines, reckons Reposs.
Print media sales are in decline, but there is still money to be made if you have controls in place to manage sales and supply, the company argues. That means an EPOS system that manages newspaper and magazine titles by issue, from supply to return, is a vital business tool.
“A Reposs EPOS system connects to Menzies Distribution so you can download your delivery for each day adding new titles with cover prices, update prices and downloading the quantity of the issue being delivered,” said director Richard Holder.
“This then enables the system to manage the sales of that issue of the title, allocating the quantities required for shop sales and home news delivery, to telling you how many titles need returning. This not only makes this category more profitable but also saves you a lot of time performing manual tasks and updating manual systems.”
• Essex-based 3R Simply EPOS says it aims to provide retailers with an edge in business management and payments management. Its systems are designed to become an integral part of a retailer’s business, whether multi or single-site, and to deliver a tremendous level of control.
The systems are equipped with detailed reporting functions, meaning retailers can quickly see the results of changes to stock and sales, and identify opportunities to boost promotions.
Managers can also personalize screen designs for the EPOS terminals and integrate products that are unique to their businesses, adding their own promotions, daily specials and local specialities.
Recognising the paramount importance of security, 3R Epos has also equipped all of its systems with a safeguard system, so that retailers have the power to identify financial irregularities should they ever happen.
• One of the latest EPOS companies to enter the market is The Good Till Co, which aims to provide small businesses with a system that is ‘friendly and funky’.
The company describes the Good Till as ‘a stylish tablet-based solution,’ already being used by small businesses and events across the UK, including last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. It is customisable, integrates with applications like Xero and Exact, and allows businesses to give customers email receipts, which it says is not only more convenient and eco-friendly, but also helps with data capture.
