Managing a corner store is not for the faint of heart. It’s a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, and it can be difficult to balance the needs of customers, employees, and a rapidly-depleted inventory. However, corner store point of sale software can shoulder much of the pressure of running a corner store.
Though you may already be aware of POS solutions, the targeted nature of a business-specific POS system can really revolutionize the way you manage your corner store. Read on for three ways corner store POS software can make running your small business more manageable and less overwhelming.
1. Expedite Checkout
The checkout process can definitely present a challenge for your corner store. Inconveniences at checkout are a huge turnoff to customers who value speed, efficiency, and reliability. Fortunately, a good corner store POS system offers multiple features to guarantee an improved checkout experience.
For one, your convenience store likely boosts a vast array of products, including age-restricted items such as alcohol and nicotine. Verifying a customer’s age can be tricky at checkout – but with corner store POS software, it doesn’t have to be. The software will request a customer’s date of birth when an age-restricted item is scanned, and for rapid age verification, you can use an ID scanner to verify that licenses are real and the customer is of age.
Customers routinely pay with a diverse range of methods – Apple Pay, Google Pay, 1-Second EMV, EBT, swipe, and gift card, to name a few. Corner store POS software will support these payment technologies, and more, expediting your checkout line. Keep an eye out for solutions that allow these transactions to be completed even when the internet is down, ensuring that your corner store will be able to function through thick and thin.
Lastly, your corner store POS software should be able to integrate with features you already offer, like a loyalty program, lottery store redemption, and competitive payment processing rates. Using features baked into your point of sale, instead of multiple systems, will save you time at checkout.
2. Optimize Inventory Management
Corner stores are known for their large and varied inventory, ranging from snacks to cigarettes to toilet paper. As a corner store owner, you are likely aware of the range of clientele, from regular customers who rely on your inventory to keep their household in stock, to one-time-stoppers.
Keeping a wide and unique assortment of products available can be a heavy responsibility, but corner store POS software offers inventory management options to ease that burden, and keep an eye on which items are in stock.
A corner store POS system allows you to track your products in real-time, and even includes automated shelf sticker printing to simplify placing products on the floor. During the ordering process, a POS solution assists in adding new inventory, communicating with vendors, and evaluating quantities on hand.
3. Analyze Sales Data
A perk offered by POS software is data reporting capabilities. It will analyze product received and sold, factoring in past inventory accounts, to help you calculate your shrinkage. Similarly, it will allow you to create purchase orders based on previous orders and sales, analyzing sales history to create orders that maximize profits and minimize losses.
Using this monitoring and reporting technology, you will receive intuitive and easy-to-read reports on which of your products are performing well, and which aren’t. This information will inform your inventory order decisions, and will also allow you to reassess marketing and sales campaigns you have in place.
For example, this data will enable you to keep track of when a certain product is particularly popular amongst a specific demographic. You can then use that information to launch a targeted marketing campaign to increase sales amongst those customers.
Your Corner Store and POS Software
A corner store POS system can take your small business to the next level – but what’s your next step now? You’re probably searching for a flexible, industry-specific POS software that you can tailor to your store and your needs.
Well, look no further! Markt POS can offer you a solution that is both comprehensive and customized. In addition to the above, we can offer you baked-in employee management, store administration features, and much more! Schedule your free demo with our team today to benefit both your small business and your bottom line.
