Retailers Adapting New Strategy on Inventory

During the mid-season holidays, retailers are finding that they need to establish new strategies on inventories because their inventory may not support markdowns.

Leaner stockrooms mean less incentive to slash prices to get goods out the door. Expect fewer late-season sales touting 50% or more off original purchase prices. Not that some big sales won't be found.

Of course, the less an item is predicted to grow sales, the more likely retailers will slash prices. Jewelry, which Retail Forward predicts will grow sales just 1% over 2006, qualifies this year. And furniture, expected to see a 1% drop in sales, could be a strong markdown despite not usually being associated with gift-giving. -- from Forbes article, 11/29/07

See full article

For more a free retail consultation, contact One Step Retail Solutions to schedule one today!

Gift Cards Are Good Business for Retailers

According to an online American Pulse survey, many Americans would rather give than receive. And, when it comes to giving, many just want to ensure that they get the right gift and avoid the recipient arriving at the returns window.

Of the 4,069 respondents, 52.1 percent said they would rather receive a gift card or cash than gifts this holiday season. Of those, 29.6 percent preferred a gift card and 22.5 percent wanted cash.

The survey found that 45.4 percent received a gift of clothing that they didn’t like or wear last year, and 46.3 percent hate the hassle of returning gifts. Of the respondents, 22.7 percent would like to exchange gifts for things they would rather have; and 22.5 percent have "re-gifted" gifts received.

Concerning gift cards, 82.4 percent agreed they are a smart gift alternative for people they don't know well. But 10.5 percent admit they had "re-gifted" gift cards received; 13.5 percent have received gift cards that they've never redeemed; and 16.1 percent have received gift cards that they've only partially redeemed.

Read full article.

Visit One Step Retail Solutions about implementing a gift card program in your store.

Dec. Discounts on Retail Pro

Online shopping during Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday in retail outlets) surged 26%, indicating that the holiday season is off to a good start. The peak shopping days are expected to continue this season, both for online activity and brick and mortar retailers.

More than 42% of adults will shop online this holiday season, up from the 40% who shopped online last year, according to Consumer Reports. And Internet access at home will spend 11 hours shopping for the holidays. The poll also showed that the number of people planning to shop is up 4% from last year.

While it may be understood that this is a promising holiday season for retailers, if they are not prepared for a heavy shopping period, they could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue. A retailer not having integrated eCommerce with their point of sale software system is going to lose out on the success online retailers are having this season. Also, slow checkout can make customers walk out the door, and a robust point of sale software system, like Retail Pro, is equipped to prevent that from happening.

To assist retailers in getting a comprehensive POS software system One Step Retail Solutions is offering specials throughout December on Retail Pro – starting with a 30% discount on Retail Pro during Week One of December, with an additional 10% with the purchase of POS hardware. It’s the biggest discount of the month, so it’s a perfect time for retailers who need a better POS system to take advantage of One Step’s offer at the beginning of Dec.

Contact a sales representative at One Step today. Call 800-266-1328 or email sales@onestepretail.com.

Read article:
“More than 40% of adults plan to shop online this holiday season”

Online Retailers Plan Deals for Cyber Monday

In the Boston Globe article "Online Retailers Plan Deals for Cyber Monday," it states:

A Shop.org survey issued today said that 72.2
percent of online retailers are planning a special promotion for Cyber Monday -
the Monday that follows Thanksgiving - up from 42.7 percent from two years ago.

This is the biggest shopping day of the year and marks the beginning of the retail holiday season. This 4th quarter shopping can account for 50% to 70% of retailers’ sales and profits for the entire year. Read full article.

According to the National Retail Foundation’s 2007 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, U.S. consumers will spend an average of $816.69 on holiday-related shopping and spend an additional $106.67 on special “non-gift” purchases during seasonal promotions and discounts offered by retailers. The total of $923.36 indicates an estimated 3.7 percent increase over 2006, according to the news release.

Another news article "Selling the Retail Season" states,

Gift cards are expected to extend the holiday shopping season into 2008,
according to Niemira. An estimated 30 to 40 percent of those receiving
gift cards are expected to redeem them in the week after Christmas and into
January.

Read full article.

Record sales of gift cards predicted

Press Release excerpts:

New technology for retail management of gift card programs through retail point of sale systems drive growth ahead of holiday season.

According to a National Retail Federation survey, gift cards have become the number one selling item at retail stores. With the adaptation of new technology for online management through POS retail system, rates of acceptance of integrated gift card program has skyrocketed.

The National Retail Federation reported that this year’s holiday gift card sales will reach record-high sales to $35 billion, continuing year over year at over 50% sales growth since gift card programs first rolled out in 2004 and 2005.

Retail chains also have made a big effort to upgrade to more sophisticated software such as Retail Pro at the point of sale to process gift cards. Retail Pro is a highly sophisticated point of sale software that includes the capability to integrate gift card programs.

Video Interview with Scott Kreisberg CEO

Watch our new video "Interview with Scott Kreisberg"

One Step Awarded for Top Sales of Retail Pro

One Step Retail Solutions received the Global Business Partner of the Year Award from Island Pacific at the awards event in San Diego, CA this week. The awards event took place at the Wave House in San Diego and recognized One Step for achieving Top Sales of Retail Pro worldwide.

“It is always important to be recognized for the accomplishments of the group as a whole. Receiving the honors of being the best Retail Pro Service Provider, for the US and World wide, acknowledges all the efforts made by everyone at One Step Retail. It reflects our dedication to our customers and their businesses. It is also nice to have that recognition from the other Retail Pro Dealers, our peers”, says Charles Wood Director of Tech services at One Step Retail Solutions. "

Darren Williams COO of Island Pacific and Ken Sapp VP Sales of Island Pacific presented the two awards to Alicia Kreisberg Chief Operating Officer of One Step Retail Solutions.

New Retail Pro Website

Yesterday One Step Retail Solutions launched its Retail Pro website featuring their premiere retail point of sale software - http://www.retailprosoftware.com/. With the same look and feel as the company's main website, this site primarily focuses on Retail Pro and the Retail Pro Shop Edition - a POS system that includes software, hardware, installation and training all under $5,000.

Visitors of our main site will still find the Retail Pro forum and blog, as well as an upcoming video tour of the product.

You can sign up for a free online LIVE demo of Retail Pro with one of our representatives, or contact a One Step consultant at (866) 266-1328.

Using POS to Improve Customer Satisfaction

In a recent article posted at One Step Retail Solutions, "How POS Adds Up to Improved Customer Satisfaction," it states that a retailer can achieve insight into what they have on hand to target specific buying habits of their customers and drive them back to their store.

A retail business runs on accurate information or it doesn't run well. In its elastic ability to gather and store customer information and selectively retrieve it in hard copy or electronic reports, POS technology can help isolate existing clientele groups based on an almost infinite variety of business-dictated parameters in hundreds of ways. Accurate data based on criteria such as: location, sales history in dollar amounts, items bought, time of year, price range, age, sex, marital status, children, items favored, popular styles, sizes, colors, brands, etc. can help determine trends.

This is a great article, so check it out!

Accept Gift Cards This Holiday

In 2006, gift cards surpassed Apparel as the #1 gift - they were second in 2005. NRF continues to expect 2007 sales to increase 4.8% over 2006.

Achieve more profits by accepting gift cards - now is the time to integrate your credit and gift card processing with Retail Pro. Right now Retail Pro customers get a 30% discount on PC Charge or Shift4 with our preferred processor. Limited offer - expires Oct. 31st.

The success of gift cards is well documented and now you can take gift cards on Retail Pro to increase revenues and eliminate the administrative hassles of paper gift certificates.

For more information, read about Retail Pro Payment Solutions.

To read similar article on gift cards, read Gift Cards Are Changing Retail.

New PR Manager

Paul Van Kleef has come to One Step Retail Solutions as the new PR Manager and brings with him a strong background in PR work. His experience includes PR and marketing for a consulting firm Hollander & Associates, a resort in Niagara Falls called Campark Resorts, the software company Diskkeeper, and an Internet-based classified company. Paul is also a graduate of a top Business School in Los Angeles, HCA International.

"I plan on working with One Step to get broadly known all the successes and functionality our product delivers to the retail market," says Paul.

Paul will start his Retail Pro V9 campaign to educate people about its new, improved upgrade. To reach him, you can contact him at (866) 266-1328 Ext. 4164.

Retail Pro Partner Conference

One Step Retail Solutions will be attending the annual Retail Pro Partner & User Conference on Oct. 14-16, 2007 in La Jolla, CA. The conference will feature how to help retailers keep up with the constantly changing retail industry and explore the latest industry trends.

Retail Pro customers will also be attending the conference and be able to test the brand new functionality of Retail Pro V9, learn about other products such as Retail Pro Payment Solutions, Planning and Business Intelligence, how to stay competitve in the current retail environment, and meet other successful retailers from around the country.

Read more details about the conference.

Read about Retail Pro

One Step on Inc. 5000 list

One Step Retail Solutions ranks No. 2832 on the first-ever Inc. 5,000 list of fastest growing private companies in America. From that list, there are other lists ranking the top companies by industry, in each major metropolitan area, and by dollar amount. One Step comes up No. 75 in the Top 100 by Metro Region for Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ.

The Inc. 5,000 includes the Inc. 500 but now provides an all-inclusive list of companies that are driving the U.S. economy. The Inc. 5,000 project unleashed more than 70 researchers, reporters, editors and interns to identifyf and profile the 5,000 fastest growing companies in Entrepreneurial America.

According to Inc., "The companies listed are the elite--the mere silver of the seven million or so companies in the U.S. that have employees."

One Step attained a growth rate of 117.9% between 2003 and 2006, and attributes its success to its business model.

See press release ...

Retail Pro at Magic

One Step Retail Solutions has a booth with Retail Technology Resources Group (RTRG) at Magic next week, and is available for live consultations on POS systems. You can also see a live demo of Retail Pro.

Come to booth #ME936

See you there!

Managing Vendors with Retail Pro

A retailer can get stand alone applications to manage various aspects of their retail business, yet integrated systems, like Retail Pro, remain the preferred and more efficient retail system.

Vendor management is just one element of a retail business. In a recent article, "Vendor Management for Small Retailers," it talks about working with vendors and swift replenishment. This has to be tied in with managing your inventory. Essentially, they go hand-in-glove.

That is why it is important that your relationship with vendors is mutually profitable. Take a look at the article and see if it helps put things into perspective.

One Step Retail Solutions

The Ever-changing Consumer

In a recent article "Connecting with a Fast-changing Consumer," it states:

In a wide-ranging keynote address at the recent IIR Shopper Insights conference, Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst of The NPD Group, discussed the ever-changing consumer and how best to reach that moving target. What trends from those listed do you see as most important? What should marketers do - specifically - to capitalize on them?

Click here to read article.

Visit www.onestepretail.com for solutions.

Retail Pro POS software bundle

Save a bundle on this POS software and hardware bundle!

Get the leading retail software RETAIL PRO SHOP EDITION installed on HP's top of the line POS hardware system for less than $5,000. Training included!

Register for a free online demo.

Review information about Retail Pro features.

For details about support options, send email or visit website for more information.

New Executives Named

One Step Retail Solutions Names New Executives Following Highest Ever Sales in 2nd Quarter

OSRS, the long-time industry leaders in retail point of sale software technology, recently moved Dan Jablons to a new VP Business Development position and names Peter Pishko as VP Operations.

In the final runway of the 2nd quarter, OSRS stepped up to highest sales. Newly appointed as VP Operations at OSRS is Peter Pishko, former Director of Quality & Assurance. In his new position, he will be managing the company's national technical support center, retail consulting team and quality assurance division.

Former VP Operations Dan Jablons has been appointed as VP Business Development, and will be establishing strategic accounts.

With a strong sales team at OSRS and new strategies brewing in management, the year promises to wrap up with high numbers exceeding their target of $9 million in sales for the year.

Click here for full press release.

Best price on consumables

One Step Retail Solutions partnered with System ID Warehouse to provide customers with the convenience of fulfilling their consumable supply needs at low prices. SIW is unmatched in this industry and has been providing consumable supplies for over 20 years.

For custom needs, contact SIW supply experts at (800) 660-8395. To order, visit: www.systemid.com/onestep.

Retail Pro Version 9 Ready

The latest version of Retail Pro - Version 9 - is now ready for install. The new version advancements represent the most significant and monumental progression in this application suite in nearly two years.

Most notable is the new inclusion of the Oracle based platform, a superior architecture delivering maximum performance and scalability not before achievable. The relational database can scale virtually without limits as a business grows.

See full details and download brochure.

Big Lessons from Small Retailers

In Hub magazine Tim Dorgan's article "Little Guy Lessons" brings to light some interesting ideas focused around small, innovatiave retail chains. Using strategies that shake up the mega-retailer, the smaller stores win over with unique customer service, creative merchandising, niche-marketing, and solid vendor relations.

Along this same line is Dan Jablon's article "Giant Tools for Would-be Giants" where he looked into the technology used by one particular large retail chain, 7-Eleven, and how smaller retailers could use technology to the same advantage that 7-Eleven does.

Today, word has it that Wal-Mart is slowing down and cutting back on new store openings to focus on "fixing problems at its current stores; in effect, stop competing with itself."

Maybe some of the big guys could learn from the small guys?

Retail Security Snapshots

Inventory loss...

Statistics provided by The Retailers' Association indicate an annual inventory loss of over $37 billion nationwide for theft from employees, shoplifting, vendor fraud and administrative errors.

The National Retail Security Survey discovered that nearly half of all losses can be attributed to employee theft, adding up to billions of dollars annually.According to the Vice President of Loss Prevention for the National Retail Federation based in Washington, DC, Joseph LaRocca, it's estimated that only about one out of every eight or nine cases of scams and fraud are reported to the state's consumer protection office.

Free business analysis for retailers to learn how to improve security. Call 866-617-8181 or send email.

http://www.onestepdata.com/

Retail Teamwork in STORES mag

In the May issue of STORES magazine is an article featuring Retail Teamwork, "Just Sports Scores Big with New Replenishment System."

"[Kevin] Palmer says that Just Sports, which replenishes its stores overnight from a warehouse no more than three hours away from any of the stores, urgently needed a computerized system that would let it keep track of the inventory at the warehouse... Just Sports is completely dependent on the warehouse to replenish what each store has sold the day before. In researching possible solutions, Palmer and Just Sports president Kelly Roberts found Clearwater, Fla.-based Retail Teamwork, which was developing an integrated, all-in-one solution for specialty retailers."

Retail Teamwork is the product of Michael Mauerer, the creator of Retail Pro and other retail software, and was released in January of this year. Mauerer developed the software with an SQL database and a live data stream, making it the first live system in its price range. This streaming technology allows retailers to get data in real time without polling, and enables them to respond quickly.

Read a full review of Retail Teamwork...

Visit www.onestepdata.com for details and information about the Retail Teamwork software solution.

Event for Retailers in San Francisco

Microsoft and One Step Data present ...

“A Day in the LIfe of a Retailer
and the problems they face”

A fun and interactive day addressing situations and challenges that retailers deal with. FREE!

May 22, 2007
2 sessions:10:00 am - 12:00 pm
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

at Microsoft Corp
The Landmark at One Market, Ste. 200
San Francisco, CA 94105

Register to attend this informative and fun event today!http://www.onestepdata.com/ms-event52207

For more information, call (866) 617-8181. Ext. 4125

Download free report "5 Biggest Challenges Retalers Face Today"http://www.onestepdata.com/email/free-report.php

Training Seminar

Release the profit potential of Retail Pro with a mastery of reporting techniques, strategies, and execution!

Retail Pro Reports Seminar
April 25th, 8:00am - 5:00pmat Ingram Micro Centerin Santa Ana, CA. Speaker: Dan Jablons

What percentage of Retail Pro's capabilities are you using right now, today, in your business to increase your sales and profits?

Accurate reports that give detailed information about your business will increase your sales, your profits, and your bottom line; but only if you know how to use them. Right now the data to increase your sales, to exceed your profit forecasts and to reach your growth goals is in Retail Pro waiting for you to pull it out and use it!

From Inventory Control to Loss Prevention to Merchandising in your stores, accurate reporting is vital to maximizing your sales and profits. You can get this information from Retail Pro; if you first know how to get it and then how to use it correctly.

This is an amazing opportunity to be in a very intimate setting and get the personal training, knowledge, and expertise of not just one of our amazing Systems Consultants; but of Dan Jablons, Vice President of Operations for One Step Data. You will be able to take what you learn at this event, understand how to apply it to your business, and immediately reap the rewards.

Limited seating! Register to attend this highly informative seminar today! Early-bird registration is $495 for the first person per company, $295 for additional person in company by April 13th; $695 after April 13th, $495 for additional person in company.

Click here to register.
Read full details of this seminar! Click here.

Loss Prevention Conference

Loss Prevention Auditing & Safety is the premier retail loss prevention conference in the industry. Some of the key topics include:

• Organized Retail Crime
• The Evolution of Loss Prevention
• Building Partnerships within an Organization
• Shortage Analytics

There are more than 35 educational sessions and these are just a few. To find out more about the entire program with session descriptions, visit their website www.retail-leaders.org.

To find out about how our retail consultants can help you with loss prevention, email One Step Data or visit website www.onestepdata.com

New Point of Sale Requirements

Here is some information that retailers need to be aware of, if you're not already:

Effective January 1, 2007, a State law requires operators of electronic point-of-sale systems (i.e., "scanners") to ensure that the price of each item paid by any consumer be conspicuously displayed to the consumer at the time the system interprets the price. These requirements were established in Assembly Bill (AB) 2732 with amendments in AB 2285.

If your customers can currently read the price of each item and all required information is visibly displayed, no further action is needed. If price and discount information is only visible to the sales clerk, you will need to install equipment providing a display to the customer.

For more information, call One Step Data at (800) 266-1328 or email us.

Gift Cards Are Changing Retail

In a NRF news release...

Consumers put their gift cards to good use in January, snapping up discounted winter apparel and new spring merchandise at clothing stores, department stores, and personal care stores. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for January (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 5.3 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from December.

January retail sales released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) were unchanged from December and increased 4.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year. December industry sales were revised upward from 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted to 1.2 percent seasonally adjusted from the previous month.

“Shoppers hit the stores in January to redeem holiday gift cards from a wide variety of retailers,” said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. “Though January is historically the slowest sales month for retailers, gift cards are changing the game by bringing a much-needed boost to stores.”

Eager consumers hit apparel and personal care stores last month to stock up on discounted merchandise with gift cards in hand. Clothing and clothing accessories stores saw sales increase 6.0 percent unadjusted over last year and 1.0 percent adjusted from December. Health and personal care stores, which showed the strongest year-over-year gains, increased 10.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year and 0.6 percent adjusted month-to-month.

Electronics and appliance stores are still experiencing sales increases largely due to the popularity of such items as high definition televisions, video game systems and MP3 players. Unadjusted year-over-year sales in electronics and appliance stores increased 5.1 percent and slightly decreased 1.2 percent from last month.

NRF continues to expect 2007 sales to increase 4.8% over 2006.

Payment Security

In a recent issue of Business Solutions Magazine, senior editor Dan Schell talks about the need for payment security knowledge. He states that retailers who accept credit card payments need to understand the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) which he says,"outlines what merchants must do regarding the security of credit card data."

Retailers can learn about this standard at www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

Schell also explains that thieves are targeting smaller retailers to get credit card information. Member of the RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association) Brad Holaway says, "Some merchants don't even know they are at risk...But if a credit card security breech is traced back to a merchant, the fines could potentially exceed $500,000. And that's just the cost of the fine."

Consultants at One Step Data provide free Business Analysis and can help a retailer prevent possible future breeches. Contact a representative if you would like to speak with someone about your payment security or point of sale technology.

Tax Break on POS Software & Equipment

A new tax law makes it easier for retailers to upgrade to a new retail management system. For businesses, under the new Tax Increase Prevention & Reconciliation Act of 2005, the most lucrative piece of the law is a huge increase in the Section 179 first-year depreciation allowance for equipment to $112,000 as of January 1, 2007. It was originally $25,000. Under this tax break, businesses can immediately deduct 100 percent of the cost of most new and used business personal property, including computer software.

Contact an OSD Sales Consultant to take advantage of this tax incentive and achieve maximum tax benefits. The consultant can also give you a free retail business analysis to determine your technology needs. Email clientrelatations@onestepdata.com.

www.onestepdata.com

Free Retail Business Analysis

Retail experts at One Step Retail Solutions know thata retailers not only need a flexible retail solution, but a reliable technology partner consisting of knowledgeable consultants and support staff. Being a company thata knows retail, they know the value and importance of systems that meet the changing needs of retailers.

Retailers can get a free Retail Business Analysis with one of One Step Retail Solutions' expert retail consultants and determine the best solution to meet their needs.

Call toll-free at (800) 266-1328 to arrange your free Retail Business Analysis. You can also contact us by email.

5 Biggest Challenges Facing Retailers Today

A study by American Business Research Company was done to identify the biggest challenges facing retailers today, and some valuable information for retailers were discovered. From this, a special report was put together that reveals the five biggest challenges andhow retailers can overcome them.

Download free report.