Have a SPOOKtacular Halloween!!
Your Friends at One Step Retail Solutions
All About Retailing Blog - This blog tackles the topic of retail technology solutions and key retail trends. One Step Retail Solutions is your one step resource for your retail technology needs.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Technology Advancing the In-Store Experience
There are many ideas thrown out regarding technology and it's varied embodiment and uses. This weekend I experienced two eerily different scenerios, one where technology greatly enhanced the experience and the other where the retailer entered an unwanted obstacle for me to procure my merchandise.
Objective numero uno (number one), don't make my life harder, make my life easier.
That said, test usability and get customer feedback before roll out.
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Thursday, October 11, 2012
I Don't Have eCommerce, What Should I Do With my Store Website?
By: Amy Hanson - Blogger for One Step Retail Solutions
Setting up eCommerce can be quite a project and not quite what a retailer is ready to jump into. Regardless you still have to make your products and image accessible and give the on-line world a feel for what to expect.
In perusing the recently featured retailers on Refinery 29, Owl N Wood popped up as a key place to stop in Oakland, California. Take a look at how they have built a website that gives you a definite feel for their merchandise though they have no items listed for purchase. If you don't yet have a website for your store, this model is simple yet effective.
As a shopper, I can honestly say I frequently look into a boutique online before making the trip to the brick-and-mortar shop (looking at their website, Facebook and/or Yelp). I make a point of NOT purchasing attire on-line but I prefer to have assessed their look, feel and style to see if it is of interest to me. With so many resources now available at your fingertips, more and more consumers are taking to the web (or their smart phone) before even setting foot in your store.
Also, consider using Instagram to post images of your items, events and even day-to-day activities. Hookup Instagram up to your social sites, blogs and even your website with Statigr.am
One Step Retail Solutions is ranked as one of the top resellers and service providers for some of the most comprehensive and state of the art retail POS software solutions in the industry. For a free retail technology consultation, click HERE.
Setting up eCommerce can be quite a project and not quite what a retailer is ready to jump into. Regardless you still have to make your products and image accessible and give the on-line world a feel for what to expect.
In perusing the recently featured retailers on Refinery 29, Owl N Wood popped up as a key place to stop in Oakland, California. Take a look at how they have built a website that gives you a definite feel for their merchandise though they have no items listed for purchase. If you don't yet have a website for your store, this model is simple yet effective.
As a shopper, I can honestly say I frequently look into a boutique online before making the trip to the brick-and-mortar shop (looking at their website, Facebook and/or Yelp). I make a point of NOT purchasing attire on-line but I prefer to have assessed their look, feel and style to see if it is of interest to me. With so many resources now available at your fingertips, more and more consumers are taking to the web (or their smart phone) before even setting foot in your store.
Also, consider using Instagram to post images of your items, events and even day-to-day activities. Hookup Instagram up to your social sites, blogs and even your website with Statigr.am
One Step Retail Solutions is ranked as one of the top resellers and service providers for some of the most comprehensive and state of the art retail POS software solutions in the industry. For a free retail technology consultation, click HERE.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Cash Register VS Point of Sale
A cash register will help you count your money. If someone purchases an
item you will be able to ring that item up and receive their cash. The more
basic a Point of Sale system the closer to a cash register it will be. Without
the proper training and customizations, an expensive Point of Sale system can
become an overpriced cash register.
A point of sale system will be able to tell you not only how
much was spent, but how much of that was profit and give you vital reporting
features to be able to drill down into how profitable your store is, predicting
trends and giving you the data you need to invest in inventory that will turn the highest profits.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Customer Receipts - A Valuable Asset for Retailers
In talking to one of our business partners who deals frequently with retail store operations an increasingly trendy concept came up, adding social contact data and even games to your receipts. It is interesting to note that many retailers are looking for the ability to customize almost every facet of their business, insuring their successful branding is present in everything a client will see or touch.
Since a receipt can essentially act as a promotional piece, some of the ideas to maximize on it's "real estate" are as follows:
* Include your logo, address, phone number, website (eCommerce site) and social links
* Note an incentive to follow on social, perhaps a discount on next purchase
* Promote upcoming sales and events
* (the ever popular) Include a coupon or discount code for next purchase
* Consider using recycled paper and supporting that cause
Note: Use graphics whenever possible and avoid getting too wordy
One Step Retail Solutions is ranked as one of the top resellers and service providers for some of the most comprehensive and state of the art retail POS software solutions in the industry. For a free retail technology consultation, click HERE.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Ideas to Incorporate Social into Your Retail Store
* Post reminders to like and follow for special offers, events and more... post at POP, changing room and even just post the social media buttons near the entrance way so that visitors know you are social from the get go. * Instagram contest - Put up a sign in store and on Instagram regarding a contest. Collage contests, how to use a noted piece in an outfit and even a random drawing of followers.
* Throw an event and include a photo booth. Tell attendees to like you on Facebook so that they can tag themselves in the fun pictures you have posted.
* Arrange a Yelp offer for checking in. This will show up on the Yelp feed and Yelpers will be more likely to write reviews. Promote the offer at the entrance or POP.
* QR codes are gaining popularity and can be synced up to a "like us" page, place these at displays or popular items.
* Consider adding a "pride wall" in your dressing room/s with blog features and reminders to check out on your social sites.
* Host a Pinterest contest where girls create an out-fit from items in your on-line items. Pick a winner and incorporate it into your main display in store, of course crediting the creative pinner behind the outfit.
* Include social media buttons on each item on-line. Including a Pinterest button.
*Include a review feature on each item so that viewers can feel more certain about their purchase as opposed to going to another site to compare or research option.
Note: Never post hand written signs. Find an appropriate font and print it out. Roll tape and place it on the back of the paper. Ideally get it printed on a low gloss paper to avoid unsightly wear and tear, laminating or placing in a clear sleeve work as well.
One Step Retail Solutions is ranked as one of the top resellers and service providers for some of the most comprehensive and state of the art retail POS software solutions in the industry. For a free retail technology consultation, click HERE.
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