Today is a continuing rant. Have you ever felt frozen before starting a task because it's not perfect? Here's the thing—aiming for perfection can stop you from doing anything at all! I've learned this lesson over and over. When I began this blog, it was all over the place initially, but it improved dramatically, mainly as I learned more. Perfectionism Kills Progress Years ago, I worked with a supplier who wanted to improve their data reporting using our POS software. Sounds simple, right? Except every POS system handles data differently. Figuring out what was possible and what wasn't b ..read more

As a retailer, you need to keep records for years. Government regulations, legal needs, or even access to old customer data are all important! I sometimes had to access very old information just for commercial reasons 20+ years ago. Now, have you thought about how long your digital records will last? Sadly, the hard drives and discs we use aren't built for centuries like those old carvings archaeologists up to today. Let's look into long-term storage so you make the right choices. What Lasts, What Doesn't, and How to Make it Better Cloud storage: Theoretically, it lasts forever, but there wil ..read more

Running a shop can be a problem if you don't have much room.  This is a common problem as most of us have more stock than we can display. Don't let that hold you back! You can turn your shop into a sales machine by understanding your customers and applying clever design tricks. Why Your Store Layout Matters A well-designed store does more than look good. It caters to your target customers' needs, guides them effortlessly through your space, and highlights your best products. When customers feel comfortable and understood, they're more likely to find what they need, linger longer, and ..read more

    It appears the way people will pay is changing, and Australian retailers need to know. While not yet available in Australia, palm-based payment technology is gaining traction in the US. I see it appearing here soon. What is Palm-Based Payment? This technology links customers' unique vein patterns in palm prints to credit/debit cards. At checkout, a person whose palm is registered hovers their hand over a scanner. The scanner reads their vein structure and sends the details to the bank for payment authorisation. Such systems are already in use at select locations in the ..read more

If you run a shop, one of the best ways to make more sales is by mastering cross-selling, which suggests extra related items to your customer's purchase. Doing this can help you make each sale worth more.   I can assure you that this woman above did not come to this centre knowing what she would buy in all these bags.   Why Suggesting Extra Items Works Well Suggesting extra, related items to customers as they buy or browse can help because it: Makes Shopping Better: When you suggest items that fit your customer's needs or likes, you show you understand them.  Raises Sale Value ..read more

How Taylor Swift Concerts Rocked Retail Sales: Over 600,00 fans going to see her sent up retail sales alright! It turns out these "Swifties" (that's what her fans call themselves) bought big. What does this mean for you? It is said, " The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today." – Elbert Hubbard. As this case shows, in the bustling world of retail, retail fervour unfolds if you are prepared and able to capitalise on it in some way. There was plenty to capitalise on as Ben Dorber, Australia Bureau of Statistics head of retail statistics, highlights out here in their F ..read more

Traditional loyalty programs based solely on points have hit a plateau. This has been the subject of a webinar I attended, and I have read several articles about it. The problem is that almost every business now in Australia is doing it, so the problem is that a business program is now competing with so many companies that it is struggling to make its program noticed.  For some businesses, points work brilliantly, and we have no reason to believe that a traditional program of buying eleven cards/coffee and the 12th is free would not work well in the future.  However, many businesses ..read more

As a guy who has worked for a top point-of-sale (POS) system company, I have over the years met and talked to many retailers and retail experts, so here are simple tips on how to increase sales in your physical store that I have learned. Whether it's a small shop or a larger local chain, these strategies can I think you help you draw in more customers and make more money. Make Your Shop Front Inviting The first thing customers see is your shop front. Make it welcoming. Think about: Please keep it clean: Have clean windows, a tidy entrance, and no mess around. Bright signs: Use clear sig ..read more

I put together this article and intend to submit it. Please let me know if you have any comments before I submit it. Did you know that retail crime, such as shoplifting, robbery, and vandalism, costs Australian businesses up to $9 billion each year? There are about 150,000 shops in Australia, so on average, these crimes cost $60,000 a shop. Running a retail shop is a dream for many, but keeping profits healthy can be a challenge. One enemy is "shrinkage," which is the loss of inventory and, often more importantly, cash due to theft. While concerns about cyber hacking are primarily in the news ..read more

Last week, the "Cash Out Day" protest highlighted a growing tension in Australia's payment landscape: the rapid decline in cash usage and its implications for businesses and consumers. On April 2nd, Australians were asked to go to an ATM and withdraw some money in a symbolic gesture of support for cash. According to social media images, many did. I was one of them. While the exact total amount withdrawn is unclear, from social media, it appears that many did participate. However, the Australian Banking Association (ABA) stated there was no "material difference" in cash withdrawals across the ..read more