We have heard that Mr Steve Ansell, a retailer who has ShopMate EpoS systems in his four village shops in Bedfordshire, is planning a sports-related display to take advantage of customer interest in the Olympics.
Let us know what you plan to do to make the most of the growing fascination with the Olympics.
Most people find food shopping a bit of a drag. While you may not be able to turn your shop into a laugh a minute experience, you can make shopping more interesting for your customers.
Start by making sure that you are stocking as many of the top-selling products as possible in each category. If you are using a ShopMate EpoS system, you can check your report on top sellers by logging in to the User Area on this website.
Give your customers information about the products. If you sell fruit and vegetables, set up a board with suggestions on how to prepare and cook them.
Once you have started interacting with your customers in this way, you will find that the process gains momentum.
We’ll pass on any tips and ideas that you submit.
Even in straitened times, shoppers will pay more if they perceive that you are providing good quality local produce. You will also score points for supporting local producers and suppliers.
Make a feature of the local produce in your store and make sure that you and your staff can tell the story of all the products you sell.
Your ShopMate Epos system will help you to keep track of local product sales.
Please let us know your tips and strategies for boosting the sale of local products!
It is no surprise that surveys of shoppers over the last few months show that they are more concerned than before about sticking to a budget. People are shopping little and often, rather than doing one huge supermarket shop every month.
This is a great opportunity for independent retailers – make sure that your local community knows that you offer keen prices. Know your products and give advice on how to cook food economically. Start a recipe sharing notice board in your shop, where people can share their recipes and tips for using leftovers and cutting waste.
If your customers feel that you are serious about providing good food at a reasonable price, you will build loyalty to your business.
The Royal Mint states that the latest survey of fake £1.00 coins indicated a rate of 2.94 percent. That’s a large number of counterfeit coins in circulation!
The Royal Mint goes on to say that many of the fakes are not easy to spot.
If you would like to know more, visit http://www.royalmint.com/Corporate/facts/CounterfeitPoundCoins.aspx
If you are planning on installing or upgrading an EpoS system in your shop, check that the technical support hours advertised by potential suppliers are actually as advertised.
If the supplier advertises 24-hour support, ask for customer references and check that calls are answered after normal office hours by a human being, or that, if messages are left, calls are returned within 30 minutes.
At The Retail Data Partnership we do not offer 24-hour technical support, but the technical support line is manned from 07h00 to 19h00 365 days a year.
Thursday, March 8, will be the 101st International Women’s Day. The theme this year is ‘Connecting Girls – Inspiring Futures’.
Women’s lives have improved in many parts of the world in the last century, but there is is still much to be done to improve the lot of women in some parts of the world.
Perhaps you could recognise your female customers on the day with a small free gift, or special offer. We’d love to hear your ideas and plans to celebrate the day.
St David’s Day, on Thursday March 1, is a time to celebrate all things Welsh.
Delight your Welsh customers with special offers on products from Wales and brighten up the day with a display of daffodils and leeks. What about some red dragons for the children?
Never let the opportunity for a bit of fun slip past you!
If you are an independent convenience store owner looking for an EpoS system, or planning on upgrading your system, we advise you to check the claims made by EpoS suppliers.
If an EpoS supplier claims to have electronic links to wholesalers, check with the wholesalers in question to ensure that this is correct and that there are other retailers using these electronic links successfully.
The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), which made My Shop Is Your Shop (MSYS) Community Retailing awards to 50 stores last year, plans to find one winning store from every parliamentary constituency this year. MPs will be invited to present the awards to the winning shops in their constituencies.
If you would like to be recognised for the contributions you and your retail staff make to your local community, send an email to David Visick, the Director of Communications at the FWD, for more information. at david@fwd-Uk.com