The outlook is good for this retail holiday season. The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects 2018 retail sales to increase a minimum of 4.5% over 2017. Shoppers are optimistic and plunking down more cash across retail categories than they were last year or even the year before. In fact, the average annual increase for the…
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Merchants who need point of sale (POS) systems for occasional use—festivals, street fairs, pop-ups or temporary terminals for special events, may find value in POS system rental instead of purchase. A POS solution helps you move lines faster and provide a higher level of customer service, so it makes sense to have an extra one…
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A thoroughly trained staff is a critical part of a profitable restaurant. A great server training program will yield staff that is confident, knowledgeable and competent, and who make diners feel welcome and comfortable. Waitstaff who are unfamiliar with any part of their job can cause a trickle-down effect of issues. Too many mistakes lead…
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Restaurant owners and managers know that food cost is one of the largest budget items to manage. It’s a constant battle to keep this expense as low as possible, without sacrificing quality and profitability. Prices can literally change overnight; for example premium menu item prices can skyrocket, depending on the weather, supply chain, and customer…
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Shopping for new point of sale (POS) technology can be stressful, and the industry changes quickly. It’s tempting to shop around for rock-bottom pricing and do the leg work yourself, but more time and energy spent shopping for a system means less time in your store or restaurant, serving customers, and taking care of business.…
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Restaurant technology helps your eatery run smoothly—and while some restaurant technology trends are hot and then fade away, other solutions are here to stay. Here are four technology trends that have gone mainstream and should be part of your restaurant’s operations: 1. Mobile point of sale This restaurant technology trend caught on in the U.S.…
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Last year’s fine dining trends were all about health: Vegan dishes went mainstream, and people looked for meat substitutes—faux beef, chicken or veggie burgers. Even menu selections targeting male consumers —juicy burgers, wings, and other bar foods — included new plant-based choices. In addition to being health-conscious, hungry patrons expressed a greater appreciation for how…
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Thrift stores are unique retail environments—inventory is varied and sometimes unusual. “Thrifting” is a sport for customers who love to deal hunt, and while searching for prized items like designer bags or rare pottery is fun, sorting through piles of disorganized items is not. The right thrift store point of sale (POS) system can mean…
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Online ordering is perfect for customers in a rush, people on their way home from work or diners who don’t feel like getting off the couch. This technology is great for restaurants that want to increase the average ticket or enhance marketing capabilities. It’s important to promote your ordering app on promotional materials, take-out menus,…
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According to research published in Forbes Magazine, shrinkage costs American retailers $60 billion annually. Surprisingly, the U.S. Retail Fraud Survey noted that employee theft is the single biggest cause of shrinkage for retailers. Liquor stores can be especially tempting, because they carry high-value inventory and if they sell Lotto, there’s plenty of cash on hand.…
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