Choosing POS Systems: On-Premise vs Cloud-Based vs Hybrid
Choosing POS Systems: On-Premise vs Cloud-Based vs Hybrid If you’re looking for the perfect Point-of-Sale (POS) system to support your retail operation, it’s important to think about how the system will be hosted when making your decision. In terms of the basics, most POS systems today are fairly uniform. They almost always include: Terminals or tablets for viewing product, customer and sales transaction information Barcode scanners A PDQ (Process Data Quickly) machine for Chip & PIN or contactless card payments Receipt printers Cash storage POS software, which also may include inventory tracking and Customer Relationship Management One of the differences between systems is how they’re hosted and accessed. These models can be broken down into three types: on-premise, cloud-based, and hybrid. Let’s take a look at the differences between them. The Three Major Types of POS System Implementations 1 – On-Premise An on-premise system means that all information is stored locally, on your own systems. So you require suitable servers to ensure adequate system performance and appropriate space or a data center to house the equipment. This does give you a high degree of control over your own data, as well as meaning that your POS system can continue to function even if you lose your external internet connection. There are also security benefits since you aren’t accessing external networks. However, this can also be a very risky choice if you don’t have the correct infrastructure, resource and expertise to maintain resiliency. Unless you setup and maintain database backups, there will always be a significant danger of system failure or data loss. Likewise, if your servers go down, you’ll need an up to date disaster recovery plan to get you up and running as quickly as possible – essential in the always on retail environment. 2 – Cloud-Based With a cloud-based POS system, all the software and data are stored off-site, in external cloud servers. You won’t require your own data center or need to worry about hardware. This means that your system can be accessed anywhere in the world, allowing for robust remote POS setups, or even pop-up stands at locations such as trade shows. In addition, it’s typically very easy to deploy software updates, since updates on the cloud server will be instantly available to everyone. However, data storage and security will only be as good as the cloud host you use. Some hosts may also claim additional ownership or rights over the information. Plus, if you lose your internet connection, you lose access to the system. 3 – Hybrid Hybrid systems are a best-of-both-world solution. They utilise both local and cloud-based servers, often with one set to failover to the other in case of problems. When properly implemented, you get all the benefits of both types, with very few drawbacks aside from being moderately more expensive to initially deploy. Eurostop Eurostop offers one of the most-trusted hybrid POS systems in the world, powering a long list of highly successful retail operations. Contact us for a free demonstration.
What is Mobile Point of Sale? Your Guide to MPOS Systems
These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find a simple cash register being used to ring up sales at any retail establishment. Technology is advancing at an impressive rate, and the impact is not lost in the retail arena. In a connected world, where omnichannel is key, digitally connected systems are in fact indispensable. These software systems can provide retailers with a host of different features and benefits to assist and empower them do everything from process sales (POS, MPOS) to enhancing customer relationships (ERP software). However, it’s important to understand why mobile point of sale systems are so important for the retail sector, as well as some of the advantages they can provide. That’s why the team from Eurostop has gathered an in-depth guide for you here about the uses and benefits of MPOS software. What Exactly is a Mobile Point of Sale System? Before diving into the benefits and other details of mobile point of sale systems, it’s important to have a clear understanding of precisely what they are and how they work. Unlike traditional POS systems that store customer data and take transactions at a fixed till point, MPOS systems are completely mobile. This enables retailers the freedom to get out from behind the cash desk and help customers from anywhere on the shop floor, or even outside a brick and mortar store, while still having all the features of a traditional POS system at their fingertips. Mobile POS systems often consist of mobile devices such as tablets, handheld units or smartphones that take the place of traditional cash registers or point of sale systems. They can also come equipped with add-ons, such as card readers, chip scanners, receipt printers, and other components. In terms of software, the MPOS system links all of these components together, using innovative cloud technology that helps you to track sales better, help customers, and provide any other necessary information to complete sales from any location, as long as there’s a wireless connection. Top 5 Factors to Review When Choosing a Mobile POS System If you’re considering investing in a mobile POS system, there are some important things to make note of, such as: Support for Mobile Payments: These days, many transactions are processed utlising customer smartphones with mobile wallets – the uptake of which has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw shoppers and retailers curtailing the use of cash. So it’s important to make certain that any mobile POS solutions you implement are compatible and designed for a range of payment methods including mobile payments. This way, your customers can select to use options such as Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and other options, whatever is most convenient for them, which will enhance your brand experience. Most important, you don’t risk losing a potential sale. Support for EMV Chip Credit Cards: Credit cards are created with EMV chips, making swiping unnecessary. Contactless payments are also possible if the sales value is under the contactless limit, or the credit card is simply inserted into a card reader located under the MPOS device’s pin pad, making the process extremely simple. We recommend selecting a vendor that supports an all in one device which will processes integrated payments. This means that your store associates won’t have to carry a separate PDQ (credit and debit card) machine and neither will they rely on a reliable wireless connection, all of which makes the solution truly mobile. Support for Multiple Registers: For large retailers, you’ll need to ensure your mobile POS system can handle multiple registers and transactions simultaneously. Not only will this make the transaction process more efficient, but also offer your shoppers a choice of options and enable you to grow your business without the need to invest in new point of sale software/hardware as you scale up. Reliable Barcode Scanning: Every interaction at payment has the potential to impact the experience that your customer has with the brand. So a seamless checkout experience with accurate and robust barcode scanning is essential. Make sure that your solution uses technology that can scan barcodes reliably every time. Some solutions use phone cameras, or a separate scanning device, but these can be unreliable and increase the footprint of your mobile solution. Even better is an integrated scanner, which will enable you to add items to the sale quickly from the same device, with accurate pricing and promotion information. Top Benefits of Implementing a Mobile POS System There are many benefits to implementing a mobile POS system in your retail establishment. Some of them include: Increased Security: Mobile retail systems help provide your customers with increased security. This is because they all need to comply with PCI guidelines or EMV technology, which offers safer transactions than other alternatives. Reduced Wait Times: With MPOS solutions, you’ll no longer have to risk losing business and a potential sale due to the sight of long queues and increased wait times. As well as assistants behind the cash desk, you will have the flexibility to deploy additional mobile staff on demand to process transactions and assist with customer queries directly on the shop floor. This is especially useful for busy promotional periods or during peak hours. Added Floor Space: One of the biggest advantages of MPOS systems is that they don’t take up any floor space like traditional POS systems. This means more room on the floor to highlight your products. In addition, where social distancing has become mandatory during the COVID pandemic, mobile POS units can give you the added flexibility to make smart use of your space. Customer Data Collection: MPOS systems help you collect important data about your customers from purchase history and preferences to personal information like emails and phone numbers. This makes it easier to implement loyalty programmes and assists you in providing a personalised service when they walk through the door. Easy Reporting: Being able to analyse performance and react to changing footfall, environmental factors and promotional campaigns is paramount to a growing retail business.
Why Your Business Needs to Invest in A Modern Retail EPOS Software System
For years, Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) software has been growing in use, and it’s easy to see why. EPOS systems help tie together every aspect of your retail operations and can even be linked to other business systems, such as your inventory, ERP, accounting or CRM systems, to yield further benefits. Today’s EPOS software solutions can do so much more than simply provide a platform for taking sales. If you’re still using older software and entry systems that are little more than glorified cash registers, your operation could see so many benefits from upgrading. In this article, we’ll talk a bit about how retail EPOS software can radically change how you conduct sales and track your inventory – changing the in store experience all for the better. Seven Reasons It’s Time to Upgrade Your EPOS Software Accept a wider range of payments Any till or EPOS system can accept payments – but in a global sales environment, you need options for taking payments in as many forms as possible. Along with standard forms of payment like cash and credit card, modern EPOS systems can take several other forms of payments such as mobile wallet payments, multi-tender payments, deposits and more. The easier it is for your customers to pay, the more they’ll come to prefer you over the competition. This can be particularly vital if you’re expanding operations into countries where you have a minimal physical presence and need ways of handling local payment methods. An all-around better customer experience Retail EPOS software makes life easier for your customers in multiple ways. Beyond accepting more types of payments, your sales staff will easily be able to access product and other inventory data from across your store estate – allowing them to respond to enquiries, giving out accurate information to allow customers to purchase what they want in the most convenient way possible. Never miss a potential sale! Providing a personalised service also becomes possible with inbuilt loyalty systems; and that’s vital as customisation becomes a key differentiator on a competitive high street. Your systems build up knowledge of what your customer preferences are, so why not upsell by recommending other products they may like, or reward loyal customers with targeted promotions? Even when handling standard in-person sales, a good EPOS will speed up processing at till point, reducing queues and also errors. Products can be scanned with prices, markdowns and promotions all applied correctly and securely. This not only adds up to an improved customer experience – and your customers will appreciate it, but it also ensures that your sales data is correct and free from manual processing errors or fraud. Detailed inventory tracking Inventory tracking is standard in any modern EPOS software, and it’s vital for improving efficiency within your retail business. There are no more entering sales figures by hand, a time-consuming and error-prone process. Every sale of every product, via every point of sale, is tracked and synchronised instantly in real-time across your store estate and in your central inventory management or ERP system. This single view of stock is essential when managing customer demand and your retail business effectively. Deep analysis of your sales data By tracking inventory over time, you gain access to a wealth of data on sales trends and how well particular product lines are doing, right down to SKU level – colour and size. You can gauge customer interest – particularly if the EPOS is also tied into your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Report on sales on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Identify your best salespeople, or which products have the most appeal to various locations or demographics. Since all this information is real-time, you get up-to-the-second reports whenever you need, enabling you to respond just as quickly There’s no easier or more robust option for staying on top of your sales figures, no matter how large or sprawling your operation may be. Plus, as time passes, you’ll amass a huge amount of historical data which can then be analysed to predict future trends. This allows for precise ordering, store allocation and stocking. Improved accounting and cash management With all data tracking being handled electronically, accounting and cash management become far easier as well. System data will be more reliable, with automated systems in place to ensure all the numbers add up. Also, since all transactions are tracked including post-sale activity, this means actions such as refunds or exchanges are also instantly entered into the system and accounted for. Reconciling your books has never been easier, with fewer opportunities for human error to cause problems. Plus, since EPOS systems can track employee behaviour, you’ll be able to easily spot your best representatives, so that you can make the most of their skills and strengths. Electronic receipts and other reduced paper waste Paper receipts are quickly going away, and that’s great for both the environment and your budget. EPOS systems can easily generate electronic receipts or create digital equivalents for any other type of paperwork as well. Employees will be more efficient, if they never have to manage and store paper. They’ll lose fewer documents, and spend less time creating them in the first place. In addition, digital receipts offer further marketing opportunities. We touch on this further in the next point, but if your systems are GDPR compliant and allow you to collect marketing preferences, then why not use your digital receipts to inform your customers of relevant promotions, or take the opportunity to upsell similar products that may be of interest, based on purchase history? This can work to the advantage of the customer as well, since you can harvest their email address and email them any crucial documents – making it harder for them to lose important paperwork. It’s also simpler to re-send any documents they might need, with very little hassle. Leverage your EPOS for improved marketing When your EPOS and CRM systems are linked, there are nearly endless opportunities for improved marketing. Just as a few examples: Do deep
The Top 5 Retail POS System Advantages for Retailers & Consumers
These days, if you’re a retailer, implementing a reliable retail POS system is a must. Not only will it facilitate your retail processes, but it will also make the purchase journey much easier for customers, improving the in store experience and brand loyalty. As one of today’s leading retail EPOS systems providers, the team from Eurostop wanted to highlight some of the benefits.
POS for in store cafés, enhancing the brick and mortar experience
Innovative technology designed specifically for retailers to manage in store cafés The Customer Experience is on the rise Winning retailers are investing in the customer experience. Despite many claiming the demise of the high street due to online competition, shoppers are still demanding the experience and services offered by physical stores. Research from RetailEXPO claimed 73% of UK consumers would spend more time and money in stores that offer experiences, not just product. And with 60% stating that they would visit a retailer for their cafés, bars and restaurants, not to mention in-store events such as cookery tastings, wellness classes and music events, now is the time for retailers to embrace experiential shopping. ‘Retailtainment’ is here. To stay ahead, retailers must find new ways to engage customers – while still managing stock, operations and promotions more effectively and cost-efficiently. “An in store café can increase customer dwell time, improve loyalty and encourage repeat visits through a positive experience.” Eurostop Café Mode – streamlining the in store café customer experience Café Mode on Eurostop’s e-pos touch enables retailers to provide an additional dimension to their in store service, providing customers with the choice to enjoy food and drink in their in store café, using the same POS terminal to take payment for goods at the same time. Running themed promotions and offers across the store and café can entice customers to stay longer and enhance their shopping experience. An easy to use till system designed with the busy café in mind The in store café POS combines all of the features of Eurostop’s stock management system and POS system with those of a condensed hospitality module. It includes: Features Quick buttons and optional colour coding on the tillpoint enabling staff to navigate the system easily and take orders as quickly as possible, minimising queuing. Cashiers can switch between ‘Café mode’ and standard till mode at the touch of a button, allowing them to take payment for food and drinks, or goods at the same till point. A Kitchen Order Management system provides separate tickets for food and beverage items sold, and notes where they originate – from the fridge, kitchen or hot drinks machine and links all orders to the appropriate table number, for efficient table service. An End of Life management feature prints labels to override barcodes with any discounts later in the day, as bakery and other foods near their sell by date. Connected retail systems enable management reports and insights on desktop, tablet and mobile for retail and café sales to be tracked at any time of the day, from any location. Seamless customer service, accurate sales reporting and flexibility for promotions Eurostop’s in store café POS provides retailers with an up to the minute view of sales and stock across the business, whether retail stock or café food and beverages. With the latest information, promotions or discounts can also be applied, rewarding customers for loyalty and improving waste and costs management: Benefits Streamlines customer experience, allowing payment for goods and drinks at café tillpoint with connected in store systems. Improves café efficiency and reduces waste by enabling discounts on perishable food items to be increased throughout the day. Enables enhanced customer promotions – coupons can be printed at the till for use with the next customer visit or purchase. ‘One connected retail system’ provides management reports and overview of all retail sales across business, whether café sales or store merchandise. Real-time reports allow managers to make adjustments with discounts or stock replenishment throughout the day to maximise turnover. Quick and easy to use with minimal training, helps staff to take orders quickly, so avoiding queues and providing a better customer experience. For more information on opening an in store cafe, please contact us to speak to a retail expert and talk about our award winning cafe POS mode, or call Eurostop Sales on 0208 991 2700
ANTA launches new concept store with Eurostop mobile EPOS technology
Just imagine – no EPOS machine, no receipt printer, no scanner, no cash drawer and no queues. A new experience is powered by Eurostop mobile EPOS technology. This is now a reality for ANTA at their new concept store that has recently opened in Shenyang, China. The new mobile technology went live in Shenyang on 28th April 2018, and with over 10,000 stores, ANTA is the largest Eurostop customer and where they go, others follow! This totally mobile approach provides a connected customer experience using mobile EPOS technology. Staff are able to assist with product enquiries, help customers decide what products are right for them, and then complete the transaction, on the spot. Our software runs on any mobile phone or tablet device, so hardware costs are minimized and with no need for a cashier counter any more, there is more space for displaying products. For the customer, payment couldn’t be easier thanks to our integration with web giant Alibaba and WeChat, they simply pay with their mobile, or using a card. There is no more queuing and digital receipts by email QR receipt on WeChat are part of the connected channel experience. For more information on revamping your customer experience with a totally mobile solution, contact Eurostop
Feature Highlight – e-pos touch
As part of the Eurostop ethos of providing a first class offering, we constantly review features that will enhance the consumers’ experience as well as meeting retailers’ requirements. Not only does epos-touch run on standard EPOS hardware but we have started supplying it on tablet based machines. Click here for more details on mobile POS. Below are some of the key features of our EPOS software Customisable receipts for any size printer Email receipt Rear screen options include videos for marketing, including touch screen option Operator prompts on products Shared peripherals Product specific gift receipts Birthday promotions Fiscal printing Custom product filters
News
News Current retail news at Eurostop All Posts| News| News,POS Case studies| Meet the new Warehouse Manager Dashboard September 24, 2024 At Eurostop, we are excited to announce the beta launch of our new Warehouse Manager Dashboard. The next… Read More Announcing our new Customer Support Portal September 24, 2024 As part of our focus and efforts to provide you, our customers, with the best service we would… Read More How to Find the Best Cheap EPOS… September 24, 2024 As a new business, establishing a strong customer base and offering great customer service from day one is… Read More Eurostop Fiscal POS solutions chosen for Ben… September 24, 2024 Fiscalisation and multi-lingual POS to meet tax and retail requirements for German and Dutch trading. Ben Sherman, who… Read More Flexible Eurostop systems help Simmonds meet busy… September 24, 2024 Business Benefits • Flexible retail systems enable pop-up schoolwear shops to help manage the busy summer, extending the… Read More Eurostop partners with Global Blue to provide… September 24, 2024 Retailers using Eurostop set to reap benefits of soaring spending from overseas travellers in wake of Brexit Eurostop… Read More Eurostop shows Connected Retail solutions and concept… September 24, 2024 Connected Channels & Systems We understand that as a modern Tier 1, 2 or 3 retailer you require… Read More New mobile POS preview at RBTE September 24, 2024 Join us at RBTE with a special chance to preview the new mobile POS solution from Eurostop Those… Read More Eurostop e-retail selected by Erke for 7,000… September 24, 2024 New flagship retail management solution from Eurostop secures largest ever customer Eurostop, the leading supplier of retail management… Read More Leading Labels maintains margins thanks to Eurostop’s… September 24, 2024 Eurostop, a leading supplier of retail management and EPOS systems to the fashion, footwear, apparel and lifestyle sectors… Read More Profeet plans to cover new ground using… October 11, 2022 Profeet, the footwear specialist supplier of custom fit running shoes, insoles, ski boots, footwear and bespoke fittings, has… Read More Qu’est-ce que la fiscalité et comment peut-elle… August 4, 2022 La fiscalité fait référence au droit fiscal, qui vise à prévenir la fraude des commerçants. Il veille à… Read More ALDO Shoes selects Eurostop Retail Systems For… June 8, 2021 Accessible and on trend fashion footwear and accessories retailer ALDO UK launches Eurostop POS and Stock… Read More BHG Singapore launches new concept store at… March 29, 2021 ONE Assembly is the result of a collaboration partnership between BHG Singapore and Raffles City – a city… Read More Eurostop launches suite of Mobile Retail apps… November 5, 2020 A range of mobile retail apps designed to manage retail inventory with ease. WHapp, STapp and SKapp run… Read More Trotters independent childrenswear retailer re-opens using Mobile… July 14, 2020 Mobile POS aids customer journey and consumer confidence in meeting government guidelines Trotters, an independent childrenswear retailer and… Read More Shaws Department stores select Mobile POS from… June 11, 2020 As stores are set to reopen, Mobile POS provides a seamless flow from customer service to final transaction,… Read More Retailers in Singapore can now save up… June 4, 2020 Eurostop Singapore Pte Ltd. awarded as a PSG approved vendor for POS software and inventory management software in… Read More Eurostop shortlisted for Retail Systems Awards 2020 May 6, 2020 The Retail Systems Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the retail sector. This year is the 15th year… Read More Eurostop Helps Pulsara Grow Retail, Wholesale, &… April 15, 2020 Unified commerce becomes reality for leading independent dancewear company with Eurostop’s connected stock control system Founded in 1972,… Read More New mobile retail POS solution, mpos, is… February 7, 2020 The single integrated payment device provides retailers with the freedom to serve anywhere on the shop floor, enhancing… Read More New retail POS software certification meets French… February 6, 2020 Latest French certification for our retail epos systems opens up new opportunities for retailers looking to expand internationally… Read More Fashion retailer Zee & Co grows business… January 2, 2020 Successful family-owned business streamlines fulfilment in newly expanded warehouse operations Zee & Co, an established, independent designer fashion… Read More Eurostop Black Friday Retail Software Promotion November 19, 2019 35% OFF EurostopSoftware & Services For Black Friday 2019, Eurostop are offering a fantastic promotion for new customers… Read More Simmonds school wear meets busy ‘Back to… October 22, 2019 Specialist school wear retailer helps parents buy early to avoid the August rush using Eurostop’s flexible retail systems… Read More Ireland’s leading department store chain, Shaws, continues… September 23, 2019 Eurostop system provides complete visibility and accurate stock management for nearly 1million SKUs across 17 stores and warehouse… Read More Vintage Clothing company Rokit selects Eurostop’s retail… September 20, 2019 Unique vintage clothing retailer chooses Eurostop systems to ensure seamless stock management between central warehouse, London stores and… Read More Fowlers of Bristol, the landmark motorcycle dealership,… August 9, 2019 One-stop-shop for motorcycles, equipment and clothing updates retail systems and implements innovative instore technology Sam Fowler, Web Store… Read More George Fisher selects Eurostop’s retail solution for… July 12, 2019 Destination outdoor clothing and equipment store in Lake District, part of Tiso Group, chooses Eurostop retail systems to… Read More Eurostop partners Visualsoft for Omnichannel Retail Solution July 2, 2019 Heard about Visualsoft’s Shared Success solution? Eurostop are pleased to announce that we are partnering with award-winning ecommerce… Read More JD Sports chooses Eurostop Retail Systems for… May 21, 2019 Specialist global retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands selects Eurostop’s connected systems for omnichannel operations across Asia… Read More Eurostop releases a new retail POS Package… April 29, 2019 I am delighted to announce that our award-winning Eurostop EPOS solution is now available as a complete retail… Read More Tiso outdoor pursuits retailer chooses Eurostop connected… January 14, 2019 Scotland’s leading outdoor pursuits retailer invests in Eurostop stock management and EPOS systems for faster and more accurate… Read More Trotters
Strengthening Retail Security: 5 Crucial Retail Management Techniques
Retail businesses are currently facing an ever-evolving array of cybersecurity threats which are unfortunately becoming more common and frequent. From data breaches to phishing scams, the risks are always evolving but with the right retail management solutions in place, retailers can significantly reduce their vulnerability to cyberattacks and safeguard their operations. That’s why the team from Eurostop, one of today’s leading secure retail systems experts, discusses how it employs and recommends 5 crucial techniques for retailers to enhance security and protect against cyber threats. 1. Stay Updated on the Latest Threats Cyber threats are constantly evolving, making it essential for retailers to stay informed about the latest attack tactics. By staying up-to-date, for example by regularly monitoring industry news and following cybersecurity experts on social media, businesses can stay ahead of emerging threats and adapt their security measures accordingly. 2. Provide Employee Security Training One of the leading causes of data breaches in the retail sector is, unfortunately, employee negligence. By ensuring all retail staff members undergo adequate and regular security awareness training, retailers can empower their workforce to recognise and respond to potential threats quickly and effectively thereby protecting your company and its data. Training should include information about common cyberattack tactics, industry-specific risks and practical exercises such as phishing simulations. With tighter regulatory controls on protecting personal data and the potential legal ramifications of not doing so, not to mention the disruption that loss of access to systems and data can have on your business and customers, it is certainly worth the investment. 3. Maintain PCI Compliance For retailers that process credit card transactions, maintaining compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is essential. PCI compliance helps ensure that businesses adhere to best practices for protecting cardholder data and reducing the risk of data breaches. By implementing security controls and retail management solutions such as encryption, access controls, and frequent security testing, businesses can enhance the security of their payment processing systems and strengthen their commitment to protecting consumer data. 4. Implement Email Security Solutions Implementing advanced email security solutions can help businesses defend against phishing scams, malware, and other email-based threats. Modern email security solutions use advanced threat detection techniques, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to identify and block malicious emails before they reach employees’ inboxes. By filtering out this malicious content and preventing employees from falling victim to email-based attacks, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of data breaches and financial losses. It should be noted that employee training also plays a part here. For example, phishing email filtering systems work to identify emails that may contain a link or attachment containing malware that can be used to hack your network. But they typically transfer flagged emails to another inbox. Here, emails are placed on hold until the user releases, blocks or allows it. It’s important that a user is able to recognise a potential phishing email and does not click on any links or attachments. 5. Develop an Incident Response Plan Perhaps the most important point is to have a backup plan. Despite the best efforts to prevent cyber incidents, breaches can still occur so having a robust incident response plan in place is essential for minimising the impact of such a scenario so that you can get back up and running as quickly as possible. An incident response plan should outline procedures for identifying, containing, and mitigating security breaches and protocols for notifying stakeholders and the relevant authorities within the required timescales. By establishing clear roles and responsibilities and conducting regular drills and exercises, businesses can ensure they are well-prepared to respond to any security incident. With the many potential cyber threats facing retailers today, if you have opted to host your system on premise, it is crucial to ensure that you have a backup system in operation. Eurostop also offers managed services where we take care of the backups for you. As well as consistently taking regular and adequate backups of your data, a working recovery strategy must be in place. This should be integral to your Incident Response Plan. With Eurostop’s managed services for example, in the case of data corruption, loss or destruction, your backups can be used to restore your system to its state before it was compromised. This will enable you to re-establish operations seamlessly without the massive disruption to business which could be expected if there were no backups available. This should be considered as a ‘must have’ on your checklist of features when searching for a vendor as not all retail system suppliers regularly back up your data. Contact us today for retail management solutions and more Implementing effective retail management solutions is crucial for protecting retailers against cybersecurity threats. By prioritising security awareness training, , maintaining PCI compliance, creating an incident response plan and most importantly ensuring you are using a partner that regularly backs up your data, businesses can strengthen their defences and safeguard their operations against cyberattacks. For today’s leading retail stock control, mPOS solutions, and other services contact us online today or call +44 (0) 208 991 2700 to speak to a retail expert.
Interview with Euan Pringle, owner of Otterburn Mill
We chatted with Euan Pringle, owner of Otterburn Mill. Situated in Northumberland countryside, the 18th century mill is a ‘destination’ retail outlet, selling high quality textiles and country woollen clothing. It also prides itself on providing a unique customer experience, boasting many original features, archive material, tools and machinery, on show to the public. We discuss how Euan came to the Mill, his views of fashion and retail, and what the future holds. Q. How long have you held your current job? Euan: I have always worked in textiles. In the 1980s, as MD of the family textile operation with modern retail and manufacturing, I travelled the world to promote the business, and in the 1990s, we sold the business on. Sadly the brand suffered when the textile industry took a downturn a few years later. In 1995 I found the derelict Otterburn Mill building located on a windy moor on the tourist route between Scotland and England. I redeveloped the site to what it is today – and I am still in the driving seat over twenty years later. Q. What attracted you to a career in retail? Euan: I have always loved the textile retail business and loved being in the working mill from my early working years. I enjoy getting the seasons’ colours ahead of time, buying to meet the trends months ahead and finding new suppliers to fil the gaps when suppliers go off-piste. Q. How do you see the future of retail? Euan: I think the trends in retail are starting to change and things definitely have a more positive outlook. In the last 10 years, the trend was for the big investment companies to buy up the big chains, slash prices and, I think, caused a lot of damage to the retail sector. Now we are seeing these big chains fall by the wayside as the future of the large stores has gone, which leaves space for more interesting themed retail places. …there is always a place for retailers that can provide a great customer experience and product We have seen the demise of the high street, with property companies not investing in the high street buildings, this, plus high government taxes, have squeezed out the smaller retailers. However, I think there is always a place for retailers that can provide a great customer experience and product and I am optimistic we will see a change in the next six months to a year, once the casualties of the big discounters have gone. The retail market is turning the corner and I think the outlook is positive over the next 2- 3 years. Q. How can technology help? Euan: I think there is a lot of tech at the moment, and some of it is helpful and some of it is not. At the end of the day, your shop floor staff can really make the sale – they can help customers find the missing part of the jigsaw – so technology needs to enable your staff. Brands are starting to realise that stores are the key to brand loyalty, not just selling online. At the end of the day people want to go out and have fun – and enjoy the experience of shopping. Shopping centres are big and glitzy, but they need to refresh the décor and themes to keep customers interested. At the same time, I think if you aren’t using tech as a retailer then you will suffer. What piece of tech couldn’t you live without? Euan: Definitely my iPhone. It’s my lifeline, particularly recently when our email service was down. I do everything on it – I know how to use it and certainly won’t be looking to change!