Retailers in Singapore can now save up to 90% of cost on Eurostop POS Software and Inventory Systems with the PSG Grant
Eurostop Singapore Pte Ltd. awarded as a PSG approved vendor for POS software and inventory management software in Singapore. Eurostop Singapore Pte Ltd. has been appointed as a Pre-Approved SMEs Go Digital Vendor for our EPOS and enhanced retail management system, e-retail. This means that eligible retailers may be able to apply for a government grant of up to 90% when purchasing these POS software and inventory management systems in Singapore. The Singapore Government grants, such as the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), support companies who are keen on adopting IT solutions to enhance business processes and increase productivity. It spans several industries, including retail. SMEs can apply for PSG if they meet certain criteria, and may be eligible for a pre-scoped and government agency approved solution. Solutions are evaluated on capacity and capability; as well as whether the solution meets the requirements of target sectors. Eurostop Singapore Pte Ltd. are delighted to be appointed for the period 11 June 2020 to 10th June 2021 by Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), with the maximum government funding support level being raised to 90%. Hew Poh Yin, Managing Director, Eurostop Singapore said “In the current situation with COVID-19, I am pleased that eligible retailers looking to enhance their IT retail operations will receive government support, which is much needed at this time. Retailers will be able to benefit from Eurostop’s POS and Head Office Systems without significant investment. Furthermore, I hope that our systems will enable them to operate more efficiently and improve business, aiding recovery, especially at this time. If you are interested in finding out more about the PSG grant and how our solutions can help your retail business, please get in contact today.
What is the Importance of Retail EPOS Systems?
When it comes to retail, ensuring all of your customers are given the utmost attention is key. That’s why improving the payment process and providing them with efficient service is essential. To attain such goals, many retailers implement a reliable retail EPOS system to help them track inventory, process payments, provide customer benefits, and more. At Eurostop, we’ve helped hundreds of retailers over the years track sales and improve their processes, so we’ve collected some insight for you here. Below you’ll find some of the most important aspects of implementing a system with reliable retail POS features. Pricing Benefits When it comes to pricing the products in your retail establishment, a retail EPOS system can help drastically reduce errors. This is because the system keeps pricing consistent by synching with your stock control or ERP system so that scanning a barcode gives you accurate pricing information, avoiding user error. Of course, discounts, sales, and other customer incentive programs are also programmed into your EPOS software, with additional options to override, depending on staff permissions set by Head Office. Tracking Employees The right EPOS system can also help you keep an eye on your employees. You can monitor their performance and what they’re doing, as well as reduce wasted time by making employees responsible for their own registers and payment terminals. You’ll also be able to track top-performing staff members and see where others need improvement. Inventory Management With reliable retail POS solutions, you’ll be able to keep a close eye on all of your inventory. Each time a customer purchases a product, that product’s stock level will be automatically updated, ensuring you know exactly how much inventory you have at a given time and when it’s time to order more. You can also check your stock’s performance to determine best-selling items and optimize your retail floor. Customer Service Retail EPOS systems make it easy to serve your customers. By making the buying process faster and more efficient, you’ll reduce wait periods. Additionally, EPOS systems can help you tailor to your customers’ specific needs, bringing up data about past purchases and other info to help you better serve them. It also makes it easy to run customer incentive programs and offer special discounts for loyal customers. Increased Efficiency EPOS systems can drastically increase efficiency by cutting down the number of employees needed to track payments or stock shelves manually; the POS system does all of these things. These automated solutions reduce the need for relying on human resources, enabling you to save money on operation costs and focus your resources elsewhere. Let us be your retail EPOS system provider; contact Eurostop today! Do you want to improve your retail process, keep better track of employees and customers, and save time and money! If so, our team of retail EPOS experts would love to hear from you. To learn more about our solutions, contact Eurostop online today or call +44 (0) 20 8991 2700.
Retail POS Systems 101: Learning the Basics
So, your company has just invested in one of today’s leading retail POS systems, are you wondering what the next step is? You and your retail team are probably excited to get started using it, which is why Eurostop has compiled some basic tips and best practices for you. Over time, POS systems have become more than simply a way to monitor cash flow, they’re now also equipped with expansive software to increase efficiency and connect with customers. Let’s look below at some of the most attractive features of today’s modern retail POS system. Sales Reporting One of the primary functions of a retail POS system is to track all your sales and purchases each day. You are able to see valuable data such as sales reports by staff member, SGV report and deposit and reserves reports. This info will then be made available with graphics and charts for easy review. A robust retail POS system should also allow you to manage complex promotions and eliminate staff error. Customer Management Another key component of point-of-sale software is its customer management solutions. Most POS systems will be equipped with customer-relationship-management (CRM) software to record customer data. They’ll also be equipped to provide services designed to improve and strengthen customer relationships, such as using till prompts to identify promotions that a customer may be eligible for, tracking the sales histories of customers so that retailers can target customers offer upsell suggestions based on such data. With a retail POS system, you can also create built-in loyalty programs to reward repeat clients by issuing loyalty points on purchases, that may then be used for future purchases, driving future footfall and rewarding loyal customers. Inventory Management Retail POS systems are also responsible for keeping track of your products and monitoring inventory across your store estate You’ll be able to keep up to the minute records and monitor all the products going in and out of your inventory. Managing inventory across your business accurately is crucial for your success in store. Monitoring the transactions and inventory on the same system eliminates the risks that might arise from unpredictable stockouts as well as time spent checking different systems. You can reduce the time spent and increase your efficiency to offer your customers the experience they deserve. Let Eurostop help you roll out your new retail POS! If you’re interested in investing in a reliable retail POS system, contact the team from Eurostop today! We have more than two decades in global retail management experience and can come up with a system designed to suit your specific needs. Founded in 1990, Eurostop has progressed rapidly to become a major force in complete EPOS and retail software solutions, with a focus in the fashion, footwear, jewelry, and general merchandise sectors. Regardless of your business, we can equip you with highly-sophisticated retail systems that help you manage your customers and merchandise with efficiency and ease. We also specialize in stock control solutions, business insights and reporting, tenant management systems, and in-store apps. Contact us online or call us today at +44 (0) 208 991 2700.
JD Sports chooses Eurostop Retail Systems for stores in South East Asia
Specialist global retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands selects Eurostop’s connected systems for omnichannel operations across Asia Eurostop has announced that JD Sports has selected Eurostop Retail Systems for its stores across Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. JD Sports have chosen Eurostop’s connected EPOS, mobile POS, ERP, data warehouse and business intelligence and reporting solutions for the region. The connected solutions which will also be integrated by Eurostop to JD Sports’ existing systems will provide a centralised, fully connected stock management and fulfilment system to process online and in store sales in SE Asia, linked to its local country and UK warehouses to efficiently manage its multichannel offering. JD Sports selected Eurostop systems following an in depth market review and in light of the work that Eurostop has completed with the Tiso Group, which is part of the JD Sports Group. Barry Loftus, Group IT Director of JD Sports Fashion PLC said “I am looking forward to working with our strategic partner, Eurostop, once again on this expansion in South East Asia” Hew Poh Yin, Managing Director for Eurostop operations in Asia said; “For large retailers like JD Sports, the challenge is to have a complete overview of stock and sales across a multi-channel and international business. Investing in Eurostop’s connected systems ensures that every item and sale is managed, from purchase through to sale and despatch, across JD Sports’ entire estate in the UK and SE Asia.”
Tiso outdoor pursuits retailer chooses Eurostop connected retail systems to support business growth
Scotland’s leading outdoor pursuits retailer invests in Eurostop stock management and EPOS systems for faster and more accurate management of stock replenishment and promotions Eurostop has announced that Tiso, Scotland’s leading outdoor clothing & equipment retailer, has selected Eurostop connected stock management and EPOS systems for over 13 stores. Tiso chose Eurostop e-rmis, its stock system, e-pos touch and the retail business intelligence reports module, e-cubes, to provide the detailed stock management and replenishment that it requires to manage the variety of items sold in store and online. Over recent years Tiso has increased both its number of outlets and product range, stocking a wide variety of clothing, footwear and equipment for adventurer sports, including alpine biking, climbing, skiing and general outdoor pursuits. The recent investment in Eurostop retail systems supports further expansion plans. Tiso selected Eurostop’s e-rmis system to enable tracking of items from warehouse to store in detail. Eurostop’s system manages the entire replenishment process, from when items are picked using a wireless scanner, to packing and delivering to stores. Integration with the stock system provides head office with up-to-date sales data of all product lines across all store and online channels. In addition, detailed business insights from sales data using Eurostop’s e-cubes module aids merchandise planning. Chris Tiso, Chief Executive of Tiso Stores said; “The replenishment facility within e-rmis was exactly what we were looking for. It gives us far greater control of store replenishment, so we have an accurate view of the business. “Customised reporting gives us a handle on the stores’ performance, especially with our expansion plans. Our new Aviemore store will have even greater floor space for customers to try out products and investing in Eurostop systems provides us with the technology in store to provide an even better customer experience from trial to purchase.” As part of the connected systems for stock management, Tiso has installed Eurostop’s new e-pos touch, with added functionality to manage promotions and offers at the till point. Eurostop’s e-rmis also enables Tiso to load products easily onto the system in bulk from one spreadsheet, with SKU, colours and sizes. Purchase orders can also be created in the same way, by importing a spreadsheet with supplier details, items, cost prices and quantity saving time and reducing errors in re-keying. Phillip Moylan, Sales Manager at Eurostop said; “Retailers like Tiso have built successful businesses by staying true to their founding principles of loving the products that they sell and providing great customer service. Eurostop’s connected retail systems have been developed to underpin a retailer’s operations with accurate stock management to support sales and buyers. Having the information at their fingertips enables them to react to customer demand and provide a great service.”
M&S International improves customer service with Eurostop Retail Systems in stores
“The Eurostop solution is a big step forward for our Hong Kong business. It will give us a better overall customer experience, provide us with great promotions capability to drive sales, help our store colleagues to be more efficient and give us a modern platform to build on for the future.” Tim Robson, Project Manager, M&S International Business benefits seen by M&S International Integration to M&S’ SAP ERP system provides the Head Office with up-to-date sales data from Hong Kong and Macau stores Real-time lookup from POS into SAP provides store colleagues with real-time stock figures across Hong Kong estate New multi-promotions capability at till point, reduces complexity for colleagues and average wait time for customer, maximising revenue opportunities Custom development projects use innovative technology to enhance the instore experience for colleagues and customers Download the full case study to read more… Case study download Download the full Case Study now to see how M&S International improved customer service in stores. Case study download Please fill out the form below in order to receive the download link for your chosen case study. [email-download download_id=”8228″ contact_form_id=”8241″]
Orelia unique jewellery brand expands into US with Eurostop systems
British costume jewellery designer leads market supplying UK retailers and high profile Topshop concessions in USA. Orelia, a British jewellery brand founded in 2007, creates affordable costume jewellery, focusing on pieces that are classic, trendy and stylish. Most of the jewellery is made from Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones and charms. The Orelia designers travel far and wide to gather inspiration and every season they focus on themes for their jewellery launching several new collections. In recent years Orelia has taken the market by storm and is available in boutiques, department, fashion and lifestyle stores across the world, as well as major UK retailers; John Lewis, ASOS, Fenwick, Bentalls and has concessions in Topshop. The company has also just launched its first Topshop concessions in the US in high profile stores in Chicago, Los Angeles and in Broadway and 5th Avenue in New York. Flexible solution for a growing business Originally founded in Islington, London, following its exponential growth the company relocated its head office and distribution centre to a larger site in Brighton. As well as investing in premises, Orelia has ensured that its IT systems are able to meet the growing business needs. To support its unusual business model the company took the decision to implement Eurostop’s retail management solution e-rmis to support its wholesale and retail operations. According to Rebecca Jerrod, e-Commerce Coordinator at Orelia; “We chose Eurostop management systems to support our rapidly expanding business. We wanted to have a system that could accommodate our two business models – our new concession model with Topshop and the wholesale operation that supplies all our retailers – as well as meet the needs of our new growing merchandising team.” “Eurostop provided us with a hosted system that gives us the flexibility for both of our business models, for our central stock management system that our team of buyers can use and to support future growth. The versatility was key for us.” Supporting wholesale and retail operations with one system At the time that Orelia selected Eurostop it had been operating under a traditional retail model. When the business chose to supply its unique jewellery wholesale to major retailers worldwide, as well as begin the new Topshop concessions, it was a catalyst to review its IT systems. One of the key criteria for Orelia was to select a system that was easy to use for all staff. The team chose Eurostop systems as they have been designed with a user interface that is intuitive and straightforward for non-technical users, minimising training required. Currently the system is used by everyone at Orelia – except the jewellery designers – including the buying team and all staff in the warehouse and retail operations. It is also used by the e-commerce team – although not yet integrated with the e‑commerce system, there are plans to do so. A multi-currency system to support a global business Orelia also chose to have the e-rmis solution hosted on Eurostop servers, allowing for future growth and with an increasingly global business, the ability to access the information from any location. “We upgraded to the latest version of Eurostop’s system and to the hosted version just before Christmas,” explained Rebecca. “We launched our concessions into the US Topshop stores at the same time which is a huge growth area for our business. Eurostop’s hosted version gives us the assurance that it can support the expanding business and handle the different currencies as we are increasingly operating in different countries.” Daily sales data for efficient stock management Currently sales data is downloaded daily directly from Topshop’s systems via a secure portal into e-rmis, enabling the Orelia team to gain the latest insights on best-selling lines and popular items. Stock supplies and distribution for the wholesale business are managed by the Orelia team using e-rmis. Regular reports of stock movements ensure that replenishment is fulfilled for Orelia’s retail customers. A full audit trail is provided for all stock, essential for Orelia with so many different lines and customers, helping to ensure that all stock is accounted for as it enters and leaves the warehouse, helping to minimise shrinkage and loss. Reports drawn from e-rmis are also used by the team to provide updates and business reviews to the Orelia directors. Orelia is planning to deploy Eurostop’s auto-replenishment module in future, which will streamline operations even further. “The great thing about Eurostop’s systems is that they can grow with the business needs. We can adapt them easily and use all the functions available to us,” said Rebecca. Since the recent upgrade Orelia has planned some user training to learn more about the new features to ensure they get maximum benefit from the system. “Every department uses the system differently and it really underpins our business, enabling us to expand into overseas markets. So it’s a really good to keep up to date and an opportunity for a refresh enables us to see what more we can do. Plus the training at Eurostop is brilliant,” concluded Rebecca.
Gaynor Sports invests in Eurostop’s retail management systems
‘Mecca’ for outdoor clothing in heart of Lake District uses Eurostop systems to manage sales of thousands of items daily in store and online. Based in Ambleside, Cumbria, in the heart of the Lake District, Gaynor Sports is a long established destination retailer for outdoor pursuits. A family run and owned business for over forty years, the store has grown to offer a comprehensive collection of outdoor brands including Berghaus, The North Face, Lowe Alpine, Haglofs, Montane, Mammut, Merrell, Zamblerlan Regatta, Sprayway, Craghoppers, and many more. The store offers an unparalleled choice and depth of product that rivals anywhere else in the UK, with knowledgeable staff on hand. Whether buying in store or online, the company prides itself on its customer service underpinned by efficient systems. IT investment is core to the company’s business and it has invested in a fully integrated head office, e-commerce and stock management solution from Eurostop to support its sales operations in store and online. Retail systems integral to the business According to Jamie Shepherd, Managing Director, at Gaynor Sports; “Everyone in the business uses the Eurostop systems – the warehouse team, Buyers, sales staff on the shop floor, customer call centre, accounts staff and purchasing. Before we only had two or three people using our stock systems, now it is core to our business. “At any one time we might have eighty people using the system. We take a lot of pride in having the right staff to talk to customers about our products to help them buy the right items. Making sure the customer is happy is important to us which is why having the right systems to support staff is integral to the business.” Gaynor Sports has installed e-pos on tills across the different store departments and uses e-rmis and the e-fulfilment module for stock management across the store and the e-commerce site. In addition, Eurostop built and hosts the retailer’s e-commerce site which is based on its responsive e-commerce platform that adapts to suit the device being used. For example, a user accessing the site on a tablet will see the site optimised to display well on a tablet, with columns that scroll down rather than across, and easier menu navigation. Gaynor Sports recently went live with a new refresh of its website where Eurostop worked very closely with the retailer to ensure that brand guidelines and company ethos were portrayed in the design, while delivering the power required to manage thousands of orders each day. Streamlined stock management The store is busy all year round, the summer with visitors to the ‘mecca’ of the outdoor world, while online the peak business for outdoor clothing starts in October and runs through to February. The store itself is spread over five vast floors with departments displaying walking shoes (over 700 pairs), walking boots (more than 1400 pairs), clothing, waterproofs, camping and a clearance outlet offering significant discounts. With tens of thousands of items being sold both on the shop floor and through the website in a week, managing the stock is central to the business. At busy times the store can have as many as 30 staff helping customers the shop floor, while the warehouse is processing and shipping thousands of items daily. Optimising stock turnover Eurostop’s e-fulfilment module underpins the success of the stock management to respond to sales orders online. The system prioritises each e-commerce order as it arrives and either auto generates picks for the warehouse if it finds the stock in the warehouse or elects to take the stock from the store. If the store is chosen, the system automatically alerts the store e-pos system that it has the items requested in stock so that e-commerce orders are prioritised and the stock is despatched. “We now physically scan every item in and out of the warehouse in boxes. It is perfect – we know exactly what we have got so the accuracy is vastly improved. “We use the Eurostop system for replenishing stock in store, reordering and forecasting. The reports are really easy to use and Eurostop has customised some for us. It’s great to have that information so easily to hand – we can see popular lines, where we are against last year and what we have sold – all the information we need to run the business,” said Jamie. Easy to use and to train to staff The ease with which staff can use the system makes a significant difference to Gaynor Sports’ business. In busy times, the retailer can take on additional staff to meet demand. “We can easily scale up with extra staff – they can be trained within a couple of hours and can be effective in a vital part of the business with out delay,” said Jamie. Above all it is Eurostop’s partnership approach that makes the difference to Gaynor Sports. “The support guys are brilliant and give us confidence that when things do go wrong, which they do in real life, they work with us to get back up and running quickly and with the minimum of fuss. They will always listen and work with us to find the answer and things get sorted. They really understand and know our business and act as a true partner,” said Jamie.
Outdoor specialist retailer Gaynor Sports invests in Eurostop’s retail management systems
‘Mecca’ for outdoor clothing in heart of Lake District uses Eurostop systems to handle and support sales of thousands of items daily in store and online Eurostop has announced that Gaynor Sports, an independent outdoor clothing retailer is using Eurostop’s retail management and e‑commerce solutions to process sales across its many departments and for its fast growing online business and warehouse. Gaynor Sports has installed e‑pos in each of its different store departments, and uses e-rmis and the e‑fulfilment module for stock management across the store, warehouse and online. Eurostop built and hosts the retailer’s new e-commerce site which is based on its responsive e-commerce platform with layout adapting to suit the device being used. For example, a user accessing the site on a tablet will see the site optimised to display well on a tablet, with columns that scroll down rather than across, and easier menu navigation. The new look website, was designed by Eurostop to encompass the Gaynors’ brand and highlight their store presence in the Lake District. Gaynor Sports states that Eurostop’s systems are integral to its business functions, providing accurate information on store sales and online business which ships many thousands of items daily. According to Jamie Shepherd, Managing Director at Gaynor Sports; “Everyone in the business uses the Eurostop systems – the warehouse team, Buyers, sales staff on the shop floor, customer call centre, accounts staff and purchasing. Before we only had two or three people using our stock systems, now it is core to our business. “We scan every item in and out of the warehouse in boxes. It is absolutely perfect – we know exactly what we have got so the accuracy is vastly improved. We also use the Eurostop system for replenishing stock in store, reordering and forecasting. The reports are really easy to use – it’s great to have that information to hand – we can see popular lines, where we are against last year – all the information we need to run the business.” Eurostop’s e-fulfilment module underpins the stock management system and enables Gaynor Sports to manage the stock to fulfil online customer orders. Gaynor Sports benefits from having a view of its live stock position in the warehouse and shop to efficiently fulfil web orders and optimise stock turnover. The system prioritises each e-commerce order as it arrives, and either auto‑generates picks for the warehouse if it finds the stock in the warehouse or elects to take the stock from the store. Deborah Loh, Marketing Manager at Eurostop said; “Businesses like Gaynor Sports have built their success on knowing their products and serving the customer well. They stock thousands of product lines as a result, all of which must be carefully managed and accounted for. Our retail systems give them absolute control of what stock they need to meet customer demand and helps them keep track of items and orders even during the busiest times. It helps them manage their business, satisfying customers while ensuring a profitable bottom line.”
Expert Opinion: Phillip Moylan – Future Proofing Your Retail Systems
When looking at new retail, Epos or even e-commerce systems, it is important to make sure you select a future-proofed solution. However, it is sometimes easier said than done. You can’t know what the future holds, and with the best will in the world, our businesses don’t always move in the direction we expect. But what all retailers can ensure is that the systems they use are sufficiently flexible and adaptable to cope with most eventualities. A system that will grow with you First of all, it is important to select a system that not only meets your requirements now, but that is scalable and will expand as your business grows. Look at what other retailers in your sector, particularly those that you aspire to be like, are using. Just because you only have one or two shops now, doesn’t mean that you won’t have 10 or 20 shops in five years’ time. Live sales and live stocks are crucial as your e-commerce business grows and larger retailers use Estate Manager software to monitor, investigate and diagnose branch and web sales performance issues. Many retailers purchase very expensive systems as the business grows and, as a consequence, their long-term costs rise as they expand their head office team. If you don’t derive direct business benefits including economies of scale, paying for bespoke development work on your current system could be a viable alternative. It is also important to check if the system provider develops and supports the software and hardware. Many retail systems resellers do not have access to the software source code and are restricted in developing and fixing bugs in the software. Another thing to think about is that hardware support may be outsourced to reduce costs. Easy integration will keep your options open Ensuring that all your business systems speak to each other is crucial. It enables the fast flow of information enabling better analysis, improving commercial decisions. Your product and stock file is the lifeblood of your business, so make sure that whatever product you select that the Epos, stock control and retail management can easily interface with any other systems you use, for example your ERP manufacturing or wholesale system, e-commerce platform, planning, financials and warehouse logistics. Taking this approach means that diversification or changes are much smoother because you already have one core system. This also enables retailers to reap the benefits of best of breed solutions for e-commerce, mail order, Epos, wholesale, manufacturing and finance because the development time is shorter and as a consequence costs are cheaper and software is both more up-to-date and feature rich. Franchises and multi-lingual Epos Selecting a system that is multi-lingual is a must if you plan to open stores abroad. Being able to use the same system across all your operations at home and overseas saves both time and expense and ensures that stock can be managed centrally and that information is available to support company wide strategic decision-making. If you are considering having franchises, it is important to decide on the level of control. If you treat the franchise as a “wholesale customer” the franchise will buy products from you but you would have no visibility on how successful the products are as you could be reliant on piecemeal information coming back from the franchise. Waiting for them to rebuy each season is re-active rather than pro-active. Retailers can be pro-active and have clear visibility on sales within that market by purchasing Epos tills on the franchises’ behalf with connectivity to your head-office solution. It may be possible to offset the cost by renting them to the franchise. If the franchise already has a retail system, it would be advisable to generate company specific EAN codes and have an overnight product interface. E-commerce and m-commerce Having an online presence that has all the latest features is very important. Not only does it help to provide all the facilities to your customer that they expect, keeping up with technology also gives your brand credibility, and will reassure the first time visitor. As the whole, retail experience is now a combination of your store and your website, shoppers expect to be able to flip between the two almost seamlessly. This goes for the device that they access your website from as well. It could be a desktop in their lunch hour, a smartphone while they are on the train and a tablet in the evening on the sofa. It is important your website is optimised to look good and work well on any device. Choosing an e-commerce platform that automatically adjusts to the device it is being viewed from will ensure that your customers continue to experience your brand as you intended. Many retailers typically look to upgrade or refresh their e-commerce platform every couple of years to keep up with the latest look and feel. If you have your product information in an easily accessible format, changing your website doesn’t need to be a long drawn out and painful affair. Once you have agreed the design elements, it should be fairly quick to change. So in summary, to future-proof your retail systems and get the most from your investment in technology, choose a system that does more than you think you will need. Keep your product information in a standard file format that is easily shared with other business systems. Select systems that are flexible, multi-lingual and multi-currency, and that can run on different types of device. Phillip Moylan is sales and marketing manager for stock control and e-commerce specialist at Eurostop. http://www.wwb-online.co.uk/Editors-Picks/Articles/Expert-opinion-Phillip-Moylan.aspx