Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/172332
At Gowanus Wine Merchants, in Brooklyn, NY, Tom Hyland uses the ShopKeep cloudbased POS system. Beverage alcohol retailers have multiple options, but should weigh a number of factors before upgrading their existing systems or installing a new one. By Melissa Niksic he retail beverage alcohol industry is an ever-changing environment, and point-of-sale (POS) systems are evolving right along with it. Selecting the right POS system for your business is crucial, and a number of factors should be taken into consideration when choosing the program that's best for you. The size of your operation, your business's specific needs, any restrictions imposed by your retail space, and your personal preferences are all things to think about before settling on a new POS system. And when the time comes to explore the different available options, you'll have no shortage of systems from which to choose. T Cutting-edge solutions OS providers are constantly rolling out new options to retailers in an effort to keep up with the latest technological advances. As a result, cloud-based tablet systems are currently all the rage. Many POS companies have developed tablet-based options as an add-on to existing systems. Other new POS providers have emerged in the market focusing solely on this new tablet-centered trend. Cloud-based systems have become increasingly popular among beverage alcohol retailers over the past several years due to their efficiency, ease of use, portability, and affordability. Tablet-based platforms also offer the added perk of taking up less room than traditional large systems, saving coveted counter space that can be used for additional merchandise displays. ShopKeep is a cloud-based iPad POS system that was invented by a small business owner. When Founder and CEO Jason Richelson was running his two stores, he P became fed up with his company's POS system and sought out a cloud-based alternative. Unable to find one, he created one himself, and now ShopKeep has more than 7,000 clients. A major benefit of using ShopKeep's iPad-based POS system is that built-in software updates are automatically installed via the cloud, so retailers need not concern themselves with manually updating their own systems. Real-time sales information is readily available and can also be accessed by managers and store owners via a downloadable mobile app, so store information can be managed at anytime from anywhere. Importing existing data into the system is a simple process, allowing retailers who are interested in finding a new POS system for their business to easily make the switch to ShopKeep. The system also allows retailers to turn on additional tablets during peak times during the year when additional cashiers are needed. "We have a wine shop client that keeps two iPads in the store," Richelson states. "During the holiday season when things are busy, they can activate the second handheld register for a couple of months, and then deactivate it in January. You won't be charged for the additional system unless it's in use, saving you money." Deb Filkins opened Cougar Run Winery in Concord, NH, back in 2012. ShopKeep was recommended to her by her merchant service provider, and although she was instantly attracted to its low price, she didn't decide on a POS system until she had thoroughly researched multiple options. "No one going into business is going to buy the cheapest option just based on price," she explains. "It has to be functional." Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • September/October 2013 • 39