Star Micronics presented its latest point-of-sale (POS) hardware solutions and technology at the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2023 conference, held in New York City from January 15th to January 17th at the Javits Convention Center.
NRF 2023: Retail’s Big Show is the prime opportunity for the retail industry to cultivate thriving and rewarding business relationships with hardware manufacturers and software solution providers. It’s one of the industry’s largest shows of the year, and we were thrilled to be there.
As usual, the Star Micronics team had a blast, finally coming together with others from all over the world. At NRF 2023, we met and heard from the most prominent changemakers in the industry and dipped our toes into the future of retail.
In addition, we thank everyone who visited us on the trade show floor and our partners who joined us in the booth: Qmatic & Retail Management Hero!
Star’s NRF 2023 Exhibit
Star was privileged to showcase its products at the trade show, where we had multiple partners with our solutions exhibited in our booth and throughout the trade show floor. As a result, we got to walk around and say hi to everyone we regularly work with (albeit virtually).
This not only gave us the chance to develop more personal relationships with our customers and associates but to exhibit our cutting-edge POS and mPOS solutions as well.
Since the NRF 2022 conference, Star has launched a variety of next-level POS and self-service solutions and was excited to showcase everything at NRF 2023.
- The new mC-Label3 with the faster SteadyLAN+, CloudPRNT, & brand-new TetherLAN capabilities – an optimized label and receipt printing solution that does the work of multiple printers in one.
- Brand new high-resolution barcode scanners.
- The latest mPOP® (mobile point-of-purchase) with direct iOS connectivity: power and data transfer for all-day use.
- Both models of the acclaimed TSP143IV; the TSP143IVUE with Android Open Accessory (AOA) support and a USB/LAN dual interface, and the TSP143IVUW with USB-C and dual-band WiFi connectivity.
- A kiosk printing solution that uses repositionable linerless label paper, the SK1-311 SK.
- The mG-T series of POS scales: the mG-T30 & mG-T60 models; ideal for shops, grocery stores, and farmer’s markets.
- The extensive new line of mUnite modern tablet display stands and mounts.
- New WiFi-loving models of the popular mC-Print2 & mC-Print3 series; two thermal printing solutions from the state-of-the-art mCollection®.
- A wide variety of popular accessories, consumables, and portable thermal printers.
The mC-Label
The new mC-Label was the definite star of the show!
The versatile mC-Label printer is another Star innovation, combining multiple printing solutions into one. With superior quality, the mC-Label prints on various media, making it much more than a label printer. Able to connect to iOS, Android, and Windows devices, it’s equipped with much faster SteadyLAN+ and introduces Star’s latest technology – TetherLAN & Ultra-C.
TetherLAN allows a connected device (4G & 5G) to share its network connection with the mC-Label. As a result, a CloudPRNT environment is created anywhere.
Ultra-C is a unique 20W USB-C port that works with iOS, Android, and Windows devices. With iOS and Android devices, the printer can also power and charge the device while data transfers between the two.
TetherLAN
Star Micronics is also expecting big things for TetherLAN in 2023 and beyond!
TetherLAN is an innovative Star technology that enables the WiFi service from a tablet or device with an active cellular connection (4G/5G) to share that connection with select Star printers. Simply connect a networked device to the printer via USB, and the printer can now work with integrated web- and cloud-based POS software.
This premium technology works with iOS and Android devices and is available on the mC-Label and select mC-Print series printers (to be announced later this year).
The mPOP®
The latest mPOP (mobile point-of-purchase) was also a highlight of the show. It remains the industry’s first hybrid POS solution that combines a cash drawer and printer into one simplified peripheral.
Compatible with all major operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS), the latest mPOP offers direct USB-C connectivity with any iOS device, enabling it to charge while transferring data. Because of this feature, the same charging cord that comes with the Apple iOS device can be conveniently plugged right into the mPOP for full communication and power.
New Line of 2D Barcode Scanners
Star’s new scanner line, due out later this year, was also of great intrigue, with many people stopping by to check them out.
They’re Star-branded and available with a higher resolution. Able to read and parse barcodes, including driver’s licenses, these lightweight and sturdy scanners come in desktop, USB handheld, and wireless handheld models.
NRF 2023 Highlights
We at Star Micronics would like to express our sincerest appreciation to everyone who visited us at NRF 2023: Retail’s Big Show. It was a fantastic experience engaging with our customers and associates, establishing new partnerships, and introducing our most recent products and technology.
In case you weren’t able to attend the event, we want to give you some of its highlights:
Web3 + Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Web3 was the topic on everyone’s lips during the show. Holographic displays of products gave customers a way to ‘try before they buy’ without leaving their homes or even handling the product itself.
Artificial Intelligence was also a popular subject. Business owners can take advantage of the value of data and AI to make their retail operations more meaningful.
Climate Change
The state of the economy wasn’t a primary focus; however, a considerable amount of attention was placed on environmental matters. Several voices advocated that businesses should take steps to combat climate change as its effects have already started to be felt and will only increase in severity if nothing is done.
Customer Journeys + Brick-and-Mortar
Developing a more comprehensive customer experience was also discussed, from initial contact through post-purchase. The importance of traditional retail stores and putting the emphasis back on brick-and-mortar stores was also touched upon.
In Closing
Again, we were delighted to have our Latin America team and representatives from Europe and Japan join us at the show. It was an extraordinary opportunity to collaborate and engage with the partners and customers we have cultivated relationships with over the last few years.
In conclusion, NRF 2023 was hugely successful due to our valued customers, partners, and the Star Micronics team. By working together to reach new heights, Star Micronics continues to embody its philosophy, “Always Leading, Always Innovating.”
Many thanks to everyone who attended, and we can’t wait to see you all again next year!
