Kiosk Pro, with Star Micronics printer peripherals makes self-service kiosks easy for government, healthcare, museums, and more
SOMERSET, NJ – APRIL 24, 2019 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is proud to announce that Kiosk Group, Inc. has added support for Star’s all-in-one mPOP for their Kiosk Pro solution. Kiosk Pro transforms ideas into interactive kiosk experiences with Star’s modern and sleek hardware for the ultimate customer experience.
Kiosk Group offers ready-to-ship and custom-made solutions through their Kiosk Pro software. It is a flexible solution for any use case that also supports web-friendly content and media. Kiosk Pro Enterprise provides retailers and restaurants with interactive kiosk solutions for price checking or self-service check-out. Kiosk Pro also offers solutions for government, healthcare, museums, and more.
Star Micronics’ mPOP offers a compact and sleek mobile point of sale peripheral with a built-in receipt printer and cash drawer. In addition to the mPOP, Kiosk Group also supports Star’s TSP654II, TSP743II, TSP847II, and TSP143IIIU printers through their Kiosk Pro Enterprise solution. With these hardware options, Kiosk Pro provides their customers with an easy and reliable way to complete transactions with printed receipts.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of customers using Kiosk Pro for self-created POS applications,” said Becca Rice, Director of Software Development at Kiosk Group. “As an all-in-one cash register and printer solution, the mPOP is a great fit for our platform.”
SOMERSET, NJ – APRIL 22, 2019 – Star Micronics, a leading global manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technology solutions will be showcasing and demonstrating a range of featured products and software at ETA TRANSACT, an impressive show where industry leaders and entrepreneurs gather to focus solely on the business of payments technology. TRANSACT is held on Tuesday, April 30th through Thursday, May 2nd in Las Vegas, Nevada. Star Micronics will be at booth #3509, displaying an assortment of industry-leading solutions and connecting with attendees.
Featured products and services include:
PromoPRNT– a seamless way for retailers to create and design printed promotions and receipts.
mUnite stands – durable steel POS solution stands that offers both function and style.
mCollection– a collection of durable, stylish printers and accessories designed to be easy to use.
CloudPRNT– a modern way for users to print to Star printers directly through a cloud service.
In addition to providing information on featured products and services, Star will be offering software demos for:
Zuza on mPOP –ZUZA works with hundreds of processors and ISVs making its sales channels one of the fastest growing in the industry.
CardFlight on TSP100IIIBi– CardFlight is a leader in payment technology and mobile point-of-sale solutions for merchant service providers, banks, and independent sales organizations.
eMobilePOS on SM-S230i– A pioneer and leader in mobile POS, eMobile offers full-featured mobile POS software for Android, Apple iOS, and Windows smartphones and tablets.
Acadia POS on mC-Print3– Acadia provides robust, cloud-based point-of-sale and business management solutions for retailers.
Star Micronics’ collection of printing and POS solutions are designed to align with the needs of business owners and support their brands.
“We are eager to connect with other industry leaders, technology innovators, and forward-thinkers in the payments industry. ETA TRANSACT is an ideal place to learn who and what is shaping the payments industry, and form lasting connections that promote mutual success,” says Christophe Naasz, Director of Business Development for Star Micronics.
Join Star Micronics at ETA TRANSACT 2019 and get an in-depth look at cutting edge software, solutions, and services that are making waves in the industry.
The cannabis industry is huge in the United States – and it’s just getting started. In 2017, the industry employed 121,000 people and took in roughly $9 billion in sales. With more and more states legalizing its use, those numbers are expected to steadily rise and many more cannabis dispensaries will surely open their doors. Curious about the dispensaries already in operation? Let’s take a look at five of the most beautiful cannabis dispensaries in America – in no particular order.
When it comes to providing a safe, clean, and comfortable atmosphere for its clients, Barbary Coast goes above and beyond. With a wide range of lab-tested flowers, pre-rolls, premium vape cartridges, concentrates, edibles, and more, it’s no wonder this place became a hot spot in The City by the Bay.
Barbary Coast in San Francisco, California
Barbary Coast offers a dab and vape bar, as well as a stylish personal lounge for customers to relax, enjoy themselves with friends and family, and make new friends. Visitors may browse, receive one-on-one recommendations from staff, and experience the strong sense of community established in the dispensary.
According to its website, when you visit Emerald Pharms, “you might think you’re in an art gallery or a green technology wonderland rather than a medical marijuana dispensary.”
Emerald Pharms is a one-of-a-kind dispensary that focuses on natural, sustainable, and locally grown cannabis. The site manages a 12-acre Solar Living Center which features renewable energy sources, eco-friendly buildings, biodynamic gardens, and more. Customers can even refuel their cars with recycled biodiesel, or charge up their electric vehicles (via solar panels).
Emerald Pharms in Hopland, California
At the Pharm, visitors can walk across the lush landscape and view thousands of organically grown edibles, wildflowers, and ornamental plants. All are welcomed and encouraged to explore the off-the-grid “permaculture oasis” and attend its events including product demos, yoga, art classes, picnicking, and more.
The Herbal Cure is a family-owned business that takes great pride in its work and is committed to its award-winning marijuana strains. The dispensary’s mission is simple: to provide the highest quality cannabis and customer service to its clients.
On the exterior, visitors see a log cabin-style depot with a “cannaboose” train car on the property that was inherited with the land. The back of the dispensary features local graffiti and murals, which are rotated through the year. Inside, clients are introduced to exotic strains, fair prices, and the result of dedicated professionals perfecting their craft. Shoppers will also find a strong family-like vibe among the staff, or as they are called, “The Cure Crew,” who make it a priority to make every visitor feel welcome, comfortable, and secure.
What makes Om of Medicine stand out is its ambition to create a collaborative, safe, and inspiring environment that promotes the rights of its patients and improves their quality of life. Establishing a welcoming environment for all ages and bridging the gap between nature and technology, Om of Medicine captures the duality of life and perfect balance.
Om of Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Notable features within the dispensary include a living wall installation, an aquarium, and local art galleries. Together with its state-of-the-art products and its compassionate staff, the dispensary holds events such as medical research sessions, grow seminars, comedy shows, yoga classes, film showings, and more, to not only serve the community, but to be a part of it.
The first thing you notice about Hashtag Cannabis is COLOR! The bright purple exterior of this cannabis dispensary features a colorful fish mural and a neon blue door to boot. With two locations in Fremont and Redmond, Washington, Hashtag Cannabis offers customers smokable flower, concentrates, infused edible products, capsules, tinctures, and lotions.
Hashtag Cannabis in Seattle, Washington
Designed to provide product to both customers seeking recreational cannabis, as well as those who need assistance with medical issues, Hashtag Cannabis strives to improve its customers’ quality of life. The dispensary also aims to help its community, and has raised thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations focused on hunger and immigrant family rights.
Spring has sprung and Easter is almost here! If you haven’t developed an Easter marketing plan for your store, you are missing out. In 2016, a whopping 8 in 10 Americans planned to celebrate the holiday, and they spent $17.3 billion that year (and $146 per person). That’s a lot of festive customers at your fingertips, ready to make you some “egg-cellent” profits.
Ready to get started? Did you know that with PromoPRNT, you can use your existing Star Micronics printer to create custom Easter promotions that are printed directly on the bottom of receipts? Here’s a quick rundown of PromoPRNT’s features:
Make custom promotions from templates
Manage promotions from anywhere
Increase customer retention
Make each customer visit unique
You can now easily get your Easter marketing hopping with our pre-made PromoPRNT templates. Check them out:
Promo 1: Promote Easter Sales
Want to grow some business this spring? Host an Easter weekend sale! The template is editable, so customize it to match your store’s specific sale.
Promo 2: Highlight Special Easter Products
If you offer Easter- and spring-themed products, this is your time to shine. Promote them now on your receipts so your current customers become repeat customers.
Promo 3: Host a Social Media Contest
Who doesn’t want to win something? Host a social media giveaway contest and not only gain sticky customers, but also some followers.
Promo 4: Advertise an Easter Event
If you happen to be hosting an Easter-themed event, using PromoPRNT is a great way to advertise it. Make sure to remind your staff to alert customers of the event information located on their receipts.
Remember, all of these templates are now available to use in Promo Builder!
We’ve all heard of the term “retail apocalypse.” When you hear that phrase, you probably imagine brick-and-mortar stores shutting their doors. But guess what? That’s simply not happening (if brands innovate!). In fact, the opposite is occurring: e-commerce brands are opening physical stores, and fast. There are approximately 600 stores across the United States that belong to former online-only brands! Let’s explore why.
Online Saturation – and Expense
We probably don’t need to tell you that the online market is saturated … really saturated. Approximately 77% of marketers use at least one social media channel to market their business, and the overall organic reach you’re able to obtain on social media apps is falling as the platforms change newsfeed algorithms so users see more from their friends, and less from brands.
On top of the fierce competition in the world of online advertising, placing ads in the digital realm is also very expensive. In recent years, the cost for online ads on search engines and social media platforms has skyrocketed – it can be 10 times more expensive to acquire a new customer online than it is in a physical store!
Experiential Opportunities
No matter which way you cut it, an online shopping trip can only be so interactive. On the contrary, physical stores offer the added benefit of allowing shoppers to engage with products, interact with employees, and soak in the brand’s culture.
Brick-and-mortar stores are home to immersive experiences that will create a lasting memory for shoppers. For example, Casper, an online mattress store, is opening 200 physical stores so that customers can book naps and test out mattresses before buying. A creative, unforgettable in-person experience is priceless (especially when it includes naps).
Other examples of physical experiential retail include:
Nike Live Concept Store: The athletic brand offers personalized advice, in person, to align customers with the best possible products to meet their fitness goals.
Wayfair: The online furniture retailer is opening its first physical location in fall 2019, which will allow customers to meet face-to-face with design experts, try out furniture in person, and more.
Warby Parker: The eyewear brand saw huge success when it opened its first pop-up in 2013, and it now operates dozens of physical stores and claims it gathers the most valuable data in person, and realized retail isn’t dead, it just needed a “creative makeover.”
A Fruitful Fusion
Sometimes the perfect place for an online brand is in a physical store. Take Glamsquad, for example.
Glamsquad in CVS
Glamsquad, an on-demand, in-home beauty service, recently partnered with CVS to offer express versions of its services. This is a great way for the brand to meet new customers in person, especially those who may not yet be aware of the online brand’s services (why not fill your prescription and get a manicure?).
Another benefits for e-brands taking up physical shop has to do with returns. Instead of simply mailing back a returned item, customers may opt to return the merchandise in person at the physical store, which presents a valuable opportunity: the opportunity to make another sale.
KitchenHub helps restaurants to consolidate online orders from all major services with Star Micronics hardware
SOMERSET, N.J. – MARCH 28, 2019 –Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is proud to announce that KitchenHub has added support for Star’s new mC-Print3, along with the SP742 and TSP654II CloudPRNT printers. KitchenHub, with Star Micronics’ printer peripherals, helps restaurants grow sales by joining multiple online ordering services with a single application.
KitchenHub and Star Micronics eliminate the need to have a separate tablet, device, or printer for each online ordering service being used, while helping to increase the diversity of online ordering services accepted. The app offers a single, streamlined dashboard with all your online orders, with the smart interface making the management of these orders simple and efficient.
Currently, restaurants manage every online ordering channel separately, and many do not even offer online ordering. However, online sales channels help restaurants sell more food and grow their profits. It is critical for virtual restaurants—or “ghost kitchens”—as they exclusively sell online. KitchenHub helps to streamline this by offering one tablet and one app for all online orders from multiple channels, as well as helping restaurants to create their own online ordering platform on their own website.
Star’s mC-Print3, SP742, and TP654II printers are all offered with CloudPRNT technology, providing an easier way for restaurants to accept and print online orders. CloudPRNT will work with the online ordering service to store and create print jobs, and communicate status with the printer. The Star CloudPRNT printer will then pull these orders on a defined interval.
“Managing separate online ordering platforms is a true management nightmare,” says Jonathan Romero, KitchenHub customer and owner of four restaurants and two virtual concepts. “Now, with new partnership with Star Micronics, printing orders from KitchenHub app is easier than ever.”
In the world of restaurants, there’s immense pressure to not just maintain business, but to grow it. There are over 1 million restaurants in the U.S. alone, and their projected sales in 2018 topped $825 billion. In a world that becomes a little more digital and connected each and every year, it’s important to stay ahead of the competition and stay in the foremind of your customers. Here are three ways to grow your restaurant business – in the modern world.
1. Use an Online Ordering Service
Nowadays, online ordering services are thriving. There are both local and nationwide services, and the industry is estimated to be worth nearly $19.5 billion and is expected to grow 5.9% annually through 2023. In other words, there’s never been a better time to jump into the online ordering game if you haven’t already.
Benefits of Online Ordering Services:
New Business: Online ordering services are a great way to appeal to a new market and draw in new customers outside of your restaurant.
Reduce Human Error: Another huge benefit of using an online ordering service is clearer communications. Online ordering services can eliminate the confusion that sometimes occurs when orders are placed over the phone. Simply put, online services increase order accuracy and make the process easier for both the customer and the employee.
Transparent Cash Flow: Last but certainly not least, online ordering services give transparent cash flow information, making it easy to keep a close eye on your profits. Online services can make it possible to keep track of costs of preparing an order and compare it to the price you’re giving the customer.
Examples of Services:
Grubhub Inc. is a web commerce platform for ordering and delivering take-out food. Based in Chicago, as of Q1 2018 the company has 14.5 million active users and 80,000 associated restaurants across 1,700 cities in the United States.
Uber Eats is an American online food ordering and delivery platform launched by Uber in 2014 and based in San Francisco, California. Users can order food from participating restaurants on their website or with a smartphone/tablet application.
DoorDash Inc. is an on-demand food delivery service founded in 2013 by Stanford students Andy Fang, Stanley Tang, Tony Xu and Evan Moore. A Y Combinator-backed company, DoorDash is one of several technology companies that uses logistics services to offer food delivery from restaurants on-demand.
And many more!
2. Adopt a Loyalty Program and/or Branded App
Looking to establish your brand and gain more fans? Of course, you are! Did you know a loyalty program can help you do just that? And trust us, today’s consumers want the perks that loyalty programs can offer: 86% of shoppers say they’ve joined a loyalty program to collect points for rewards.
Tying into our first tip, select online ordering services also offer loyalty programs and branded apps to restaurants. Uber Eats offers Uber Rewards, which allows customers to accrue points for every dollar spent on Uber car rides and Uber Eats purchases. Users can also achieve different membership levels, unlocking things like priority pickups, complimentary upgrades, and more.
In a similar vein, ChowNow offers branded mobile apps to restaurants. The apps, available for both iOS and Android, not only allow customers to purchase food, but also allows restaurants to display logos, food photos, and more. And according to ChowNow, app-wielding restaurants see a 10% increase in order frequency per diner. Can’t beat that!
3. Integrate Star Micronics Restaurant Solutions
Whether it’s a fine dining restaurant or a fast-casual restaurant – or anything in between – Star has what it takes to optimize restaurants of all kinds. Here are two ways how:
mC-Print3: Specially designed for restaurants, the 3-inch thermal mC-Print3 is not only splash-proof and insect-proof, but sleek, compact, and connected. Built for the modern world, the mC-Print3 offers Bluetooth, USB, Lightning, LAN and CloudPRNT connectivity, and is easy to integrate through common SDK. Click here to learn more about the mC-Print3.
PromoPRNT: While digital is king these days, there’s one valuable marketing medium that isn’t going away anytime soon, and that provides an even more direct communication with the customer: a receipt! With Star’s PromoPRNT software (compatible with mC-Print3), you can create custom promotions from templates that are delivered directly into customers’ hands, boosting customer retention and engagement rates. Operate multiple locations? No problem – with PromoPRNT, you can manage promotions for multiple stores, all from one central location. Click here to learn more about PromoPRNT.
Here’s something you probably already know: the online ordering industry is booming. Here are some things you may not have known, though: 86% of consumers use off-premise services at least monthly, and food delivery in particular is expected to grow 12% year-over-year in the next five years. And last but not least, digital ordering and delivery has grown 300% faster than dine-in traffic!
If you’re looking to learn more about the online ordering industry as a whole, you’re at the right place. The below online ordering infographic explores the history of online ordering, industry key players and revenues, customer demographics, and more – including what point of sale features restaurants looking to jump into the growing industry should look for. Enjoy!
Free Online Ordering Resources
Social distancing has deeply affected our customers in the restaurant industry. That’s why Star Micronics is offering free online ordering resources for VARs and ISVs helping restaurants navigate the implementation of online ordering.
No matter what kind of business you operate, having a rock-solid return policy is of utmost importance. Whether you operate an online business or a brick-and-mortar – or both – having a strong return policy can save you a lot of headache (and money). Did you know that:
At least 30% of products ordered online are returned,
Nearly 9% of products purchased in a brick-and-mortar are returned,
And in one year alone, Americans returned $260 billion worth of merchandise to retailers!
The product is damaged. The wrong item was purchased. The merchandise is no longer wanted. The reasons customers request a return can be endless – but you can develop a return policy to handle it all. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you create an amazing return policy for your business:
What to Define in Your Policy
Receipt: You must define whether or not customers need a receipt in order to make a return. While this is optional, it is beneficial to require a receipt for myriad reasons: they enable you to verify the purchase came from your business, they help you accurately record the return in your books, and much more. Some different variations to include receipts in your policy include no returns without receipts, no exchanges without receipts, no-receipt returns will result in store credit, and more.
Identification: Next, decide whether you want to require customers to present ID upon returning products. Variations of identification policy could include ID is required with receipts, ID is required without a receipt, or ID is not required.
Payment type: When customers return an item, how will you refund them? Some choices include an exchange (return an item for a new item), cash refund, credit/debit card refund, or store credit.
Timing: Next up, it’s time to decide the required timing of the return. Can customers return items 14, 30, 60, or 90 days out? The choice is yours. Some businesses choose to vary the time range depending on product type (for example, clothing may be returned within 90 days, but makeup must be returned within 30 days).
Restrictions: Last but not least, what is the fine print of your policy? What items are not allowed to be returned, or “all sales final”? For example, sometimes businesses restrict returns on heavily discounted items and customized products.
Why Paper Receipts are Key
Easy for customers to retain: A digital receipt has its advantages, but when it comes to returns, nothing beats a good, old-fashioned paper receipt. Paper receipts can easily be kept in customers’ wallets, and avoids the frustrating, time-consuming process of sifting through emails looking for a receipt.
Can include more than just return information: Did you know you can include more on your receipt than just transaction and return information? With Star’s value-add PromoPRNT tool, you can easily include custom promotions directly on the bottom of receipts – and all from one central location!
Be consistent: To establish your policy, be sure to apply it to each and every customer. Also, to avoid surprises, it can be helpful to inform customers about your policy at the time of purchase.
Train your staff: Properly training your staff to handle different return scenarios can make the entire process smoother for both your business and your customers.
Display the policy: Be sure to prominently display your return policy near your register and on your receipts so that it’s constantly visible to both customers and employees.
The release comes one year after Star Micronics unveiled the first-ever AirPrint certified receipt printer
Somerset, NJ – March 14, 2019 – Always leading—always innovating, Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is excited to announce the addition of the TSP847II AirPrint to its printer lineup.
The TSP847II AirPrint is the second Apple AirPrint certified Star Micronics printer, following the release of the TSP654II AirPrint last year – the industry’s first AirPrint certified receipt printer.
AirPrint allows POS systems to easily integrate with any iOS device. Eliminating driver installation, AirPrint users simply follow the familiar iOS print routine, printing from the label printer just as they would from a standard inkjet or laser printer. AirPrint also enables mobile control of Star Micronics’ cash drawer and ticket alarm.
With the ability to print up to 37 labels per minute, the TSP847II AirPrint is ultra-fast and capable of printing labels, tickets, forms, barcodes, and graphics on 3” to 4.4” wide paper. In addition to indoor use, the TSP847II AirPrint can be used inside vehicles for food delivery, field service, law enforcement, and more.
“We look forward simplifying to our customers’ businesses with the TSP847II AirPrint,” said Christophe Naasz, Director of Business Development at Star Micronics. “This ‘plug and play’ printer is the perfect solution for applications that generally do not support direct printing.”
For questions regarding product availability and pricing, please call Customer Service at 800-782-7636.
