Tag: Retail

Star Micronics and Itemize Partner to Provide Solution for Digital Expense Receipt Market

Somerset, NJ – Oct 18, 2016 – Star Micronics and Itemize are partnering to revolutionize the digital expense receipt market. For the first time, merchant, processor and software solutions are coming together to create an environmental, accurate and easy alternative to the dreaded “what is your email address” question or long paper receipt and checkout process that hasn’t changed in decades.

AllReceipts™, provided by Star Micronics, has begun providing merchants with the ability to include a QR Code on the bottom of every receipt. They can be scanned, tracked, reimbursed and reported by simply scanning the code within the Itemize App. The creation of this technology will eventually allow merchants the ability to no longer offer the long-form receipt, or at least give shoppers the ability to opt-in to just receiving the scan-able portion of the receipt without cause for further paper waste.

By scanning the AllReceipts QR Code within the Itemize app, the shopper is able to automatically store a digital and secure record of your purchase. This includes all of the receipt, merchant and category data, as well as any additional notes, tags and job codes, without manual entry. Star Micronics and Itemize make your accounting tasks faster; taking minutes versus hours. After your scan of the AllReceipts QR Code a digital record will be created and stored for 10 years. This record can be exported into a variety of accounting software’s such as Free Agent, Freshbooks, Sage One, Quickbooks and Xero.

With Itemize expense reports, you can easily turn captured receipts into an instant report, ready for easy submission and approval, tossing away the hard copy. No matter who you are, with Itemize, there is no need to keep boxes, drawers or filing cabinets full of paper receipts.

Look for the AllReceipts and Itemize logos at your retailer to get started. Signing up for Itemize is easy! Download the Itemize app from the iPhone and Android App stores today for free or visit www.itemize.com for more details and a free trial.

June 8, 2017
5 Reasons Retailers are Moving to Web-Based Applications for POS

Web-based applications have changed the IT landscape because they require little upfront investment, update frequently, and businesses typically can use the hardware they already own. This affordable alternative to traditional, on-premises POS software keeps databases and information secure, with around-the-clock access from any location or mobile device with an Internet connection.

Although their applications apply to virtually all markets and industries, Web-based applications have had a particularly large impact on retail point of sale (POS). Consider these five reasons: Can your POS system do this?

1. Effortless Scheduling. A Web-based application means you can access back office functions from anywhere, anytime. This empowers managers to update schedules and view time off or vacation requests quickly and easily from any mobile device. Employees can view their work schedules and request time off through an easy-to-use interface, even when they aren’t in the store.

2. Easy Inventory Access. According to retail advisory firm IHL Group, inventory errors cost retailers $1.75 million every year. The number one reason these errors occur is because of internal process failures, which can be prevented by a Web-based application. Inventory is tracked in real time, instead of updating hourly or daily. Employees can easily see which items are on-hand, in-transit or on-order. This is especially important if you’re managing stock at multiple stores because it allows managers to place an order for all the stores from one location.

3. Order Online, Pick Up in Store. People are seeking out an omnichannel shopping experience so it’s no surprise that the “buy online, pick up in store” is becoming even more popular. It’s the perfect solution for people who want the instant gratification of getting their item the same day, while saving on shipping costs. Web-based application inventory management is updated in real time, so customers can see what’s in stock while they are shopping. It also allows them to select a different location if their item is out of stock, and have it shopped to the closest store for pickup.

4. Offsite Access. Traditional POS systems may require you to be on-site to work on back office functions or review reports, but a Web-based application lets business owners and managers access the system from anywhere with Internet access. Web-based applications store data in the cloud, so it’s open 24/7 for managers to run reports, schedule staff, and manage inventory from home while on a businesses trip, or late at night.

5. Save a Webpage (Like an App) to a Mobile Device Home Screen. Business owners and managers can save a shortcut to their Web portal – like an app – right to their smartphone or tablet so they can log in with just a few clicks. This technology, which brings their entire operation right to their fingertips, is compatible with iPhone® and Android™ OS platforms. Customers can also take advantage of your store’s Web-based application for easy, one-click ordering (if available). Having your store’s webpage available on a customer’s home screen will help ensure your store will always be their first stop.

Increasingly, retailers are opting for Web-based applications due to their ease of use, the expanded capabilities they offer, and the enhanced customer experiences they can help provide. Web-based applications are an affordable alternative to legacy POS systems that can help move your business toward greater efficiency and competitiveness.

April 13, 2017
Customer Experience Trends for the Future of Retail

Technology in retail has reached an all time high and is continuing to grow in 2017. The Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) have all began to make their breakthrough into retail technology. It’s needless to say that this technology is changing the customer experience.

IoT in Retail

The Internet of Things simply defined is the “internet working of physical devices, vehicles (also referred to as ‘connected devices’ and ‘smart devices’), buildings, and other items – embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these object to collect and exchange data.”

IoT is everywhere! If you own a smart phone, then you are using IoT on a daily basis. With the new trend of mobile wallets and near field communication (NFC) payments, retailers are beginning to use IoT in their stores to enhance the customer experience. With wearable technology and NFC payments, retailers can provide more payment options for the customer and a smoother transaction process by allowing the customer to pay via smartphone or wearable device such as an Apple Watch.

Moving toward an age of paperless transactions, it’s crucial for retailers to accept mobile payments and offer digital interaction with their shoppers via IoT. Virtual and digital communication and transactions are something that shoppers are going to be looking for in 2017, and it will have a huge impact on the overall customer experience.

VR and AR in Retail

2016 has proved to us that virtual reality and augmented reality will change the way people shop and in turn, transform the customer experience in retail. Shoppers will no longer need to physically travel to a store to experience the way something looks and feels. While VR and AR are definitely related, the two are used very differently in retail technology.

If you are active on Facebook or another social media platform, you may have notices that many people have received a pair of virtual reality goggles during the holiday season (seriously… a lot of people). Overall, these goggles are used to play video games or experience virtual realities like riding a virtual roller coaster or exploring a virtual jungle. In terms of retail technology, virtual reality could possibly be the new way people do their shopping.

How will this change the customer experience? How will this change omnichannel retail?

Think about when you are shopping online, but hesitant to make the purchase because you’re not sure if the pants you are purchasing will fit you, or because you don’t know if the lamp you’re looking at will go well in the living room. With the rise of VR, ecommerce retailers will be able to create a virtual store and connect the shopper with the physical product, without the shopping ever needing to leave their home. Sounds crazy, right?

Now let’s talk about AR. In 2016, Pokémon Go! took the world by storm by introducing one of the first successful augmented reality games for smartphones. We quickly learned how the game could affect retailers, and retailers quickly learned how to take advantage of the game by offering discounts and special promotions to their customers who were playing.

As technology continues to advance and VR and AR becomes ‘the norm’, shoppers will expect a more technologically advanced customer experience. We can already see this trend with the growing adoption of online retailers and mobile payments. Now the question is: what can SMB retailers do to keep up with this advance in technology? How can they continue to keep the customer satisfied?

SMB Retail Technology

While the rise in retail technology will have a huge impact on the overall customer experience, there are ways SMB retailers will be able to better the customer experience for their shoppers in 2017 that won’t require a virtual reality store.

One very simple way SMB retailers can use technology already available to them to ehance the customer experience, is to create an omnichannel shopping experience for their customers. Engaging customers beyond the transaction is key when creating the ultimate shopping experience. This can be done through the retailer’s website, mobile app, etc. According to nChannel, two-thirds of shoppers will check prices on their phone before making a purchase in a brick and mortar retail store. For this reason, SMB retailers need to make sure that they are engaging customers both in-store and online in order to keep their shoppers satisfied.

Enhancing the Customer Experience

In this age of new technology, omnichannel retail, and being able to basically purchase anything you need online or on your smartphone at your convenience, there is an increased pressure being put on SMB retailers to keep their customers satisfied in-store. The important thing to note is that shopping is no longer just about making the purchase, but it is about the entire shopping experience, whether that is a virtual reality store, or superior customer service.

In order for SMB retailers to keep their customers satisfied, they must first understand their audience and their needs. If a retailer’s target audience is a middle or older-aged crowd, creating an app for a virtual store may not be appealing. For this same audience, increasing customer service reps in store or sending mailing coupons might be more efficient. With every audience comes a new strategy for providing the best customer experience.

March 28, 2017
What to Expect at NRF 2017

Everyone in the point of sale industry knows that NRF is the biggest trade show of the year! As always, Star will be there exhibiting with our entire team of Star Sales, Integrations, and Marketing professionals at booth #3731. In 2016, Star released a number of new products including our TSP100III series and TSP650IIWLAN printers, our new CD3 Cash Drawers, and our PassPRNT, cloudPRNT, and StarPRNT SDK technologies. We’ve also built a number of great partnerships with point of sale software and retail technology providers.

Here’s a sneak peak of what you’ll see at the Star booth at NRF 2017:

mPOP™ Your Way!

While mPOP™ has been around for a couple of years now, Star is continuously making updates and improvements to our all-in-one peripheral to make it the best ergonomic mPOS solution on the market. This year, we are going to be showcasing the mPOP as a point of sale hub with optional accessories including a 1D or 2D barcode scanner, customer display, scale, or a DK port to connect an external cash drawer to the mPOP.

CloudPRNT

CloudPRNT is Star’s latest advance in point of sale technology, allowing users to print to Star printers directly through a cloud service. With CloudPRNT, retailers and restaurateurs can easily accept and print online orders with no need for an extra tablet to communicate with the printer. See a live demo at our booth!

Star Micronics Cloud Services Introduces the Micro Receipt™!

Star Micronics Cloud Services is making huge strides in the digital receipt market! With new features in 2016, including Receipt Flip and Data Facilitation, retailers are now offered more services for the same cost – NOTHING! SMCS is free to retailers using Star receipt printers and allows them to better engage with their customers and offer digital receipts through Star’s AllRe ceipts™ app (which is also free to download in the App Store and Google Play).

This year, SMCS is proud to introduce the Micro Receipt™. We all know that receipts are a necessary, yet sometimes annoying piece of paper that often goes missing or gets thrown away. That is why SMCS has created the Micro Receipt!

The Micro Receipt contains all of the same information as a full-length receipt, but allows the retailer to save paper by only printing their store name or logo, time stamp, and an AllReceipts™ scannable QR code. Customers can then scan the QR code on their smartphone using the AllReceipts™ app and gain access to all of their purchase information along with coupons or promotions on the digital copy. SMCS will be showing demos of the Micro Receipts, AllReceipts app, and all of their additional free services at the Star booth.

Now, let’s meet our Star partners who will be at NRF 2017:

Itemize and Star Micronics have partnered to revolutionize the digital expense receipt market. Itemize is an app that allows users to capture data from their receipts for expense purposes. They have now integrated AllReceipts™ QR capability for a more clean and legible digital receipt, ensuring more accurate data capture.

Dôr and Star Cloud Services have partnered to help retailers know their business inside and out. With Dôr, retailers can see how many customers are visiting their store, compared to how many customers are making a purchase. Retailers can now optimize staffing, improve marketing spending, and be everywhere with Dôr and SCS.

Thirdshelf, another new partner of Star Cloud Services helps retailers to build and nurture customer relationships. Combined with Engage NOW from Star Cloud Services, retailers can create branded loyalty programs to start marketing like a pro. With Thirdshelf and SCS, retailers can make every sale the start of their next.

nClose, a long time partner of Star Micronics, will be exhibiting in Star’s booth, showcasing their protective tablet enclosures and mobile credit card readers for POS. With stands and enclosures for Apple iPad®, Samsung, and Windows tablets, nClose designs pair perfectly with any of Star’s mPOS peripherals.

MoZONE offers a unique omnichannel and proximity marketing solution for all smartphones with no apps required. Using Star’s TSP100ECO printers, MoZONE allows customers to order and pay from any smartphone, tablet, or computer, while notifying customers of deals and promotions based on the customer’s location.

Star and eMobilePOS will be showcasing their point of sale solutions for retail and hospitality with Star’s mPOP™, and SM-T300i and SM-S220i mobile printers. In addition, eMobilePOS and Star will be showcasing our latest solutions with Elo’s iSeries. Visit the eMobilePOS partner counter in the Star booth for a live demo!

Visit our mPOP™ table!

The mPOP is Star’s first hybrid for tablet POS that combines a cash drawer and printer peripheral. Over the past few years, the mPOP has redefined the mPOS market, and many software providers have partnered to support the mPOP with their point of sale software solutions. Make sure to stop by our mPOP table in NRF booth to see a full display of software and stand options for the mPOP.

We look forward to seeing you there!

January 5, 2017
3 Ways to Market Your Small Business for Less

When you’re an independent retailer or a small business owner, marketing funds tend to be limited. Not only are you already competing with the big franchise retailers, but reaching and engaging with your target audience can be especially difficult because you may not have the tools and budget available to develop a massive marketing campaign like your competitors.

All is not lost! Big box or even online retail marketing will not kill your business just yet. We now have the technology right at our finger tips to reach and connect with large audiences for little, to no cost. Here are three easy ways to market your small business and engage with customers without breaking the bank!

1. Social Media

Social Media is crucial for any small business. According to Digital Trends, “people in the U.S. check their Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts a staggering 17 times a day, meaning at least once every waking hour.” With people spending that much time on social media, it is almost a guaranteed way to gain business exposure.

Since there are now so many different social media platforms available with almost all of them offering a free sign up, social media is an excellent strategy for engaging with customers and building a larger audience for your business. Social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are great for engaging with people because it allows your customers to tag you in Tweets and Instagram photos, or post directly to your wall on your business Facebook page. These social media platforms are also effective at encouraging potential shoppers to visit your website or even better, initiating conversation with customers because it allows you to integrate “call-to-actions” such as clickable links, photos, polls, lead-generation cards, and more right into your posts. This is especially great for retail because you can create social media posts about a special product, and then lead shoppers right to the website to purchase; and it’s free!

If you’re struggling to gain a good social media following, remember to communicate with your customers that you are active on social media. Utilize your social media pages to advertise sales, contests, and special promotions. If people have a reason to follow you, they will!

2. Create Content

When owning a small business, whether that be a clothing store, coffee shop, or salon, it can be tough to compete with big name franchises that already have such a large base of loyal customers. How can you help your customers be confident in the fact that your coffee tastes better than Starbucks, or that you have the scoop on the next big fashion trends that Macy’s has yet to start selling? Create content!

Owning a website or blog for your business is the best way to communicate your knowledge with customers and increase the amount of customers visiting your store. Your website or social media page is usually the first thing a person looks to when taking interest in your new business or product, so why not fill them with your abundance of knowledge for what you do?

Creating content or having a blog is a great way to communicate what’s new and trendy with your customers. For example, if you own a clothing boutique, starting a fashion blog is the perfect way to draw consumers to your website. It shows shoppers that your store not only has the best new clothes and accessories, but that your store knows what fashion trends are going to be the ‘next big thing’.

3. Digital Receipts

It seems so simple, right? Every customer is going to receive a receipt at the point of purchase. Now think about how you can use those receipts as a marketing tool!

We’ve all seen the surveys that big box retailers tell you to fill out at the bottom of the receipt to win a $500 shopping spree, and we’ve all ignored them and thrown those receipts away at one point or another. Today, with your shoppers armed with smart devices, you have a better chance at engaging with customers by going digital. There are a number of digital receipt solutions, but Star Micronics’ AllReceipts® offers a free, convenient digital receipt app that is beneficial for retailers and for shoppers.

While many digital receipt solutions require the customer to give up personal information such as their email address or phone number, AllReceipts allows the retailer to directly connect with the customer without needing any of their personal information. AllReceipts has features and tools such as Customer Survey, Flip, and Engage NOW that allow retailers to receive instant feedback from shoppers, provide their customers with promotions and coupons by utilizing the back side of the receipt, and encourage customers to visit their website or social media page. AllReceipts is a great marketing tool for retailers and allows them to offer their customers a digital receipt option, all while engaging with customers and encouraging them to come back to their store. What’s more, AllReceipts is free for retailers to install with any Star Micronics receipt printer.

Bottom line: Competing with large franchises can be difficult to do when you’re an independent retailer or a small business, but there are tons of free tools out there to market your small business. Star Micronics recognizes this, and that is why we want to help you be a better retailer!

For more information on AllReceipts®, please visit www.starcloudservices.com.

July 20, 2016
The Value of Digital Receipts

Receipts are crucial for various reasons, including tax deductions, issuing refunds or reimbursements, reconciling credit card and bank statements, providing proof of service, and more. However, as our world continues to embrace the transition to all things digital, having a shoe box full of paper receipts or a stack of them in your wallet is no longer desirable for consumers (was it ever?). Instead, well-executed digital receipts are now the preferred solution.

Although digital receipts are invaluable for retailers and customers, the reasons why vary. For retailers, they offer access to key customer data that can be used to drive a number of business decisions including which items to stock and when, tailoring marketing and promotional efforts, and more. For consumers, they provide a safe, easy and convenient way to store and manage all their receipts in a single place. As mobile devices solidify their stake as shoppers’ primary companion, a digital receipt solution is important to stay competitive.

What’s wrong with email?

When shoppers opt for emailed in lieu of printed receipts, they might not realize they are entering into the world of unsolicited email marketing. With privacy and anonymity being a top-of-mind concern among consumers today, a digital receipt solution that takes users’ email for self-serving marketing purposes creates distrust and apprehension among shoppers, making it an ineffective solution.

… Or taking a picture of the receipt?

Similar to the lack of discretion from digital receipts that demand an email address, digital receipt solutions that require users to take a picture of their printed receipt are ineffective and outdated. Think of this approach as the equivalent of holding a microphone to a speaker to record a song – would you really prefer a crackly, muffled version to the nice crisp sound of a digital audio file? It’s unlikely. Additionally, when taking a picture of a printed receipt, consumers don’t necessarily have the option to photograph the back side, therefore creating missed opportunities for marketing departments and stress for loss distrust and prevention departments.

Check out Star Cloud Services eBook to learn more about the value of digital receipts: The Value of Digital Receipts

To learn more about Star Cloud Services and AllReceipts™, please visit www.starcloudservices.com.

June 22, 2016
NRF 2016 Recap

Star Micronics would like to thank all of those who visited us at NRF Big Show 2016! We had an amazing time interacting with our customers and partners, building new relationships, and sharing information on our newest products and technology. We’d like to share some of the highlights from the show for anyone who might have missed it.

For Star, trade shows are a way to connect with our customers and partners on a more personal level. We were fortunate enough to have not only a number of partners featuring Star products in our booth, but all over the show floor. With both traditional POS and new mPOS technology and solutions being displayed, Star was able to reach a wider audience and show off both our classic, and our most innovative solutions for the POS and mPOS technology industry.

mPOP™

Our new all-in-one POS solution, the mPOP, was the star of our show this year! The mPOP, Mobile Point of Purchase, is Star’s first hybrid for tablet POS that combines a cash drawer and printer peripheral. Along with the number of mPOPs showcased in our own booth with our partners’ software and tablet mounting cases, we found them across the entire show being featured at Intel, Microsoft, MagTek, Celerant, Armor Active, and more!

TSP143III

For the first time, Star Micronics showcased our newest POS thermal receipt printer, the TSP143III, at NRF 2016! Star anticipates the TSP143III to be one of our hit products of 2016. The POS thermal receipt printer is perfect for retail and hospitality with simple “Push ‘n’ Connect” WPS set-up, WLAN connection, USB power source for tablet or mobile device charging, high-speed printing, and tons of other great features.

AllReceipts

Star Micronics is also expecting big things for AllReceipts in 2016! From Star Micronics Cloud Services, AllReceipts is a free digital receipt solution available on all Star Micronics printer models. With complete demos and free giveaways, people flooded the AllReceipts stand to learn more about how to digitally manage their receipts.

Star Micronics also had the pleasure of welcoming our Latin America team to the show. It was a great opportunity for us not only to connect with our own team, but to meet the many partners and customers that they have been working closely with as well.

Overall, it was the wonderful combination of our customers, partners, and our own Star Micronics team that helped to make NRF 2016 a successful show. Thank you again to everyone who attended and we look forward to seeing you all next year!

January 26, 2016