Which point-of-sale system is right for your business?

RETAIL

WHICH POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEM IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

All-In-One

Your point-of-sale (POS) system is the most important tool you will have in your retail business, and it's an important investment. It allows you to be efficient in managing cash flow, accepting payments and tracking your inventory. Investing in the correct POS system for your business needs will assist your business to be more cost-effective too. Let’s take a look at what types of POS systems are available for retailers and how to choose the right one for your business.

Mobile

A mobile POS system is when a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device acts as the electronic point-of-sales terminal. All you need to do is attach a card reader to the mobile device, turn on your POS software and start ringing up sales. One of the biggest advantages is that they are highly portable and will allow you to ring up sales on the spot wherever you are. They also offer the option of sending customer receipts via SMS or email from the app instead of printing receipts, which makes it great for our environment. Mobile POS systems don’t take up too much space so they are ideal for small retail stores and quick-serve establishments. Another benefit is that, depending on your vendor, your mobile POS could also offer features such as reporting, inventory management and more.

Desktop

Desktop POS systems run on your computer or laptop, either on your browser, on a desktop app, or an onpremises system. You can connect attachments such as barcode scanners, credit card readers, and cash drawers, so it can function like a typical cash register. Desktop POS systems are best used in retail stores that have checkout counters where cashiers ring up sales. While specific features vary from one platform to the next, most modern desktop POS systems have the following features: • Reporting and analytics: Ideally, your system should have the ability to generate reports on your sales, inventory, customers and more. Having such data at your fingertips will help you make more informed decisions around stock control, marketing, shopper management and more. • Inventory management: POS and inventory management systems typically go hand-in-hand. Whenever you ring up a sale, your POS system should automatically update your stock levels so you always have an estimate on how many products you have at any time. • Paperless transacting with email receipts:

Customers can receive their payment receipts via email, which leads to a paperless way of transacting with them. • CRM: When transacting with your retail business, customers can leave their personal data on your device, helping you to collect information such as their name, contact numbers, email addresses and birthdates. • Loyalty programs: Your system could also allow you to monitor customer loyalty programmes.

It offers the benefit of emailing birthday greetings, keeping track of customer loyalty points and sending promotional offers, all of which create a better retail shopping experience, leading to higher customer retention.

All-in-one POS systems are the solutions that offer both desktop and mobile POS systems. These systems offer everything included in mobile and desktop POS systems and are best suited for established retailers. The all-in-one POS system allows you to run multiple stores and implement various processes. Your business has unique needs, and when deciding on the right POS system for those needs, it is important to consider your size, processes and long-term aspirations. Small and medium-sized businesses are constantly experiencing growth so it is important to choose a POS that suits your budget and that you can later expand to meet the changing needs of your business as it grows.

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

HOW DIAGEO'S J&B HIVE IS DOING GREAT THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY Helping entrepreneurs take their business to the next level

As unemployment among the South African youth skyrockets, entrepreneurial start-ups are fast becoming a necessity for South African school-leavers. The sad fact is the plethora of bright, young minds do not match the limited number of opportunities available. An expanding enterprise development project, The J&B Hive, is seeking to address this issue and is quickly making waves among the budding creative entrepreneur community in Joburg. Set on the corner of two busy streets in the heart of Braamfontein, the J&B Hive is a workspace and event venue freely accessible to the community and, most importantly, a creative incubator where local entrepreneurs can apply for equity-free investment to help grow their businesses. Established in 2015, The J&B Hive is funded by Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol. The initiative forms part of Diageo’s enterprise development programme and has quickly become an entrenched part of the local community. “The J&B Hive is more than just a free space to work, but also an incubation hub for up-and-coming talent who need a little help to get their business up to the next level. One of Diageo’s commitments to South Africa is to help build sustainable businesses and jobs. The J&B Hive does just that,” says Zumi Njongwe, the marketing and innovations director of Diageo SA. The J&B Hive has a membership community of 45 small businesses, all rooted in the creative industry. New membership recruitment happens on a bi-annual basis though an application process. Applicants are narrowed down through a stringent vetting process and, with only a limited number of places available each year, the stakes are high. Those that make it through will be given financial support, mentorship, training and access to a membership network filled with the potential for synergy. They will also enjoy free access to the coworking space and its top-class equipment, including Apple software, cameras, lighting and more. In support of the wider creative community and to encourage further entrepreneurial growth, The J&B Hive also allocates complimentary weekly slots to non-members, where individuals or businesses can make use of the venue to either showcase their offering or host learning events. Again, this is

Hello Africa Travel Street Food Festival at the J&B Hive

an opportunity to meet other small business owners and build a foundation for possible collaboration. J&B is a brand that was itself born through the collaboration of an Italian named Giacamo Justerini (the ‘J’) and an Englishman named Alfred Brookes (the 'B' in J&B) and made famous by Eddie Tatham in America. It is celebrating 250 years of history and tells the story of the good that happens when people work together. As a company that operates in more than 180 countries worldwide, Diageo hopes that the Joburg-based J&B Hive will be the first of many around Africa and the globe. The idea is to create a global community that can tap into each other’s skills from across the world.

“Diageo’s goal is to empower the communities in which we work and operate. We are incredibly proud to fund such an important initiative as this one and to see people, businesses and communities thriving as a result,” says Njongwe.

An ordinary day at the J&B Hive

ADVERTISE IN SA’S NUMBER 1 TOWNSHIP TRADE MAGAZINE!

For more information contact pressman@contactmedia.co.za

Proudly endorsed by: Communicate directly to more than

45 000

entrepreneurs

in the townships that services millions of consumers on a daily basis

Approximate, combine monthly spend estimated at

R450 million

on product and services for their businesses

> Focused and trade specific <

360˚

Marketing approach

45 000

Estimated readersip