Beyond standard navigation, I find it very useful in a mapping program to visualise the route before departure, including turn-offs and the final destination.

However, for business owners, another plus is vetting the people you are about to do business with. I might be ordering stock from a wholesaler in China or arranging delivery to a new customer I have not visited. It is invaluable to review them in advance.

Using mapping software isn't just about finding your way; it allows us to virtually “visit” a location before we commit to anything:

• Route Visualisation: I can see the destination and the immediate turn-offs well in advance.
• Logistics Verification: Can we actually deliver there? One of my clients sent a 3-tonne truck to a new customer located in a narrow, dead-end laneway. The truck could not physically fit inside.
• Due Diligence: Is this supplier legitimate? A fancy website can hide the fact that a “major distributor” is actually just a residential garage overseas, as I did. A quick check on a map reveals the truth.

To help you perform this due diligence effectively, we first tested mapping software with our POS Software back in 2009. That was a long time ago, so I decided to revisit the market to see what has changed and what is best mapping tools for retailers today.

I tested the top six free mapping tools currently available. My goal was simple: to find the best free mapping tool for my clients. Here is why most failed, and why Google Maps, the one we picked, is still the undisputed leader.

The Showdown: Consumer Apps vs. Satellite Tech

I looked at a mix of the six most highly rated mapping apps today:

• Google Maps
• Apple Maps
• Bing Maps
• Copernicus Browser
• World Imagery Wayback
• ArcGIS Viewer

I quickly rejected the professional tools: Copernicus Browser, ArcGIS Viewer, and ArcGIS World Imagery. While these are incredible pieces of technology for earth observation, they fail the retail test.

Why they don't work for you:

• Blurry Resolution: You can't see the loading dock or front door; you just see a grey smudge.
• No Data: I could not see the building well. They are not designed for this use.
• No Routing: You can’t ask them for driving directions.

You can safely ignore these professional tools for retail purposes.

The “Big Three” Comparison

This is where the real battle lies.

1. Google Maps: The Undisputed King

Years ago, we integrated Google Maps into our POS software. It was a move that compelled our competitors to emulate us; rather than doing their own research, they simply copied our approach. We used it because it worked the best. Today, I feel Google Maps remains the best all-rounder for business use, and it comes down to three key factors.

• Street View Verification: The coverage is unmatched. You can look almost anywhere in Australia and instantly verify an address.
• The Power of “Real People” Reviews: This is Google's killer feature. Unlike Apple Maps (which is playing catch-up) or Bing, Google has a massive army of “Local Guides.” These are actual people visiting these businesses.
  • Why this matters: A supplier can fake a website, but it is much harder to fake a 5-year history of reviews from real drivers and customers. If a supplier claims to be a bustling hub but has zero reviews or user photos, proceed with caution.
  • The “area” Check: User reviews often mention specific logistical details, like “easy parking around the back” or “tight squeeze for trucks.” The client I mentioned above, whose truck couldn't fit down the lane, would likely have avoided the issue by reading the reviews first and sending a small van.
• Accessibility Data: Google allows users to update accessibility info. I find the “accessible parking” label very useful. When I took my Mum, who has limited mobility, out for dinner, knowing in advance that the restaurant had wheelchair access was very helpful.

2. Apple Maps: A Case of Form Over Function

I noticed that Apple Maps has improved significantly. Its “Look Around” feature is visually stunning, often smoother and clearer than Google’s Street View. It will certainly get you where you want to go.

However, it falls short on business intelligence.

• Missing Details: It often lacks the granular business info retailers need.
• Navigation First: Apple Maps is designed to be a great driving experience, not a research experience. It will get you there beautifully, but it won't help you, I think, to figure out who is there as effectively as Google.
• Older Info: When I tested it, I found the map data was often older than Google Maps. In one instance, the Apple image was two years old, while the Google Map was only six months old. A lot can change in two years. I also did not like that, unlike Google, it did not provide an image date.

3. Bing Maps

Bing ranks third in general use. I generally find that Google has much more information about Australia than Bing does. This is a real problem for Aussies. On the plus side it does use the google maps for business information. 

But it has one function I really liked: Bird's Eye View. Unlike standard satellite views that look straight down, Bird’s Eye looks from a 45-degree angle. This lets you see a building's height and the layout of its side entrances. If you can’t get a clear look at a supplier on Google, try Bing’s Bird’s Eye view. It might reveal a loading bay or side door that was hidden on other maps. I recommend checking it out; it is very good.

Practical Advice for Your Business

So, how should you use this in your daily operations?

Although Apple and Bing are both usable, I would recommend:

1. Stick with Google Maps as your “Database." It is the real winner for business data.
2. Look for the Human Element. Don't just look at the star rating; also consider the user comments. On the business side, for research and verification, Google remains the best in the market.

If you are using our software, here are instructions for using it integrated with our POS Software.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Running a supplier review every now and then is fine, but we are focused on the RBA card reforms decision, which is due in March 2026. Our submission is here. Now I can guarantee you, your margins are under attack from both hidden supplier costs and the likely ban on surcharging, which will result in many of you seeing a drop in margins.

If you are not careful, your best-line costs can creep up quietly, leaving you stuck with products that no longer cover their costs. This guide shows you how to use supplier analysis and your POS system to protect profit and reduce risk.

How to do a supplier analysis

What you are looking for is a supplier that delivers strong sales and profits.

Go to register sales reports and then go to "Sales comparison by supplier"

I recommend using the previous 12 months for comparison with the last 12 months.

For the initial run, use the percentage.

Then a report like this pops up.

Try it now, it only takes a second.

Your POS system has an invaluable tool for managing supplier relationships and improving operational efficiency. I suggest running it again with absolute figures as well. 

Look at the profit figure. Today, we are seeing significant downward margin creep. This report is an excellent place to see it. Downward margin creep has many causes, often a mix of changing customer habits and supplier price shifts.

Action: Identify underperforming suppliers and address concerns directly. Then, strengthen relationships with high-performing suppliers.

Put supplier analysis first (do not use supplier loyalty)

Do not measure your supplier by how much you buy from them; instead, focus on what they deliver to your business: profit, sell-through, reliability, and support.

I think it's best that you clarify your relationship with your supplier. Understanding your position can help you tailor your approach, such as negotiating better terms and/or diversifying your supplier base.

Suppliers tend to prioritise larger retailers because of their greater spending power. This often leaves Small to Medium Business (SMB) retailers struggling to secure favourable terms. The other issue is that they know SMB retailers often lack the accounting expertise of larger chains and try to capitalise on this. You need to verify their figures. As a general rule, the information they give you is the information they want you to know. This is where your POS System is a big help, as it knows your figures and has no agenda in what it shows you.

Card payment reforms: why margin visibility matters now

A major financial change is on the horizon, making it urgent to know your margins.

With the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) due to make its final decision on card payment reforms in March 2026, you should prepare for a likely change: that you will almost certainly be banned from adding surcharges on debit cards, and possibly credit cards too.

If surcharging is banned, the impact is immediate:

• Merchant fees become a direct business cost rather than a pass-through to the customer.
• Shelf prices must rise to cover this gap.
• Safe pricing becomes impossible if you don’t know your exact margins right now.

You cannot make safe pricing decisions if you don’t know your exact profit numbers by product and supplier.

Verify the “margin help” promises.

Some suppliers are already aware of these changes and may promise to adjust their pricing structures to increase your margin to cover these costs. Do not just take their word that they will do this they do not tend to see it as you lose a percent but that they have an extra percent. You must verify that this actually happens, because based on past experience, I rarely see suppliers do it, and if they do, it's only partial. If they do it, it will come through a “margin adjustment” that you need to check to ensure it delivers the extra percentage points you need.

What you should do:

• Measure your card costs: Work out exactly what you pay in merchant fees as a percentage of sales.
• Track the change: If a supplier claims they have improved your margin to cover these fees, run your “Sales Comparison by Supplier” report for the period after the change.
• Compare the reality: Did your profit margin on their line actually go up? If the data shows the margin has dropped, you are absorbing those card fees yourself and may need to raise your prices immediately to compensate.
• Document your reason: You may possibly need to justify price rises later. Knowing your data now will allow you to say: “We adjusted prices to keep the business viable as costs shifted.”

Diversify to reduce risk.

Relying on a single supplier puts your business at considerable risk, including stock shortages or price hikes. You should consider diversifying your supplier base.

The benefits of diversification are clear:

• You reduce dependency risks.
• You gain leverage in negotiations by having alternative options.
• You ensure consistent product availability.
• You have a wider selection of products.
• You’re not left stranded if one supplier faces disruptions.

Actionable Step: Use your POS system to track supplier sales performance. Could you identify which suppliers are underperforming and explore alternatives to fill gaps?

Negotiate beyond “just price”

Sometimes you may find the salesman has little flexibility on price, but they typically have room to manoeuvre on other points. Negotiation isn’t just about securing the lowest price; it is about more. Often, the seller has more flexibility than initially disclosed; you must be willing to ask.

• Quality
• Range
• Extended payment terms (e.g., 30-day credit).
• Bulk discounts or promotional pricing.
• Marketing support.
• Shipping Terms.

For example, I once told our supplier that we were going to a show. In exchange for showcasing their products, they provided me with their advanced UPS.

Conduct independent research

Suppliers may present information that benefits their agenda, but verify everything independently. Ask your customers, visit similar shops, examine the advertising, use your POS reports, and do Google searches.

I find that Amazon's top-selling lists in Australia are a valuable resource for seeing what is actually trending, regardless of what a rep tries to sell you.

These are some items to check:

• Compare sales data for similar products between Supplier A and Supplier B.
• Assess whether each supplier's margins meet your financial targets. Some suppliers hide their margins, which can be a problem.

Is your POS ready for March 2026?

We do not have much time, so don't wait for the RBA decision to catch you off guard. Log in to your POS today, run the ‘Sales Comparison by Supplier’ report, and verify your true margins before costs shift.

Don't guess your margins. POS Solutions gives you the exact reporting tools you need to negotiate with confidence.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Cafe owners nationwide are pushing prices to $7 a cup for newsagency coffee, claiming $5–$5.50 leaves them unable to survive. Customers hate it, and many simply won't pay. For Australian newsagencies, convenience stores, and boutiques, this backlash creates a massive opportunity. You can capture frustrated caffeine seekers, boost foot traffic, and lift impulse sales on magazines, gifts, books, cards, and stationery, as they do not have the crippling cafe overheads, which are killing them. This practical guide explains the cafe crunch, why retailers might win big, and delivers a 6-step checklist to launch a profitable coffee department that complements your business.

The Cafe Cost Reality

Overall, Australia's $3.5–4B coffee market rivals the books market ($3–5B) and dwarfs the newspapers market ($2.9B). 

Yet Australian cafes today face severe economic conditions in 2026.

Labour now accounts for about 35–45% of every revenue dollar. What hurts is the weekend/public holiday penalties.

Rent/utilities take 20–25%.

Ingredients cost 20–30%

The $200k–$500k setups incur $0.30–$0.80 in depreciation per cup.

Raw flat white ingredients run ~$0.90 (beans/milk),

Full costs hit $4–$6.60

Break-Even Pressures

At $5.50 per cup, it's insufficient to cover 300–400 cups per day. They are looking at $6.50+ to survive.

The problem is that many will walk away from $7.

Why Retailers should look at this.

You skip cafe killers: no massive fit-outs, no barista wages, no seating headaches, and this position you perfectly to capture $ 7 shock shoppers, funnelling people your way for value.

The Winning Traffic Shift:

• Pre-$7: Shoppers linger at cafes, some spilling to your shop.

• Your Win: Capture an estimated 25% shift; 20–50 cups/day at $4 yields $15k–$38k extra profit yearly (70% margins).

High street newsagencies near bus stops and railway stations are in the perfect position. 

Your 6-Step Launch Checklist

Skip supplier hype. I've seen retailers thrive (and crash) on these.

1. Permissions: Can You Add Coffee Legally?

Centre leases or council rules often block food additions. Check first. 

• Action: Email: "Low-volume coffee machine as counter add-on, no seating, minimal waste."

• Reality: 1–2 sqm + 10–15amp power.

2. Price Smart: Scout Competition

Checkout the prices and availability in your area. What you are looking for is whether a $4 coffee is viable. 

3. Machine Reality

Skip pods, Aussies want proper coffee.

Check which machines are available to you. I would suggest going into a partnership with a coffee supplier. Make sure you have an exit path, even if it costs slightly more. Most coffee machine suppliers offer a trial period; make sure you take advantage of it.

4. Operations Truth

What I suggest you look at is 2 to 6 cups per hour.

Your staff will need about 30 minutes to operate the coffee machine.

Daily setup is about 5-minutes

Probably another 10 minutes for cleaning.

Waste disposal takes another 10 minutes.

5. Quality Test

For some unknown reason, coffee made with the same ingredients can taste different; you need to monitor the taste.

6. Maintenance

Please review the maintenance terms for the machine carefully. It's the biggest problem most of my customers with such machines tell me: the machine has been out for ages. Ask whether they provide replacement machines while yours is being repaired.These machines break down a lot.

Loyalty Boosts: Your Profit Multiplier

Loyalty Hack: The coffee costs $2, but customers perceive it as worth $4–$7.  That is a powerful combination.

Coffee bundles can build loyalty, such as 

• Family: coffee and a magazine

• Gift: Coffee + greeting card ($4.50).

• Reading: For newsagencies say $7 for a coffee and 30 minutes free browsing of magazines. Why not let them browse for free if they buy coffee?   They may actually buy a magazine too at the end.

Monitor your coffee sales

As with everything, monitor your coffee sales in your POS System. You need hard facts!

While many of you will be busy with the BBQ and the beach, our office will be staying busy behind the scenes. So even though it's a public holiday for many, our support team is online to ensure your business stays secure and your POS systems stay smooth.
 

During our 2025 survey, we found that many of our POS System users see real AI risks, including hallucinations that invent facts and privacy breaches under the Privacy Act. Our 2025 survey revealed a clear split: about a third were really positive, about a third were neutral, and the rest were deeply sceptical, with comments like "Hell No," "Don't trust AI," and fears of privacy invasion or AI "making stuff up."

Let us discuss these concerns with real examples, to help people to protect their operations while exploring AI's potential.

Hallucinations: AI's Plausible Errors

Everyone makes mistakes, your accountants, your electricians, etc. AI stands out because it makes so many errors (hallucinates). The problem is that it delivers its advice so confidently with so much information that it's hard to disagree with the wrong answers that sound right. No AI system eliminates this fully; claims to the contrary are misleading.

Real Retail Impacts:

• One of our clients faced copyright issues over a gift design card. Their AI advised sending a letter and including that they would take this issue to the Small Claims Tribunal if the people continued. When they checked with a lawyer, they were told it was pure nonsense, as copyright falls under the Federal Court. That letter would have made it worse. Much worse.
• In 2025, a legal case in the US involved an Agentic AI that deleted a company database, created 4,000 fake user records, and covered up the mess with false reports.
• I heard of an AI that was set to tidy up stock; it wiped many slow-selling greeting cards from the POS System files. The physical items were in the shop, but the POS System had no record of them because they had been deleted.
• I set an AI to examine one of our e-commerce client sites, which reported false stock sold on its invented promotions that never happened.

Always treat AI as a draft and verify manually to reduce problems if you are using an Agentic AI. Never let the AI act until you check the answer.

Privacy Invasion: Data Slips Out of Control

Survey users flagged "invades privacy," and they're spot on. Sending customer details, like say a book buyer's habits, to AI often means exporting data beyond your reach. This risks breaching Australia's Privacy Act.

Now, once that data hits US or Chinese servers, which is where most Australian AI is going, your control ends, and if you get into a privacy legal problem, I doubt the large AI providers will try to shield you. On the contrary, I am sure they will do everything they can to pass the blame onto you.

If you are sending user information, I strongly recommend avoiding your clients' names; instead, use their account numbers. You know their account numbers; no one else does.

Legal situation

Your data legally remains yours, but AI firms host it abroad, and those records are considered their property. US companies may hand it over to Australian courts without telling you if asked. If you use a Chinese system, this further complicates legal matters for the Australian Courts.

I doubt that relying on "privacy settings" will protect you from legal orders related to employee disputes, supplier contracts, or customer lists. Secret AI accounts and VPNs might help if you want privacy.

Human-in-the-Loop: The Essential Safeguard

AI is still new. We are all experimenting with it; currently, we view AI as a time-saver, not a replacement. You need human oversight to supervise.

Simple Steps for Your POS:

• Start with aggregated data only, no names, limited addresses and no emails.
• Always review AI suggestions.
• Measure how AIs work for you.

AI does work; our clients who use our free AI stock inventory system report massive benefits.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Are you wondering whether to open your store on Australia Day, Monday, January 26, 2026? I've spoken to a few of my clients across Australia facing the same dilemma. Some told me that they would skip trading due to high penalty rates. Others will open. One told me that my business cannot afford not to open, but it will be staffed by family only. Another told me that, as they are a licensee near an official Australia Post office, which will close on January 26, they expect to get some of that traffic.

If you are unsure, use your POS System to run a few reports to see what your traffic and profit are on such days. The dissection profit report is worth looking at, as it shows traffic, sales, and profit.

Lessons from the Big Players

I had a few laughs at Woolworth's Australia Day backflip. In 2024, they ditched flags after low sales, with what I thought was one of stupiest retail marketing decisions ever, which sparked boycotts and even vandalism. Now, they've stocked up on an "Australia Day section". Woolworths is now highlighting "Aussie-made" food products and specific Aussie-made flags.

If you do not intend to sell Australian Day items, say nothing; there is no point in offending 70% of the Australian population. But I think that most retailers can put together some Australian items on a stand and post a sign that reads "Gifts for Australia Day," at no cost.

Tailored Tips to Maximise Sales

If you are going to be making Australia Day work for your store.

Start planning now.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Thanks to everyone who completed our survey! Your feedback helps us focus on what matters most to you.

Why We Run This Survey Every Year

For 40 years, our annual survey has guided decisions on our products and services. It helps us learn what's working, improve areas, and enhance your experience. Most importantly, it lets you shape the direction of our software. Your feedback ensures updates and features meet your retail needs.

What You Told Us

We're still analysing all the responses (and there were a lot of interesting comments, thank you again!), but here are a few early highlights that stood out:

• The majority of you find our software easy to use, rating it as good or excellent.
• Updates and new features are hitting the mark.
• Our support team earned glowing reviews for being quick, professional, and reliable.
• AI is very controversial. The biggest problem people report is that AI often gives wrong results and nonsense.

We especially loved reading comments that our support team continues to deliver outstanding service. Thanks, it means a lot to us. Your positive experiences remind us why we do what we do together.

Your Suggestions Are Already in Motion

Many of you gave thoughtful suggestions about improving reporting features, and we're already considering this feedback.

Our NPS Score: A Reflection of Your Trust

We're thrilled to share that our Net Promoter Score (NPS) reached 72 this year. I could not believe it. I double and triple-checked it because it was so high. That score is in the stratosphere.

A Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a KPI that measures customer loyalty by asking customers how likely they are to recommend an organisation. The final score is from -100 to +100. It shows customer satisfaction.

Missed a Follow-Up? We'd Love to Hear From You

Some of you shared ideas and asked for feedback, but didn't include contact details. If that was you, please reach out to us directly, as we do not know who to reply to.

Looking Ahead

Your feedback is the driving force behind everything we build. Whether it's a smoother checkout experience, richer data insights, or better customer support, your ideas keep us focused on what matters most — helping your business thrive.

Your next steps

Want to share more ideas or ask a question about upcoming features?

Contact our team today. We are here to hear from you!

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

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Everyone says to "get more customers," good advice. This is both time-consuming and costly. A faster way is to increase profits by selling more to existing customers, increasing the basket size.

Why Basket Size

The retail basket size is a well-known KPI that measures the average number of items a customer buys in a single visit.

Get 1 in 10 customers to add an extra $5 item to their basket, and your bottom line grows immediately.

The Psychology of the "Second Item"

Getting the first sale is hard work; you have to win their trust. But the second item? That's pure psychology. Remember, it's often not just them, as often people come as families, and the first item and the second item are usually an impulsive buy by another person in that family, a treat for a child.

1. Turn "Service Anchors" into Sales

A Service Anchor is anything that brings people into your shop purely for a task. This includes:

• Lottery tickets.
• Parcel collection and returns.
• Public transport
• Bill payments.

While these services drive foot traffic, they often yield low direct margins. Your goal is to convert this 'few-second' service interaction into a retail sale. Check your POS Companion reports to see which anchors currently convert best, then optimise the others.

The Strategy:
Still, if these customers walk in, do their task, and then walk out, you do not want them to walk out.

• Line the queue: Place high-margin, impulsive items right where they wait.
• Interrupt the path: If they are coming for a parcel, they are likely in a rush. Place a "Gift of the Week" display near the collection point so they can solve a future problem (like a birthday gift) right now.

2. Master the Art of Companion Selling

What helps is to identify products that naturally go together. In retail, we call this Cross-Merchandising.

You need items that sell with other products. What you will see are these products in your companion reports. Consider these recommendations.

Navigate to Sales-Register > Dissection Companion Sales by Period in your POS software.

Try looking for the items that sell more than other products. You should ensure that these items are prominently displayed. To maximise sales, major retailers often display these items across many locations under different categories. For example, a Christmas Card can be shown in the Card department and the Christmas section.

Finding these Companion items

In your POS software

Go to Sales-Register > Dissection Companion Sales by Period.

Look for items that sell well with other departments. It is beneficial because it can help you select a product to display prominently near a department. This is a well-known method of increasing incremental sales that all majors use.

You take items that sell well with that department and place them in that department's area. There is nothing wrong with a good seller having a few spots in the shop.

Also, moving products by type rather than supplier, e.g. moving some of the chocolates other businesses produce closer to Darrel Lea Chocolates, could result in many more sales. Darrel Lea might not like that, but...

As you can see here by the green arrow, the books should be close to the stationery.

Now, if you've found these things, you should look at the following:

The Reader's Bundle

Don't just shelve books. Try other products near the book. You aren't selling a book. What about some bookmarks?

The Gift Station

This idea works well. Often, people buy items as gifts; if so, they need a birthday card, maybe some gift wrap, or a small gift bag. Put these items on a stand.

How to find your companions:
You don't have to guess. Your POS system holds the answer.

Run a "Companion Sales report" in your software. This will tell you exactly which items are frequently sold together.

• Example: If your data shows that 30% of people who buy a children's magazine also buy a packet of stickers, move those stickers right next to the children's magazine rack.

Once you have the right products next to each other, the next challenge is keeping the customer in the store long enough to notice them.

3. Create "Dwell Time"

You must compete on discovery.

The longer a customer spends in your store (Dwell Time), the more they are likely to buy. Studies show that a 1% increase in dwell time can drive a 1.3% rise in sales. You want to create a "sanctuary" where they can slow down.

Create Browsing Zones

Ensure your book or gift section has wider aisles.

Lighting Matters

Brighter lights work for transaction counters, but in the shop, softer lighting encourages browsing.

Curate, Don't Clutter

Too much stock can be overwhelming. Research indicates that reducing assortment clutter by 15% can actually increase basket size by up to 23% by making decisions easier for the customer.

4. Use "Speed Bumps" in Your Shop Design

If your store layout is too "clean," customers might walk straight to the counter without looking left or right.

You need Visual Interruptions, which we call speed bumps.

These are small displays or tables placed in the middle of a walkway that force the customer to slow down and walk around them.

• Use a "Staff Favourites" table.
• Use a "Top Sellers" table
• Highlight a "New Arrival" product.
• Showcase a seasonal bundle (e.g., Back to School or Mother's Day).

By physically slowing their walk, you reset their attention and give them a chance to see something they didn't know they wanted.

5. The Power of Bundling

In 2026, customers love a deal but also value convenience. Bundling solves both.

Product bundling is when you group related items and sell them as a single unit, often with a slight discount or just for the convenience of "grabbing and going."

• The "Ready-to-Give" Bundle: A mug, a packet of tea, and a gift bag wrapped together.
• The "School Starter" Pack: Essential stationery items pre-packed in a pencil case.

This automatically increases the basket size because the customer is buying three items instead of one. It feels like a better value to them, and it moves more stock for you.

6. Train Your Team on the "Helpful Ask"

Your staff are the final line of defence for basket size.

Many are afraid of being pushy. You need to teach them that suggesting an add-on is actually good customer service, particularly if you can show product knowledge, e.g., "People tell me you need a good battery with that toy; I suggest you consider ...".

Simple scripts to try:

• "Did you manage to find a card to go with this gift?"
• "We have a special on [Item X] today, it's half price"
• "Have you seen our new local chocolates? These are really nice."

A handy rule I find here is to ask people why they bought the product and what they thought of it; often, that will give you something to discuss.

7. Measure, Rinse, Repeat

You cannot improve what you don't measure.

Modern point-of-sale systems are powerful tools. They are not just for ringing up sales; they are for analysing them.

Navigate to End of Day > Reporting > Average Basket Size by Hour.

Then enter a date to see how the size of a retail basket changes throughout the day at your store. The time can be significant. Find out why?

We've broken it down by account and retail sales. Generally, we observe larger basket sizes in account sales.

Make it a habit to check your numbers weekly.

Conclusion: Start Small, Win Big

Pick ONE of these strategies to test this week. Check your POS report in a week; if it worked, keep it. Consider the next.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

As we enter 2026, for planning purposes, I created this calendar to show key retail holidays month by month, based on last years list adding a few more and taking out some that did not work and added some merchandising and signage ideas. I based this on actual sales data from some clients.

January 2026: Fresh Starts & Back to School

Key dates:

• 1 January – New Year's Day (public holiday).
• 26 January – Australia Day (public holiday).
• 28 January – Schools Return (Most regions).

Merchandising actions:

• Expand your "Back to School" zone: pens, glue, exercise books, book coverings, labels.
• Run a "New Year, New Habits" table: diaries, planners, journals, puzzle books.

Signage that sells:

• Window/A-frame: "Back to school top-ups here."
• Feature table: "Get organised for 2026."
• Counter: "Forgotten items: pens, labels, glue sticks."

February 2026: Valentine's & Lunar New Year

Key dates:

• 14 February – Valentine's Day (Saturday).
• 17 February – Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse). It represents energy, freedom, independence, vitality, and perseverance, symbolizing forward movement, ambition, and a strong, hardworking spirit.

Merchandising actions:

• Valentine's isn't just couples. Stock cards for friends, kids, and "from the dog"—these drive volume.
• Lunar New Year: Red/gold colour story, luck-themed gifts, strong gift presentation.

Signage that sells:

• "Cards for every kind of love."
• "Lucky gifts + celebration cards."
• "Gift bundles under $25 / $50."

March 2026: Long Weekend & Easter Build

Plan ahead: Easter display materials needs to be ready by mid-March.

Signage that sells:

• "Easter is early this year so don't leave it late."
• "Premium Easter gifts inside."

April 2026: Easter Peak, Holidays & ANZAC

Key dates:

• 5 April – Easter
• 25 April – ANZAC Day (public holiday).
• Term 1 ends 2 April (school holidays begin most regions).

Merchandising actions:

• Easter display discipline: Messy looks like "sold out." Keep it tight.
• School holidays: Puzzle books, activity books, craft kits.

Signage that sells:

• "Ready-made Easter gifts."
• "Screen-free fun."
• "Lest we forget" (respectful for ANZAC).

May 2026: Mother's Day & EOFY Prep

Key dates:

• 10 May – Mother's Day.

Merchandising actions:

• High-margin bundles: cards + gift + wrap + add-on.
• Train staff: "Candle or book with the card?"

Signage that sells:

• Window: "Mother's Day gifts from $10."
• Table: "Mum bundles: card + gift + wrap."
• Counter: "Last-minute cards here."

June 2026: EOFY Rush

• Stocktake sales starts

Key dates:

• 30 June – End of Financial Year

Merchandising actions:

• Tax deductions: diaries, office supplies, filing, printer ink.
• Start signage mid-June.

Signage that sells:

• "EOFY essentials."
• "Clearance while stocks last."
• "Stocktake sale."

July 2026: New FY Reset

Key dates:

• 1 July – Stocktake sales continue

Merchandising actions:

• Stocktake clearance: Reset shop standards.

Signage that sells:

• "New financial year reset."
• "Clearance end of line."
• "New arrivals here."

September 2026: Father's Day & Finals

Key dates:

• 6 September – Father's Day.
• 26 September – AFL Grand Final

Merchandising actions:

• Father's Day: One table, clear categories.
• Finals: Party supplies impulse.

Signage that sells:

• "Father's Day Sunday—don't forget."
• "Funny cards + small gifts."
• "Finals party supplies."

October 2026: Halloween & Christmas Staging

Key dates:

• 31 October – Halloween.

Merchandising actions:

• Halloween front display: Tight range.
• Christmas floor space now.

Signage that sells:

• "Trick or treat ready."
• "Christmas cards now in."
• "2027 diaries arriving."

November 2026: Christmas Launch & Big Sales

Key dates:

• 27 November – Black Friday official start of the Christmas season.

Merchandising actions:

• Christmas cards fully out by early November.
• Black Friday signage competes with majors.

Signage that sells:

• "Christmas starts here."
• "Cards by recipient."
• "Black Friday deals inside."

December 2026: Christmas Peak & Boxing

Key dates:

• 25 December – Christmas Day.
• 26 December – Boxing Day.
• 31 December – New Year's Eve.

Merchandising actions:

• "Grab-and-go" counter zone.
• Repeat visits for cards.

Signage that sells:

• "Christmas."
• "Last-minute easy."

Don't Let This Page Get Lost

Download the One-Page 2026 Retail Planner PDF

Ready to track it all effortlessly? Book a demo of our POS system to automate seasonal ordering and print shelf labels in seconds.

Additional Retail Opportunities

Remember to check out fun retail days that align with your brand. For example, 29 January is Puzzle Day, an ideal day to market themed promotions on puzzle books. Visit here for more ideas to spice up your retail calendar.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Supplier Margins Are Often Wrong: Here’s How to Find the Truth

Understanding your actual profit margins is the only way to make a profitable shop. While suppliers often promise healthy returns, the reality of retail with shrinkage, damage, and necessary discounting means your actual number is probably much lower.

For retailers, relying on these "best-case" figures can be dangerous. It's time to stop guessing and use your Point of Sale (POS) system to find the truth.

The "Margin Illusion" Explained

Suppliers and sales reps usually quote a margin based on a perfect scenario: buying at the list price and selling at the Recommended Retail Price (RRP). They rarely account for the hidden costs that happen in a real shop. Even good sales reps often repeat these "best-case" figures because that is what they have been given. They avoid the "leakage" that happens on your floor. In the real world, your margin shrinks every time a staff member offers a discount, a product is damaged, or stock is marked down to clear. 

The Real Math: A Quick Example

Consider a gift item you buy for $10 and sell for $20.

• Supplier Promise: "100% Markup" or 50% Gross Profit.
• The Reality: If you have to discount that item by just 25% to clear the last few units, or if one breaks, your actual margin across that line might drop to 33% or lower.

If you build your budget on 50% but only bank 33%, your badly overestimating. 

How to Verify Your Margins in Your POS System

To fix this, verify your margins using your own sales data. The most powerful tool for this is the Discounted Item Sales Summary in your POS software.

Step 1: Getting the Report

Don't rely on total store averages; get specific.

1. Navigate to Sales > Discounted Item Sales Summary in your POS menu.
2. Select a meaningful date range (the last 12 months is ideal to smooth out seasonal spikes).

Step 2: Reading the Data

Once you have the report, look for the gaps between the List Price and the Average Sell Price. This report reveals exactly where you are discounting by quantity and by price. [conversation_history:1]

Now in sales, select  the "Discounted Item Sales Summary."

Pick a period. I suggest the last 12 months and now check; I would recommend it as a first attempt by the department.

Now you will get a detailed report of where you are discounting by quantity and price.

You will quickly see which products—and which suppliers—are dependent on discounts to move stock.

The Importance of Regular Margin Analysis

Making margin analysis a regular part of your business review process is beneficial. Who said today's price and margin are valid tomorrow? By consistently monitoring your actual margins, you can:

1. Quickly identify trends or changes in profitability.
2. Make data-driven decisions about product lines, pricing, and promotions.
3. Maintain a clear understanding of your business's financial health.

Remember, average retail profit margins can vary significantly by department.

Turn Data Into Profit: Actionable Strategies

Once you know your actual profit margin, you can stop "accidental discounting" and make profitable decisions. 

• Pricing Strategy Refinement: Identify items with consistently low realised margins. Is the buy price too high? Is the RRP unrealistic? Adjust your pricing or drop the product.
• Supplier Negotiations: Your best weapon. Don't just complain; show the rep the data. Tell them, "I had to discount your candles by 20% to sell them, so I need a better buy price to keep stocking them."
• Inventory Management: Stop stocking items that only sell when they are on sale. Shift your budget to products that hold their margin without help.
• Discount Strategy Review: Ask yourself why you are discounting. If you are matching a big competitor on low-margin stationery, ensure you have a strategy to upsell high-margin items to cover that loss.

Conclusion

Margin margins move with time often yesterday's price and margin are not be relevant now. By making margin analysis a regular practice, you can identify trends.  Don’t rely solely on a supplier's promises based on ideal theories.

Are you ready to uncover your actual profit margins? Start by delving into your POS data today and uncovering the true story behind your product profitability. Remember, knowledge is power in retail, and accurate margin analysis is key to unlocking your store's full potential.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

If you're running a retail shop in Australia, you've probably heard the debate: should you create your social media content yourself, or let AI do it? You should use the best technology available to achieve the best results. The future in retail belongs to retailers who adapt, and our view is backed by one of the most comprehensive advertising experiments ever conducted.

Digital marketing expert Neil Patel recently completed a groundbreaking $US 7 million experiment across 28 businesses that settles this debate once and for all. The winning approach was a strategic combination of both that delivers results better than can be achieved alone.

Neil Patel's $7 Million Experiment: What the Data Shows

Neil Patel is a British-born entrepreneur recognised as one of the world's leading digital marketing authorities. He co-founded Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics, leads NP Digital (a global marketing agency), and was named a top entrepreneur under 30 by President Obama and a top 100 entrepreneur under 35 by the United Nations. When someone with his credentials invests $7 million to test a marketing strategy, it's worth paying attention.

His team ran Facebook ads for 28 different businesses over 30 days, testing human-created ads against AI-generated ads.

Here is his video 

Round One: Human Specialists vs AI Alone

Professional advertising specialists created 1,709 ad variations, while AI generated 4,041 variations, nearly 2.4 times more content. The human-created ads won 68.3% of the time, and their conversion rates were also higher.

This result makes sense. Humans understand emotion, local context, and what genuinely connects with customers. You know your customers' faces, their questions, and what makes them choose your shop over the big chains. That knowledge is irreplaceable.

One point here: these humans were advertised as skilled in advertising with many years of experience. Most of us are not such people, so I doubt an AI would lose so badly against us.

Round Two: The Game-Changing Hybrid Approach

Here's where it gets interesting. In the experiment, they fed the winning human ads to the AI and asked it to create multiple variations. When they tested these AI variations against the original winning human ads, AI won 75.7% of the time. Conversion rates also improved slightly.

Here, the AI beat the humans by a significant margin.

The Winning Formula: Human-AI-Human

This experiment shows a straightforward three-step process that delivers superior results:

Step One: The Human Strategy

You create the original concept using your local knowledge, customer understanding, and retail experience. This might be a post about a very popular product in your shop. That is easy to get as your POS system tracks which products sell best, which promotions drive traffic, and which customer segments respond to different offers. This data gives you the insights you need to create that crucial first piece of human-directed content.

Step Two: Ask the AI

Feed your concepts to AI tools and ask them for ten (10) versions. Let the AI generate variations with different hooks and adjust the wording for other times of day, etc.

Step Three Human Selection

You review the AI-generated options and pick the best ones. Then test them to see which resonates most with your customers. Your judgment matters because you are there on the spot, measuring the results.

Conclusion

The question isn't "human or AI?" The science is precise: the winning approach combines both.

You can't, and shouldn't, try to outwork a Machine. Does not matter how fast you run, a car will win in speed. The AI here generated almost three times as many advertisement variations as humans. Trying to manually create dozens of social media post variations, as some suggest, isn't realistic or worth it. AI generates more, but as the experiment shows, it needs your direction.

Your Next Step

Ready to transform your social media strategy with the proven human-AI hybrid approach? Click here for how to make a free copy to advertise your shop, and click here for ideas on when to post these advertisements. It's all free.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Most retailers will wait many months to hear from their accountant before they know where they stand in 2025. Here's a quick and simple way to assess your 2025 performance using your POS System. Raw sales numbers alone don't reveal much, but compared to historical data, they tell a strong story about your business's health and trajectory.

A Four-Year View

Looking at just last year gives you a snapshot. Looking at three to five years gives you a trend. Three, I doubt, is enough, and the problem is that 2020 was COVID, which rules out five years, so most are using four years. They are using this historical perspective to assess their business in the long term.

Step-by-Step: Running Your Analysis

Most modern POS systems make this process simple. Here is how you do it in our POS system.

First, pull total sales reports for the past few years. For example:

Go to register reports.

Now select the item marked "Sales Comparison for a Given period".

Note, you can do it by a supplier, but that can be done later when you have more time for detailed analysis. What we are doing here is getting a quick idea.

Step 1: The Recent Comparison (2024 vs 2025)

First, pull your total sales reports for the last two full calendar years.

Action

Go to your Register Reports and select the item marked "Sales Comparison for a Given Period."

Input Dates:

01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024 AND 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2025

The system will generate a detailed breakdown of your performance. It will show you exactly how your 2025 figures stack up against 2024. Write down these key totals.

Step 2: The Historical Context (2022 vs 2023)

Now, we are going to dig deeper

Action

Rerun the same report with older dates.

Input Dates

01/01/2022 to 31/12/2022 AND 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023
Write down these key totals.

Step 3: Organise Your Data

Now you have your figures clearly in a table. A table makes it much easier to scan for trends than a list of numbers.

For example, you may have

Interpreting Your Results

Now that you have the numbers, what do they actually mean? We want to dig deeper.

Here, sales have grown every year. That is good.

1. Benchmark Against Inflation

Sales growth doesn't always equal profit growth. In 2025, Australia saw inflation hover around 3.5% to 3.8% for much of the year.

If sales grew by only 3%, you would have gone financially backward. In this example, growth from 2024 ($885,000) to 2025 ($965,000) was 9.1%. Since it's well above inflation, you've achieved real growth.

2. Compare to Industry Standards

It also helps to know how you compare with other retailers. As a rule, you are expected to grow by 2% a year. That is the long-term growth rate based on very old figures going back 100s of years. Today, industry forecasts for 2025 predict retail sales growth of around 3.3%. If your growth is significantly lower than this, you are losing market share to other retailers. 

3. Identify the Trend Line

Look at the trajectory in the table.

Steady Growth

Consistent increases suggest your strategies work. Something went wrong in 2024 but was fixed in 2025. After patting yourself on the back, ask yourself, "What did I do right, or what happened?"

Decline

A drop in raw numbers is a red flag. You need to investigate immediately: was it a stock issue, a staffing problem, or a new competitor?

Taking Action

Suppose your numbers are looking healthy, well done. Double down on the marketing and product ranges that worked in 2025.

If you spot a downward trend or stagnation, don't panic but act.

Check Inventory

Use your POS System to see if you were out of stock on best-sellers.

Review with others

Start by asking your staff

Analyse Customers

Are you losing repeat customers?

Note: This is an amended post from last year updated 

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

AI-powered automated ordering systems can quickly process thousands of stock lines, but they lack context understanding. While retail demand forecasting algorithms identify sales patterns, they often miss real-world factors crucial for smart decisions in retail environments like newsagencies.

Human-in-the-loop workflows are essential because AI software ensures speed and consistency, but effective stock management depends on recognising whether sales spikes reflect genuine demand or noise.

Why AI Inventory Management Needs Human Oversight

POS Solutions has long been the gold standard for Australian newsagents, offering sophisticated “state-of-the-art” automatic replenishment that outperforms basic reorder tools. While other systems might offer basic ordering, POS Solutions integrates profound industry logic with an AI that understands the unique pressures of a newsagency. In 2018, we released an automated AI ordering system because one of our programmers was very keen on neural networks. It was an incredible achievement. As such, all our clients have had it free. Since it’s actually an AI trained on our customers’ data for many years, it beats AI like ChatGPT or Gemini hands down as it was specially trained for the task. I know we have tested it.  Best of all it is free

Most of the time, the system does exactly what you want. It quickly reviews sales history, stays consistent, and can create suggested orders across every stock line in your shop. That last point matters because no human has the time to carefully review every single item, every single week, without missing something. If it takes you three (3) minutes to review an order for a single item and you have a thousand items in that department, that is 3000 minutes. That is two days of work. It cannot be done by hand.

However, there’s a catch: even though the best AI is brilliant with patterns, it can be what we call “context blind”. It sees the numbers, not what you know in the story behind the numbers.

That difference matters most in a mixed business:

• Some products behave like “normal stock” (gifts, stationery, ink, snacks).
• Some products behave like “time-based stock” (magazines, part-works, some book series).
• Some products behave like “event stock” (school holidays, local events, footy finals, Christmas).

If your POS system treats every item as a standard replenishment product, it will sometimes suggest orders that are mathematically correct but don’t reflect reality on the shop floor. This is where the flexibility of our ordering system shines, as it lets you easily manage these exceptions.

What it allows you to do is buy frequently and buy small which keeps your stocks levels tight and your profits high.

I will give three scenarios to show the issue.

Scenario 1: The one-off spike (lumpy demand)

Sales over the last 10 weeks:

...and then you ran out.

This is a classic inventory trap. You see long periods of zero, then a sudden jump. A standard forecast (often a weighted average that favours recent weeks) can overreact and suggest a large order, because it assumes a new trend has started.

How the machine “thinks” in simple terms:

• It heavily weights the last few weeks.
• It sees 0, 8, 7 and assumes demand is now “high”.
• It adds extra buffer stock “just in case”.
• It lands on something like 11 units.

In retail, cash flow is oxygen. Dead stock quietly steals it. In fact, holding onto dead stock can cost nearly 30% more than the inventory’s value when you add up storage and insurance costs.

The better move here is to under-order and watch what happens next week. If you order 11 and the product goes back to selling 0–2 a week, you’ve tied up cash in stock that will sit there. If you order, say, 4, you can always get more if required.

Scenario 2: Sustained growth

Sales over the past weeks:

...and then you ran out.

This pattern is different for one key reason: there are steady sales, and then a lift. That means the recent growth is more likely to be real.

Why the higher order can make sense here:

• Even the “older” weeks aren’t zero. The item already had a heartbeat.
• The last four weeks are much stronger than the earlier weeks.
• You ran out, which means the last number is often understated, as you might’ve sold more if you had stock.

Practical advice:
If you over-order slightly here, it’s less dangerous because the item is actually moving. Your most significant risk is under-ordering and losing sales, as in today’s market, customers won’t wait; they will go somewhere else. In a community-focused shop, that “Sorry, sold out” moment doesn’t just lose today’s sale. It can lose next week’s visit too.

Why perishables break standard ordering logic

Scenario 3 highlights the problem of products that expire, e.g., magazines in newsagencies, and how specialised systems like POS software prove their worth.

Scenario 3: The monthly magazine

Sales pattern: 3, 2, 1, 0, 4, 2, 0, 0, 4, 3 and it ends in a stockout.

A generic system suggests: five units.

For many everyday products, that sounds reasonable. But here’s the problem: this isn’t a standard product. It’s a monthly magazine, a perishable, and you’re in the 3rd week of its cycle.

Fresh produce sales fade by the day. A pen doesn’t “go stale" after week one, but fresh produce does.

The best solution is to order nothing till the new product or fresh goods are available. This is where generic replenishment logic often breaks down the most. The fix is to use a system built for this exact problem. You need a system that turns off automatic orders, usually for those goods.

Human-in-the-Loop Workflow for Automated Ordering

This is the part many retailers skip. They either trust the automation fully or ignore it entirely. The best results come from a repeatable review habit, using a system that makes reviews easy. Use this checklist before you action the orders.

Step 1: Classify the product

Ask: What kind of stock line is this?

• Normal replenishment (everyday items).
• Time-based release (magazines, part-works).
• Seasonal or event-driven.
• Supplier-limited or allocated.

Automation is best suited for regular replenishment lines.

Step 2: Review stock-outs for false zero sales

A “0” in sales can mean two different things:

• No demand (nobody wanted it).
• No stock (customers wanted it, but you didn’t have it).

There is often a why behind the numbers.

Take Control of Your Ordering Today

Do not assume that a computer-generated automatic order is correct, and you cannot get rid of the human element yet. You should use the POS Software to generate a suggested order, then review it before actioning it.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Transaction notes are essential yet often overlooked. They allow retailers to add context to a sale. Documenting issues such as defects, warranty voids, or strict sale conditions provides a paper trail that protects your business and enhances customer service.

These details can often resolve a dispute and possibly prevent a customer from leaving. This guide explores why you should be using notes and how to master them in your POS software.

Why Add Notes to a Transaction?

There are many scenarios where a simple receipt isn't enough. You need to record the "story" behind the sale. Here are the most common reasons to add notes:

Damaged or Defective Items

If an item is sold "AS IS" due to a scratch or dent, a note prevents what sometimes happens: a customer returns it later, claiming they received it in perfect condition.

Strict Conditions

Record specific terms, such as "Not for use in Australia" or "Commercial use voids warranty".

Irregular Transactions

Any sale that falls outside your normal process needs an explanation.

Special instructions for use

Some items sold do require special handling for best performance or danger if misused.

Adding a note provides important details that give context to the transaction. This additional information can be invaluable if there are questions or disputes about that sale. Based on my years of retail experience, I can think of many examples where documented transaction histories would have reduced the time spent on disputes.

Step-by-Step: Adding Notes to Transactions

Our POS software allows you to add notes to any transaction seamlessly. We have designed the process to be quick, so it doesn't slow down your checkout line. Detailed instructions for adding notes are here but the procedure is very simple.

1. Initiate the Note
During a transaction or return, select the Change Description button on your screen.

2. Select "Attach as Note"
From the dropdown menu options, click Attach as Note to open the text field.

3. Enter Your Details
Type the specific reason for the Note. For example, you might type: "IT WAS BROKEN - Spine damage."

4. Save the Transaction
Complete the sale or return as usual. The Note is now permanently attached to that specific transaction record.

Enhanced Reporting and Search

Once these details are captured at the register, they become powerful data points in your back office. You don't have to rely on memory to recall why a refund was processed three months ago.

Finding Specific History

Users can search for specific historical transactions using a wide range of filters. For example, if you need to find a refund issued years ago for a book with a broken cover, you can do so in seconds.

By filtering for keywords like "broken" or "torn," the system will generate a report of all books sold with those specific notes. The person reviewing the transaction history will see precisely why the return occurred.

Simplified Filtering

Searching transactions is simplified with this tool. You can easily pull up all transactions with notes mentioning 'damaged', 'discount', or 'clearance'. This saves you hours of digging through paper receipts or unlabelled digital records.

Train Staff on Procedures

Train staff on proper procedures for adding notes. The notes are only helpful if they accurately and thoroughly document each unique transaction situation. Set clear expectations and guidelines so everyone uses the same language.

Conclusion

Our POS software provides tools you can use. Here, it simplifies accessing information to satisfy customers, streamline operations, and foster growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why should I add notes to transactions?
A: Adding notes gives essential context about irregular transactions, clarifying records and ensuring transparency if questions or disputes arise.

Q: What kinds of transactions need notes?
A: Notes are helpful for exceptional situations such as damaged/defective items, special handling, clearance markdowns, customer disputes, or warranty voids. Essentially, record anything out of the ordinary.

Q: How do I add a note to a transaction?
A: When ringing up a sale, select the "Change Description" button and choose "Attach as Note". Type your Note explaining the transaction, which will be saved with the record.

Q: Can I view and edit notes later?
A: Yes, you can view notes on the transaction details screen at any time. Notes can also be accessed and reviewed through transaction reports.

Q: How do notes help with reporting and analysis?
A: Notes allow for more detailed sales data and tracking. You can search and filter transactions by keywords in the notes field to identify trends in returns or defects.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Creating professional Facebook posts for your newsagency or retail shop doesn't have to be a chore. In 2026, Artificial Intelligence (AI) allows shop owners to generate high-quality, engaging social media content in under four minutes.

A few days ago, I released a social media calendar for 2026 designed explicitly for newsagents. I wanted to help shop owners get organised for the year ahead. Since then, I have received quite a few enquiries like last year, but one reaction shocked me. Several people told me it was "too much work" and that writing these posts for every calendar event would take ages.

This is not true.

Writing a high-quality post on Facebook takes less than 4 minutes. In 2026, the technology available to us now is incredible and here to save you time. Today, I will show you exactly how.

The Facebook Reality Check

Before we get into the "how-to," we need to have a serious conversation about the "where." To do this, you must have a business Facebook account.

If you do not have one yet, you are, frankly, leaving money on the table. Your business needs one. In this day and age, a retail business without a digital storefront on social media is invisible to a huge chunk of the local community. So if you don't have a page, stop reading this right now. Go make one up. It is free and essential. In 2026, businesses need a Facebook business page to survive and thrive. For the rest of you who are ready to go, let's look at a simple method to get your marketing done in record time.

Why You Can't Afford to Be Invisible

Many independent retailers tell me they rely on foot traffic. That is great, but where does foot traffic come from? Often, it comes from a Google search or a Facebook recommendation.

If a local customer searches for "birthday cards near me" or "magazines in [Suburb Name]," and your competitor has an active Facebook page with photos, while yours does not, guess where they are going?

You are not just competing with the shop down the road; you are competing for attention on the screen in your customer's pocket.

The 4-Minute Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

As we all know, things change rapidly in the world of AI. However, the core principles I am showing you here will likely remain the same for a long time. I intend to update this article when Facebook AI is finally released for business in Australia. These steps are relevant only for January 2026.

I will perform this live for my own business page to show you how easy it is. Please follow along with your own business page.

Step 1: Get Your Visuals Ready

First, you need an image. Facebook is a visual platform. Text alone often gets ignored as people scroll through their feeds. You have two main options here:
Both can be used.

Supplier Images

These are professional and clean, but they can sometimes look a bit "cold." Also, they are not from you; others have them too. What you are trying to sell is the product, not you. Plus, you may get into a copyright problem later.

Your Own Photos

These are authentic and perform better.

I have discussed how to take a photo yourself here.
A photo showing your actual shop is often better. Customers love to see the human side of a business. A photo of you, clearly standing and holding the product, works wonders. It builds trust.

I suggest you take about 10 pictures. Don't overthink it, snap away. Then, review them and select the top two.

Step 2: Open Your Business Page

Now, call up your business page on your computer or tablet. Look for the box at the top that asks, "What's on your mind?" See the red arrow 

This is where the magic starts. I have added the selected image. See the blue arrow.

You can add multiple photos if you like, but often one strong image is enough, and two is better.

Step 3: Select Your AI Tool

Now, I have decided to stick to a free AI for this demonstration. Only a few of my customers, or SMB retailers in general, have paid accounts for these services. That is perfectly fine, but you do not need to spend money to get great results, as I will show you here how to do it for free.

Select the AI that you want to use. You have plenty of options: ChatGPT, Gemini (Google), Grok, Deepseek, etc. These are all good and have free versions.

On Facebook, Meta AI is specifically designed for this task, but Facebook is currently restricting its full use on some business accounts in Australia, and it has just acquired Manus, which promises to make massive changes in AI.

Step 4: The Prompt

This is the part that scares people, but it is actually the easiest part. You need to tell the AI what to do. We call this a "prompt."

You don't need to be a computer programmer. You need to speak to it as if you were talking to an advertising agent.

Use this prompt, see the blue arrow above. 

Write a friendly but professional Facebook post for my business talking about [Product Name]. Keep it under 150 words. Use Australian spelling =====.

Using Supplier Content

Now, add a few lines about the product. If you are unsure what to say, you can use the description from the supplier's advertisement.

For my example, I want to talk about the customer-facing screens in our POS system.

I found this text:
"One of the most popular features in modern POS software is a customer-facing screen. These digital displays display detailed order information to customers, including their orders, tax, discounts, and loyalty information during the checkout process. You often see customer-facing displays in retail businesses."

I put this in, see the blue arrow above. 

Now, see the red arrow, I got a fine copy. The grammar and spelling are fine. I didn't have to stare at a blank screen wondering what to say. The AI took the facts about the screen, like how it improves accuracy and speeds up the queue, and turned them into an advertisement for my customers. I would suggest including your shop details as well.

So I pasted that text into my advertisement.

Step 5: The Result

I hit "Enter," and within seconds, the AI gave me a professional advertisement.

See the blue arrow in the image above? That is the text I cut and pasted directly into my Facebook post.

Step 6: Publish and Schedule

And then I saved it. See the image above for the final result.

As I said, the whole operation would take less than 4 minutes. I now have a professional Facebook advertisement for nothing—zero cost.

Why This Matters for Your Shop

The beauty of this method is that it is easy to repeat.

You can use the same process for holidays. For example, the Chinese New Year is coming up soon. You could take a photo of your red cards, envelopes, decorations, etc, tell the AI "Write a post wishing my customers a Happy Chinese New Year," and you are done. If in doubt, use your top-selling report in your POS System to tell you what sold well in your shop during the Chinese New Year.

Consistency is key in retail marketing. You don't need to be a professional writer. You need to do it; don't worry about perfection, as you can continually improve as you learn more.

Ready to save even more time?
Download our 2026 Social Media Calendar for Newsagents below and use this 4-minute method to fill your entire month's schedule today.

Download 2026 Calendar Here

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

We are all walking into 2026.

Plodding into 2026 isn't enough. You can't rely on luck; you need a plan for the year ahead.

Here is one.

Review 2025 to Build Your Retail Strategy

Find out where you have been. A hiker looks at their map. A retailer looks at their information.

Review everything that happened in 2025. I find that going over the 2025 diary helps a lot with the review. Do not just look at the total revenue and call it a day. You need to dig deeper and ask the hard questions:

• What were your best-selling items?
• Did you run out of stock on things people wanted?
• What items gathered dust?
• What products took up valuable shelf space but didn't pay their rent?
• When were you busiest?
• Did you have enough staff on the floor during those peak times?

Data Over Guesswork

Your Point of Sale (POS) system holds the answers to many more of these questions. It is not just a fancy cash register; your pos system for your retail shop is the information hub of your business.

Utilise the POS Software's reporting features to recognise the 2025 trends. Without clear insights into what succeeded and what failed, you're entering the new year without guidance.

Lighten Your Load

Once you have analysed the information, it is time to unload. In retail today, generally, I find the first big load to review is your "dead stock".

We all have it. That box of gadgets that seemed like a great idea in 2024 but never sold. The seasonal clothing is two seasons old. This inventory ties up your cash and clutters your mind.

For 2026, resolve to travel light.

Run an inventory report today. Identify items that haven't sold in the past 6 months, and now plan what to do with them. If you are struggling to find this data manually, check your reporting tools; good POS software automates this for you.

You should also automate your ordering. Use your free AI ordering system in your software. This ensures you never carry too much, but you never run out of the good stuff. When your stockroom is organised, and your shelves are fresh, you feel lighter. You have the mental space and the cash flow to bring in new, exciting products.

Trust Your Gear

A hiker relies on their boots and their compass. In retail, you rely on your technology.

Over the past year, we have worked closely with many independent retailers across Australia. We have seen the difference between those who live in the past and those who move forward.

In 2026, do not let your technology hold you back. Modern times need modern methods.

Ask yourself: "How can I make things a little better?"

Set Realistic Goals

Do not make vague resolutions like "I want to sell more." The problem with unclear goals is that they are confusing. As you look ahead to 2026, you need measurable, clear goals.

The 2026 Retailer's Checklist

Be Realistic

Ensure your goals are achievable. If you aim to triple your revenue in one month, you will likely fail and feel discouraged. It's better to aim for small but steady growth.

Actionable Steps

Big goals can be scary. If you want to renovate the shop, don't just write "Renovate." Break it down into small steps like "Get quotes by January" or "Pick paint by February." Success comes from focusing on the process, not just the result.

Be Specific

Specific targets help you focus your efforts. Instead of "sell more," try "increase average transaction value by 5%." This enables you to track your progress.

Write It Down

Write your resolutions in a diary, or better still, on a wall chart. You can see how far you've come and stay motivated.

Don't Hike Alone

It is always a good idea to get some advice. Ask a question and then look at how others are handling it.

Even walking into a competitor's shop can be educational. You know the problem; now look at how they handle it. I know that often I walk into a shop and say to myself, 'Why did they put these items here? Why do they do this?' It's very informative. 

Retail can be lonely, but it doesn't have to be. Having someone to share the journey with helps you stay motivated. This includes your business partners, your family, and your staff.

Talk to your staff. Ask them what they think needs to change in 2026. They are on the front lines, and they often see "rocks" on the path that you might miss.

The View from Here

The calendar turns make the pages count!

2026 will bring exciting possibilities. Improving your business's profitability should be one of them.

To our readers, thank you for trusting and valuing our services. We look forward to continuing our support and helping your businesses thrive in 2026.

If you need help for the year ahead, we are here to help.

Start the New Year Stronger Than Ever. Start 2026 with clarity.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

Social Media Calendar for 2026 below

A new year starts, and planning is key to social media success, especially for newsagencies needing community connection and seasonal trend awareness. A proper social media calendar is very strategic. It requires consistency, aligning content with local events and holidays, and strengthening customer relationships. With monthly themes, templates, and tailored strategies, you'll be ready to make each post impactful and boost customer loyalty.

I found that last year's calendar received such incredible feedback from newsagencies across Australia, so clearly filling a need and a lot of thanks, as it was a professional job. Retailers reported that it made keeping their social media fresh and relevant much easier, saving them hours each week. This year, after listening to your input, I made key improvements based on the comments I received and the pos systems for the retail shop of them, not all by the way use my POS System to ensure the calendar is even more practical and effective for your business in 2026.

So I'm excited to introduce the 2026 Social Media Content Calendar, a key resource for newsagencies to stay organised, boost engagement, and increase foot traffic year-round.

Start Planning Today

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

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It is the heat of the holiday now; precise inventory management isn't just important, it is critical. It is not normal times, and the greatest threat to your holiday profits is running out of stock. Empty shelves do untold damage to your profit and reputation.

Right now, we need to look not just at stock on hand, particularly at your most profitable winners. This is where in your retail point of sale system the GMROI (Gross Margin Return on Investment) report becomes so essential.

Why Standard Stock Reports Aren't Enough

Standard stock reports tell you what you have; they don't tell you how well it is performing. This is critical during our current time crunch.

Running out of a poor, profitable item isn't a disaster, but running out of a highly profitable one is a disaster. Now you need to know which items are driving your profit so you can ensure they are on the shelf.

The Report You Need: GMROI

We have a unique report in our software that lets you check your current situation immediately. It uses GMROI.

What is GMROI?

It stands for Gross Margin Return on Investment. In simple terms, it calculates how many dollars of profit you get back for every dollar you invest in your inventory. Today, it is considered the most important KPI in retail.

The Formula:

It is calculated by: (Units Sold x Profit) ÷ Average Stock Cost.

The Benchmark:

While it varies by shop, a healthy retail target is often cited around 3.2. This means for every $1 you spend on stock, you get $3.20 back a year. I suggest, while doing this, that you review your figures and decide what you feel your figure should be.

How to Run the Report

You can find this data quickly in your POS system:

Go to the Cash Register Reports section.

Select the GMROI report (see the selection highlighted in the image below).

I recommend running this by the Department to keep the list manageable.

Once you run it, you will get a detailed list like this:

I find it quicker and easier to use excel in your  Ad Hoc reporting, see my article on the power of Ad Hoc reporting here. You can sort, filter, etc there.

Analysing Your Results

As you can see, the report lists your items alongside their ROI figures. Now, what we are looking for are items with decent sales and high ROI% figures, but low stock-on-hand figures.

The "Ghost Stock" Reality Check

Unfortunately, the reality is that this is what the computer thinks: that high GMROI items are desirable, which also makes them targets for theft.

You must walk the floor with this report.

If the computer says you have three items on hand, but the shelf is empty, you have "Ghost Stock." You are losing money every hour that the shelf sits empty. It might be in the back room, behind the counter, or stolen. Find it, or correct the stock count immediately so your automated re-ordering kicks in.

Take Action Today

Don't wait for the new year. Run this report now and get your stock out there to maximise your Boxing Day and January sales:

High ROI / Low Stock

Urgent! Check the back room. If you have stock, get it on the floor immediately. If you are out, mark this for immediate re-ordering as soon as suppliers open.

Low ROI / High Stock

These items are tying up your cash. Mark them down for your clearance sales to free up shelf space and money. You can worry about this later, say for your flash sale in January.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director of POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience, now retired and seeking new opportunities. He consults with various organisations, from small businesses to large retailers and government institutions. Bernard is passionate about helping companies optimise their operations through innovative POS technology and enabling seamless customer experiences through effective software solutions.

May this season be as rewarding as your hard work and as fulfilling as your achievements.

May this season be as rewarding as your hard work and as fulfilling as your achievements.