Looking at Australia's top-selling 2025 planners and calendars, people focus on family coordination tools, premium habit journals, and humour novelties priced $15–$60. Retailers see strong demand for easy-use organisers amid digital trends, as shoppers crave these paper organisation tools right now. Some sites that are useful to look at for ideas are Calendar Club and Amazon best sellers list.

Now while digital family screens are starting to gain sales, something I will discuss in another post, affordable paper alternatives dominate and outsell these pricier options for example Skylight is $529+, which demand technical setup. Retailers should stock simple, instant-use alternatives for families.

Top Family Calendars Australia 2025

Magnetic fridge calendars ($15–$40), large dry-erase wall planners, chore/meal charts, and yearly sticker wall planners lead sales. Families love their visibility and wipeable surfaces as home hubs. Place them also near greeting cards for impulse buys.

Premium Habit Tracker Journals

Professionals, students, and young men (18–35) snap up A5 habit trackers, gratitude journals like the 6-Minute Diary, and goal-setting diaries with marble covers. These boost mental health, time-blocking, and goals via pen-on-paper.

Funny Calendars Australia 2025

Desk tear-off calendars like Far Side and Thoughts of Dog, plus wall puns, animals, firefighters, and pop culture novelties ($25–$30) outsell basics. Calendar Club's page-a-day humour tops charts.

Learning Compendiums for Lifelong Learners

These are dedicated notebooks for people to collect notes, ideas, diagrams, and their reflections on a subject over time are also selling well. Some higher-end versions feature elastic closures, ribbon markers, inside pockets, and contents pages. Stock them next to diaries as "your ideas companion" for students, professionals, and learners. I recommend putting them right next to your diaries.

Retail Tips for 2025 Planners Australia

Track sales by creating a POS category for planners and calendars. Monitor these family tools, habit journals, and humour items separately.

Customer common product questions and complaints you need to know

Q: Best magnetic fridge calendar for family schedules?
A: Magnetic fridge calendars need a strong magnet, dry-erase surfaces, and monthly or weekly views to suit busy Aussie families for tracking appointments, chores, and meals at a glance.

Q: Size of magnetic fridge calendars?
A: You need a few ranges in size. Make sure you have a procedure to demonstrate the different sizes. You do not want the customer saying they will come back after they measure the fridge. Often, people want a larger 14x12-inch monthly/weekly planner with big blocks that fit multiple schedules without cramping. 

Q: Concerns over the fridge calendar that keeps falling off?
A: Suggest a model with double magnets or suggest an acrylic backing that grips stainless steel fridges securely.

Q: Which habit tracker journal for goals and routines?
A: A good A5 habit tracker or goal-setting journal should have monthly grids, reflection pages, and prompts, as they help professionals and students mark off daily habits like water intake or finances.

Q: Reusable wipeable calendars for the whole family?
A: Dry-erase magnetic monthly planners stick on fridges for shared use, letting everyone update events without paper waste, simple and effective.  A good idea is to suggest here several markers so people can use colour-coding. In my family, blue is regular, green is work, yellow is family, red is urgent and purple is for appointments.

Q: Funny calendars that aren't boring basics?
A: Suggest a page-a-day desk or wall calendars with puns, animals, or pop culture, like Far Side, to keep things light.

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.

Why is the POS scan rate important?

Your cashiers must process transactions quickly and accurately. This keeps lanes moving. Bad barcodes slow checkouts and frustrate family shoppers buying magazines, books, gifts, or greeting cards. What we need to do is boost POS Software scan rates.

We have a unique KPI specially designed for this, %Scan. This KPI metric measures the percentage of retail barcode scans versus manually keyed entries. Using it will improve retail checkout efficiency.

How to Check Your POS Scan Rate

Go to the cash register reports

> Select Sales,

> Then "Dissection Sales/Profitability for a Given Period."

Set it for the past three months (or 12 for trends) and run the report.

You will get a report that looks like this one. Now, look at the last row marked.

Now run down the list.

You are looking for dissections with high quantities and low scan rates, as these are the big problems here.

Now, examine the %Scan column in the last row or breakdown. Look at the Total Scan. If you are doing a lot of scans and your %Scan rate is low, you have a problem. You need a higher %Scan to deliver quicker transactions and shorter queues in your shop, and it also gives you more accurate inventory data. Besides, it is a pain for staff, as it reduces manual entry errors (Industry figures indicate about one error per 300 characters in manual entry for cashiers).

How to improve the POS scan rate?

To improve POS efficiency, start here:

Test scanners

First, for reliable performance, we often find that when we examine the %Scan, the problem lies with the scanner. If so, clean the scanner lenses and adjust angles. Consider it part of your POS system troubleshooting.

Avoid glare or shiny surfaces.

The problem sometimes is that the objects you are scanning are bright, which causes glare. I have noticed this often happens with frosty drinks and plastic covers on greeting cards. You need to be careful here.

Audit barcodes

Ensure that barcodes are clear on products. If they are real problems, talk to the suppliers, as poor barcode quality leads to unscannable items, forcing manual transaction entries that slow checkout lines and increase human errors, causing lost sales and customer frustration. In the worst case, consider printing in-house barcodes for these products.

Standardise barcode placement

Often, the cashier cannot find the barcode. In your shop, make a policy that all in-house barcodes should be in the same place, eg on the top left, at the rear middle, etc. It does not matter where; just be consistent. I prefer the bottom rear over the front; it covers some of the product.

Conclusion

Run your POS scan rate report now to spot low-scanning categories to check out your speed retail.

Then monitor %Scan trends. Just because you get it right now does not mean a problem will start to appear soon.

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 2026 approaches, your POS software is your most valuable asset. By analysing historical data, you can predict exactly which diary formats will sell, preventing costly stock-outs. Don't guess, use your data.   [Learn how to run the Best Sales Report for forecasting here].

Prominently Display Diaries In-Store

Place diaries where people can see them, make sure to add signage and posters noting your stock diaries; don't assume they know—mention them while serving other shoppers. Make sure customers easily spot your diary selection by placing it in a prime spot. Arrange them attractively. I advise pyramid stacking for hardcover diaries on tables to create height, and place 'impulse' items like gel pens in bins directly next to them. I also suggest highlighting your top sellers. People will gravitate to these if you point them out. 

Promote Related Products Like Planners

Boost sales beyond standard diaries with these hot categories:

• Travel Planners: Help plan dream trips with journals—pair with your gift lines.
• Health and Fitness Planners: Many people today are using wellness journals 
• Work Planners: Attract professionals with workflow tools; display beside nice pens, highlighters, and notepads.

Handling Common Customer Questions

Your team must receive brief training that positions your shop as the "expert" hub.

Equip your team with these answers to close more sales on the floor: 

Q: Will my fountain pen bleed through this paper?
A: "That is a common concern with the recent changes to the cheaper paper that the diary companies are using. Make sure you can show these customers diaries that use 100GSM paper, which is thick enough to prevent ghosting, even with wetter inks.

Q: Do you have any vertical layouts for time-blocking?
A: Make sure you have them, and you can show them. Most people use ones with 30-minute increments.

Q: Are Australian public holidays and school terms marked?
A: Many international brands miss our local dates. Make sure you have an Australian-designed calendar that includes state-specific public holidays and 2026 school term dates.

Q: Is A5 or B6 better for carrying in handbags?
A: "A5 is the classic standard if you mostly leave it on your desk. However, for carrying in a handbag, B6 is trending, as its size is compact enough to hold light items but wide enough to write comfortably.

Q: Can I get a layout that has a weekly view on one side and a notes page on the other?
A: These have a 'Weekly Notebook' layout. It is incredibly popular right now because it separates your rigid appointments (on the left) from your flexible to-do lists (on the right). 

Q: Why are there so many undated planners this year?
A: We're seeing a massive shift toward 'guilt-free' planning. Undated planners are perfect because if you go on holiday or skip a busy week, you don't waste pages. You can pick it right back up without seeing empty dates staring you in the face. 

Get Organised for Success

Organise a winning diary campaign by using POS trends, displaying prominently, talking to customers, and stocking 2026 trends like all-in-one lifestyle planners. This leverages peak sea

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.

Readership vs. Unit Sales

Years ago, I tracked official magazine sales figures religiously. I stopped because the magazine industry shifted from reporting verified sales (copies sold) to readership (estimated readers). The result became increasingly disconnected from retail reality.

Despite this, we must work with the data we have, so I decided to look into it. So, let us look at the latest Roy Morgan figures for the 2024/25 financial year by Roy Morgan.

Roy Morgan 2025 Data: Niche Growth vs. Mass Market Decline

Analysing the "Top 25" magazines by print readership (excluding free titles like Coles Magazine), the market is seeing a slow squeeze rather than a cliff-edge drop. Across a sample of 20 major paid titles, the total print readership declined by approximately 2% year-on-year.

This aligns with broader market data showing that print readership is holding surprisingly steady. As of late 2025, over 10.9 million Australians (nearly half the population) still read a print magazine, and when digital audiences are included, that number jumps to over 14.6 million .

However, the stability is uneven. The market has split into two distinct directions:

• Mass-market decline: General interest weeklies and "catch-all" lifestyle titles are under pressure. For example, major weeklies like Woman's Day have seen readership dips of around 9% in recent reports.
• Niche growth: Specialist titles are thriving. Enthusiasts are still buying content they cannot easily find for free. We are seeing significant gains in titles such as Australian Geographic and House & Garden, as well as automotive titles such as Street Machine .

The "Neighbour" Effect

The 2% overall decline is so minor that most retailers wouldn't notice. The fact is that a store's performance depends more on local competition for retail profitability than on national trends.

Interestingly, here, benchmarks showed more than 50% of newsagents reported magazine sales are up in 2025.

I have seen this firsthand with a client whose magazine sales actually increased this year. Why? A nearby competitor drastically reduced their magazine display, effectively handing those customers over. The demand was still there; the competitor just stopped serving it. This proves that magazines can still be a viable category for those who commit to maintaining a proper range.

4 Strategies to Increase Magazine Profit in 2025

To make magazines work in this environment, you need to look less at official "readership" surveys. The relationship between a half-billion-dollar industry and your own shop is not much. Trust and use your own data.

1. Treat Your POS as the Source of Truth

Do not stock based on what publishers push; stock based on what sells. Use your POS system to run a monthly selling report by units sold and gross profit.

• Expand facings for high-performing niche titles (hobbies, health, motoring).
• Cut returns ruthlessly on titles that haven't performed for three consecutive months. These are just taking up space that could be used to sell magazines that do sell.

2. Avoid Driving Digital Migration

3. Value the Magazine Shopper

Basket analysis consistently shows that magazine buyers are valuable. They rarely buy just a magazine. They over-index in high-margin impulse items such as greeting cards, stationery, and lotteries.

4. Long-term

Looking at magazine sales over 20 years, it's clear that magazines aren't a viable long-term investment. So I wouldn't suggest spending a lot of money on it based on long-term future growth, I know I would not, but you can still make money from it now.

Looking Ahead

Millions of Australians still pay for print magazines; it's still a big market. A magazine customer can be a good, repeat and loyal customer. We must be realistic: we cannot expect the boom times of the past, but with a data-led range focused on enthusiast niches, we can maintain a profitable category well into the future.

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.

Have you forgotten or decided to drop out of Black Friday? Here's Your 30-Minute Rescue Plan

• It’s not too late: 30 minutes is enough to launch a profitable campaign.
• Focus on "Dead Stock": Use your POS to instantly find old inventory.
• Please keep it simple: Handwritten signs often convert better than polished graphics because of their urgency.
• Extend the sale: Turn a Friday panic into a weekend profit centre.

Today is the official start of the Christmas Shopping Season. In my experience helping hundreds of retailers, the clients who never planned a Black Friday Sale but did one at the last minute saw sales.

If you are reading this and feeling like you have missed the boat, it is absolutely not too late. You can have a profitable campaign up and running in less than half an hour. Today, you are positioned to capture the "last-minute" wave of shoppers actively seeking deals. Do not lose the chance.

Why You Should Participate (The Evidence)

You might think you need weeks of hype, but the data disagrees. In 2024, in-store shopping made up two-thirds of Black Friday purchases, with Australians spending $2.9 billion in physical stores versus $2.2 billion online. People prefer to touch and take items home immediately.

Even without weeks of planning, participating is highly effective. ABS data shows that retail turnover rose 3% year-on-year last November, driven almost entirely by this event. Shoppers expect these deals, and physical stores in local strips and centres benefit from a "halo effect"—your customers are looking at other shops, and they are already in a spending mindset.

Step 1: Set Up Your Same-Day Flash Sale

You do not need to discount your entire store. In fact, you shouldn't think that it's a mug's game. The goal here is to use the old stock as an introduction to get people into your shop to buy and get cash in the register.

Choose the Right "Doorbuster" Products

Select products that will attract bargain hunters and help you clear space. Focus on:

• Overstocked items: Things you have too many of.
• Slow-selling products: Items that have been sitting on the shelf for months.
• Bundles: Combine a popular small item with a slow-moving one to create a high-value gift pack.

Use Your POS to Find Them Instantly

Your [Point of Sale (POS) system]is your secret weapon here. Manual stock checks take hours; your POS does this in seconds. You don't need to guess what isn't selling; let the data tell you.

1. Search your reports for "Dead Stock Report."
2. Run the report to filter for items with a "Date Last Sold" of more than 180 days ago.
3. Action: These are your sale candidates. Bin them near the front entrance with a sale sign. This creates the visual excitement bargain hunters love.

Step 2: Promote Your Sale (Low Effort, High Impact)

What is the point of having a Black Friday Sale if you don't tell people about it? You do not need a graphic designer. Your "ad" is your physical shopfront, which shoppers will pass today.

Simple Signage

Grab a marker or print some simple A4/A3 signs immediately. Do not worry about them being perfect; urgency sells better than polish.

• Sign 1: "Black Friday Flash Sale - Today Only!"
• Sign 2: "Doorbuster Specials - While Stocks Last"
• Sign 3: "Shop Small, Save Big - Support Local"

Step 3: Leverage Your POS Software

Track results: Monitor your "Real-Time Sales" dashboard to see what is moving. If a specific item isn't selling by 2 PM, increase the discount instantly.

Post-Black Friday Strategy: Extend It

You don't have to stop today. Rename the sale "Black Friday Weekend" to keep the momentum going through Sunday and Monday.

Australian consumers are active all weekend. By extending your offers, you give people who worked on Friday a chance to buy on Saturday and Sunday.

Black Friday Strategy FAQ

Common questions we get from retailers launching last-minute campaigns.

Q: Will a last-minute sale make my business look desperate?
A: No. Shoppers expect Black Friday deals. If you don't participate, you look like you're missing out. A "Flash Sale" implies exclusivity and excitement, not desperation.

Q: I can't afford to discount my best-sellers. What should I do?
A: Never discount your best-sellers; they will sell anyway. Only discount inventory that is costing you money by taking up shelf space (dead stock). This converts stagnant assets into cash flow.

Q: Is it worth competing with the big box stores?
A: Yes, you have as much right to this traffic as they do. They are spending the money on advertisements, and you can also get some benefits.

Post-Black Friday Strategies

Extend it, extend it and extend it. Black Friday is much longer than a day nowadays.

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.

Businesses in Australia are facing significant changes with the Government's push to ban surcharges on debit cards and, now, possibly the Reserve Bank's call to remove many other card surcharges, such as EFTPOS and credit cards, from mid-2026. This shift won't wipe out payment costs; it'll just force someone to absorb them, as it will hit business margins.

We have now been actively involved in this discussion, having submitted to the RBA on the matter. Other submissions can be see here.

If surcharges vanish, that feed eats straight into the slim profit they give now for products like Lotto. Many such low margin items raise a major problem. Here for example the ticket price is set by the lottery operator, not the shop. If we are banned from putting a debit surcharge on those transactions, but still pay fees on every tap, the only place left to recover the cost is the rest of the shop. That could mean having to nudge up prices on other prices to make up for the margin lost on fixed‑price lines such as Lotto. Whether that is what regulators and product suppliers intend to allow remains unclear. We are already now starting to look into this problem for our POS System users.

If you want to know where you stand now use your POS system reports to help you track the current situation.

Premium Debit Cards

This matter is not being discussed, but should be, as not all debit cards play fair. Premium ones, for example, those with Qantas points or cashback, run on Visa or Mastercard schemes rather than on cheap domestic EFTPOS. These "rewards debit" cards have higher fees to subsidise the value of flyers' points. It's unfair that merchants are paying for bank customers to get extra benefits. If a blanket surcharge ban treats all these debit cards the same with no surcharge, you will be subsidising flyers' points without recourse.

If all "debit cards" are made surcharge-free, that most likely means these high‑cost reward debit cards will also have to be accepted with no surcharge, even though they cost a lot more to process than a plain EFTPOS debit card. That creates a fundamental unfairness for small retailers: customers are encouraged to chase rewards, while the shop silently absorbs the extra cost. From the retailer's point of view, a "tap‑and‑go" debit card on the credit card route can be expensive, like some credit cards. It will be great for the banks and payment providers as the public will rapidly switch to these debit cards.

There is also a practical problem that no one has really answered yet: how is a merchant supposed to know that a card is such a "debit card" before processing it? Most terminals only reveal the transaction type **after** authorisation. If the rules say "you may not surcharge debit, that leaves us guessing at the point of sale, even if surcharges are allowed. Banks and payment providers should be required to give merchants a clear, simple way to see that this tap is not a standard debit card but a premium card **before** acceptance. If they did this, our software could adjust the surcharge.

Conclusion

For now, we are waiting to see where the final rules land, but our message in the review has been simple. Suppose governments want to make debit card payments surcharge-free. In that case, they also need to make sure that (1) high‑cost "reward" debit cards do not quietly dump even more cost on small retailers, and (2) the systems give merchants clear information at the point of sale so we can actually follow the rules in the real world.

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.

I was at a retail meeting recently, and the topic that got people talking and thinking was "virtual cashiers." It is already happening in America. Here's how it works: instead of having a cashier standing at your counter, you have a screen. On that screen is a real person, live via video, like Zoom. That person is working in another country, maybe the Philippines or India, but they are is your cashier in your shop.

The setup depends on what kind of business you run.

For Quick-Service Businesses

Say you run a fast-food shop; the virtual cashier works just like a regular cashier. They greet the customer, take the order, enter it into your POS system, and guide the customer to tap their card on the payment terminal. Between customers, they can answer your phone, monitor your security cameras, or handle other tasks.

For Retail Shops

If you run a newsagency, chemist, pet shop, or similar business, it works as a hybrid between self-checkout and a staffed counter. The customer scans their own items with a barcode scanner, while the virtual cashier monitors everything via a camera feed. They can help if a barcode won't scan, handle age verification for tobacco, or answer questions. Most importantly, they watch to make sure everything gets scanned, which will address the biggest problem with self-checkouts: theft. Today, self-checkout theft can be 16 times higher than with traditional cashiers. Some are going back to cashiers, and so few SMB retailers are rejecting them.

The Money Side of Things

Let me be blunt about the costs.

Right now, if you employ a casual cashier in Australia, you're paying around $27 per hour base rate, plus often casual loading. Then there's superannuation at 11.5%. And weekends? That's when it really hurts: 150% on Saturdays and 175% on Sundays. If you're open seven days a week, 12 hours a day, you're looking at over $85,000 a year for one full-time cashier position.

Now compare that to virtual cashier rates. Even if you're paying double or triple the local rate in India or Pakistan, you're looking at $6 to $9 an hour. That is a potential savings of $60,000 or more per year, per position. It's no wonder that so many were interested in the retail meeting.

As a virtual cashier watches the transaction through a camera, another major cost-saving is theft, since the customer knows someone is watching. They can't "accidentally" forget to scan items, and it's harder to swap barcodes, the banana trick where people swap a barcode on a cheaper item onto a dearer one..

What would be needed to set it up?

When we thought it through, it did not seem as complicated as it might sound.

• Professional remote desktop software so the virtual cashier can control your POS system
• A monitor facing the customer showing the cashier's video feed
• At least two cameras, one pointed at the customer, and the other at the scanning area
• Good quality microphone and speakers for a clear two-way conversation
• Reliable, fast internet (this is not negotiable; it would need to be business-grade, not home broadband)
• Recording capability for any disputes or investigations
• We could easily make it better with our AI 

So yes, there's an upfront cost for this equipment, but when you're saving $60,000 a year, it's minor. 

I am sure we could do it right now with some of our clients.

Things to Consider

It's worth thinking about.

I'm not going to pretend this is a perfect solution, nothing is, and there are legitimate concerns, but the reality is that your retail margins are tight and getting tighter. Labour costs keep going up. Theft keeps eating into your profits and your customers are increasingly comfortable with technology.

Now ask yourself what matters most to your customers? The lowest price, or a local person behind the counter? My gut feeling is that most will vote with their wallets.

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 Australian retailers modernise their operations, we strongly suggest you replace your barcode readers with 2D scanners that read QR codes. Upgrading to QR code readers, though with a minor hardware cost increase, provides notable benefits in data capacity, efficiency, and customer engagement, offering high ROI.

Enhanced Data Capacity and Versatility

The most significant advantage of QR codes is their superior data storage capacity. A standard barcode is sufficient only for a price or basic product code. In contrast, a QR code can hold over 4,200 alphanumeric characters. It contains a lot of text information that suppliers can use to store product specifications. We use it too for weighing items for the POS Systems.

Improved Scanning, Efficiency and Reliability

QR codes are engineered for superior performance in a fast-paced retail environment. Unlike traditional barcodes that need scanning in a straight line, two-dimensional QR codes can be read from any angle, so you don't have to line them up as much, which speeds up barcode reading significantly.

What I like about QR codes in particular is their better error-correction capability. I have seen them scanned even when the QR code is badly damaged, dirty, or obscured.

Streamlined Operations and Inventory Management

Because it has better error correction, it is much faster. There are far fewer attempts to read the barcode.

Industry pressure

QR codes are entering the market; we are now seeing products without barcodes, only with QR codes. If you want to handle such products, you need a scanner that reads QR codes, or you need to stick a barcode on each product.

Loyalty programs

Our CRM can use QR codes. Many suppliers also use a QR code for the same reason. 

Accessibility

QR codes are inherently accessible because suppliers favour them, as smartphones can easily scan them.

By adopting QR code readers, you are future-proofing your business.

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.

It is not an exaggeration to say that seeing the future is a gift every business wants, but such superpowers are only in fiction. Still, the predictive technology and analytics in your POS Software will give you a better understanding of future events. 

For example, using your data-driven analytics and artificial intelligence in your POS system can help you predict your ideal stock holding now based on its historical data. This can help you make real-time decisions, allowing, for example, you to overcome current delivery issues that are leading to shipping delays. 

The problem is that you now have thousands of stock items in your shop. Keeping track of all these stock items is, in practice, unworkable as it is too much work. To reduce the workload, many people try to pick the top-selling items and essentially ignore the rest. It works for the top, say 100 items, but leaves the rest out of control. But it is no problem for the computer to control thousands of items. 

So stop guessing, use your POS System. Users of our POS System have a free AI system years ahead of any other POS Software I know of that can predict future sales, a challenge every retail business faces. Although precise foresight remains fictional, modern Point of Sale (POS) systems with predictive analytics provide a close second. This technology analyses your past sales data to deliver highly accurate demand forecasts, enabling you to optimise stock levels, boost profitability, and make smarter purchasing choices.

The High Cost of Inaccurate Inventory

Ineffective inventory management directly impacts profitability. The most visible consequences are stockouts and overstocking, which contribute to a global problem for retailers. Inventory distortion, which includes both overstocks and stockouts, was projected to cost retailers almost $1.8 trillion in 2023. Stockouts alone account for nearly $1 trillion in lost sales for retailers worldwide each year, as customers who cannot find the product they want will often take their business elsewhere. Research shows that retailers lose nearly half of all intended purchases when a product is unavailable. These lost sales represent a significant revenue loss and can damage brand reputation and customer loyalty over the long term. Furthermore, many businesses resort to costly emergency measures such as expedited shipping and overtime labour to manage stock shortfalls, which erode financial stability.

From Guesswork to Growth: How Predictive Analytics Works

Manually tracking thousands of individual stock items is an unworkable and inefficient task that often leads to errors. Many retailers attempt to manage this by focusing only on their top-selling products, leaving the majority of their inventory unmanaged and susceptible to costly stockouts or overstocking. Predictive analytics integrated within a POS system automates this entire process, providing a comprehensive solution.

The system’s artificial intelligence uses historical data to forecast ideal stock levels for every single item. This enables data-driven, real-time purchasing decisions that can mitigate challenges such as shipping delays. For instance, consider a scenario where your system flags a specific item for review. The data might show you have only two units on hand, but the predictive analytics, based on recent sales velocity and seasonal trends, forecasts four sales for the upcoming week. The system immediately recommends a reorder, allowing you to prevent missed sales and ensure customer satisfaction.

Measurable Business Outcomes and ROI

The implementation of predictive analytics delivers tangible returns by converting data into strategic assets. By ensuring popular items are consistently available, you not only capture immediate sales but also strengthen customer loyalty and satisfaction. One of our clients, a mid-sized retail business, discovered an unforeseen surge in demand for a niche product line through their POS system's analytics. By flagging the initial sales trend, the system enabled them to adjust their ordering strategy promptly, capturing significant sales that would have otherwise been lost.

Moreover, this technology greatly cuts the financial cost of overstocking, freeing up capital that would otherwise be tied up in unsold goods. Case studies have demonstrated that businesses using real-time inventory tracking and predictive analytics can boost revenue by 12% and cut emergency replenishment costs by 30% within 6 months. By automating replenishment, organisations can cut stockouts by up to 40%, directly increasing profits and encouraging sustainable growth.

Conclusion

Shifting to a proactive, data-driven strategy is essential for growth.

Ready to stop guessing and start selling smarter?

Let me show you an example. See the example of a stock item above in the ordering screen. 

We have here two (2) on hand. The expected sales for this week (focus quantity) are four (4) sales a week. So the computer is saying you need to order ASAP or miss out on sales this week and a few next week until you get it in stock. 

That is one item. You now have thousands of stock items in your shop. Doing this is too much work manually. 

Using it, you can spot early warning signs.

One of my clients recently discovered that he had forgotten about Diya lamps. These surged in sales last month, so okay, he missed some but managed to get much of it. So he got some excellent sales that he would have missed out on without this predictive analytics. 

If you need any help or want to get an automated stock control system going in your shop, please get in touch with us.

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.

Product bundling is probably the most successful and standard marketing tool in business today. Ours is one of the few retail packages that does it really well, I have noticed. So please follow the logic and the solution below.

You go to buy a a cable TV plan. It will have a set of channels and access to some loyalty club, all for one price. Another example would be going to a restaurant and getting a special price if you buy a set menu. In both cases, if you add up the items, you will find it cheaper to take the bundle.

From the business point of view, the fact is that you were unlikely to pay for six (6) news channels. Once they sell you on one, the rest is a bonus. Few would buy a full meal at a restaurant, so they package a few high-margin items, sell them at a low price, and give you a bit of a discount, so you buy more. Both are classic examples of product bundling.

Where it often works well in retail is to take a hot seller and pair it with an item that isn't selling well, so you intend to discount it to get rid of it, then put the two items together and make a bundle at a special price. What you often find is that you can sell more as a result of the hot sellers and get a better price for the lousy seller together than you could obtain individually.  

Try it out. I think you will find it's a lot better an idea than discounting.

You will find it one of the most effective ways to generate traffic in your shop and generate sales.

Here is where you do it. In this example, one ordinary Father's Day card was used to sell four good sellers in one bundle.

Bundling several products into one package is a great retail strategy. It works well because customers see it as good value, which prompts them to spend more than they originally intended. For businesses, this tactic isn’t just about providing discounts; it’s also a smart way to control inventory and boost profits.

The real magic occurs when you combine a best-selling item with an older, slower-moving product. For example, if you have a popular book that sells quickly and a related magazine that isn't moving well, instead of cutting its price, you can bundle it with the bestseller. This way, you're not only selling the hot item but also moving the less popular one without significant losses. Customers tend to focus on the overall value of the package rather than individual prices. This simple strategy has helped some businesses increase their average sale amount by 20-30%.

There are several strategies to consider. Why not create exclusive bundles, such as a "new parent" kit? It could include a parenting book and a small toy, sold as a bundle. Then, offering your customers the option to buy items separately or as a discounted bundle. This encourages bundle sales. You can test products with different categories. Pairing a popular novel with a toy to get them to explore new products.

Bundles are especially incredible for holidays and seasons. Christmas 2025 is just around the corner. You could start thinking about gourmet hampers that mix books with chocolates or family activity boxes with board games and snacks. And don't forget the "build your own" bundle. Letting customers pick any three books for a set price, for instance, gives them a sense of control and personalisation that people really appreciate.

You don't have to guess what to bundle, either. Your own sales system is probably sitting on a goldmine of information. By looking at your sales reports, you can see what products people are already buying together. Suppose you notice that customers often buy a specific magazine whenever they pick up a particular genre of book. In that case, you’ve got a ready-made bundle idea that's already backed by real behaviour. 

A modern point-of-sale system can make this all seamless, allowing your staff to process a bundle with a single scan while automatically updating inventory and pricing.

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.

[1](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Product_bundling)

The official start of Black Friday 2025 is 28 November, but waiting is not a good idea. Standard practice for many Australian retailers is to start now. Major retailers like Myer and David Jones have already begun their sales. Some promotions actually started in late October. Amazon has announced its Black Friday sale begins next week, on 18 November. The Black Friday period has expanded, making an early start crucial. Here are some images of shops that have started their Black Friday Sales now. I took some pictures of retailers now in a shopping centre in the DFO in Moorabbin, Vic, already pushing their Black Friday Sales.We are also doing a Black Friday Sale now. 

Leveraging POS System

Your POS systems provide critical tools, such as the "Top Selling Items" report, to identify high-demand products. Analyse your sales of last November 2024 and the previous 30 days to see what sells in your shop. Details here.

Conclusion

Early Black Friday sales in 2025 offer you a strategic edge by starting 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.

​As retailers, we're heading into our busiest and most profitable time of the year. As deliveries grow, managing delivery expectations is crucial to customer satisfaction and repeat business. Let me share some practical advice on handling your Christmas shipping schedule.

Choose the Right Service Level

Considering what happened last year, Express Post is your best mate for last-minute orders. It offers next-business-day delivery to 80% of Australian addresses. While it costs more than standard delivery, the tracking capabilities and faster delivery times make it worth every cent during the Christmas rush. Plus, you get verification from Australia Post that it was delivered.

Setting Your Store's Cut-off Dates

Remember, the dates below are guidelines, not guarantees. The earlier you send your parcels, the better their chance of arriving before Christmas. Consider offering Express Post as a premium option for last-minute shoppers who need guaranteed faster delivery.

Australia Post Christmas lodgement dates are here.  One point is that these dates apply to items delivered by 2:30 pm at an Australia Post outlet.

Delivery issues now

Australia is currently experiencing a shortage of postal and delivery drivers of about 14% as we approach Christmas. It's important to be cautious about pushing current shipping deadlines, as many shoppers do switch to retailers that offer faster delivery. Plus, if you do miss these deadlines, it will lead to significant customer dissatisfaction.

Domestic Deliveries

I recommend setting your store's order cut-off dates at least 2-3 days before Australia Post's deadlines:

• Regular parcels: Set your cut-off to 17 December
• Express orders: Final orders by 20 December

International Shipments

New Zealand: 13 December 2025

United States: 16 December 2025. Note: As of now, Australia Post can no longer use couriers to the USA.

Canada: 13 December 2025

United Kingdom: 13 December 2025

Practical Tips for Smooth Operations

-Packaging and Processing Tips Address Verification Essentials Proper addressing might seem basic, but it's crucial for timely deliveries. Include:

Unit/apartment numbers

Complete street address

Suburb and postcode

Trust me, no one will complain if you put too much detail.

Order Processing

• Dedicate specific times each day to packing orders
• Print shipping labels in batches
• Use your POS to generate packing slips automatically

Communication Strategies

Clear Messaging Display shipping cut-off dates:

• On your website homepage
• At checkout
• To confirm emails
• In-store signage

Customer Updates Use your POS system to:

• Send shipping notifications to your customer when you send it, and include the expected delivery date
• Include tracking information
• Alert customers about potential delays
• Bookmark the Australia Post Page for reference.

Preparing Your Team

• Understand and communicate delivery timeframes
• Handle shipping enquiries confidently
• Process orders efficiently using your POS system

Looking After Regional Customers

If you're serving customers in WA, NT, or regional areas:

• Add extra processing days
• Consider express shipping options
• Be upfront about extended delivery times

Last-Minute Solutions

For those inevitable last-minute shoppers:

• Offer click-and-collect until 24 December
• Provide gift cards as a backup option
• Consider local courier services for nearby customers, or deliver it yourself.

Remember, while Australia Post has announced its cut-off dates, we retailers must work backwards from them.

Planning and using your POS system effectively can turn the Christmas rush into an opportunity.

​

Recently, a client brought an almost-new computer, it was claimed, but it turned out to be an old one. Interestingly, the client himself is very computer-knowledgeable, and he was fooled.

Here, you can discover how to protect your investment and avoid getting scammed when buying a computer with these expert verification techniques. I always recommend purchasing only from reputable vendors. Note that this means more than just big ones, as many small vendors are reputable.

The Importance of Accurate Age Verification

Outdated systems disguised as new can create multiple problems:

• Performance issues affecting daily operations

• Compatibility problems with modern software

• Potential security vulnerabilities are threatening your business.

Consider these statistics:

• The average lifespan of a new system is 3 to 5 years; a two-year-old computer gives you 1 to 3 years, and a three-year-old probably has about a year left.
• Outdated systems will have higher repair costs.
• Performance degradation in older systems will lead to slower transaction times.

The Bigger Picture

While determining the exact age of a computer system is crucial, it's not the only factor to consider when upgrading your POS setup. The reliability, compatibility with your chosen Best POS software, and the vendor's support are just as crucial.. A slightly older, well-maintained system that's fit for purpose might serve your business better than a brand-new system that needs optimisation for retail operations.

Consider these key factors:

• System reliability and uptime
• Compatibility with modern POS software
• Vendor support and warranty options
• Overall performance for your specific retail needs

Serial Number: Your First Line of Defence

The serial number is your most reliable age indicator.

To locate it:

• Check the back of desktop computers

• Look under Computer

• Inspect the battery compartment.

The Difficulty of Changing Stickers

Now it's not impossible to change a sticker if it's there, but its not easy for anyone trying to do so deceptively:

• Designed for Tamper-Evidence: Manufacturers often use special adhesives and materials that cause the sticker to tear, shred, or leave behind a "VOID" pattern if peeled off.

• Hard to Replicate: The stickers are printed with specific fonts and layouts, and often include barcodes that are difficult to reproduce.

• Physical Imperfections: Check if the sticker is peeling at the corners, isn't aligned correctly, or has bubbles underneath it.

For Windows-based systems, use the Command Prompt.

"wmic bios get serialnumber"

It might display the serial number if it is in the BIOS.

Once you have the serial number, visit the manufacturer's website or contact customer support. Many companies can provide manufacturing date information based on the serial number.

However, many computers today do not have the serial number here, so you get a "Default String."

While serial numbers can be reliable indicators, sometimes they're not accessible. In such cases, the BIOS date provides another verification method."

BIOS Date: A Window into the Past

Look for the "BIOS Version/Date"

This date shows when the computer's BIOS was last updated. Now, some manufacturers or tech-savvy sellers might update the BIOS before selling, which could mask the system's actual age. So, like always, buyer beware.

Another way I prefer to determine the approximate time your computer was assembled is to check the BIOS date here. You can check the system information in Windows. To access this, type "system information" in the Start menu's search bar, then run it; a window will pop up showing details about the computer, including the BIOS Date.

What you will get is

This will only work if the computer's BIOS has not been updated since the initial installation. 

Here's how to check it:

1. Open the Command Prompt (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Type one of these commands and press Enter:

While you are there, look at the processor. Doing a net search, you can quickly find when the manufacturer first released that computer. It will not tell you how old the computer is, but it will tell you the oldest possible age.

Windows Installation: A Clue, Not a Guarantee

In Windows settings > About, it will tell you the Windows version and when Windows was installed. Again, it is no longer a guide, as a new version of Windows may have been installed on that computer.

Checking the Windows installation date can tell you its setup date, but it does not always indicate the hardware's age. Here's how to find this information:

1. Go to Windows Settings (use the Windows key + I shortcut).
2. Navigate to System > About.
3. Scroll down to find the Windows version and installation date.

However, someone may have reinstalled Windows by upgrading it. Again, this date might reflect that not the computer's age. However, it can be a helpful piece of the puzzle when combined with other verification methods, as it can reasonably be assumed that the computer is older than this date. I can only emphasise that a computer cannot be older than its processor.

Check the Hard Drive

While the methods above help determine the age of the computer's core components, a savvy buyer should also inspect the components themselves. The hard drive is, I think, the most important as an old, heavily used drive is just real trouble.

How to Check Power-On Hours

You will need a free third-party tool to get this. CrystalDiskInfo is pretty good. It's the one I mainly use, but there are others. Download, install, and run this program. It will automatically scan your drives and display their health status and detailed information, including the "Power-On Hours" value.​

Interpreting the Results

By comparing Power-On Hours with other clues, such as the CPU release date, you can uncover the computer's true history. Let us say the laptop is 2 years old; one would expect the hard drive to be used about (2 years) x (250 days) x (8 hours) = 4,000 hours.

• Scenario 1: New Drive
  The hard drive has only 50 Power-On Hours. This suggests the hard drive was recently replaced. I would not complain about that.

• Scenario 2:Problems
  The seller claims the PC was "lightly used," but the Power-On Hours are really high (e.g., over 15,000).  Something does not sound right.

• Scenario 3: A Consistent Story
  The drive shows around 4,000 Power-On Hours. This story adds up.

By checking the Power-On Hours, you move beyond simply finding the computer's age and start to understand its history, condition, and actual value.

Component Inspection: Devil in the Details

For those with more technical know-how, inspecting individual components can reveal much about a system's age, but this raises another problem. I have seen people replacing components with older ones. If you open the computer, you may find stickers that can help you.

Summing up

It is not easy to find out. These methods, at best, can only help.

It's important to note that a computer's age is not always an accurate indicator of its performance or lifespan. An older computer that has been well-cared for often functions perfectly for many years. New computers that are lemons are not uncommon, either.

FAQ

Q: How can I tell if a computer is new?
A: Check multiple age indicators: serial number verification, BIOS date, CPU model release date, and Windows installation date. No method is foolproof, so various verification techniques provide the best assurance.

Q: What's the most reliable method to check a computer's age?
A: The serial number is the most reliable indicator when available. You need this number when contacting the manufacturer to obtain the manufacturing date.

Q: How do you find out how old a computer is?
A: Use multiple verification methods above.

Q: How do you find the date on the computer?
A: Access dates through System Information (systeminfo.exe) to find the Original installation date and BIOS Version/Date, or check Windows Settings > System > About for the installation date.

Q: What is the age of the computer System?
A: Generally, computer systems are typically categorised
- New (1-2 years)
- Middle-aged (3-5 years)
- Aging (5+ years) 

Most businesses value a computer for five years, and after that, it has no book value. 

Q: How old is my computer in human years?
A: This is an awful measure, but it is commonly stated that a computer ages at five human years for each actual year. 

Q: Can the BIOS date be manipulated?
A: The BIOS can be updated, which changes its date. That's why using multiple verification methods is essential rather than relying solely on BIOS information.

Q: How do I check the Windows installation date?
A: Access Windows Settings > System > About. While this shows when Windows was installed, remember that Windows could have been reinstalled on older hardware.

Q: What should I do if I discover my "new" computer is used?
A: Document all evidence, contact the seller immediately for resolution, and if necessary, file complaints with consumer protection agencies. 

Q: How often should I replace my computer?
A: Replacement for business and POS systems is typically recommended every 3-5 years. Systems older than this are often prone to performance issues and security vulnerabilities.

Q: Can I trust component inspection?
A: Component inspection can be helpful but requires technical knowledge. Be aware that components can be swapped, so this method should be used alongside other verification techniques.

Q: What if the serial number shows "Default String"?
A: This is common in modern computers, where the serial number isn't stored in the BIOS. In these cases, check the device's physical serial number or use alternative verification methods.

Q: How can I verify the age of individual components?
A: Use system information tools to identify component models, then cross-reference their release dates with manufacturer specifications. However, keep in mind that components may have been replaced over time.

Updated: I was asked some questions by a client a few days ago, so rather than answer them, I decided to rewrite this article and give my readers here an answer too.

Written by:

Bernard Zimmermann is the founding director at POS Solutions, a leading point-of-sale system company with 45 years of industry experience. He consults to 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.

Dear Valued Customer,

We have received several inquiries about renewing EFTPOS plans, and we are writing to provide strategic advice in light of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) proposed surcharging reforms. We recommend proceeding with caution before committing to any new or existing supplier.

The RBA is moving to ban surcharges on EFTPOS, Visa, and Mastercard payments, with the changes likely to be effective from July 2026.

Looking at these blended-rate surcharging plans currently being promoted by EFTPOS providers, we have big doubts about some of their claims. While these plans are often presented with attractive incentives, they may expose your business to higher-than-necessary fees once you can no longer pass on those costs to customers.

Our priority is your business's long-term profitability.

You can give us a call to discuss your options if you want.

Best regards,

Bernard Zimmermann

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.

​

 Don't Get Left Behind: Upgrade Your Shop with Our Biggest Black Friday POS Sale Ever!

Is your old cash register slowing you down? This Black Friday, revolutionise your newsagency with a next-generation POS system at an unbeatable price. We've negotiated exclusive deals with our suppliers to help you boost efficiency, manage your unique inventory, and increase profits. This is a limited-time offer you can't afford to miss.

Secure Next-Gen POS Systems at Low Prices

Now is a good time for us to offer you low prices, as many of our partners have excess stock that they know they cannot clear out for months. They are keen to move, so we offer to pass some good savings on to you to help you and them. We tell them what we want: "Our Black Friday Sale is here, with limited-time offers and doorbuster deals!" That's why we worked with our suppliers to bring you incredible Black Friday deals.

I can tell you this: when this stock goes, it doesn't return at these prices.

Huge Savings on Computer Equipment

If you've been holding off on upgrading your computers and tech gear, now is a great time to take the plunge! We have deep discounts. See our newsletter for details.

Why Upgrade Now? 

Inflation and the Australian Dollar

This is the last chance to get such great prices on computer equipment. With rising inflation and the weakening Aussie dollar against the US dollar, prices are expected to increase next year.  The dollar doesn't look pretty right now.

Improved Efficiency

Upgrading your POS system can lead to faster checkouts and happier customers, ultimately driving more sales. Stay ahead of the competition by investing in technology that supports long-term growth.

Call Us Now for a Free Quote and See How a Modern POS System Can Transform Your Shop.

Offer Ends Soon!.

Today, your data must back your strategic decisions. Analysing sales data moves you from gut feel to certainty, revealing what boosts profits. Your POS system captures this info to refine growth strategies.

Analysing Halloween Sales Performance

Begin by extracting detailed insights from your POS system to evaluate Halloween results.

Your POS system has the information you need. It's there, waiting for you to dig in. Here is how to gather insights you can use.

Getting Started: Your First Data Deep Dive

Here's how you can tap into this resource to gain a clear picture of your performance:

Accessing Your Sales Comparison Report

Knowing where your business is going is essential.

Now is an appropriate time to take a quick look at how well you did in 2024, where you are now in retail strategy and compare your performance to previous years.

Go to the register reports.

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

Key Performance Metrics to Track

Let's use a month of information as the holiday starts nowadays, long before the actual day, and continues a bit after. Here's how to do it:

Conducting a Month Analysis

First Comparison:

Input the date range: 06/10/2024 to 06/11/2024 AND 06/10/2025 to 06/11/2025.

Run the report and note key figures

Second Comparison:

Return to the report and input: 06/10/2023 to 06/11/2023 AND 06/10/2025 to 06/11/2025.

Record key statistics

These data points give you a solid foundation for understanding your business's performance over the past two years.

Visualising

A simple graph of your annual turnover can provide a clear visual representation of your business's growth trajectory.

Go to the Cash register.

Then go to Sales - Register Select Dissection Monthly Sales Trend (Graph)

Please select the date range. I suggest 4 weeks, 06/10/2025 to 06/11/2025

As you examine your sales data, ask yourself:

Is there a consistent upward trend in turnover?

Are there any noticeable dips or spikes? What might have caused these?

How does your 2025 performance compare to previous years?

What factors influenced your sales performance over this period?

Now, go back and look at the past two years. Two years is good, as you can see from the seasonal variations.

Remember, this analysis isn't about numbers. It's about understanding the story. We are using these numbers to gain insights that will help us make a strategy for the future.

Leveraging Advanced POS Features

While this simple analysis provides valuable insights, your POS system offers even more advanced reporting capabilities. Use these features to uncover powerful insights that will drive your business decisions:

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.

The Australian Labor Party made an election promise to eliminate debit card surcharges; this policy was supported to some degree by all major Australian Parties, so as day follows night, we can expect changes here. In response, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), after looking into it, decided to float the idea of banning all surcharges on Australian Debit and Credit cards —but, strangely, not on overseas cards. Now, many of my clients have heard about the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) proposed changes to merchant card payments, but most aren't clear about what's actually being discussed. There's a lot of noise out there, and too few people understand what the proposals mean for their day-to-day business operations. I was pretty stunned to find that many of the industrial bodies that represent them had not asked for their thoughts and then told them what they submitted on their behalf. 

To cut through the confusion, I reviewed every official submission to the RBA's consultation—covering banks, card networks, business associations, consumer groups, and technology providers. I pulled out each central position, concern, and argument to show what's really being debated. It took some time, but the goal is to help business owners like you clearly see who supports what, who's opposed, and what that might mean in real-world terms. So below is a summary table outlining each key issue, why it matters, and where the main stakeholders stand. It’s designed to make a complex discussion easier for you to follow.

In summary, Many of the proposed changes from the RBA have mixed effects. They could help consumers and some businesses, but may also push new costs onto retailers with limited ability to absorb them. For small, local shops—especially those operating on agency models or with very tight margins- it's essential to understand these effects and engage in the debate.

I hope this helps you follow the current debate.

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.

In retail, sales often slip away because retailers are targeting the wrong crowd. They do research, stand behind your products, but nothing shifts. It’s frustrating and confusing. Sometimes, though, it's not about the shop, the prices, or even the promos. The issue might be that they're trying to fill a need for folks who aren't coming or not prepared to buy those products from them.

A Real-World Example

I remember helping out a guy who loved board games. He stocked his shop with a solid selection, popular ones selling well. He did the research, which checked out; prices were good, and the display looked sharp. Still, those games did not sell.

He was stumped, of course. "How can I move more of this?" he said. He figured a tweak to the signs and a slight price cut would do it. But it became clear: the shoppers in his store weren't into buying these games, and the ones who did buy them didn't wander in. Worse, some of those game fans were already his regulars for other things, but they did not buy it from him. The real snag wasn't how to sell them. It was whether he should bother stocking them there at all.

Sticking to the Wrong Ideas

When things slow down, retailers naturally start poking at fixes. You end up asking stuff like:

• How can I push my products harder?
• Would dropping prices help me compete?
• Is my lineup off somehow?

These are thoughtful questions because they're action-oriented and suggest you're just one adjustment away from turning it around. That's the pitfall. You keep fiddling with bits and pieces, chasing a win that doesn't show. But these questions miss the point by assuming these products are for you.

The Question That Matters

Better to flip it: Do the folks who want what I'm offering actually step into my place?

That's where the gap shows up for so many shops. It happens in a few ways.

Your items might fly off shelves elsewhere, but that does not mean they move here like they do at that store, where the demand existed but not the right crowd.

Or you've got traffic pouring by, but it's the mismatch kind; a packed sidewalk means nothing if they're not people for your stock.

Market research can trick you here. It shows something's overall hot, but doesn't indicate whether those buyers will hit your spot. That's where your point-of-sale setup shines. It uncovers the real story: how often people buy, what your top spenders grab, their typical haul, and what pairs up in carts.

The wake-up hits when that data shows that your main buyers don't align with the crowd you're after. That's the sign you've been off track.

Spotting the Disconnect

Before jumping in, ask yourself, What is the market for these items.

How do they get it now online, from rivals, across town?

Are they quick grabs or planners who seek it out?

Do these people want to buy these products from you? My daughter, for example, prefers to buy her cosmetics from a shop that specialises in these products.

Then, who's actually passing by or popping in?

Glance at the flow outside. Do they match your ideal buyers?

Are they there on purpose or just cruising through?

What draws them, daily errands, or something touristy?

The Big Lesson

• Start off small
• Prepare in advance a plan to pull out of that product if it does not work
• If possible ask for sale or return
• Closely monitor your sales in your POS System.

The sad reality is that, in business today, we say only one in three products works. The odds are that what you pick will fail. You need new products, but you need to be ruthless: admit you made a mistake, you chased the wrong thing, you made a bad start, and rethink it all.

Before dumping more cash on promo, time on shelves, or worry, face this: Do the buyers for my stuff show up here? If so, better ads, cheaper tags. More sweat won't cut it; it's the wrong fight. Step away?

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.

When you buy, the higher up the pyramid, the better the deals you can get, as every layer adds cost. Unfortunately, as a rule, the higher you go, the harder it is to trade. Now I have spoken here at length about sourcing goods directly overseas. Doing this lets you bypass local importers. Say, for example, the importer buys it for $10 and puts a 100% markup, so it's $20 now. Once you buy it for them, set a 50% markup: the retail price is $30, and your profit is $10. If you went direct, you probably will not get it for $10 as you do not know the market as well and you buy less but you should be about to get it for $13, you decide to put a 100% margin and you are now at $26, 4 dollars cheaper then the retail price and your margin is $13, 30% more. It sounds good, huh.

Today, one of the best places to buy goods is in China. China is a significant manufacturing power today. Due to current American policy, the Chinese are looking for new markets. This is what is exciting Australian importers. The primary site for importing into Australia is AliExpress. I have spoken about it often here. It's a site most importers use. Now, here is a tip: there are more platforms that China uses, such as Alibaba. The one I will suggest to you now is 1688.

Why 1688 Beats AliExpress on Price

When you stack 1688 against AliExpress, the 16688 usually comes out way cheaper, sometimes by 30% to 70%. Why the gap? It boils down to their target market. 1688 is all about connecting Chinese factories with buyers in China for big wholesale deals. AliExpress, on the other hand, sells straight to shoppers around the world, like a regular online store. By buying from 1688, you are going up the pyramid. These savvy buyers can turn this to their advantage, as they are not paying for advertising or the Chinese wholesaler's commission.

I compared prices: a cross-body bag costs about 27 AUD on 1688 but 82 USD on AliExpress. Makeup brushes are $2.10 on 1688 and $7 on Aliexpress. An iPhone case costs 80 cents on 1688 versus $2.50 on AliExpress. These differences highlight good potential savings.

Problems You Can't Ignore

Sure, those unit prices on 1688 look great, but they don't tell the whole story. Like I said, the higher up the pyramid, the harder it is to trade.

Language

The main issue is that 1688 operates in Chinese. I used Google Translate to communicate, but it was difficult. I selected items on Aliexpress, translated their titles into Chinese, and searched on 1688. Most were found, but it was challenging. If I were doing it for a big order, I would hire someone who knows Chinese to make the order. Such people are not expensive, as Australia is full of Chinese speakers, and you only need them for a short time. You go on Aliexpress, pick what you want, then call them in to go on 1688 and ask for quotes. Do not undersell or oversell yourself. Today, you may be shocked at how much information about your shop people can find on the internet. Tell them the truth: you are a successful retailer, you deal with these items, and you are enquiring about a buy price for delivery to Australia to try out their product, which, if it works, you will buy in much larger quantities.

Shipping

It is another big one. 1688 sellers mostly stick to China, so you need to find a company on 1688 that can handle Australia. It's a hassle; in the worst case, they will be able to put you in touch with one of their agents who can help you. It's doable, adds a layer. AliExpress handles that worldwide delivery for you, but yeah, at a premium.

Payments

1688 was not bad. I did notice that they accepted PayPal, which means you do have at least a PayPal guarantee. I would be reluctant to use direct deposit from my bank to a foreign country. 

Quality

1688 is looking for big orders. You may get some nos, but you cannot take nos. I question what you are doing in business at all.

How to start

In the end, you're pushing for bigger profits and an edge that lasts. 1688 opens the door to lower stock costs. In my study, I feel its prices are lower than those on Alibaba or AliExpress. 

Start with AliExpress to poke around. Have a chew on what looks good.  While Halloween is fresh on your mind, take a look for some of the products you handled to see what price you could get. Now look at 1688 to see what you can see. If you decide it's too hard to buy on 1688, go back to Aliexpress and tell them why their prices are so high when 1688 is quoting much better.

Let me know how it goes.

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.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) delayed its final decision on card payment reforms until March 2026. It is to allow more time to review submissions from businesses and the public. This extension means SMBs, including retailers, will keep using the current system longer, with surcharges helping to offset processing fees, which still frustrate many customers.

I've seen firsthand how card fees affect low-margin operations like corner stores and newsagents. Our company submitted detailed feedback to the RBA, emphasising that surcharges are strictly for cost recovery under the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, and that removing them could shift the burden onto merchants rather than payment providers as claimed.

Reform Timeline and Key Impacts

The Labor Party's 2022 election pledge aims to eliminate debit card surcharges, reducing costs for consumers and small businesses.

October 2024: RBA review begins with a paper proposing bans on surcharges on domestic debit cards and some low-cost credit transactions, caps on interchange fees, and greater transparency.

15 July 2025: A consultation paper shows these fees, totalling $4.3 billion annually, are borne mainly by SMB retailers handling many low-value card payments as cash declines.

26 August 2025: The consultation closed, receiving many submissions, which delayed further analysis.

These reforms could reshape payment processing. It may require adjustments to the POS Systems setups.

Why This Matters for Your Business

• Cash is going, and cards now dominate
• The $4.3 billion in annual fees underscores the need for transparent, cost-effective payments.
• This delay extends uncertainty. Stay informed.

Let's see how it plays out.

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.