Our office is closed on ANZAC Day to honour those who have sacrificed for us.
May their memory be for a blessing
Our after-hours support team remains fully operational today, 24/7.
Like many, I will be observing the day with my family today. Please direct your matters through the support channels unless urgent. I will be personally available again on Saturday.
I was listening to a discussion on retail security in the UK. What stunned me was the discussion on the growing use of body-worn cameras. These are becoming standard security tools in retail there. Australian retailers will begin to explore their full potential here. These cameras present a promising solution for improving retail security, loss prevention, and staff safety.
In a survey in the United Kingdom, 60% of retailers have adopted or reported testing these cameras. Although I have no figures for the UK, retailers have reported a 37–45% reduction in violent incidents after introducing these cameras in the United States. According to a 2024 Motorola Solutions survey in the US, more than half of global retail workers feel safer equipped with these cameras. It all sounds pretty positive.
The visible presence of cameras reduces and discourages aggression. For example, UK supermarkets saw a 20% drop in aggressive incidents after adopting these cameras. It creates a safer work environment.
They produce a high-definition video from a staff perspective, which provides reliable evidence for resolving disputes and improving incident resolution and loss prevention outcomes.
It has been found that they generate a psychological deterrent, as being recorded has led to a dramatic reduction in assaults in the UK.
Video evidence protects staff from false accusations and customer complaint investigations.
I can see many advantages.
The faster incident resolution would streamline the investigation of discrepancies, customer complaints, and workplace incidents.
We have investigated integrating these cameras into our point-of-sale system. This promises to link your transaction data with video evidence so you can view each incident comprehensively from the staff's view.
After some searching, I found them selling for $30, but I would not recommend them for several reasons. Looking at them, one can see clearly that not all such cameras are equal.
I noticed in the UK talk that the retailers discussed several types, all of which were of good quality. Not surprisingly, the right choice for a body-worn camera in your retail environment can make a significant difference to staff safety, loss prevention, and operational efficiency.
I put together some critical features and practical considerations for Australian retailers that I can see.
Clear footage is critical for incident review, evidence management, and staff protection. I would suggest:
Your staff work many long hours.
Since your staff is probably not a photographic expert in a shop, you need intuitive technology.
Fortunately, retail incidents are infrequent, but when they occur, you will need substantial documentation
Shops often have poorly lit areas. Cameras with low-light or infrared capability capture critical details regardless of lighting conditions.
Retail environments are terrible environments for electronics. People drop them, dust is often around, and, as we have discovered with our other POS equipment, people love to drop coffee over the equipment.
These cameras in a retail setting require more rigorous legal compliance than regular fixed cameras. This is due to their ability to record private conversations and sensitive interactions, which triggers stricter privacy, consent, and data protection requirements under Australian law. You should discuss this with someone who knows more about these things than I do. Please consult for legal advice to comply with federal and state laws, as requirements vary. In Tasmania, for example, if you are recording sound, you must notify people somehow.
I would only use cameras with encryption and allow only senior staff access to the information. Make a clear policy of deleting the information after 30–90 days unless required for an investigation; if the camera is set to loop recording, as I suggested earlier, this would happen automatically.
My understanding is that this is very good.
UK retailers claim to recoup their investment within 6–8 months through lower theft rates. Interestingly, they also claimed it minimises the risk and costs of wrongful dismissal claims and workers' compensation disputes.
When I asked our suppliers, they told me that the security industry forecasts that Australia's market for such cameras will grow by 23% annually by 2030.
If you are considering such cameras for your retail business, I suggest:
- Buy a cheap one and try it out. There is no point in getting an expensive one and finding it unsuitable. Cheap ones start from $40.
- Try it first and see how you go.
- Then get your staff to try it.
- Review
Here are links that I think you will find helpful on this subject
Can cameras save our shop workers from attack?
Why retailers are turning to body-worn cameras for loss prevention.
Body-Worn Cameras for Retail and Shopping Centres
Tackling the retail crime epidemic with technology – Are body-worn cameras the answer?
Will Body Cameras Scare Shoplifters?
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.
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.
Cash Out Day is tomorrow, 22 April 2025. It is a practical reminder that many Australians value cash as a payment. As digital transactions have surged, the movement to keep some money viable has gained real traction. Last year's Cash Out Day drove a 6.2% spike in ATM withdrawals and up to 14% increases in some shopping centres. Most people felt there was no need to withdraw cash unless they went to a place like a shopping centre where they could spend it.
It showed that many Australians still value access to cash.
Supporting Cash Out Day is not just about being opposed to technology (a Luddite); it's about ensuring that cash as a payment method is necessary for our community now.
Cash usage in Australia has declined sharply. It now represents 13% of consumer transactions, down from 70% in 2007. This shift has created a crisis for cash as the infrastructure needed to support it becomes less viable, e.g. nearly half of all bank branches have closed since 2011, ATM numbers have dropped by over a quarter since 2016, and Armaguard has been struggling due to the dramatic decline in cash usage across Australia. It has been creating a potential crisis, according to the ACCC, for the estimated "one in four Australians who would face genuine hardship or major inconvenience without access to cash."
The ACCC stated, "Cash is the preferred payment method for approximately 1.5 million adult Australians, who rely on it for over 80% of their transactions." By accepting cash, you ensure your business is accessible to these customers, too.
Often forgotten is that Cash payments offer immediate settlement. They eliminate the settlement periods associated with electronic transactions and avoid the processing fees that come with card payments. These fees average around 1.5% per transaction for SMB retailers. These fees are also unfair as they affect SMB retailers more than large retailers.
Additionally, cash provides operational resilience. Digital payment systems experience outages. I had a customer who lost over $8,500 when his EFTPOS went down for most of the day. Australia does not yet have the infrastructure to support a cashless society.
The Australian Government has stated it recognises the importance of cash, but no one has seen it do much. Their recent proposal to force businesses to remove EFTPOS surcharges is unfair as it stands as they have not answered who is supposed to pay this cost. I doubt the goverment intends to pay it.
If you want to support Cash Out Day 2025 actively. Here are practical actions you can take to demonstrate your cash commitment:
It is what the organisers want, and it indeed is, as you can see that this statistic has been widely quoted. Simply go and take some money out of an ATM.
Then tell your friends to do the same.
Put a sign on your shopfront stating "Keep Cash" or "Cash Welcome Here." This simple gesture signals that you value cash.
The Cash Welcome campaign's petition has gathered over 200,000 signatures advocating for guaranteed cash access and acceptance.
Click here if you want to sign.
Consider offering a small discount or bonus item for cash purchases on Cash Out Day. After all, many people will have more cash tomorrow and are looking for where to spend it.
While digital payments will continue to grow, I feel, and I hope you do, that cash will remain a vital part of the Australian economy for the foreseeable future.
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.
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.
A simple fridge thermometer can deliver substantial benefits to your business. I had a client who got a free fridge thermometer, tested it out, and instantly reduced their energy costs by adjusting the fridge. They would also have saved by minimising food waste and extending the life of the fridge by working it less. A fridge thermometer is a low-cost, high-impact tool for retailers focused on energy savings and retail food safety.
A refrigerator thermometer that accurately reads your refrigerator’s internal temperature is needed. Most fridges use a numerical setting (1 to 7), but you need temperature, which makes it impossible to check.
In many shops, the fridge is the largest energy user. When it runs cold, it uses more electricity, increasing operating costs and ruining the food. Conversely, running hot causes food to deteriorate too quickly.
Most retail fridges need to be at 3°C to 5°C, and freezers need to be at -15°C to -18°C. You cannot verify this without a fridge thermometer.
The problem is that commercial fridges will increase a shop's costs with frequent door openings, hot environments, and poor maintenance. A small commercial fridge uses about 500 kWh, and a larger one can be up to 17,000 kWh. At about 40 cents a kWh, that currently works to between $200 and $6,800 a year, and we all know that electricity costs are rising..
Raising the fridge's temperature by a degree reduced its energy consumption by 5% without impacting the business. This is a first-level approximation of about $60/year in savings.
Fridges that operate above their ideal temperature range will increase wear and tear on the compressors and seals. The cost of repairs is often the most expensive cost of the fridges.
After a net search, I found affordable fridge thermometers for only $3.16, $5.65 and $2.99 (see the red arrows above). The potential savings in reduced energy bills would offset this investment in the first month in the above shop.
Please ensure the thermometer you pick is designed specifically for your desired temperatures.
Digital models are easy to read at a glance, but analogue versions are simple and require no batteries.
I do not know if you need an alarm, but I did notice that some digital thermometers include alarms that notify you if temperatures move outside the safe range. If you do, this could be a valuable feature.
I would test it first, put it next to an existing Thermometer, leave it for a few hours, and make sure it is getting a good result.
You can find a position below the top shelf and towards the front or near the door because that is where you need to review the most. If you intend to monitor continuously, you need the place to be visible and at eye level, making checks straightforward. Now you can stick it into the fridge, leave it overnight and see the result the next day.
If the temperature exceeds 5°C, lower the fridge setting. If it falls below 3°C, increase the setting to save energy.
If food safety compliance laws are essential to you, you may need to note the temperatures.
Q: What’s the best temperature for my fridge and freezer?
A: Fridge: 3°C to 5°C
Freezer: -15°C to -18°C
Regular Maintenance, such as cleaning the door seals, checking for ice build-up, cleaning coils, and periodically defrosting freezers, will save you money.
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.
Today, EFTPOS payment plays a key role in retail! We need to hear your thoughts on what you need with FTPOS.
If you're a customer running our POS System, we need your feedback to help us create EFTPOS solutions tailored to your needs, making your business even more successful!
EFTPOS integration creates a direct communication pathway between your Point of Sale (POS) and payment systems. This seamless connection eliminates redundant data entry, reduces handling time, and reduces mistakes.
Implementing any EFTPOS integration is a significant investment for our team and your business. This goes beyond simply connecting a terminal—it involves creating systems that complement your workflow and work with the new system requirements errors. Each is a few months' work.
We want your priority for cost considerations, system reliability, support quality, contract flexibility, and feature availability. What factors are most critical for your business currently?
Your survey responses will directly influence our approach to future EFTPOS integrations and determine which payment solutions we prioritise for development. It isn't merely a data collection exercise—your input will guide concrete improvements to our EFTPOS offerings for Australian retailers.
All responses remain confidential and will be used exclusively for service improvement.
One minute!!!
We've designed the survey to take approximately one minute to complete.
Your feedback will shape EFTPOS solutions that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and profitability for Australian businesses.
Thank you for partnering with us to create effective payment solutions.
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.
Let's talk Easter. It's almost here; frankly, too many shops leave money on the table during this peak trading period. It's a shame if you look at the splurge forecast's potential for Easter this year. Potential doesn't pay the bills. Making the most of Easter isn't about luck; it's about smart, decisive action based on facts, not guesswork. Do something to capture your share of the Easter spend!
Before we talk about strategy, could we clarify the fact? The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan have laid out the landscape for Easter 2025.
While shoppers might be watching their wallets overall, they plan to spend. Your job is to align your shop with where the money is going.
Everyone is talking about the fact that Easter goods will be dearer in 2025 than last year. We can't do anything about it, but please be ready to answer people if it comes up. I doubt it will be hard to explain as they know about this problem unless they live under a rock.
Figures show that, on average, shoppers will have to spend about 9.5% more on their Easter chocolates than on Easter 2024. Interestingly, Darrell Lea, the brand of many of my customers in the market, has no price from what I could see.
Based on my experience working with countless retailers, here are the critical errors I see businesses make year after year during Easter. Avoid these, and you're already ahead of the pack.
Too many retailers rely on gut feelings and/or memory without checking the facts. That's just lazy. Do some research, particularly on food and chocolates. Your stocking decisions must reflect this reality.
Dive into your Point of Sale (POS) system. Run reports like "Top Selling Items" or "Sales by Category" for last year's Easter period (use the two weeks leading up to Easter Sunday). See what is sold in your shop! Don't guess, but know!
Use this data and the 2025 spending forecasts to place your orders. Look at proven sellers in the key categories (treats, DIY). Don't forget small items like themed decorations, small gifts and greeting cards. Put them where they will be noticed.
Potential customers will walk past your shop if people cannot see your Easter product. For Easter, they need an immediate, compelling reason to enter. Weak window signage or your generic display won't cut it. You must grab attention and scream to the world, "Easter products here!"
Use bold, clear signage in windows and throughout the store. Announce your Easter specials, highlight key product categories (Easter treats, DIY supplies), and make your unique selling points obvious.
Slapping a simple "10% off" sign-up is unimaginative and often erodes your margin. Customers are bombarded with discounts; yours must be more innovative and engaging to drive sales and increase basket size.
Create an Easter Bundle.
Most of you have a loyalty program; use it!
It loops back to Mistake 1 above, but it deserves its point because it's fundamental. Your POS system isn't just for taking payments; it's your business intelligence hub. Failing to use its reporting tools before and during a peak period like Easter is like driving blindfolded.
See what worked last year in your shop
Go to Register reports.
Now pick "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period."
Put in,, say,, two weeks before Easter 2024, and check them out
As these items worked for you then, they should work for you again this year.
-Top-selling products overall.
-Best-performing categories.
-Sales trends day-by-day (when did the rush start?)
-Average transaction value (can promotions lift this?).
Let's be blunt: Easter presents a significant opportunity. Whether you capture your fair share depends on preparation and execution.
Good luck, and make this Easter your most profitable yet.
Easter is a great day to shop in retail as the holiday season is short, but sales can be impressive.
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.
The toy retail market has always been challenging. Because trends shift rapidly, retailers must have sharp insights to succeed, as the trend graph below shows.
It did go down a bit recently, but it's expected to go up this year.
I was talking to a major buyer of toys in a large retail store, and here is his advice based on his experience. It's useful as it shares practical lessons from someone on the front line. Could you consider implementing his strategies to boost your shop's sales?
Product hype, with media hype, can present a financial risk if the hype fails and consumer excitement does not translate into sales for some reason. A recent example that sparked this conversation involved the recent Disney Snow White dolls released alongside the film. Shortly after the film's release, we can see deep discounts on these dolls, which are widely appearing across major retailers. Look at the green arrow; you can see it's already at a 34% discount.
This rapid price reduction suggests that initial inventory orders have overestimated consumer demand.
Interestingly, this apparent overstock situation doesn't stem from dissatisfaction with the product. Early consumer feedback often highlighted the dolls' quality and design. Could you look at the red arrow highlighting what consumers thought of the product? 4.8 out of 5 is good. Instead, the poor sales appear directly linked to the film's disappointing reception. It shows that a well-made product can falter if the media it depends on underperforms.
Do not over-invest in recent trend-based items. Could you look at your good sellers and analyse your POS data relentlessly?
Start with a small order for high-risk, licensed products. Reordering successful items is often less costly than discounting to clear unwanted stock at a loss.
Monitor your customer inquiries. Local demand is often a more reliable predictor than national forecasts. Again, your POS system is critical for tracking these trends.
Contrast Disney's unpredictability with consistently high-performing brands like LEGO. LEGO always seems to sell; ask yourself why.
We thought it was because LEGO has extensive appeal. It is not just that while children are a core market, the brand also cultivates a massive and lucrative adult base. You can see this if you look at LEGO's tactics: with its limited editions and controlled releases, they do not just sell toys.
While securing LEGO exclusives might be difficult, focus on creating unique value propositions.
Consider courting adults as this 'kidult' market often has higher disposable income.
Try to be unique in some way.
Pair a popular toy with a related item, e.g. a book, craft kits, etc.
Run limited-time, store-specific offers. I had a customer who brought some LEGO limited edition products based on space travel; they generated a lot of interest.
Look at the red arrows; they are not even targeted at kids. While you are at it, look at the price points.
What you can see in the toy market today is the growing financial influence of grandparents in toy purchasing. Today, they have fewer budget constraints than parents facing the rapidly increasing cost of living pressures. Grandparents today have significant spending power and a strong desire to treat their grandchildren. It makes them a crucial, high-value customer segment for independent toy retailers.
These grandparents prioritise durability, educational value, nostalgia, or finding that special 'wow' gift. They often buy from their memories, and your sales approach must reflect this.
Optimise your store and service model to get this lucrative demographic.
Make the physical shopping experience easy and pleasant for older customers.
Offer attractive gift wrapping, create pre-made gift suggestions or bundles, and display items clearly as potential high-quality gifts.
There is a broad social trend now with our declining birth rates, which directly impacts the toy market.
Smaller families often mean fewer "hand-me-downs." Big Brother no longer has a little brother who can get his toys, which increases the need for more new toy purchases per child. Also, the budget per child has increased with fewer children. People buy fewer toys overall but spend more on them.
The market is shifting from quantity towards quality.
Make this a key selling point in displays, signage, and staff interactions.
Do not shy away from higher prices for superior products.
Despite economic pressures and shifting trends, the demand for educational toys remains consistently strong. Parents seek developmental advantages, and grandparents favour toys offering substance beyond fleeting entertainment. It resonates powerfully across key customer segments.
Educational value is a potent, non-negotiable selling point that cuts through market noise. It aligns perfectly with the purchasing motivations of parents and, critically, the influential grandparent segment.
Do not forget educational toys.
Maintain a robust, diverse selection of science, arts and crafts, problem-solving, literacy, and imaginative play that builds cognitive or social skills. Use clear signage and shelf talkers to show educational aspects. Make it effortless for customers to find toys that teach.
Could you make sure that your staff can confidently articulate specific educational benefits?
The toy market presents undeniable challenges: unpredictable licensed products (Snow White example), the need to compete with giants (like LEGO, by adapting their strategies), understanding key demographics (grandparents), adapting to societal shifts (value focus), and meeting persistent demands (educational play).
Success requires decisive action. As independent retailers, your agility is your advantage. React faster than chains, curate stock based on your customer data, build genuine relationships (especially with high-value grandparents) and deliver outstanding value through quality and expertise.
Leverage your POS data to rigorously track sales and customer preferences. Understand these market dynamics. Reduce the hype risks, broad appeal tactics, key customer segments, the value shift, and educational demand. Make strategic inventory, marketing, and store experience decisions. Focus relentlessly on what works for your business to survive and thrive.
What's Your Next Step? Which of these lessons will you implement first in your store? Share your biggest challenge or success story related to these trends in the comments below!
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.
Pricing products effectively remains one of the most challenging aspects of retail management. It's a problem. You get a product you have never handled; how do you price the item for sale now? Getting it wrong can significantly impact profitability and competitiveness. Many people today have suggested that the new AI Chatbots can help, but none, as far as I know, have shown any proof of this. So, to address this problem, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of six free AI chatbots to assess their effectiveness in pricing recommendations for Australian retailers.
We tested a scenario of a small newsagency in Keysborough, a typical Melbourne suburb located in a strip shopping centre. The test focused on pricing a specific product: a Pilot Frixion Ball Erasable Gel Pen pack containing three pens (black, blue, and red) with a fine 0.7mm tip using only free CHATbots.
We restricted the test to free AIs because most retailers are only now experimenting with AI chatbots. Few have purchased an AI Chatbot plan, whose costs now vary from about $25 to $200 plus GST (I have a customer who uses AI in our POS Software and runs a bill of up to $10 daily). Once you get into paid plans, there is a massive difference in what you get.
Free tools can offer an accessible starting point, but not everyone is equal for all tasks, as you will see here.
So, we limited our evaluation to these six popular free AI chatbots:
We wanted to test meta AI, which had announced a significant update, but unfortunately, it was not available when this report was written.
After multiple iterations to refine our approach, we developed a standardised prompt that described the retail location, business type, and product specifications. We then evaluated each chatbot's response based on nine key performance indicators. It all took a lot of time.
Each AI tool was assessed across nine KPIs, with each scoring out of 10, giving us a maximum possible score of 90.
Accuracy and relevance of data regarding the product, competitors, and market conditions
If the advice is impractical, what is the point of getting it?
We are all busy people; we need something well laid out and comprehensible.
We wanted clear, implementable recommendations
AI Chatbots do make errors and mistakes. We want correct information on costs, retail prices, and market trends
Not surprisingly, we found that to price appropriately in local retailing, the advice needs to be for a specific location and a store's customer demographics
Besides price, we would like advice on various pricing strategy aspects
It would be lovely to get information on innovative suggestions for marketing, e.g. bundling, promotions, or other sales strategies
Not all customer segments react to pricing similarly, so we want to know how each responds. You rarely care if you get too much information.
The performance of each AI chatbot is summarised in the table below:
| AI Tool | Price Range | Score (out of 90) |
|---|---|---|
| Google AI | $9.99–$10.99 | 87 (winner) |
| Qwen | $9.99 | 83 |
| Grok 3 | $9.49–$9.99 | 81 |
| DeepSeek | $12.99–$13.99 | 65 |
| ChatGPT | $11.99–$12.99 | 58 |
| Claude AI | N/A | Eliminated |
Notably, the top three performers delivered remarkably similar price recommendations, suggesting a similar practical use by a retailer on the top tools.
Google AI excels at tracking and analysing local competitor prices, making it highly effective for crafting a pricing strategy.
Qwen's focus on bundling opportunities and targeted promotional strategies makes it particularly useful for retailers looking to maximise revenue through upselling techniques.
Grok 3's demographic analysis capabilities make it particularly valuable for retailers to align pricing strategies with local customer profiles.
DeepSeek appears better suited for premium or specialty product pricing than standard retail items with established market positioning.
In our test, ChatGPT's generalist approach proved inadequate for the nuanced requirements of a retail pricing strategy in a shop in the Australian market.
Claude AI was disqualified from the final evaluation due to its inability to access real-time data and lack of localisation features for the Australian market, rendering its recommendations useless.
If looking at an AI Chatbot, you need to look at:
You will not be able to do a good job of pricing if you do not have local information; this led to a pricing recommendation by ChatGPT that was disconnected from market realities.
Does it offer ideas to sell the product
In most shops, there are several different customer demographics, and these when pricing needs to be considered.
Some Chatbots made us feel that the complexity was excessive, making the report difficult even though we told them not to make it complex.
For Australian SMB retailers seeking to use AI tools for pricing, Google AI, Qwen and Grok 3 emerged as the best due to their accuracy in competitor tracking and logical approach to margin calculations. Any of these can do the job well. If I were pricing an item and wanted some advice, any of these three Chatbots would give me good advice. As there must be a winner, Google AI won.
If you are interested in looking into this technology, I would suggest:
This research demonstrates that free AI chatbots can provide valuable pricing insights for Australian retailers, though their effectiveness varies significantly across tools. By selecting the appropriate AI assistant and providing relevant contextual information, retailers can enhance their pricing strategies without investing in expensive subscription services.
Have you tried any of these tools yourself doing this type of test? Please share your experiences in the comments below!
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.
You get a good internet plan, and your internet provider says it is fast. They get you to run a speed test, and it shows your internet connection is quick, but really, you do not see it. It is common for people to feel that their internet is slow even though everyone tells you it is fast. I got such an enquiry yesterday. No one likes to wait; reliable internet isn’t just a convenience. After all, it’s essential for keeping your business running smoothly.
People seem to expect too much from these tests. What internet speed tests do is measure your connection under ideal conditions. They don’t often reflect the complexities of real-world internet usage. Here’s why:
Speed tests will often connect to servers geographically close to your location, thus minimising delays and avoiding congestion when connecting to more distant places. Usually, large internet providers use their speed test servers within their networks. These problems cause artificially high results. Also, some providers deprioritise types of traffic that they think can wait. As a result, your speed test might look great, but your experience is much slower.
Speed tests rely on consistent, high-volume traffic and don’t account for the complexity of everyday tasks like video calls, streaming, or running multiple devices on the same network. These activities introduce variables that can significantly affect performance.
In Australia, internet speeds often fluctuate based on demand. I have noticed in the evening it can slow right down. People tend to ring internet companies for support in the day time when they have some time.
Despite what many say, the quality of your modem and router play a significant role in Internet performance. When we replaced outdated equipment on one site, we saw an immediate improvement.
Sometimes, slow internet is caused by what you are doing, if your computer is working, people are doing things in the shop, background apps and/or automatic updates are running often without you realising it. Yeah it can run slow.
If what you are doing is going say overseas, who knows where on the chain something could be causing problems. This is especially relevant as many of our customers rely on the internet for contacting their overseas suppliers
If you’re frustrated by your slow Internet despite good speed test results, there are steps you can take to improve performance:
Check whether your modem and router are outdated; maybe consider upgrading to models that support higher speeds.
Check that your modem is away from interference sources, and move cables away from your network cables if possible. We had a customer who was running slow. The cause was that one of their internet cables was running just on top of the fluoro lights.
I recommend Ethernet cables for critical devices like POS systems; they are generally faster and more stable. WIFI can sometimes cause problems. We laid a cable in one shop, and the problem disappeared.
Often, just moving when you do tasks can help. If it tends to be busy in the evening, move the task to an earlier or later time.
If you are going to use a speed test, try this one
What I like about it is that it can test your speed and then give you a score compared to what other people in your city are getting. It can also check your speeds to overseas countries if that is what you are interested in.
I set it on a computer to run automatically every hour and then see what it says over a day.
If problems persist after troubleshooting, I would like to contact your internet provider for help. Ask them about the area you are in and your expected performance.
A reliable Internet service is a necessity for running a modern business.
If you’re still experiencing issues after all of this, it might be time to consider upgrading your plan or switching to another provider!
We did!
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.
Loyalty programs are the most popular type of program today. They have successfully fostered customer retention and driven sales. What it is trying to overcome is that unless a person buys regularly from you, it takes time for them to accumulate enough loyalty points to make it worthwhile to use them. This allows people to purchase points that can be used now. It boosts sales as it functions much like a gift card.
Selling loyalty points allows customers to purchase points instead of earning them through spending. The points can be redeemed now. For example, a customer might use points as a discount to buy more points. Many large brands, such as airlines, Hilton, and Starbucks, successfully employ this strategy. With proper planning, it could work for you, too.
Similar to gift cards, which many of you now sell, customers pay upfront for points that they can redeem later. Think of it as a top-up.
This approach would be convenient in industries where people visit infrequently.
Selling loyalty points provides immediate cash flow.
Customers gain control over their loyalty journey. With its accelerated progress, it can be used immediately.
Offering point purchases sets you apart from competitors still using traditional programs.
As the points go to the actual buyer, a gift card goes to the buyer, making it harder to track what your customers want. This is a big plus as you can utilise the reports in the VIP section, so allowing better customer tracking.
In this image above
$300 gives the customer $330
$500 gives $565
$1,000 gives them $1,150
I think it's too much, and I would suggest something like
$25 gives them $25
$50 gives them $52
$100 gives them $104
$250 gives them $255
The reason $25 gives them nothing better is that you do not want to encourage people to buy these points just to get a discount. Additionally, as is typical in such schemes, large purchases often result in a slightly worse deal than the $100.
With our modern POS system, you can simplify point sales by:
There is no reason why you cannot experiment with offers like “Double Point Days,” which many retailers use.
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.
The Australian dollar (AUD) is in a decline against its major currencies. It presents a significant economic challenge. Some people attribute this problem to external factors, such as trade tensions with other countries. However, the real causes are deeply rooted in Australia’s financial situation.
Here is a table to show this.
Just looking at the table, you can see that it's not Trump, as we received only the minimum 10%, and yet almost everyone, including those who received more, is doing better than we are: Japan, 24%; China 54%; and India, 27%. None have seen their currencies drop as much as ours.
The Australian dollar is now at a five-year low. It has been going down for years, and the forecast for it is not good.
We are facing significant challenges for retailers since nearly everything is imported. Let's now examine Australia's Retail Outlook.
Retailers must adapt
That's a good question I wish would be asked more often now.
This decline is compounded by external factors such as global trade dynamics and Australia's reliance on commodity exports. It has not been pretty for quite a while, and now our currency is viewed as a “risk currency.”
As Australia’s largest trading partner, China’s weaker economy and economic uncertainty are dragging down the AUD.
Australia relies heavily on exporting commodities. Much of this is in uncertainty.
While unemployment rates are currently low, job availability in high-paying, export-oriented sectors, such as mining, is shrinking. This trend could lead to problems.
To many of you, this will affect your customers' spending habits.
Many of my customers tell me how they miss the Chinese tourists. Tourism is vital to us.
As we all sell products sourced internationally, you’re likely to be hit by higher wholesale prices soon. A weaker AUD makes imports more expensive.
These increased costs often lead to higher retail prices and/or a squeezing of profit margins.
Beyond inventory costs, other business expenses will rise:
####Energy Prices In addition to the rising electricity prices we now face, Coal remains a dominant source of electricity generation in Australia. Since coal prices are set in US dollars, a weaker AUD directly increases electricity expenses for businesses.
Importing goods becomes more expensive as freight costs are typically calculated in foreign currencies, often the US dollar.
With inflation now eating into household budgets, shoppers have prioritised essentials over discretionary purchases. This trend is if you sell non-essential items, such as fashion or gifts. I suggest stocking items that are necessities. Children are not being affected by this trend.
Relying on a single supplier is risky when currencies fluctuate; local goods and local suppliers might reduce reliance on imports. Shop around; different suppliers in different countries are affected differently. For example, a New Zealand supplier is only marginally affected, whereas a Japanese supplier would be significantly impacted.
As prices and the economy change, the quickest and best way to assess your business and its current status is through your POS System. It will tell you trends, what is working and what is not working. What you need is actual data in real time.
Retailers in Australia faced a challenging period.
We need to focus on the customer experience.
The future belongs to those retailers who adapt.
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.
Old stock refers to stock that has remained unsold for an extended period. This stock will hurt your business.
The first step is to identify the old stock using your advanced point-of-sale (POS) system, as I'll show you here.
Then, we will need to manage it, as it is not going away now.
You can quickly pinpoint this old stock by combining your technology.
Modern point-of-sale (POS) systems track and identify old stock. Here's how our POS software can help:
We invite you to explore our engaging training video on identifying old stock. Click here for a training video on identifying old stock.
I suggest focusing on one department. Once that is done, proceed to the following department. Make sure you work systematically.
It avoids making you feel overwhelmed.
Sometimes, the issue isn't just individual products but broader trends. Use your POS data to spot patterns such as:
These insights will help you clear out old inventory and improve your buying decisions moving forward.
Identifying old stock is only half the battle—you also need a plan to deal with it. Here are some effective strategies:
Always try this first; sometimes, all it takes is a little intelligence.
My favourite method is to bundle unsellable stock with good-selling stock. Bundle slow-moving items with popular ones to create value packs. For example, pair unsold candles with bestselling home décor items as a gift set. Another example would be a cookbook that has not sold. Put it together with a cookbook that sells well and charges more for the bundle than the cookbook that sells well.
The traditional method eliminates this by offering discounts to move slow-moving items quickly. A well-promoted clearance sale can attract bargain hunters while freeing your shelves for new products. It works well during the stock-taking season in July, but it's expensive.
A sound POS system doesn't just help you find old stock; it can help prevent it. Our POS software equips you with tools to manage your inventory.
Why not use the AI built into our software for intelligent ordering? It's free. It does:
Predicting future product demand based on past trends and external variables.
Identifying the best times and quantities for replenishing stock to avoid overstocking or shortages.
Continuously updating predictions based on real-time data, ensuring accuracy even in rapidly changing conditions.
Reducing holding costs and waste by maintaining just the right amount of inventory.
By leveraging these tools, you'll clear out old stock and avoid over-ordering in the future.
Old stock is an inevitable part of retail life—but it doesn't have to hold your business back. With the right strategies and tools, such as a reliable POS system, you can transform dead inventory into an opportunity for growth. Whether freeing up cash flow or creating space for new products, taking action now will set your business up for success.
Ready to manage your inventory effectively? Watch our step-by-step training video (click here) or contact us today for expert support! Don't let old stock weigh you down—start making smarter inventory decisions today!
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.
Easter brings sales, alright, with chocolate bunnies and festive decorations. However, once the holiday ends, retailers are often left with stock that is difficult to sell. It impacts their cash flow, and worse, it has to be stored. Your POS software can help you identify many unsellable items, allowing you to take action before they impact your profits.
Seasonal inventory is a double-edged sword. While Easter drives foot traffic, a study of 40 of our clients revealed that approximately a quarter of the seasonal stock often remains unsold after the holiday, becoming dead stock that ties up cash flow and storage space. That is why we decided to address this problem.
Here is what retailers typically do to solve this common retail challenge:
Fortunately, with our POS Software, retailers have a powerful tool to help them identify and sell this unsellable stock. This tool can help determine the number of items sold during Easter, but it will likely not sell after following this step-by-step procedure.
Your POS system does more than process sales—it can help identify unsellable items early, allowing you to take action before they impact your finances. Follow these steps:
Leverage Historical Data
Go to Register Reports, which is marked in green, and then select "Stock Sold During Period(a) Not Sold in Period(b)" from the in-stock section.
Now select in stock, "Stock Sold During Period(a) Not Sold in Period(b)"
Go to Register Reports > Stock Analysis > "Stock Sold During Period (a) Not Sold in Period (b)"
Run this report to pinpoint previous unsellable items:
Set Period (a) 01/03/24 – 31/03/24 (Easter)
Set Period (b) 01/04/24 – 40/04/24 (post-Easter lull).
This report will generate a list of items that sold during Easter but had no sales afterwards.
Flag products with year-on-year (YOY) sales declines. I suggest that ≥15% should be marked as high-risk for overstocking.
A Melbourne newsagency found that plush toys sold 22% slower than the previous year. They cleared 85% of their inventory early by running a pre-Easter flash sale.
Don't let unsellable Easter stock weigh down your business! You can use your POS system today to identify slow-moving items early, take decisive action, and refine your strategy for next year's holiday season.
You need to be able to manage their stock effectively. You should use this report to help manage your stock and maximise profits effectively.
> Due to stock that is only available during specific seasons, such as Easter, seasonal holidays can be particularly challenging for retailers.
> Our POS Software can assist you with tracking down unsellable stock
> This report will provide a list of unsellable products.
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.
Most of us were shocked at the budget when we saw that the Instant Asset Write-Off scheme was ending this financial year, I guess the goverment decided it was too expensive. For Australian small business owners, the Instant Asset Write-Off scheme has been a vital tool for managing finances and improving cash flow for many years, as it enables immediate tax deductions on eligible purchases. However, recent changes to the scheme mean that time is running out to take advantage of its benefits. Now is your last chance to take advantage of the scheme if you're a retailer; the Instant Asset Write-Off benefits effectively end on June 30, 2025.
The maximum threshold for claiming an instant asset write-off will drop from $20,000 to just $1,000. This drastic reduction means that most significant purchases will no longer qualify for immediate tax deductions.
We have a deadline of less than three months. That means you must act now to purchase and install eligible assets, as waiting too long could mean missing out on substantial tax benefits. Simply ordering or paying for an asset isn't enough—it must be ready for use in your business by June 30, 2025.
So now is the time to review your POS System while you can still take advantage of the Instant Asset Write-Off scheme.
Are the long queues and slow checkouts frustrating your customers and costing you? Then maybe it's time to turbocharge your business with a new computer using an ATO's $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off!
This allows you to immediately deduct the cost of eligible computers (up to $20,000) from your taxable income. In the past, this has saved thousands of dollars for many of my clients, and it can likely save you money as well.
Here's why a new computer and the write-off are a winning combo for your business:
Unleash the Speed Demons!
Here's how it benefits you:
Real Business Owners, Real Results! ️
Since upgrading our computers with the write-off, checkout times have significantly decreased. Customers are in and out in a flash, and our staff are significantly more efficient.
"The tax savings from the write-off were a huge bonus! We used the extra cash to invest in a top-notch inventory management system"
Don't Miss Out!
This opportunity ends on June 30, 2025. The computers have to be in the shop and working by then, to claim this year so if you are interested you need to move immediately
Here's a win-win solution: Upgrade your computers with the ATO's $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off, boost your business, and save thousands on your tax bill!
Contact us today for a free consultation and discover the perfect computer to boost your business and save with ATO's Instant Asset Write-Off!
Please consult with your accountant first to verify whether you meet the eligibility criteria, as this information is for general purposes only and shouldn't be taken as tax advice.
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.
As a retail consultant, I am excited about how AI can be used to support small—and medium-sized business (SMB) retailers.
We decided to address the problem of receiving too much information today. No one has time to wade through the mountains of reports we are getting, so I decided to test which free AI solution will deliver results for your shop.
We chose free because most SMB retailers are currently experimenting with AI, and as a result, many are utilising free AI solutions. There is no point in testing something few are using.
We extensively evaluated six leading free AI tools to answer this question, testing them against real-world retail reporting scenarios. We made and rated over 200 reports in total. What we discovered might surprise you, but the results certainly did surprise me. This analysis will be helpful and save you a lot of time.
There is a significant gap between the data and the time and knowledge needed to use it effectively. A modern POS system like ours generates hundreds of reports, which require considerable time to review to identify sales patterns, inventory levels, supplier performance, and financial statements. However, finding time to extract meaningful insights from these reports is another matter.
Yet the promise is that AI tools can do this and quickly process reports, identify trends, spot anomalies, and suggest actionable improvements.
The Free AI Landscape
Like so much in the world, not all AI tools are equal; some are better than others, and each one has account limitations.
We tested six popular tools to help you navigate these options:
Now, we know that all of them are good, but there is always a case where even the best six runners in the world have one who is better, and that is what we wanted to find out: the best free AI for retailers.
Each tool was evaluated on its ability to handle our tests based on these criteria:
Accuracy formed the cornerstone of our evaluation. Without accurate information, even the most sophisticated analysis becomes worthless for making informed business decisions. We meticulously verified whether each AI tool could process retail data without introducing errors or misinterpreting figures. This involved cross-checking calculations against known values and assessing whether the tools maintained data integrity throughout the analysis. In retail, where margins are often tight, minor inventory valuation or sales forecasting inaccuracies can lead to costly mistakes.
Accurate information is only valuable if presented in an understandable format. We assessed each tool's ability to structure information logically with clear headings, appropriate visual elements, and a coherent flow that retail managers could easily navigate. We examined whether complex data was transformed into straightforward insights that wouldn't require a data science degree to interpret. A good report should communicate the key points to a retailer without requiring them to wade through jargon.
Data without direction offers limited value to retail businesses. We evaluated each tool's ability to convert raw information into practical recommendations that retailers could implement. I am very proud that our POS system provides our customers with tools they can utilise. I want the AI report to do the same. I want to know what specific opportunities were identified in my inventory optimisation, which products are underperforming, and what concrete actions I need to take from my supplier. Good tools should describe what is happening and what should be done next.
We evaluated each tool's ability to focus on issues that matter most to Australian retailers rather than generic business statistics. Did the AI for example identify seasonal trends in an Australian retail cycles, did it highlight my supplier performance to my business. Information that is not relevant creates noise rather than value.
Consistency in reporting is crucial for tracking performance over time and making reliable comparisons. We examined whether each AI tool maintained a consistent approach to analysis in its report and whether its outputs provided a coherent narrative. We do not want contradictory findings. Retailers need to trust that the insights they receive follow logical patterns and don't send them in conflicting directions. Inconsistent analysis can lead to confused decision-making and undermine confidence in the technology itself.
This comprehensive evaluation framework enabled us to assess each AI tool beyond its surface capabilities, focusing instead on how effectively it would serve the practical needs of Australian retailers wanting to extract value from their business data.
The first test was designed to evaluate how the AI would perform if it were given a vast amount of data that retailers are receiving. If the AI cannot handle the data, it's of minor use to retailers. Retailers have lots of data today.
Now, understanding inventory performance is critical for any retailer. Seasonal trends, slow-moving items, and bestsellers all impact their bottom line, so we ran a comprehensive stock trend report spanning hundreds of pages. It's the kind of data most retailers can obtain but rarely find the time to analyse correctly. Our test data spanned 12 months and exceeded 300 pages in length.
Failed almost immediately, as it ran out of credits, rendering it essentially useless for comprehensive stock evaluation. Even before hitting its limits, it failed to provide actionable insights that would aid practical retail decisions. The reality is that a retailer, after running this report, would almost certainly want to rerun it to see whether anything different changes the outcome. I might have tested this year and last year, but here I get nothing. As such, we immediately dropped ChatGPT.
Initially performed better. It identified some fundamental product trends on the first run. Then it ran into credit limits. However, it did identify some fundamental product trends, but its inability to handle follow-up questions made it impractical for the iterative nature of retailers' needs. As such, we dropped it immediately.
Attempted a different approach to the credit limit problem. It took only a tiny section (6%) of the information. While this allowed it to complete the task without running out of resources, it did not give much.
The first problem was that Google required CSV files, while all the others accepted Excel format, which we preferred. However, it did identify fundamental product trends; however, we all felt it lacked the depth needed for effective inventory management. Its surface-level insights wouldn't provide much of a competitive advantage for retailers looking to optimise stock levels.
Boy, were we impressed with this AI. It took the entire report without issues. It then provided a detailed trend analysis that would help retailers make smarter decisions. For example, it identified some products specifically for BBQs and reported that they sold well during the summer. It also spotted anomalies that would be easy to miss in manual review, such as products that underperform only during specific weather conditions.
It performed admirably by identifying anomalies and supplier diversity trends, though it didn't match Grok 3's depth. It correctly helped identify problematic stock items. Unfortunately, it offers fewer actionable recommendations for improvement than Grok 3.
ChatGPT failed
| AI Model | Ave Score |
|---|---|
| Grok 3 | 9/10 |
| Qwen | 8/10 |
| Google AI | 7/10 |
| Claude | 7/10 Limited |
| DeepSeek | 7/10 |
Accurate financial reporting is the backbone of retail success. The second test focused on a small compact trial balance dataset. What we wanted was an analysis that didn't require an accountant to understand.
It produced precise observations but struggled with depth when analysing discrepancies. Its summarised approach meant that nuanced financial issues, which could significantly impact a retail business, were overlooked.
Here, we got straightforward summaries that aligned with our general ledger data but it lacked depth in identifying anomalies. We felt that although it was helpful for essential reconciliation, it wouldn't alert a retailer to subtle patterns.
Wow, it delivered a detailed financial summary with cross-referenced data for accuracy. It flagged discrepancies that required further investigation, allowing us to explore these issues. This capability could be invaluable for retailers without accounting expertise in maintaining the financial health of their business.
It did a good job of highlighting significant balances and unexpected changes effectively. Again, it did not match Grok 3's level, but it did come up with much good stuff.
| AI Model | Ave Score |
|---|---|
| Grok 3 | 9/10 |
| Qwen | 8/10 |
| Google AI | 7/10 |
| DeepSeek | 6/10 |
| Claude | N/A |
Managing supplier relationships is critical for maintaining healthy margins and consistent product availability. The third test examined a supplier purchases report to evaluate performance, track expenditures, and identify inefficiencies.
It did produce some quick overviews. It struggled with detailed metrics, such as cost per transaction or order accuracy. Its summarised approach meant it missed some critical inefficiencies; we did not think it was trivial, as these sorts of things directly impact margins.
It did provide a structured summary but lacked in-depth spending analysis by category or supplier benchmarking. While helpful for basic understanding, we did not see key KPIs, such as identifying problematic vendors.
It did offer comprehensive supplier evaluations with detailed metrics. It identified inefficiencies. We thought it was suitable for managing dozens of suppliers. It was good, with its actionable tips.
It did highlight anomalies as well as Grok 3 in the supplier but lacked actionable details.
| AI Model | Ave Score |
|---|---|
| Grok 3 | 9/10 |
| Qwen | 8/10 |
| Google AI | 7/10 |
| DeepSeek | 6/10 |
| Claude | N/A |
When evaluating these tools specifically for retail applications, clear patterns emerged across all three test scenarios:
| Tool | Stock Analysis | Financial Analysis | Supplier Analysis | POS Integration | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | We do not think its free version is suitable for retailers. | Failed | |||
| Claude | Limited | Accurate but limited | Decent but restricted | Good | 6/10 |
| DeepSeek | Partial (missed trends) | Clear but shallow | Quick but surface-level | Good | 6/10 |
| Google AI | Consistent but basic | Straightforward | Structured but limited | Limited | 7/10 |
| Grok 3 | Comprehensive | Detailed | Comprehensive | Good | 9/10 |
| Qwen | Good anomaly detection | Highlighted changes | Good diversity insights | Good | 8/10 |
Understanding how these tools perform in controlled tests is helpful, but implementing them in your daily operations is where real value emerges. Here's a practical approach to leveraging AI for business improvement.
Begin with a specific business challenge rather than trying to analyse everything at once. Consider identifying your slowest-moving stock items for clearance, evaluating which suppliers offer the best value for similar products, or analysing sales patterns to optimise staffing during peak hours. Starting with a focused approach allows you to see tangible benefits quickly while building your comfort with the technology.
Export relevant reports from your POS system in a format your AI tool can process. Depending on what tool you use, you need CSV or Excel. I prefer Excel but its your call. Check first that your data is clean and good. If you feed the AI rubbish, you will get rubbish back.
Frame your queries in specific, actionable terms rather than general requests. Instead of asking the AI to "Analyse my stock," try something more targeted, such as "Which product categories show seasonal patterns, and when should I increase inventory for winter?" Similarly, rather than requesting the AI to "Check my finances," ask, "Are there any unusual expense patterns compared to last year, and which categories show the largest percentage increases?" Specific questions yield specific, actionable answers.
We found that general queries often provided incorrect answers, requiring multiple attempts to obtain a satisfactory response.
Test your questions systematically and record the question that yields the answers you want. This systematic approach ensures that AI becomes a valuable part of your business improvement cycle rather than just an interesting experiment.
The best analysis is useless if it is not applied. Each of your analysis sessions should end with clear action items to be implemented and tracked.
Based on comprehensive testing and practical retail experience, here are my specific recommendations for retailers looking to leverage free AI tools:
Use Grok 3 as your primary analysis tool. I am told it will soon be charged, but now it appears to be the best in the free AI market. We were impressed with its ability to handle complex questions and our interactive questions, which is excellent if, like me, you like following your natural curiosity.
"A good question in business does not lead to an end; a good question opens doors you never knew existed."
Consider using Qwen; it's excellent. We found it helpful as it gave a good second opinion. It can be especially valuable when making significant business decisions.
If you're currently using ChatGPT or Claude, be aware of their significant limitations for business analysis. Their credit restrictions make them impractical for the iterative analysis that delivers real value. You may find yourself frustrated when analysis suddenly stops.
Retailers, rather than using intuition alone, can use the Free AI tools now available to gain insights.
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.
To combat suppliers' inflation tactics, you need to consider diversifying your supplier base and negotiating better contracts. But let's look into the details of these tactics.
As I was reviewing the ACCC report on supermarkets, which discussed some of the inflationary pressures that retailers face. You can read it here.
While reading it, I thought of the problems that SMB retailers face. While we strive to maintain competitive prices for our customers, suppliers often use subtle tactics to increase costs. Here, I will list some to help you both identify these tactics, know the public discourse on the subject, and some actionable strategies to protect your business.
They are generally subtle, as suppliers are accustomed to inflation and know how to adjust prices with minimal fuss. They try to raise prices without explicitly doing so, creating an illusion of price stability that is not true. Yet, these methods will significantly impact margins and reduce customer trust in you, even though it is not your fault.
It is now the most common method; shrinkflation occurs when suppliers reduce the size or quantity of a product while keeping the price unchanged. For instance, a cereal box might shrink from 560g to 495g, but the price remains $4.50. Often, the box size remains the same. This hidden cost increase erodes value for both you and your customers. I have spoken about it here.
The most common term for this is "shitflation," but let's be polite. Skimpflation is lowering product quality without reducing prices. Examples include switching to cheaper ingredients or materials. Recently, a customer of ours reported that they are receiving complaints because the paper for a photocopier they supplied is not as good as it used to be. Here is a direct example of how these changes lead to customer dissatisfaction and affect their reputation.
This tactic involves adding hidden fees or surcharges instead of raising base prices. For example, some suppliers have now introduced "handling fees", which inflate costs without appearing as a direct price increase on invoices.
Here, we observe a decline in service quality with no corresponding price increase. Suppliers may send reps less frequently, have longer delivery times, take longer to repair, or reduce customer support.
Suppliers may use general inflation as an excuse to raise prices. I had a beauty a few days ago when I complained about the price increase. One wanted to change me over to UPS. The supplier informed me that it was due to Trump's tariffs. I just laughed; what do you think? Are we that stupid to believe that? Those tariffs only apply to goods coming from some countries into the US. I am in Australia, so come up with another excuse to justify this price rise.
Here are some proactive strategies for mitigating the effects of supplier-driven inflation: Protect your margins while maintaining customer trust.
You will never do much about it if you do not know about it. Here is where a modern POS system can help you manage inflation impacts effectively:
The reality is that inflation is terrible now. We are all feeling it. It may cost the government the election, as many blame it on them. Whether that is true or not, I can tell you it's not our fault.
What needs to be monitored as it causes:
Hidden cost increases reduce your profit margins, forcing you to make tough decisions about pricing strategies.
Product changes due to shrinkflation or skimpflation complicate inventory management and purchasing decisions.
Customers may attribute perceived price increases or declining quality to you rather than the supplier, which can damage trust in your shop.
Monitoring and responding to these tactics requires additional time and resources that could be spent on other aspects of your business.
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.
A point-of-sale (POS) system allows your business to accept customer payments, track sales, and manage the shop.
Every POS system includes hardware components that facilitate transactions. Common examples include:
The software component powers the functionality of a POS system:
Tracks stock in real time. This enables retailers to monitor their stock.
Stores customer data to build loyalty programs.
Provides insights into sales trends and staff performance.
POS systems automate many manual tasks, allowing businesses to operate more efficiently:
Gets the retailer information that helps them make better decisions:
Modern POS systems improve the shopping experience by:
| Benefit | Example |
|---|---|
| Efficiency | A Sydney café reduced transaction times by 45 seconds per sale. |
| Inventory Management | A Melbourne newsagency cut overstocking by 20%, freeing up cash flow. |
| Customer Loyalty | A surf shop increased repeat customers by 25%. |
| Mobile Sales | A pet shop boosted sales by 15% using our mobile POS systems. |
| Data Analytics | A Gold Coast lotto improved its product mix based on sales insights. |
As we move forward, POS systems will become even more integral to retail success:
The shop will need to be connected to the internet
AI is already investigating many aspects of the shop. We feed information from a POS System into AI to investigate improving shop layouts, inventory, marketing strategies, etc.
It is only a matter of time before Australia becomes a cashless society
With bank fees the way they are now, it is only a matter of time before we see a growing movement to crypto.
A POS system is an investment in your future retail business.
Explore our top POS System, which has been used in thousands of stores Australia-wide for over 40 years.
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.
No, EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) and POS (Point of Sale) are not the same, though they are commonly used together. EFTPOS refers to the payment processing method, while POS is a broader system containing sales tracking, inventory management, and other business functions. People often confuse EFTPOS and POS systems. This is mainly because salespeople try to confuse the issue by claiming that EFTPOS is POS. It is not.
The bank system links the proposed transaction from your shop to the banking system. It usually operates through a terminal that allows customers to use their cards to complete an electronic payment using debit or credit cards.
The main features of EFTPOS terminals are:
It is the hardware and software used to run a shop.
Key features of POS systems include:
In modern retail POS Systems like ours, the EFTPOS terminals are often integrated into the Point of Sale Software. Here's how they typically work together:
This integration offers several benefits:
Both EFTPOS and POS systems must prioritise security to protect sensitive customer data. Integrating them makes them more secure.
A standalone EFTPOS terminal vs an integrated POS system
It's much faster, as the information exchange between the EFTPOS unit and the POS System is automatic.
Integrated systems mean that the merchant has an extra layer of security, as the POS Software and the EFTPOS are linked. The controls that enter the EFTPOS pass through the POS software checks first.
People are in a hurry, and let's face it: almost everyone in retail is busy, so they make mistakes. POS Software makes fewer mistakes. For example, a person often misreads a one and a 7. Instead of $70 into the EFTPOS unit, they punch in $10. The retailer loses $60. Sometimes, this behaviour is not accidental; store attendants give discounts to relatives and friends.
Our users can have various EFTPOS leading providers in the Australian market.
While EFTPOS terminals are for the payment processing only, an integrated POS system offers a comprehensive solution for managing your entire retail operation.
Q: Can I use an EFTPOS terminal without a POS system?
A: Standalone EFTPOS terminals can process payments independently but won't offer inventory tracking or sales reporting features.
Q: How much does an integrated EFTPOS extra cost?
A: Costs vary depending on the EFTPOS providers. We do not charge for the integration.
Q: What's the difference between contactless payments via EFTPOS vs credit cards?
A: EFTPOS transactions through savings/cheque accounts usually have lower fees than credit card transactions processed via Visa or Mastercard networks.
Q: Are there any security risks in integrating EFTPOS with POS systems?
A: Overall integration will enhance security by reducing manual data entry; however, some intelligence is still needed to reduce the risks.
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.
To safeguard your shop from scammers, implement strong security measures, train your staff to recognise scams, monitor online activity, and encourage customers to verify transactions and payment methods. While researching security on the Uber Eats interface, I studied how secure the platform is and discovered several operators had reported security issues here. This one, however, caught my eye. As bad as some bank fraud scams are, it is too easy to forget that as services get linked into your POS System, the chances of fraud increase with other systems.
A typical bank fraud hit many Uber Eats franchises, but because it was not a bank, the owners let it go until it was too late.
The scammers posed online as Uber Eats administrators, claiming urgent account issues. They then requested login credentials to "fix" some supposed problems. Once access was gained, the Uber Eats franchises' banking details were changed to redirect payments. Unlike bank systems, Uber Eats' notification systems often fail to alert merchants about these changes, which is weird as one would assume these are critical.
An Uber Eats merchant lost $3,500 after scammers changed their banking details. Another reported losing over $20,000 through a similar scam.
To safeguard your business from these scams, implement the following security measures:
You can add an extra layer of security by requiring multiple verification forms before account access is granted.
Limit access to your codes to trusted staff only. Change these frequently and immediately when staff members leave your business.
Today, few security people request passwords or banking details via phone, text, or email. I would be cautious if they contacted you first. If you must give them passwords, change these passwords ASAP. Here are some tips.
If possible, check your banking details and payment receipts daily. Your total report should match the bank's records.
Create complex passwords specific to your Uber Eats account. I recommend using a reputable password manager to generate and store secure credentials.
If you suspect your account has been compromised, immediately change your passwords. Contact the company through official channels, not by replying to an email. Document everything. Report the incident to your bank. Consider freezing payments until security is restored.
Legal Responsibilities and Compliance Australian law clearly states that you are responsible for your financial and customer information.
I had a client, World Square Newsagency, who went to court over fraud committed not by him but by one of his employees. The judge ruled that he had to pay the NSW lottery $574,000 for the employer theft, the NSW lottery legal fees, the NSW lottery investigation costs, and his legal fees of about $200,000 and some other expenses. It added up to over a million dollars.
Details here.
While this article focuses on Uber Eats, the security principles apply to all integrated payment systems. Each new integration will create potential security risks, which require vigilant management.
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.
POS Solutions Retail is a popular free CRM known for its simplicity. It comes with options to provide essential CRM features to enhance customer management. Having worked with numerous Australian retailers on their Point of Sale (POS) systems, I’ve seen how the right POS CRM can boost sales. In today’s retail landscape requires POS software to do more than process transactions; it must also build meaningful customer relationships and efficiently manage business operations. The good news is that our modern POS software includes an integrated CRM solution to help achieve this.
Our CRM system is made for retailers. Unlike traditional cash registers, which process sales, ours tracks customer information, purchase history, and preferences while handling transactions. It is commonly used by most businesses in Australia.
It provides our users with a crucial advantage in today's competitive market.
You're limiting your growth potential if you still rely on spreadsheets, email lists, or that dog-eared notebook behind the counter to track customer information. These approaches cannot use the power of the computer.
I remember working with a lotto store in Brisbane that tried managing its customer database traditionally. When they reached about 500 regular customers, the system became utterly unworkable. It just took too much work to connect customers' data, inventory, and analytics in a box of handwritten cards with their regulars' details. The amount of data is now going up. Those days are well and truly behind us.
Yet today's shoppers expect personalised experiences and relevant communications when interacting with your business. That's precisely where integrated POS CRM systems come in – they handle customer management while you focus on running your shop.
The key difference between our retail-specific and generic CRM systems is integration. A retail POS CRM isn't a separate system requiring double-handling data—it's in your point of sale. Every transaction automatically updates your customer database, giving you a complete picture of each customer without extra work. It collects data with minimal friction, building comprehensive customer profiles that include Contact details and demographics, Complete purchase history across all locations, Shopping preferences and favourite products, Average spending and shopping frequency, and Special notes (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) Actionable Analytics and Reporting Data is only valuable if you can understand and use it. Our strong reporting features provide clear, actionable information about your customers: Identify your most valuable customers and what they buy. Spot trends in product popularity across different customer segments. Analyse the effectiveness of your loyalty program and promotions. Track customer retention and acquisition rates. Forecast inventory needs. Based on purchasing patterns.
It is a very flexible platform that you can set up for either points-based or discount vouchers. The system automatically Track each customer's loyalty status and points balance. Apply earned discounts at checkout, Identify opportunities for rewards, notify customers about special offers, and analyse program effectiveness to help you optimise. Your staff won't need to calculate points manually or remember special offers—the system handles everything automatically during checkout. Targeted Marketing Tools Knowing your customers is just the first step—you must also engage them effectively. This POS CRM Software includes marketing tools that help you turn customer insights into action: What works well is creating customer segments based on purchase history, location, or spending patterns. Develop targeted campaigns for specific customer groups Personalise promotions based on individual shopping behaviour Automate marketing workflows for consistent communication Track campaign performance to refine your approach I worked with a bookshop in Hobart that used these tools to segment its customer base by previous purchases. When the author released a new book, we promptly notified the customers who had brought the last book, driving additional sales. Real Benefits for Your Shop 1) Increased Customer Retention 2) Higher Average Transaction Values 3) Improved Operational Efficiency 4) Enhanced Customer Experiences
I recommend that you look at increasing repeat business, boosting average transaction value, or reducing customer churn.
It will help you prioritise where to begin. You can continuously improve as you get going.
Check what data you have now. As you become more sophisticated, you might add fields like birthdays for special offers.
Consider a phased rollout of the CRM. This approach gives your team time to get used to a new way of working while also seeing the benefits of the implementation. Successful implementations typically follow these stages: initial program setup and testing, Installation and troubleshooting on the day of installation, and a follow-up review after a few weeks to ensure you get the most out of your new system.
Your staff is the front line of customer engagement, and they need to understand how you want your system to work. Ensure everyone can capture customer information, access customer profiles, and use insights to provide better service.
I worked with a shop in Newcastle, where they created a simple laminated instruction card that stayed at each register. This simple tool dramatically improved staff adoption of the new system.
Ready to revolutionise customer relationships? Start now.
Q: What is POS CRM for retail?
A POS CRM for retail is a customer relationship management system in a POS System designed for retail businesses. Key features of retail CRM systems include:
Q: Is there a cost for this POS CRM?
A: No
Q: How long does it typically take for our POS CRM system to get going?
A: Our users typically start using it within a week.
Q: How much training will my staff need?
A: Our user-friendly systems require little training. The big plus is that your staff is used to the POS System.
Q: What return on investment can I expect?
A: Results vary, but improvements in customer retention, transaction value, and efficiency are expected. Here are some typical figures quoted.
Q: How can I measure the success of my POS CRM implementation?
A: Your POS system will provide KPIs. I would look at customer retention rate, transaction value, visit frequency, and revenue growth.
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.
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