Point of Sale Software

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Easter is nine days earlier this year, so get cracking!

POS SOFTWARE

Hey there, store owners! Easter is coming up fast this year. Are you ready for the chocolate rush? With a little planning, Easter 2024 can be a big win. Let's get those gears turning! With less time to prepare, your smart point-of-sale (POS) system can be your best Easter helper. Let's see how!

Challenge: Early Eggs and Smaller Baskets?

Easter Sunday lands on March 31st this year. That's earlier than usual, which could mean:

  • Tighter deadlines: Less time to order all those Easter goodies.
  • Smaller budgets: Customers might be watching their wallets this year.
  • Kids: What is clear now is that people are not reducing their spending on kids now.

Solution: A Smoother, Smarter POS

A great POS system is like hiring extra hands during the holiday rush. Here's how it saves the season:

  • Fast, Easy Inventory:
  • Know exactly what's in stock and what you need to order now.
  • See what you sold out last year!

Ready to Level Up?

A modern POS system isn't just about the tech; it's about making this Easter smoother and more profitable, no matter what challenges come your way. Want to explore options that fit your store? 

People Want to Celebrate

Yes, money might be tighter for some folks this year. But remember, holidays like Easter are special. By being prepared, your store can make the season awesome for everyone – and make some extra sales too!

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Video of printing a custom message on a receipt

POS SOFTWARE

Getting customers to return to your shop is crucial for any retailer. One cool trick is printing custom messages on receipts! A personalised receipt can grab someone's attention whether it's thanks, special offer, or important info. People do read receipts, often a few times and those people are your customeers.

Why Add Custom Receipt Messages?

There are loads of good reasons to use this feature in your point-of-sale software:

Boost Customer Loyalty

Include a discount code for their next visit Promote your loyalty program Share details about an upcoming sale

Increase Sales

Suggest complementary products they might like Advertise new arrivals or seasonal items Offer bundle deals related to their purchase

Strengthen Your Brand

Reinforce your branding with a branded sign-off Share your website, socials, and contact info Include your returns policy and store hours

How to Add a Custom Message

Setting up a custom receipt message in your POS system is super easy! Here's a step-by-step guide using our training video:

How to set up for an item

Often, when you sell items in the shop, you want to place a particular note on the receipt message to be added at the bottom of the receipt. This is commonly done to suggest new products that a person that purchased this item, specific instructions or offer a special deal related to this product.

Click here for a favourite training video of ours that explains how to use your POS software to put these extra details on your receipts.

It is as easy as that to have a custom message that will now print on any eligible receipts.

Pro Tips

To get the most out of this feature:

  • The timing of when your custom message prints can be just as important as the message itself.

  • Update regularly for seasonal promos

  • Experiment with tone (friendly, funny, urgency)
  • Use capitalization and emojis to stand out. Emojis do work

  • Suggest frequently bought together items ("You bought X, have you tried Y?")

  • Offer instructions on how to use

  • suggested discounts on related products/services

  • Cross-sell subscription programs ("Save on refills!")

Get Creative!

Custom receipt messages are a free marketing channel to surprise and delight customers. So have some fun with it! Craft short, snappy messages that add real value and keep them coming back.

With creativity and the right use of receipt marketing, you can turn this little printed slice of paper into a powerful sales driver for your small business!

What clever messages have worked for your business? Share your best receipt marketing tips in the comments!

A Unique Value Proposition is a Must for your Retail Success

POS SOFTWARE

A Unique Value Proposition is a Must for Retail Success

I've been in business since I was five, working in my grandfather's store. Since then over the years, I noticed one key factor set thriving businesses apart: a compelling unique value proposition (UVP) or an EDGE.

For example, I had a client selling fishing tackle and bait. Anglers knew his store was the place for their gear - that niche gave him an edge that other shops in the same shopping centre missed.

So, what makes a value proposition? Here's how I break it down but first let me say that it clearly communicates the specific value in your customer's image that your business has; it’s your special sauce.

For Small Retailers, A Strong UVP is a Secret Weapon

Without a stand-out value proposition, independent shops blend into the background—just another store.

An effective UVP grabs attention, builds loyalty, and gives customers a reason to choose you. It takes you from forgettable to unforgettable.

For example, a local pet supply store touted its extensive dog food range. Since people who buy dog food are used to going to a pet shop to get it, they have less hesitation about going into this local pet shop.

This actually is one of the reasons, I think the advise of a newsagency calling themselves a gift shop is wrong. A newsagency still in many shoppers has an appeal. It does project trust.

Put Yourself in Your Customers’ Shoes

When crafting a UVP, think like your ideal customers. Consider the types of stores ingrained in their routine.

Most people are accustomed to regular visits to newsagencies for papers and convenience items. The familiarity makes them more likely to pop into a new newsagency than other shops.

Understand your audience’s habits, and you can better position your niche.

How to Craft Your Retail UVP: 5 Key Steps

Creating a value proposition that works takes effort. In my experience, you'll need to:

1. Analyze competitors: Study their offerings closely.

2. Assess your strengths: Take stock of your genuine advantages; selection, service, location, expertise, etc. That highlights your “wow” factor.

3. Understand your customers: Dig into their values, needs and pain points. 

4. Distill your message: Boil your learnings into a crisp, unique statement.

5. Test and refine: Try out messaging with objective parties. Adjust based on feedback.

Crafting an effective UVP requires work but pays off tenfold. For retail survival, define your edge and shout it loudly. It can skyrocket you from average to exceptional in customers’ eyes.

I did like this video on this subject.

 

 

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Key retail dates in Australia 2024

POS SOFTWARE

Calendar of retail events in 2024

Retail Marketing Calendar for 2024

Welcome to 2024! As a retailer, having a solid marketing calendar is crucial for planning promotions, sales, and events throughout the year, in my experience good retailers plan well in advance. Here is an overview of some of the most significant retail marketing opportunities in 2024 that you won't want to miss.

As there are a few amendments I had to do so we are starting from now here.

February

February 10 - Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon)

A good sign is that dragons are associated with power, leadership and wealth; this is a very promising year where business and career ventures should thrive. Make sure to use some red and gold  like display prominently red envelopes, decorations with dragons, etc. If you sell cards, these suppliers will have such products.

February 14 - Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is an opportunity to boost sales of cards, candy, flowers, premium chocolates, and more. Decorate with hearts and cupids and promote gifts for him and her.

March

March 29 - Good Friday

Good Friday signals the start of the Easter weekend. Promote Easter baskets, candy, egg decorating kits, gifts, spring apparel and more.

March 31 - Easter Sunday

On Easter, continue promoting Easter merchandise. Stores can host Easter egg hunts, brunches with the Easter Bunny, and spring flower shows.

April

April 25 - ANZAC Day

Poppies, Flag merchandise, Military memorabilia, Commemorative items, Cookbooks, Drinkware and books. One of the problems with such goods is that the items are often difficult to sell after  ANZAC Day.

March 31 - Easter Sunday

On Easter, continue promoting Easter merchandise. Stores can host Easter egg hunts, brunches with the Easter Bunny, and spring flower shows.

 

May

May 12 - Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a peak time for flowers, jewellery, brunch events, spa packages and gifts focused on moms, grandmothers, and mother figures.

June

End of Financial Year Sales

For many of my clients, this is one of the most important marketing seasons, tax benefits, clearing stock before new fiscal year, etc.

Start of Winter Sales

If you are doing anything in clothing, this is when people start to look for winter clothing.

July

Stocktake sales

This is a terrific time to get rid of unsellable stock. The public is looking for bargains then, and after the stocktake, the odds are that you have bargains for them.

July 24 - School Holidays Begin

The start of school holidays means increased family travel and focus on kids. Promote toys, children's apparel, family activities, luggage, and travel necessities.

September

September 1 - Father's Day

Target gifts to dads, grandfathers, husbands, and father figures. Promote grilling supplies, tech gadgets, apparel, sports merchandise, and experience gifts.

October

October 31 - Halloween

Halloween brings sales of costumes, candy, home decor, pumpkin carving kits, and more. Stores can host costume contests or trick-or-treating events.

November

People are buying Christmas presents today in November; in 2023, retail sales increased dramatically this month; click here. Please do not wait for Black Friday.

November 29 - Black Friday

Officially, this is the start of the Christmas shopping season. In 2023, Black Friday was one of the most significant retail events of the year, with major sales that started before and continued long after.

November 29 - Summer season begins

It is getting hot; people need to start getting summer goods.

December

December 24 - Christmas Eve

Highlight last-minute gift ideas for the holiday celebrations.

December 26 - Boxing Day

Boxing Day it was used to be big for post-holiday sales in Australia. It did go up in 2023, but not a lot. Still, there are good sales to be made here.

December 31 - New Year's Eve

You can promote party supplies and goods for the New Year's celebrations.

Additional

Depending on the people you serve, there will be more, e.g. if you sell books, consider promoting 2nd March – World Book Day and April 2: International Children’s Book Day.

 Anzac Day, worth having a chew about, I do know retailers that sell some goods then. 

I suggest you add the birthday of your shop, so make it as old as possible.  If you bought the shop from someone else, ring up some of your suppliers and ask them when your shop first got an account. Often an online search can help too. Once you have a date, make a shop birthday sale. Its a great excuse to have a sale.

 

Planning your promotions around these key retail events will help drive traffic and boost your bottom line in 2024.

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Put on your receipt a quote

POS SOFTWARE

A woman reading a quote

Ring in the New Year with Inspiring Receipt Quotes

Adding an uplifting New Year's quote or message to your retail receipts is a creative way to spread cheer and goodwill this holiday season. Implementing this quick marketing tactic can help reinforce your brand image as one that cares about connecting with customers meaningfully.

Why Add a New Year’s Quote or Message?

  • Spreads festive cheer and positive vibes during the holiday season

  • Shows customers you appreciate their business and wish them well

  • Sparks conversation about hopes and dreams for the new year

  • Differentiates you from competitors

  • Strengthens your reputation as a thoughtful, caring brand

How to Choose a Quote or Message

When selecting a New Year’s quote or message for your receipts:

  • Do not worry about the length unless it is too long.

  • Quotes that are hopeful, inspiring and forward-thinking work well.

  • Avoid anything controversial or divisive

  • Consider tying it back to your brand values or industry

Great options include:

  • Famous New Year's quotes by people

  • Upbeat messages about new beginnings and fresh starts

  • New Year's resolutions that relate to your products or services e.g. lotteries

  • Quotes about gratitude, optimism, or customer appreciation

Where to Display the Quote or Message

The receipt is the most direct place to put your New Year’s quote or message. But you can also display it:

  • On your storefront window or door

  • On your website or social media pages

  • On signage in your retail space

  • In email newsletters or print ads

Examples of a New Year’s Quote to Consider

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." - Oprah Winfrey

"The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” ―Josiyah Martin

"New year—a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.” —Alex Morritt

I remember a time when a store slapped a Gandhi quote on my receipt. It sparked a discussion on the movie which a few in the queue participated. Nowadays, what about dropping some Oppenheimer or Barbie wisdom?

Need some inspiration? Check this site for quotes you can use. 

Spread Positivity in the New Year

Add a message to your receipts for this New Year to spark customer joy and appreciation. This simple marketing tactic can help set the right tone as consumers embark on a new year.

 

 

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Let customers know your special hours

POS SOFTWARE

The holiday season is a busy time for retailers, with many customers doing last-minute shopping for gifts and holiday preparations. However, opening hours can be irregular during this period. As a business owner, you must communicate your holiday hours so customers know when you are open. Please do not assume that they think it will know magically. For a list of public holidays, click here.

Why Communication is Key

Without proper communication, customers may come, and at times, you are closed and have a poor experience. This can hurt your reputation and sales. It hurts more if they do not come because they do not think you are open.

Boost Loyalty & Sales

Informing customers shows you value them. People appreciate being updated on hours. This builds goodwill and loyalty.

Set Proper Expectations

Telling customers in advance about adjusted hours prevents frustration. They’ll know when to visit instead of finding you temporarily closed.

Promote Offerings

Communicating holiday offerings like gift items, sales, and curbside pickup promotes more business. People can’t buy if they don’t know what’s available!

Ways to Notify Customers

Use multiple channels to inform customers about holiday hours:

In-Store Signage

  • Place visible signage at the entrance at least a week before, stating your opening times.

POS Software receipts

  • Put your hours for this period on your receipts.

Social Media Pages

  • Post adjusted hours on business Facebook pages and other social accounts.

Email/Text Alerts

  • If you run a VIP loyalty marketing program, consider sending out your holiday hours announcements to your members via email.

Website/Online Listings

  • Update hours are shown on your website, Google My Business, etc.

Consistent, advanced communication across channels helps customers know what to expect this season. They’ll appreciate you taking steps to avoid surprises.

If you need help managing holiday hours and communications with our point-of-sale software, POS Solutions can assist. Reach out for help.

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Helping the last-minute shopper

POS SOFTWARE

 

Why not help the Last-Minute Shopper Grab Great Gifts? Here is a detailed analysis of the state of this market now.

Today, in the middle of this holiday season, many shoppers have left buying gifts to the last minute. As a brick-and-mortar shop, you can capture sales from these busy procrastinators with innovative merchandising strategies. This post covers ideas for enticing last-minute shoppers into your store and sending them away happy with gift purchases.

Create a Festive Storefront Display

You only have seconds to grab the attention of rushed shoppers passing by. It would help if you created an eye-catching display showcasing your goods. It does not have to be much, but it needs to be noticeable.

  • Bright, festive colours and lights
  • Best-selling gift items
  • Sale signs and promotions

You need clear Signage 

These last-minute shoppers are not planners, they are desperate, they want instant solutions. So place eye-catching signs advertising your Gifts. Include calls to action like “Easy Gifts Inside!”

Set Up a Gift Solution Center

Clear prime floor space near the entrance to set up a small “Gift Solution Center.” This designated area should display the following:

Top-Selling Gifts

Showcase 8-12 of your absolute best-selling and universally gifted items. This removes the stress of choosing for frazzled shoppers. Some ideas:

  • Candles
  • Gift baskets
  • Sets of something.

If you want to know how to get the top ten selling items in the shop at this period well, its easy in our point-of-sale system to do it.

Go to Register reports.

 

 

Now select "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period."

 

You will want about 100 items with the last three months of sales on our listing, which will look like this because not all the items will be suitable. Like always you need to use some intelligence.  

Start at the top and build your stand.

Offer Gift Add-Ons

Do not stop there often. You can get a bit more to get full value for the impulse spending with these time-pressed shoppers. Make it easy for them to grab useful add-ons by displaying these items together near registers:

  • Gift bags
  • Tissue paper
  • Gift tags
  • Ribbons and bows
  • Gift wrap

Small treats like chocolates or gift soaps also invite impulse buys.

Be Their Gift Hero

This holiday season, take advantage of busy, time-crunched gift shoppers by making your store the easiest place to grab quality presents fast.  

Implement eye-catching displays showcasing your top-selling, universally gifted items. Designate a unique gift solution centre right up front. Stack impulse add-ons like gift bags and wraps near registers.  

With convenient offerings and locations, your shop can become your community's go-to last-minute gift destination. Reduce holiday stress while ringing in sales! Become the gift hero for harried shoppers this Christmas.

Give it a shot and see how you go. 

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Discounts vs Points: Which Works Better for Retailers?

POS SOFTWARE

loyal programs in australia

Drawing in customers is the key for any small retail business. Doing this often costs money, which will drain your marketing budget. In our marketplace, two different methods are popular.

Discount vouchers and loyalty programs.

Now, let us quickly review how these work.

Broadly, a discount voucher, often after the purchase but not always, offers a discount on their next visit.  A loyalty program provides your customer with some points that, over time, can be redeemed on a future purchase.

Let's contrast these two different types of promotions.

Discounts: A Direct Way to Boost Sales

Marking down prices piques buyer interest quickly. It is a no-fuss tactic to move stock. Benefits of discounts include:

  • Universal Appeal: Price cuts attract deal-seekers and even casual shoppers.

  • Great with one-off customers: Many people, like in shopping centres, have heaps of customers they will never see again. If they do not make a pitch for them now, they will never sell to them again.

The main problems?

> You gain only discount-driven customers who buy on price.

> No data

> Easy to run

> No long-term relationship is made with the client. They are in it for the discount and will only remain if it continues.

> Discount vouchers are expensive. I once determined that a discount voucher system costs the retailer over three times as much as a points-based system. See here. There are good reasons why major retailers in Australia run point systems.

Loyalty Points: Investing in Repeat Customers

While discounts provide instant sales, loyalty programs focused on points accrual emphasize long-term retention. For small retailers, benefits include:

  • Builds Customer Loyalty: Earning points for purchases incentivizes choosing your store.

  • Valuable Data on Buying Habits: Informs decisions around stock and promotions.

  • More flexibility: Allow better redemption on high-margin items.

  • Tiered Rewards System: Personalize program levels and benefits based on spending.

  • Australians like points: We are big users of VIP points

The main risk?

> The main obstacle is the amount of work and maintenance required over time to keep the program running.

> Although the cost is less, it is still there. As a rule, a loyalty program is only sustainable in retail at 1% of turnover without the supplier's help. So for example, say your shop does $500,000 a year turnover. The maximum a loyalty program should cost you is 1% or $5,000 by the book, which is based on a 30% margin. 

Something to chew on

If a customer spends $100 with a retailer and that retailer rewards them with 1 per cent of the total spend, then the member will receive $1 of value back, which may not sound very rewarding to the member. But if it is part of a loyalty program, the member can earn one hundred points (at 1c per point, which is equal to $1). By applying the representativeness heuristic, ‘one hundred’ points may be perceived as significantly bigger than ‘one’ dollar, making the member feel that the reward they have received is bigger than in reality.

Call to action

Let us know if you want to learn more about the loyalty program options available in our POS software. If there's enough interest, I'll write a follow-up article comparing the systems.

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Types of Hampers: Our Secret Weapon for Retail Success

POS SOFTWARE

An innovative way to lift sales is by making hampers—these present excellent marketing opportunities for retail businesses. Attractively bundled products help showcase your offerings while providing customers with ready-made gifts and highly personalised shopping experiences.  

Clear Out Old Stock with Hampers

This is the primary use of hampers as they provide clever opportunities to sell unsellable stock that is too old. 

For example, say your shop has a few stray photography magazines that can no longer be returned to publishers. On their own, you’d likely have to discount to move. However, bundling them in a photography-themed hamper with two of the latest photographic magazine issues creates newfound value in the bundle.  Pairing these with sought-after new editions lets you build a hamper whose price exceeds the three current magazines’ worth. This allows you to sell unsellable items subtly.

The hamper assortment disguises old stock as a bonus while emphasizing the valued contemporary items shoppers are keen on. This makes hampers a strategic means of stock clearance. With creative pairings, you can craftily liquidate old inventory.

Hampers drive bulk sales for more Revenue.

Fundamentally, each hamper represents a bulk purchase, with bundled products averaging higher transaction totals than individual purchases. This presents a significant revenue upside, especially given the perceived extra value from creatively presented assortments. Taking time to make hampers together allows you to get more sales. This works particularly well as you are letting shoppers quickly grab premade hampers. Look at these items,

Items for sale

 

People will look at the basket and probably pick and choose a few. 

Now, what if this basket was wrapped in plastic? Many people will buy all the items. This is what you want.

Of course if they want individual items, you can always sell them separately.

Types of hampers

Here is a listing I put together showing the most popular types of hampers used in retail today. I think it's worth running through the list with the names.

 

Types Definition Occasion targeted Typical contents Examples
Hamper A gift basket filled with items. Gifts, special occasions Food, drinks, gifts Food hamper
Kit A group of products that are needed to complete a specific task. Specific task Tools, components Tool kit, model kit, first aid kit
Bundle A group of related or complementary products sold at a discounted price. Everyday purchases Related or complementary products Shampoo and conditioner bundle, stationery bundle, computer bundle
Assortment A collection of products that are chosen to appeal to a specific customer segment. Specific customer segment Products appealing to a specific customer segment Gift assortment for new parents, pet supplies assortment
Collection A group of products around a particular theme. Specific theme or aesthetic Products with a particular theme or aesthetic Magazine collection, range of dog food
Set A group of products that are sold together as a single unit. Single unit Multiple products sold as a single unit Dinnerware set
Combos Typically, it is a meal or beverage and other products. Fast food restaurants Burger, fries, and a drink Combo meal at a fast food restaurant
Value packs A larger quantity of a single product is sold at a discounted price. Almost all shops Bulk sales, box of pens 3 for the price of 2
Seasonal assortments Collections of products that are themed for a specific season Retail stores, grocery stores Christmas, summer collection for the beach Holiday Assortment
Gift sets Typically, it is a collection but more curated and expensive. High-end retailing  Gourmet chocolates Gift set for chocolate
Specialty offerings Unique or niche products that may not fit into any of the other categories. Specialty coffee shops, artisan shops Limited-edition single-origin coffee, locally produced honey An assortment of locally produced items works very well in regional areas.

Craft Irresistible In-Store Hamper Displays

Well-styled hamper displays at checkout areas, store entrances, and high-traffic aisles will capture attention. Consider these display ideas:

  • Colourful signage calling out seasonal themes, prices, savings
  • Decorations and props matching the hamper theme
  • Frequent rotation of hamper varieties
  • Do not have too many at any time. You just confuse people

Spotlight Hamper 

There is no point in making these hampers if your customers do not know about them. They need to be displayed where people can see them.

Offer Customization for Personalized Appeal

Today’s consumers prioritize personalization and customisability. These hamper add-ons can boost perceived value:

  • Gift card inserts with custom messages
  • Consider a few with different price ranges
  • Consider offering an upgrade from a cheaper hamper to a dearer hamper. You will find some and decide they want to upgrade.
  • Festive gift wrapping in diverse themes

Analyse Performance Metrics

By tracking hamper sales in your POS platform, you gain insight to calibrate your offerings. Assess demand by:

  • Reviewing best-selling themes and price points
  • Monitoring purchases around key gifting dates
  • Identifying highest-margin hamper variants

Data fuels intelligent decisions to meet customer needs, fine-tune inventory, and maximize profits!

Standing out in an increasingly competitive retail landscape means getting creative with value-added products. With the right marketing strategies, hampers can become a signature part of your brand experience and revenue arsenal.

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Tips to get organised with your diaries

POS SOFTWARE

Retail Store Diary Sale 2023

 

Unbelievable as it sounds, we are getting close to the new year, the years gone so fast, and this often inspires people to get organised and plan ahead. Diaries can be a great product to help your customers achieve their goals in 2024.

Your point of sale (POS) software is the perfect tool to help maximise diary sales in your shop.

Your POS software has reporting features that can provide valuable insights into your diary sales from previous years. Specifically, your software can show you:

  • Which diary designs, sizes, and types sold well at different times of the year
  • Tell you last year's sales, which will indicate what this year's sales will be. Make sure you have sufficient stock on hand to meet customer demand.
  • Related products that customers tend to purchase alongside diaries (e.g. cards, nice pens) use your companion reports.

Prominently Display Diaries In-Store

It would help to ensure customers can easily spot your diary selection in-store. Here are some display tips:

  • Dedicate prime real estate, like a front counter display, to diaries
  • Arrange diaries attractively
  • Highlight top sellers; people are drawn to such products
  • Put signage and posters to indicate that you sell diaries.
  • Do not count on people knowing you have diaries. When serving them, tell them you have them.

Getting diaries front-and-centre maximises the chance of catch-up sales from customers coming in to shop for other items.

In addition to standard diaries, consider that you can boost sales by also promoting related products such as:

Travel Planners

Help customers plan their dream trips and holidays with travel diaries and journals.

Health and Fitness Planners

Tap into New Year's resolutions with diet, exercise, and wellness journals. 

Work Planners

Appeal to professionals getting on top of their workflow with work-specific planners. Display alongside nice pens, highlighters, and notepads.

Get Organised

You can organise a successful diary sales campaign this year by utilising your POS software to understand diary sales trends, effectively displaying and promoting diaries in-store, and talking to customers. 

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Black Friday You Can't Manage What You Don't Measure

POS SOFTWARE

Black Friday sales

You Can't Manage What You Don't Measure

The Christmas holiday shopping season has just officially begun. This is one of the year's busiest and most critical sales periods for retailers.  Many of our clients will do half their trade this year in the next two months. But you can't manage what you don't measure. Going into your biggest sales event blind is a recipe for disaster. It would be to examine the key metrics (KPIs) to understand the impact on your bottom line.

Here, we'll explore two essential key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure this Black Friday to show you how they are used going forward:

Foot Traffic

Understanding how many potential customers walk through your doors is crucial. Converting that foot traffic into actual sales is the name of the game.

You have a few options to monitor your store's foot traffic:

People Counters

If you have followed this blog, you will know that a simple people counter is an inexpensive way to determine how many shoppers entered your store. It should be positioned near the entrance and recorded at the start of each day. A basic, manual counter for a shop is cheap nowadays. 

Centre Foot Traffic (If Applicable)

If you are in a shopping complex, you will find that many of these do monitor the foot traffic numbers. You can use this, but remember, in our experience, these centre traffic numbers are rarely reliable. Use them as directional guidance only.

Daily Sales & Profit

While foot traffic shows customer interest, your sales and profit figures reveal actual spending and earnings.

Your point-of-sale (POS) reporting will tell you the net daily sales and profit. 

Focus on two key profit metrics and compare them to last year's Black Friday. That will give you an idea of how you are travelling.

Number of Transactions

How many sales transactions did you ring in for Black Friday? 

Total Daily Profit

Gross daily profit is ultimately what pays your bills.

Use KPIs to Assess Performance

Armed with foot traffic and profit data, you can now calculate store performance metrics to measure Black Friday's impact.

KPI-Foot Traffic Conversion Rate

Divide your number of transactions by the total foot traffic. 

Rate = (Number of Sales) / Traffic 

This conversion rate reveals how well you translated store visits into actual sales.

Professional marketers commonly do this sort of analysis.

Benchmark to last year's Black Friday. If conversion drops with higher foot traffic, you may need help with sales, e.g., understaffed or poor shop windows.

KPI-Average Transaction Profit

Here, divide your total daily profit by the number of transactions. The result helps you determine the average profit margin per sale. Now, is Black Friday pulling down your averages due to heavy discounting?

Average transaction profit = Profit / Number of sales

Doing Sales Performance Analysis

Now you have POS Software, so you can do most of this and more automatically. I find analyzing sales data by department, product category, and customer segment can help retailers identify areas for improvement and make strategic adjustments.

You will find it here:

Main Menu > Cash Register > Register Reports > Under the Select Report tab, expand the Stock folder > select the report “Dissection Family Class Period Sales Comparison”.

Then you will see this screen.

 Now, put in the dates to compare.  Now, it will pop out a wide range of KPIs, including quantity, cost, sales, profit, and GP%, with a breakdown by amount and percentage. I think besides the two KPIs above, you will find many others useful. Note that these are your actual figures, not what your suppliers tell you.

I would also suggest that you look at your 

Retail department optimization

Consider tracking your sales performance across different departments to identify the most profitable channels and allocate resources accordingly.

Summing up

Implementing key performance indicators is critical for effectively managing your business during the hectic holiday shopping season. At a minimum, start by tracking the metrics of Foot Traffic and gross profit.

Compare these KPIs to prior years.

Don't fly blind - measure performance daily. Spot shortfalls early so the course can be corrected quickly. There's no better tool for managing through the wild ride of this holiday sales season than your POS System.

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Black Friday near me

POS SOFTWARE

Make the Most of Black Friday with a Flash Sale tomorrow.

This post is for those people who have done nothing for Black Friday tomorrow.

Here are some photos I took at my local shopping area on Black Friday. What I noticed is that almost every shop was participating. The last one I thought was pretty clever as they did not have to do any price changes or preparation. 

Black Friday 1 2023

 

Black Friday 3 2023

Black Friday 2 2023

On the Facebook page of one local business, which I know is very professionally run, I saw the following written

Don't miss out on these amazing Black Friday deals! Shop early to get the best selection. We also have a great gift guide to help you find the perfect presents for everyone on your list. And don't forget to take advantage of our price match guarantee!

Make your own sign. I suggest including some of these words as, based on what I have seen, they seem to work.

Black Friday

Cyber Monday

Doorbuster 

Gift Guide

Holiday deals

Price match, 

Save money

Shop small

 

Maximize profits during the biggest shopping weekend of the year at the last minute.

With some strategic planning and the right tools, you can drive new sales and attract new customers to your store tomorrow.

> Choose the right sale items.

> Systems like your POS Software make flash sales a breeze by automatically applying discounts at checkout.

Here are some instructions 

> Do not forget products that you are overstocked or slow-selling. Here you are dealing with bargain hunters, who want stuff like this now.

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Flash sales

POS SOFTWARE

A shop having a flash sale

Drive Traffic and Sales with Flash Sales for Your Business

Running quick sales events is an excellent way for brick-and-mortar retailers to create buzz and drive traffic into their stores. It can be done anytime, leading to a surge in sales and new customer acquisitions. Here I will discuss tips for planning and marketing winning flash sales for your retail business.

What Are Flash Sales and Why Do Them?

A flash sale is a promotional event where you offer items at a discount for a very short period of time - usually 24 hours. This create a sense of urgency and excitement that many customers will look at. The limited time frame convinces shoppers they need to buy now before missing out on the fantastic deal.

Done right, flash sales can:

  • Generate a rapid boost in sales and revenue
  • Attract new customers into your store - Customer acquisition
  • Clear old or excess inventory
  • Create buzz and visibility for your business
  • Increase customer email signups and social media followers, use your customer loyalty

Brick-and-mortar retailers can use flash sales as periodic events throughout the year to spike sales during slow periods or when introducing new products and to liquidate old stock.

It works anytime but can also be used around holidays, events, or seasons, flash sales help you capitalise on timely opportunities. You can align them with occasions like back-to-school, Halloween, Mother’s Day, or the summer clearance season.

7 Tips for Creating a Successful Flash Sale - Retail marketing

Flash sales may seem simple, but excellent execution is critical to driving traffic and conversions. Here are six tips for planning and marketing a profitable limited-time sale:

1. Strategically Select Sale Items - Promotional sales

Carefully curate the products or product bundles you’ll discount for the flash sale. Pick items that:

  • You have overstocked and want to clear out
  • Have wide customer appeal
  • Will entice shoppers to make additional purchases
  • Allow you to maintain adequate profit margins

Avoid putting your newest, trendiest merchandise on sale so you don’t diminish its perceived value.

2. Set Clear Start and End Times

Be very specific with the start and end date and time so customers know exactly how long they have to get the deal. Twenty-four hours or less creates optimal urgency.

For example:

Starts: Saturday, November 18, 9 a.m.

Ends: Saturday, November 18, 9 p.m.

3. Offer a Realistic Discount

You want your discount deep enough to excite customers and make them feel like they’re getting an incredible bargain. You need to be careful here if it is not enough, you look silly, and if it is too much, then you will sacrifice too much profit. Do the math to ensure you can offer huge savings without losing money on each transaction. You can maintain strong margins by only discounting certain items while keeping everyday prices on others.

4. Inventory management

The quickest way to kill a flash sale is running out of the promoted products. Calculate expected demand and ensure you have enough excess inventory on hand to meet it.

Nothing disappoints shoppers more than finding their desired item already sold out, which can even damage customer loyalty. It’s better to have leftovers than to turn away empty-handed customers. You should be able to sell it later.

5. Small business marketing

Heavily advertise your flash sale through:

  • In-store signs and window displays: Place bold, colourful signage at your entrance and throughout your store to spread the word to foot traffic use to the max your In-store marketing. You can use this signage again after the sale in a few months.

  • Social media marketing: Run your shop on Facebook and Instagram to reach a broader local audience. It costs nothing.

6. Plan Accordingly with Staffing and Operations

Alert your staff to prepare for an influx of customers during the sale period. Schedule adequate employees to handle the customer traffic so shoppers don’t have frustratingly long wait times. Brief them on what you are trying to do clearly to prevent misunderstandings, you need to provide decent customer service.

7. Update your Point-of-sale (POS) system

Make sure your POS software is up to date with the information required.

Flash Sale Ideas for Different Business Types

Here are examples of successful flash sale ideas for specific types of shops, I have seen.

Newsagency

  • Summer fun flash sale - Buy one get one half off outdoor water toys and games
  • The magazines company gave them some magazines to move on their flash sale -  It did not cost them anything, they just asked.

Pet Supply Shop

  • Adopt-a-pet sale - 25% off pet beds, leashes, bowls, and toys
  • Stock up and save flash sale - 15% on some food and treats

Make Your Next Flash Sale a Success

A well-executed flash sale takes strategic planning, savvy marketing, and strong operations. But the reward of increased traffic and sales make it a highly effective periodic promotion. Remember to select sale items wisely, offer deep but profitable discounts, stock up on inventory, advertise heavily, and prepare your staff.

What other tips do you have for small retailers looking to run successful flash sales events? What kind of promotions resonate most with you as a shopper?

 

Good luck, and let me know how it went for you.

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What does sell in your shop on Black Friday?

POS SOFTWARE

Black Friday Australia

Black Friday Australia 2023

Today, Black Friday in Australia is a major Retail Event. It is one of the biggest shopping days in Australia, marking the unofficial start of the Christmas holiday shopping season.

 

Interest in Australia for Black Friday

In Australia, Black Friday is a relatively new retail phenomenon, but you can see how interest in Black Friday has grown here in Australia. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) noted that retail turnover increased dramatically for Black Friday, they said 

“With retail turnover increasing by more than one per cent in all states and territories, it’s clear Black Friday sales are becoming increasingly popular across the country,” 

This data indicates that Australian retailers and shoppers have fully embraced Black Friday. Now, one point in retail that comes up: how does my shop perform on this marketing day? You may be surprised. 

Why Do Consumers Love Black Friday?

There are several reasons why consumers get excited for Black Friday sales in Australia:

  • Hype and excitement - Major retailers build hype in the weeks leading up to Black Friday with television, radio, print and digital advertising. This creates a festive excitement around the big sale day.

  • Christmas shopping - Many Australians see Black Friday sales as the perfect time to get a head start on Christmas shopping.

If you have not done much or you want to know more to make the most of Black Friday

While Black Friday poses some hurdles, there are ways for retailers to maximise their sales opportunities if you have not prepared.

A Clear Promotional Strategy

You need to decide which product lines you want to draw customer traffic; you can quickly do this by checking Last Year's Top Sellers. Also to make sure you have enough of the right inventory on hand for Black Friday, to check your top-selling items from last year:

Well, it is easy in our point-of-sale system to find out.

Go to Register reports.

 

 

Now pick "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period."

 

Select a few days before Black Friday and after, so 22 November 2022 to 28  November 2022

Do by unit sales and then run it by profit.

Now, see if you have enough stock. Check what works.

You do not have much time.

Select some stock to advertise. You will need to advertise with some signage; it does not have to be as much as customers are looking, but it needs to be there. 

The Now Plan for 2023

  • Use sales reports in your POS system to analyze what products and promotions performed best. Apply those lessons to your 2023 strategy.
  • Check staffing levels
  • Put signage up
  • Monitor your retail turnover increase

Have a great day.

 

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Strategic Product Placement in Supermarkets

POS SOFTWARE

Over the years, Coles has given us many tips for our software. I was blown away when they took us on a tour of their data centre and EFTPOS and Credit Credit card facility. 

Now shopping at your local supermarket seems simple enough - walk in, grab a trolley, and start filling it up. But have you ever wondered how supermarkets decide where to place products on their shelves? It may look random, but product placement in supermarkets is actually heavily dependant on strategic science designed to influence what you buy.

How Supermarkets Use Product Placement

Supermarkets hire experts to advise them on store layouts and product placement. These retail analysts use years of sales data, customer surveys, focus groups, and other research to determine optimal shelf configurations. Their goal is to place the most profitable and popular items where shoppers are most likely to see them or can easily grab them. This encourages impulse purchases and converts browsers into buyers.

Key Placement Principles

  • Eye level shelves - Most sought-after items are placed at eye level where they are most visible. This includes popular branded items that stores want you to notice. This is called the buy level.

  • End of aisle displays - High value impulse and specials are displayed at the ends of aisles to catch your attention.

  • Kids height shelves - Colourful packets of sweets and biscuits are deliberately placed at kids' eye levels to tempt them.

  • Bottom shelves - This is for the bargain shoppers as they will reach down for a bargain.

  • Perimeter placement - Highly desired products are placed all over the shop, so a shopper has to travel all over the shop. 

Improving Sales Through Placement

Now small changes to product placement can lead to impressive sales lifts.One of my clients blocked off an exist to the shop, so his customers had to walk through more of the shop. It worked.

Checkout this video it might give you some ideas.

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Why Are Customers Buying Less Wrapping Paper and More Gift Bags?

POS SOFTWARE

People today seem to be buying in recent years fewer rolls of festive wrapping paper and more gift bags instead. Wrapping paper was once considered a holiday necessity. No Christmas gift was complete without glossy paper covered in snowflakes or candy canes. But customer preferences are changing. Here are some reasons why:

Wrapping takes some skill

Let's face it - wrapping gifts with paper is time-consuming. Carefully folding edges, taping down seams and ensuring graphics align takes patience. This skill is less known. People do perceive badly bagged presents as more carelessly given. Gift bags do not have this problem.

Retailers make more from bags.

Retailers would prefer to sell more bags as it's a better sale and it's less trouble. Besides, wrapping is an art and takes time. A bag is a straight and easy sale. 

Faster Paced Lifestyles

Today's customers lead increasingly busy lives and prefer the convenience of gift bags. Just tuck the present inside and go—no tedious wrapping required.

Less Excitement Over Designs

Retailers in the past invested heavily in new holiday wrapping paper designs each year, but looking at these patterns, they seem to be less appealing. The standard prints like snowflakes, trees and ornaments feel boring and expected. Gift bags today have more customisation and self-expression.

 

The Gift Bag Boom

To remain relevant, retailers need to respond to changing consumer behaviour. 

Wider Selections

Gift bags now come in endless colours, patterns, and materials. Stock a wide assortment of bag sizes and styles. Keep selections fresh each year by introducing new variations and customization options.

Prominent Merchandising

Make gift bags a focal point of holiday displays and signage. Spotlight them as the modern way to wrap presents. Place them prominently at checkout areas to spur impulse purchases.

Bundled Packages

Create ready-made gift bag packages with tissue paper, ribbon, gift tags and other coordinating accessories. These bundles make putting together polished gifts fast and easy.

Eco-Friendly and Reusable

Now, many want to be green, and there is growing awareness about the environmental impact of single-use wrapping paper. Unlike gift wrap, you can have reusable gift bags are considered a “greener” choice by eco-conscious consumers.

Making Gift Bags Profitable

For retailers, one problem is that bags take up more shelf space, and so need to be replenished more often. Here are some tips to maximise profits:

  • Stock smaller assortments of higher quality bags that command bigger price points. Check margins.

  • Suggest add-on items like coordinating ribbons, candles or decorations with purchase.

  • Consider bundling free or discounted bags for sales over a certain amount. This incentivises bag purchases.

Adapting to Gift Bag Demand

Wrapping paper was once a hallmark of holiday shopping at physical retailers. However, with customers choosing reusable gift bags for convenience and environmental reasons, its prominence is fading.

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The Top Halloween Costumes of 2023

POS SOFTWARE

Halloween is just around the corner, so unfortunately, much of this information that they sent me today has come too late for most of you to action. Sorry but trust me, it's not my fault. Still, it might help some of you to position your Halloween costumes if you sell them.

It will also give you some ideas of what the public is thinking. After analyzing 2023 predictions from major costume companies, here is a breakdown of the 27 hottest Halloween costume ideas for kids, adults, groups, couples, and pets.

Barbie Movie Costumes, and Video Games Dominate

Taking the #1 spot this year is Barbie! The iconic Mattel doll turned movie star is set to be the most popular costume for Halloween 2023. No doubt this is largely due to the hugely successful Barbie movie that was just released.

Interestingly besides Barbie, many of the other top costumes this year draw came from recent popular movies like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and others. Others from video games such as Princess Peach and Mortal Kombat ninjas. This confirms what people have told me pop culture has a massive influence on Halloween costume ideas.

The trouble with this sort of stuff is that yes, Barbie is good this year, but if you do not sell it soon, you will be stuck with items difficult to sell. 

Old Faithful Costume Ideas

While pop culture always adds fresh new costume ideas into the mix, you can’t go wrong with the classics. Occupying spots #4 through #11 in the rankings are costumes that are popular every Halloween:

  • #4 Witch
  • #5 Fairy
  • #7 Dinosaur
  • #8 Cowboy
  • #10 Bunny
  • #11 Rabbit

You cannot go wrong with these guys.

 

 

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Showcasing specialty Chocolates in your shop

POS SOFTWARE

Right now, Australia's specialised chocolate industry is booming.

Chocolate sales in Australia over the past few years

The Australian chocolate Market is anticipated to project robust growth during the forecast period on account of rising health awareness, rising disposable income, and rising demand for chocolates among children. .. Moreover, among the key factors influencing the growth of the chocolate market in Australia are consumer healthy choices and the rising demand for premium chocolates.

Here is a list of some advantages of considering these specialist chocolates in your shop, the big one, little discussed is positioning.

-Halloween is coming up, and so is Christmas, and what one product do they have in common: massive chocolate sales? Just about any marketing season or occasion has massive increases in chocolate sales in retail. People buy chocolates for birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, etc. Almost all holiday season provides significant opportunities for chocolate sales in retail

- Chocolate is an easy, profitable product to add for holidays with solid margins

- The product lines are relatively easy to handle. Your POS System can handle them now. For most suppliers, our systems can import directly the chocolate lines into your POS Software.

- Specialty/artisanal chocolates help small shops stand out from supermarkets as a retailer can pick a brand that the large retailers in their area do not handle. Carrying unique holiday chocolate varieties from local/niche makers delights and attracts customers

- Plenty of impulse purchases from customers not planning to buy chocolate

Positioning

Effective merchandising is vital to maximising sales and profits for retailers looking to add high-quality, artisanal chocolates to their product range. Unlike mass-market chocolate bars in every supermarket, high-specialty chocolates rely on careful positioning and promotion to capture their target audience. Here are some best practices for small shops to showcase unique chocolate offerings.

Place Specialty Chocolates in Secondary Locations

The most apparent, central areas of a store with the most foot traffic are best reserved for faster turnover essentials like snacks, beverages and impulse purchases. Specialty chocolates don’t necessarily need to occupy prime real estate since their buyers intentionally seek them out. They are tucking chocolate displays into a secondary nook that rewards those willing to explore. Discerning chocolate shoppers appreciate browsing interesting selections in a tucked-away section of the shop rather than crowded front shelves. They can use relatively dead areas in your shop.

Visual Appeal with Packaging

Part of chocolate’s appeal is visual. These chocolates come in beautiful packaging, glossy wrappers and box designs. You can arrange packaged chocolates of varying sizes and shapes for an abundance effect. 

Conclusion

With specialty chocolate, small details in presentation and positioning make a significant difference in sales outcomes. When introducing high-quality chocolate lines, consider optimal placement and creative promotion. The effort pays off in delighted customers and profitable returns.

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What sells in my shop during Halloween?

POS SOFTWARE

Kids in Halloween spirit

Skeletons emerge from closets, vampires rise from coffins, and ghosts roam the streets as Halloween creeps up in Australia as this largely American tradition, which has turned into a worldwide phenomenon, continues to gain popularity down under. We see that participation has risen steadily each year as Halloween gains mainstream acceptance. What was once seen as an American novelty has been embraced by Australians, young and old.

For Halloween, retailers need to be exact in their ordering. This type of stock can be tough to get rid of after Halloween. This is one of those holidays that interest the public in brief.

New research shows Australians are more eager than ever to participate in Halloween festivities this year. Total spending is forecast to reach new heights.

Millions of Aussies Catching Halloween Spirit

A spook-tacular 5.3 million Australians now celebrate Halloween, according to data from the Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan here. According to it, an extra 300,000 people compared to the 5 million that dressed up, carved pumpkins and went trick-or-treating last year. I have little reason to doubt it, as it was pretty accurate the previous year.

Halloween Spending to Hit $490 Million

Halloween_products

Australia's total spending on Halloween is predicted to reach $490 million in 2023.

That's a bone-chilling increase of 8.1% compared to last year.

So where is all this money going? Aussies are splurging on:

  • Costumes - 49% of participants purchase a new costume, spending an average of $31 each
  • Candy - 39% stock up on lollies and chocolates to hand out on Halloween night, driving over $100 million in supermarket confectionary sales
  • Decorations - over one third (36%) decorate their homes with fake cobwebs, skeletons and jack-o-lanterns
  • Parties & Events - bars, restaurants, cinemas and more cash in on Halloween's popularity by hosting themed events

Aussie Adults Lead Halloween Growth

While children in creepy costumes may come to mind when you think of Halloween, Australian adults are actually driving this trend.

Australians aged 35-49 years old are the most avid Halloween participants:

  • 40% of this age group plan to celebrate Halloween
  • That's up 3% from last year.
  • It equates to 1 million 35-49-year-old Aussies enjoying Halloween this year - a 190,000 increase.

Parents are helping boost Halloween's popularity by allowing and encouraging their children to join in the celebrations. Mothers and fathers enter the spirit by dressing up and decorating homes.

Beyond parents, young adults without children are embracing Halloween, too. It's becoming a popular date night and a chance to show off creative costumes.

If you want to know the sort of stuff the public is interested in now for Halloween, you should look at costumes, witches' hats, Halloween makeup, masks like Frankenstein and ghosts are popular nowadays, and as always, Harry Potter stuff. One of the pluses of Harry Potter stuff is that it sells well after Halloween.

If you want a quick and instant way of finding out what stock sold in your shop in previous years on Halloween.

Go to Register reports.

Now pick "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period."

 

In the form, put in the following dates: 25/10/22 to 31/10/22. A report will come out with what sold over that week. 

As time is running out, could you do it now?

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Australians Set to Spend Big on Father's Day Despite Cost-of-Living Pressures

POS SOFTWARE

Research from Roy Morgan says that Australians are set to splash out $860 million on Father’s Day gifts this year. This is a slight drop of 1.3% compared to last year. This figure is so tiny I doubt retailers will notice it. It's a massive market, with 35% of Australians planning to buy a gift for Father’s Day and spending an average of $112 per person. This study is in line with another study by Finder.

Looking at the items on offer at the GiftFair in Melbourne, I noticed a few things that would be good for retailers to handle for Father's Day:

  • Alcohol cups like Beer Steins
  • A set of Whisky Metal Bullet Chillers. You keep the chillers in the fridge to freeze, and then when you drink, you pour the whiskey, cooling it without diluting it.
  • BBQ Branding Iron to personalize steaks and burgers with Dad's initial.

Tips for Retailers This Father's Day

If you want some ideas of what worked for you last year.

Go to Register Reports.

Now pick "Top N Stock Sales for a Given Period."

In the form, put in the week before September 4, 2022, and check it out. That will give you what worked last year.

These items likely will work for you again this year as studies show little difference in people's buying habits year to year.

Father's Day is an excellent shopping day in retail. Although it is a limited-time shopping festival with a short season, it can considerably impact your shop if done correctly.

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