A Look at the Changing Face of Retail

BY BRENDAN NEWELL, VP OF PRODUCT – RETAIL, RETAIL EXPRESS BY MAROPOST AND REBECCA BRAGA, PARTNER MANAGER – RETAIL, TYRO

Australia’s gift and homewares sector continues to be fiercely competitive, with retailers frequently looking for creative solutions to drive foot traffic to physical stores. One of the cornerstones of a successful retail business in this environment is a robust Point of Sale (POS) solution. Indeed, an effective POS system, combined with an integrated payments solution, underpins the in-store experience by streamlining operations, enhancing the customer experience, and building loyalty in an evolving market.

POS Features that Improve Operational efficiency

Here are some of the POS features retailers should consider, according to Retail Express by Maropost, a cloudbased POS software provider.

Unified Inventory Management

Managing inventory across multiple locations – whether stores, warehouses, or online channels – requires a single source of truth. A unified inventory solution helps retailers avoid stockouts or overstock challenges, both of which can significantly affect sales. This is especially important for stores with diverse product ranges or seasonal inventory, where demand can fluctuate quickly.

Customer Experience Tools

POS systems with built-in loyalty programs, automated discounts, and personalised offers are essential to building a faithful customer base. By capturing customer details during checkout, retailers can target specific promotions that encourage repeat visits, creating a tailored shopping experience that drives engagement and maximises sales potential.

Integration with Key Systems

Retailers today are looking for seamless connectivity between their POS, accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and payment systems. Integrated systems help to reduce manual data entry, minimise errors, and ensure smoother operations, ultimately promoting operational efficiency and a better customer experience.

Real-time Reporting

POS solutions that provide real-time insights into sales trends, supplier performance, and in-store traffic give retailers a view on how their business is doing right now. This data helps inform decisions such as stock ordering and staffing schedules, ensuring businesses can stay agile and responsive to customer needs.

Retail Express centralises inventory data and reduces manual tasks. Its automated replenishment tools help forecast demand accurately, avoiding costly overstock or stockouts, while its supplier management feature helps track performance and delivery times for more effective stock planning.

The Rise of Omnichannel Retail

As e-commerce continues to accelerate, Australian retailers are adopting omnichannel strategies to create a consistent 360° experience for customers across both digital and physical platforms. The integration of online and offline experiences is crucial to ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Retail Express enhances this omnichannel approach by providing retailers with the tools to offer “Click & Collect” services, real-time stock synchronisation, and even an “endless aisle” that ensures customers can order products from other locations, helping secure sales that might otherwise be lost.

In addition, Retail Express supports omnichannel gift vouchers – gift cards that are redeemable both online and in-store – providing customers with flexible spending options while also driving traffic across all retail channels.

Integrated Payments

At the heart of these innovations is Tyro’s integrated EFTPOS solution which helps retailers streamline transaction processes while delivering an effortless checkout experience that is essential for modern consumers.

Through the partnership between Retail Express and Tyro, retailers benefit from integrated EFTPOS solutions that offer fast, easy and secure transactions –thereby reducing manual entry errors and streamlining the payment process.

In the competitive retail landscape, offering a smooth and frictionless checkout experience is essential for building loyalty and increasing sales. By simplifying payment processing, enhancing security, and integrating payments with key business systems, Tyro is helping Australian retailers optimise their operations while meeting the evolving demands of consumers.

By integrating POS and payments solutions, Tyro and Retail Express are positioning retailers for success in an increasingly digital and fastpaced world – ensuring both customers and businesses benefit from a modern, efficient, and enjoyable shopping experience.