Technology Review

Traditional brick and mortar retailers have been under constant assault from their online competitors for more than a decade. Because of their lack of overhead online retailers are able to offer prices that few traditional shops could hope to compete with. But traditional retailers who offer a positive shopping experience can overcome any advantages enjoyed on the Web.

The key to providing a positive shopping experience is making sure the customer gets what he wants, when he wants, and doesn’t have to wait around to pay for it. One way to speed the shopping experience is by using a point of purchase (POP) system for both sales and inventory.

A modern omnidirectional scanner is the cornerstone of most POP systems and can help both customers and employees. Because they read barcodes in such a quick and efficient manner, these scanners can help speed customers through the checkout and reduce incidents of “checkout rage.” In the warehouse, this same scanner can help inventory staff keep a tight lid on where every product is and how fast it can get to the store.

Of course POP hardware like scanners and electronic signature pads can only do so much to improve the customer experience. At the end of the day, a happy, knowledgeable is your company’s best edge against online competition.