1. Omnichannel By Design

Amidst the ongoing convergence of the store and digital touch points, POS systems must now integrate all points of both engagement and commerce to enable a seamless experience.

Facilitating anytime, anywhere order fulfillment is now mandatory — especially as the store plays a more critical role in cross-channel experiences. Consumers expect flexibility in how they place and receive their orders. Associates must be able to look up product inventory and customer information across the enterprise (and beyond), and be able to complete online transactions for in-store pickup or home delivery.

2. Personalized for Each Shopper

Email, social media, search engines and web sites generate millions of data points about your target customers, their behaviors and their preferences. Are you using this data to your advantage?

Your POS system should offer seamless access to CRM data, so employees can view valuable information, such as:

• Customer lifetime value
• Average cost per transaction
• Products purchased
• Social feedback/behaviors
• Deal redemption frequency
• Loyalty membership information and activity

Making this data accessible at the POS and through mobile devices can help associates have more valuable conversations with shoppers. With this data, associates can make more relevant product recommendations that drive cross-sells and up-sells, and even apply last-minute discounts, offers and giveaways, helping to drive impulse purchases at the point of decision.

3. Brimming with Performance Data and Insights

Shopper sentiment, spending patterns and overall product demand and market conditions are always changing.

Real-time analysis and insight into detailed performance metrics across all stores and regions keeps corporate and store management on their toes, empowering them to react more swiftly to new trends and capitalize on new opportunities.

Your POS system should deliver, in a comprehensive and easy-to-digest way:

• Store-specific sales per day, week and year
• Sales across all stores
• Sales in specific regions
• Top-selling product categories and brands
• Inventory positions for key items

With comprehensive visibility into sales performance and inventory levels, you’ll be able to make smarter merchandising and assortment planning decisions, leading to minimal stock-outs and improved customer satisfaction.

4. Designed for Events and Experiential Retail

Experiential retail plays a pivotal role in the new era of customer experience. In-store events, product demonstrations, fashion shows and more can help engage shoppers, differentiate brands and lead to improved foot traffic, word-of-mouth, brand awareness, loyalty and sales across channels.

Retailers can also improve brand perception by going where the customer is — whether they’re at concerts, races or other local events. Going where customers go requires hardware that can adapt to a variety of situations and events. Although the technology options are practically endless, some examples include:

• Smartphones to complete transactions
• Tablets that deliver customer data and product recommendations
• Wearable technology that allows associates to manage and complete tasks, and better serve customers

No matter the device and no matter the location, POS systems need to provide seamless and timely access to sales, inventory and customer data to augment customer interactions.

5. Equipped For Domestic And Global Expansion

The ever-expanding global retail market is presenting brands with new opportunities to bring their business across borders and to new audiences.

But ensuring success requires a tricky balance between art and science. Brands first and foremost need to comply with local laws, regulations and taxes. Then, they must adapt their assortment, marketing strategies and cross-channel presence to local tastes, cultural preferences and regulations.

Regardless of whether you have plans to expand domestically or internationally, you need a configurable POS that allows you to easily set up shop and build your business. At the same time, your POS should offer:

• A consistent brand identity across countries
• A seamless user experience
• Real-time, turnkey software updates for all devices