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Washington, January 12, 2012 – After a season full of peaks and valleys, retailers’ 2011 holiday sales beat expectations, rising 4.1 percent to $471.5 billion – slightly surpassing NRF’s holiday sales forecast of 3.8 percent growth.*

According to the National Retail Federation, December retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) increased 4.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year and decreased .06 percent seasonally adjusted from November.

“The right mix of strong promotions, lean inventories and an emphasis on value put retailers in the perfect position to end the year on a high note,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “A better-than-expected holiday season is welcome news for an economic recovery that continues to be sluggish, and demonstrates retail’s powerful role as an engine of growth.”

December retail sales released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted over November and a strong 6.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

“In a matchup between the final two months of 2011 November clearly wins, but in the end retailers’ promotions struck the right chord for budget-focused holiday shoppers,” said NRF Chief Economist, Jack Kleinhenz. “Though we are seeing evidence that the economy still has a critical hold on consumers’ purchase decisions, this strength in spending could continue into 2012.” ”

Read the whole article here!

For those who might have missed it or might want to review the topics covered, we have cut the video into 3 parts to make finding the content you want easier. This year we dicussed PCI general info, ways a breach occurs, consequences of a breach, PCI-DSS requirements and rTools remote management suite.

Watch the webinar now!

DCR is excited to invite you to our annual POSitouch Webinar!

Jan. 10th 2012 – 9:30 am CST

This year we will be covering PCI compliance, how you can safeguard your business against a breach, as well as from the potential fines and fees associated with non-compliance. We will also talk about Quick Menu options, use, features and more!
RSVP Today!

RSVP today to reserve your spot and get 25 free mag cards for registering before January 3rd and attending the webinar

http://dcrpos.com/blog1/positouch-2012-webinar-rsvp/ ]]> http://dcrpos.com/blog1/2011/12/28/positouch-webinar-2012/feed/ 0 http://dcrpos.com/blog1/2011/12/14/top-4-sources-of-retail-inventory-shrinkage/ http://dcrpos.com/blog1/2011/12/14/top-4-sources-of-retail-inventory-shrinkage/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:38:14 +0000 bgillum http://dcrpos.com/blog1/?p=6586 Dec. 14 2011 – DCR

The loss of merchandise in a retail store through theft or damage is referred to as shrinkage or sometimes just shrink. The average shrink percentage in the retail industry in 2010 was about 1.5% of sales costing U.S. retailers over $35.28 billion in losses according to the National Retail Security Survey on retail theft.

Below we will show you the top 4 sources of inventory shrink and how you can protect yourself from the #1 source.

1. Employee Theft

In 2010 employee theft topped the list at a whopping %45 of total inventory shrinkage. In fact, employee theft was the top source of inventory shrinkage in all previous annual NRSS studies dating back to 1991. This translates into a hefty price tag of $15.9 billion paid by US retailers.

Unfortunately, 10 out of 21 types of retailers reported employee theft rates well above %45. The good news is, this type of theft can be lessened through surveillance and awareness.

Find out how to protect yourself from employee theft.

2. Shoplifting

The second largest source of inventory shrinkage is shoplifting at %31 costing US retailers $10.94 billion last year. This type of substantial profit loss to retailers ends up in raising product prices to off set these losses. In todays highly competitive retail pricing arena, an increase in prices can potentially damage your spot in the market.

Shoplifting can be prevented by surveillance systems, awareness programs and increased customer service.

A study by the National Retail Federation showed losses of up to $37.1 billion dollars directly to the retailer as a result of inventory shrinkage. In fact, 43.7 percent ($16.2 billion) of total losses was due to employee theft! Internal theft even accounted for more losses than shoplifting (32.6 percent of total losses). This data shows how important it is to protect your business from internal theft.

The Surveillance Starter Pack is just what you need to help protect your investment.

This low-cost, easy to use system comes with everything you need to get started. The pack includes an all-in-one DVR, 2 IP dome cameras, POE switch, text overlay and full LOC SMS integration combined with DCR’s extraoridinary support and training.
	All-in-one DVR – This slim, fanless DVR takes up a very small amount of space yet provides hours of high quality video.
	2 IP Dome Cameras – Get crisp and clear video with 2 mega pixel resolution dome cameras.
	Text Overlay – Text overlay shows you exactly what is happening in the transaction in real-time. See voids, refunds, no sales, UPCs, prices, totals and more!
	Integrates with LOC SMS – This starter pack integrates fully with LOC SMS software and pulls transaction data directly from the electronic journal. You can even search and view video directly from your EJ!
	Monitor your Cashiers – Reduce sweethearting and internal theft by knowing exactly what is happening at the lane and within the transaction.
	Save Big – Potentially save thousands by reducing internal theft and errors

To find out more information on how our Surveillance Starter Pack can benefit you and your business..

DCR would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!

We know you have a choice in point of sale providers and are very thankful you chose us. We promise to continue to strive to deliver you the best solutions, service and support possible. ]]> http://dcrpos.com/blog1/2011/11/23/happy-thanksgiving-from-dcr/feed/ 0 http://dcrpos.com/blog1/2011/11/09/revised-payment-processing-guidelines-will-go-into-effect-jan-1-for-restaurateurs-accepting-credit-or-debit-cards/ http://dcrpos.com/blog1/2011/11/09/revised-payment-processing-guidelines-will-go-into-effect-jan-1-for-restaurateurs-accepting-credit-or-debit-cards/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:08:21 +0000 bgillum http://dcrpos.com/blog1/?p=6525 Revised payment-processing guidelines will go into effect Jan. 1 for restaurateurs accepting credit or debit cards]]> Excerpt from QSRmagazine.com

Author: Barney Wolf

Restaurants and other businesses that capture and store credit and debit card data on their computers will be required to meet updated security standards beginning next year.

Version 2.0 of the guidelines, developed by the PCI Security Standards Council, doesn’t include major new requirements. Instead, it contains some revisions and clearer guidance for merchants and others who must make sure that security meets the council’s criterion. The new version was announced in late October and becomes effective January 1. Systems that met the standards’ previous version have additional time to make sure they comply.

Data theft can have severe repercussions for merchants. They may suffer financial losses, fines from card providers, and, more importantly, damage to their reputations, which would create long-term consequences, such as losing customers and sales.

To help small businesses comply with PCI standards, the council updated its website, www.pcisecuritystandards.org, to include more user-friendly language, forms to help merchants self-evaluate their compliance, and a list of software that meets the guidelines.

The updated PCI standards will be covered in greater depth, followed by a question-and-answer period, during a webinar at 3 p.m. (Eastern Time) November 16 and at 11 a.m. (ET) November 18. To register go to  https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/training/webinars.php.

Read the whole article here!

DCR is commited to providing our customers with validated payment applications and RSPA PCIwise certified technicians to assist in maintaining PCI compliance.

Trick or Treating – Safety tips for Parents

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“According to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, holiday shoppers say they plan to shell out an average of $704.18 on holiday gifts and seasonal merchandise, down slightly from last year’s $718.98. The NRF is still forecasting overall holiday retail sales to grow 2.8 percent during the months of November and December to $465.6 billion.

With lists in hand and a set budget in mind, people this year plan to shop around with a variety of retailers for holiday gifts and merchandise. Department stores, with unique private-label offerings, will see an increase in traffic over last year (56.9 percent vs. 54.5 percent last year), as will clothing or accessory stores (35.2 percent vs. 33.6 percent), drug stores (21.1 vs. 18.9), and grocery stores and supermarkets (48.8 vs. 46.7), and most will head to discount stores (66.1 vs. 65.1). Crafts and fabric stores will benefit from those looking to make personal and thoughtful gifts (17.5 vs. 16.1 percent).

When asked which one factor will be most important when shopping this holiday season, sales or price discounts largely win out (41.6 percent), but customer service (6.0 percent vs. 5.3 percent last year) and quality of merchandise (14.6 vs. 12.7) are continuing to become more vital components in consumers’ decision making processes, highlighting the growing importance of value when it comes to gift and everyday shopping.”

Check out the whole article at Progressive Grocer!

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The legislation would cost consumers more than $6 billion a year in savings that merchants plan to pass along to their customers, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said. “This misguided legislation would take billions of dollars in savings away from American consumers,” added Duncan, chairman of the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) and senior vice president and general counsel of the NRF.

“The banks tried to stop this law from being passed, they tried to delay it once it was passed, and they managed to water down the amount merchants and consumers will save. Now that it’s just barely taken effect, they are trying to repeal it before anyone can benefit. Congress needs to stop doing the bidding of the banks and think about the people who paid for the bank bailout not so long ago–consumers and Main Street merchants.”

N.G.A. President and CEO Peter Larkin wrote Members of Congress recently urging opposition to this misguided legislation and urges those concerned to contact their Representatives.

Sources:
CSP Daily News, Bill Would Repeal Swipe-Fee Reform, Oct. 13 2011
 http://www.cspnet.com/news/services/articles/bill-would-repeal-swipe-fee-reform

National Grocers Association

www.nationalgrocers.org/