DCR - 2/10 - Point of Sale and Business Technology Solutions

Top 5 reasons a point of sale system is better than a cash register system

One thing all business owners have in common is the need for some type of cash management system to process sales. The typical cash management system has a life span of between 10-15 years with upgrades every 5-7 years. Due to the many years of service a business owner can expect from their system, it is important to choose the best option now and for the future. But what should you choose a cash register system or a point of sale (POS) system?
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Shoppers to Pull Out All the Stops This Valentine’s Day

Kathy Grannis

www.nrf.com/consumertrends

Americans to Pull Out All the Stops This Valentine’s Day
-NRF Survey Finds Total Spending to Reach $17.6 Billion-

Washington, February 1, 2012 – Love may not cost a thing, but consumers this year are set to spoil their friends, family and loved ones this Valentine’s Day in a very big way. According to NRF’s 2012 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGinsight, the average person celebrating the holiday will shell out $126.03, up 8.5 percent over last year’s $116.21 and the highest in the survey’s 10-year history. Total spending is expected to reach $17.6 billion.*

“As one of the biggest gift-giving holidays of the year, it’s encouraging that consumers are still exhibiting the desire to spend on discretionary gift items, a strong indication our economy continues to move in the right direction,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “Anticipating high foot traffic in the coming weeks, retailers have replenished their inventories and will entice eager shoppers with great deals on everything from special menu items at restaurants to clothing to flowers and, of course, chocolates.”

Continue reading Shoppers to Pull Out All the Stops This Valentine’s Day

NRF Forecasts Retail Industry Sales Growth of 3.4 Percent in 2012

Kathy Grannis

New York, January 16, 2012 –Though stubbornly high unemployment and continued uncertainty over the prospects for job growth will continue to dampen the outlook for industry retail sales growth in 2012, the retail industry will still grow at a rate faster than many other industries. This year, retail industry sales will rise 3.4 percent to $2.53 trillion*, according to the National Retail Federation – slightly lower than the pace of 2011, in which sales grew 4.7 percent. Many economists estimate that real U.S. GDP will rise approximately 2.1 to 2.4 percent.
Continue reading NRF Forecasts Retail Industry Sales Growth of 3.4 Percent in 2012

Restaurants expected to reach record sales in 2012

National Restaurant Association’s 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast Reveals Economic, Workforce, Technology and Consumer Trends

February 01, 2012

(Washington, D.C.) Despite sluggish recovery by the nation’s economy, the restaurant industry is projected to expand in 2012, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast released today. Total restaurant industry sales are expected to reach a record high of $632 billion in 2012 – a 3.5 percent increase over 2011, marking the second consecutive year that industry sales have topped $600 billion.

In addition, the restaurant industry will continue to fuel U.S. employment in the year ahead as the nation’s second largest private sector employer. Overall restaurant industry employment will reach 12.9 million in 2012, representing 10 percent of the total U.S. workforce.
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Holiday retail sales soar above expectations in 2011

Kathy Grannis – NRF

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Beating Expectations, Holiday Retail Sales Rise 4.1 Percent, According to NRF

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!

POSitouch 2012 webinar now available online – See what you missed!

DCR POSitouch 2012 Webinar video is now available!

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!

POSitouch Webinar 2012

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/

Top 4 Sources of Retail Inventory Shrinkage

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.

3. Administrative Error

The third largest source of inventory shrinkage is administrative and paperwork errors at %14. Mistakes such as, but not limited to, markup and markdown errors cost US retailers about $4.94 billion.

Administrative errors can be greatly reduced by proper training and quality POS and back office software.

4. Vendor Fraud

The fourth largest source of inventory shrinkage in 2010 was vendor fraud at 4% costing retailers $1.41 billion. Vendor fraud is when vendors steal store or competitor’s merchancise while they stock their companies products. The good news is, this form of loss was among the smallest categories of inventory shrink.

Your business might be losing thousands of dollars per year! The good news is it can be prevented.

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..

Happy Thanksgiving from DCR!

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.