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By John O’Kelly, founder and CEO, Newcastle Systems
Despite predictions over the last three decades about the decline of physical retail stores, brick-and-mortar businesses, particularly small retailers, have maintained a strong market share and even evolved. While the retail landscape has changed, innovation and adaptability have allowed small businesses to thrive despite challenges from e-commerce and changing consumer habits.
Interestingly, the U.S. still has a surprising amount of retail space per person, about six times more than Europe. Yet, the trend toward downsizing—seen in shuttered or repurposed malls—reflects a shift toward efficiency. This trend allows small retailers to maximize every square foot, especially in tighter spaces.
For many small businesses, the key to staying competitive isn’t just about shrinking physical footprints but making better use of their space. One innovation that can help maximize retail floor space and improve customer experience is adopting a flexible approach to point-of-sale (POS) systems.
Image source: DepositPhotos.com
Rethinking the Checkout Counter
Small businesses can learn from an unexpected source: the call center. Call centers schedule their staff based on average call volume and use technology to manage excess demand. What if small retailers could apply a similar approach to their checkout counters, especially during busy seasons?
Many small businesses set up more checkout stations than they need for most of the year simply to handle the peak season rush. However, the space these extra registers occupy could be better used for displaying products or creating a more engaging shopping experience.
Flexible POS Systems for Small Businesses
What if small retailers could scale their checkout stations based on need, just as call centers scale their staffing? Enter the idea of mobile POS systems—cash registers on wheels. These systems allow retailers to use the same floor space flexibly, adjusting the number of registers based on the week’s traffic.
Below are three benefits of mobile POS systems for small retailers:
- Space Efficiency: During slower periods, mobile POS systems can be stored away, allowing retailers to display more products. This flexible approach makes the most of limited square footage.
- Adaptable Checkout Layouts: Mobile POS stations can be repositioned anywhere in the store, allowing small business owners to place them where customers naturally congregate—near fitting rooms, high-traffic displays, or during seasonal events.
- Cost-Effectiveness: For small businesses with limited capital, leasing mobile POS systems instead of owning multiple fixed registers makes it easier to manage costs and adjust a floor plan based on demand.
Improving Customer Experience
One real-world example of this idea in action involves placing mobile POS systems near fitting rooms. Shoppers trying on clothes can check out their purchases immediately, reducing bottlenecks at the main checkout counter and enhancing the customer experience. For small business owners, this setup also allows a single employee to manage fitting rooms and handle purchases simultaneously, optimizing labor.
The same principle applies during peak seasons—whether it’s the holiday rush, back-to-school season, or a special sale. Small retailers can deploy extra mobile POS systems strategically across the store, helping them handle surges in customer traffic without committing to fixed, idle registers for the rest of the year.
Retail Isn’t Dead—It’s Adapting
While some predicted the rise of e-commerce would signal the end of physical retail stores, the reality is different. Even e-commerce giants like Amazon have opened physical stores. Small businesses can take advantage of this same flexibility and innovation by enhancing the shopping experience with flexible, mobile POS systems. The retail landscape continues to evolve, and small businesses that innovate and adapt will continue to thrive.
By embracing mobile POS solutions, small retailers can optimize their store layouts and future-proof their businesses. The ability to quickly adjust checkout configurations in response to changing customer flows or seasonal demand gives them an edge in a competitive market. In an era where convenience and personalization are key drivers of consumer loyalty, small businesses that use these tools to enhance the shopping experience are positioned to create lasting customer relationships and ensure long-term growth.
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About the Author
A pioneer in the mobile-powered industrial carts industry, founder and CEO John O’Kelly began Newcastle Systems in 2005. John has grown the company to 40 employees and was recognized as a 2022 Supply Chain Brain Top 100 Supply Chain Partner. To meet growing demand, the company moved from Haverhill to a larger location in Amesbury, MA. The mobile carts are used in manufacturing, retail, and shipping and receiving applications by companies including Walmart, UPS, DHL, Wayfair, Tesla, and Amazon. Newcastle Systems recently released its 2024 Worker Satisfaction Survey Report.
