Five minutes. That’s all the time you have to move your customers through the checkout line before they abandon their purchases and leave your store, according to 70% of retailers surveyed by TimeTrade. Further, if your lines appear long, customers may take one look at the queue, decide they’re not willing to wait and go somewhere else.
Your customers expect the checkout process to be quick and straightforward, and they feel frustrated and annoyed when lines are long. As your business grows and becomes more popular, it’s essential to take steps to maximize efficiency and keep your checkout lines short. Here are several ways to use your point-of-sale (POS) system to move your customers through the checkout process faster.
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Connecting additional tablets or phones to your POS system can be an easy, cost-effective way to check out more customers quickly, without sacrificing precious square footage and purchasing countertop POS equipment for additional checkout stations. With POS tablets or phones in hand, your sales associates can approach customers in line and ring up their purchases. Or, after helping customers find products, associates can ring up purchases on the spot, sparing your customer from any wait at all.
Here are some popular and effective products to consider when you’re choosing a mobile POS system.
If your POS system accepts mobile wallets, learn the differences between Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, and find out what you can expect as they become more widely adopted.
Many POS systems allow you to gather contact information for your marketing efforts during the checkout process, but when your store is busy and you have customers waiting, it doesn’t make sense to prolong the checkout process by gathering this data. Instead, train your cashiers to skip nonessential steps so they can ring up sales quickly and move customers through the checkout process efficiently. Consider that customers who receive prompt service are more likely to return to your store than those who languished in line.
This option allows your customers to sidestep the traditional checkout process entirely, broadening your customer base by catering to individuals who prefer online shopping but don’t want to wait for shipping. You’ll need your POS system’s inventory management tools to integrate with your online store in real time for this process to work, as customers will want to be sure that the items they want to purchase are in stock and ready for pickup before they visit your store. An additional benefit of this option? According to PYMNTS.com, 30% of consumers purchase more items when they shop online and pick up their purchases.
Although primarily used at big-box retailers and grocery stores, self-service technology is growing in popularity among smaller retailers because it allows a single sales associate to monitor several checkout stations. Customers have a favorable view of self-checkout kiosks and perceive them to be fast and convenient, particularly if they’re purchasing only a few items.
Certain industries should look for specific POS system features. For example, retailers may benefit from customer loyalty features, while restaurant POS systems should offer text alerts for pickup orders.
There was a time when cash registers were the only option when completing sales in a store or restaurant. With modern technology, the options have changed to include systems that are easier to use and more beneficial for your business. POS systems have several benefits that can boost sales and retain customers.
Keeping your customers’ checkout wait times to a minimum is key to creating a positive experience that generates repeat business and customer loyalty. These tips can help you move customers through the checkout process faster, and in some cases, it may eliminate wait times.
Additionally, by offering in-store pickup and self-service kiosks, you provide your customers with options, allowing them to choose the checkout method most convenient and comfortable for them.
Aside from cash flow statements, POS reports your business should consider include employee reports, inventory reports and store-comparison reports.
While shortening the checkout wait time can improve customer satisfaction and prevent lost sales, there are other ways to improve your customers’ experience (and your sales revenue) while they’re waiting to pay. Here are some checkout optimization tips: