This is an interesting article on store layouts and how they can generate traffic patterns that will be a business advantage

Types of Store Layouts - Basic Retail Floor Plans - Store Designs

AM/PM Service is pleased to announce that Flying Wedge Pizza Company has selected AM/PM as their new POS provider. The customer will be utilizing POSitouch Restaurant POS software installed on IBM SurePOS 500 Series 4840-E43 integrated touch screens.

There are currently 2 sites installed with the remaining 14 stores and the head office due to be completed by end of December 2006.

The Flying Wedge Pizza Company begain in 1989 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Since opening their doors, Flying Wedge has earned more then 45 achievements and rewards for Vancouver’s Finest Pizza. Visit their site at www.flyingwedge.com.

Interesting article on Wireless mobility hardware and software. Worth a look.

Mobile Enterprise Magazine - Connecting Wireless Solutions to Business Strategy

Interesting article on how retailers can promote their business

Ways to Promote Your Product or Service

What is a gift card?

The definition of a gift card is plastic card that comes with a magnetic strip and/or a barcode. The card can come preloaded with certain dollar or point amount. Certain types of cards can be reloaded and are generally merchant specific cards that are issued by well known retailers.

Are gift cards worth the investment?

According to a survey from the NRF foundation gift cards ranked third on consumers wish lists for Christmas 2005. The NRF survey determined that gift card sales will total 18.48 million dollars, which was a 6.6 increase over 2004. The average consumer will spend $88.03 on gift cards in a given season.

Karen Budahazy, Senior Vice President, Givex states; “There is no question that gift cards continue to be very popular with Canadians. “Our survey confirms that the majority of Canadians tend to spend more than the value on their gift card. For this reason, retailers need to take a proactive approach and promote their gift card programs aggressively.”

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A chain of supermarkets in western Austria, bills itself as “The Seriously Sexy Supermarket”. The company’s stores literally stand out because of their unusual and progressive architecture.

Read more about it here:

Springwise

I have found this site to contain interesting information and articles aimed specificaly for C-stores.

www.Conveniencecentral.ca

What is barcode scanning?

Barcode scanning systems work with 3 main components; the hardware portion called scanners, which read the second component, the barcode. The third component is the software on a computer POS system that processes the information.

How does it work?

Barcodes are contained on almost all retail products and are nothing more then a series of numbers used for product reference. The barcode is read by a laser contained within the scanner. The scanner then relays the information contained within the barcode to a computer. The software on the computer looks up the product record that the barcode refers to and returns this information to the POS screen. On your POS system, a record could represent various items such as a can of pop, a bag of chips, a type of clothing or a hardware tool.
Scanning and barcodes are not just limited to point of sale; they are used in many other applications. Scanning is used in any environment where you require data capture and would like to associate a barcode to a record that contains information. This data would then be used to compile inventory control and time and attendance reports. They would also help track warranty, service and customer loyalty programs.

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In store advertising is a hot topic these days. Here’s a solution you may find useful in a grocery environment or convenience store.

CityWideSystems

An interesting concept in digital signage. They do menu boards, digital walls, digital signs and advertising.

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