IR at Londis convenience
The neighbourhood store has always been an invaluable resource
for the community, particularly for stocking up on essentials
in between major shopping trips. There is however, far more
to today's independent retailers than a place to buy basics
groceries. Many now offer an extensive range of goods and
services such as the national Lottery, newspapers, magazines,
video rental, off licences and even freshly baked pastries.
Much of the impetus for these developments has been provided
by symbol groups, such as Londis, which has a membership of
over 2,000 independent retailers throughout the UK. In addition
to volume deals on some 5000 product lines, which it supplies
through its own distribution network, Londis also enables
members to compete with larger retailers by offering help
with marketing promotions, loans for store refurbishment's
and the opportunity to invest in the latest retail technology.
One of the first to introduce EPoS technology to their members
around 15 years ago, Londis has always seen IT as a priority
and invests a significant proportion of its annual turnover
in developing its systems. This research and development has
now produced Londis Laser, a scanning based touchscreen EPoS
solution.
'The look and feel of the solution was an important part of
our vision, so from a very early stage we had specified a
user-friendly hardware platform' Explained Londis Retail Systems
Controller, Tony Nelder, who played a key role in the process.
'After careful evaluation, we knew the IR had the power to
deliver all the functionality we required. What's more, it
has proved extremely reliable, a critical point if we are
to retain the confidence of our members.'
Londis Laser allows Store Owners and Managers to benefit from
new features such as the opportunity to view transactions
in real time from the back office, as well as all the standard
sales reporting. A dial-up connection ensure that information
such as price changes, promotions, orders and delivery notes
can be exchanged efficiently.
Londis have chosen a hardware platform supplied by Box Technologies
to integrate their software into the Londis Laser solution.
Combining the Epson IR with a Cash Bases Flexi cash drawer
designed specifically to house the touch screen unit with
a Symbol LS9100 bar code reader with Londis Laser software
has proved a winning combination. Fast and easy to use, it
enables retailers to offer the multi-buy and mix and match
promotions that customers now expect from their local convenience
store.
Londis Laser is available as an EPoS solution to Londis retailers
around the country. Early response shows a strong demand for
earlier generation EPoS users to upgrade as well as interest
from stores new to scanning. |
