By Lee Jones, Director of Sales and Business Development, Ingenico Enterprise Retail 

The pace of life is constantly increasing, driving technology to follow. Consumers today want things here, and they want them now – meaning the likes of online shopping and next day delivery are ever appealing. They want this to such an extent, that 80% will walk away from an in-store checkout because of long queues.

Online is good, but there are still many areas it does not cater to. If customers shop in-store they get expert advice onsite, see the product in the flesh, and receive it there and then – even more instantaneously than same day delivery.

What’s more, as in-store technology offerings develop, this gives merchants the perfect opportunity to make use of new systems to create the best in-store experience, driving down queues while driving up customer satisfaction.

MPOS and EPOS systems

Mobile Point Of Sale (MPOS) / Electronic Point Of Sale (EPOS) systems work much like a cash register, but with the added bonus of being portable. By being able to take payments on a mobile phone, (or on a tablet in the case of EPOS), payments can be taken anywhere in a store, as long as the sales assistant or merchant is carrying a smart device.

These systems have multiple benefits. By reducing the need for costly terminals, this also reduces overheads and enables optimal use of the shop floor space. With retailers increasingly seeking to boost their presence in city centres, but with reduced floor space, this is an extremely valuable benefit.

Instant Payments 

Instant payments operate 24/7 and in near real time. They can be integrated into a range of checkouts, including on-the-go devices, offering a good solution to suit any business. The instantaneity of the transaction can be highly beneficial to companies’ cash-flow, and likewise instant refunds add great value for customers.

Scan and Pay 

This mobile-based payment option enables the customer to scan a QR code relating to the product using an app. This eradicates the need for a checkout service and queues, with payments instead being transacted via a merchant app. This method provides optimal in-store mobility, allowing customers to simply shop and go.

Why improve in-store mobility? 

In-store mobility is the key to personalising the shopping journey. From equipping sales associates with smart devices to aid them with their job, to putting the shopping experience directly into the customers hands with the likes of scan and go – the payment process becomes an opportunity to forge a deeper relationship with the customer and satisfy their individual needs.

Particularly in the case of the sales associate, this allows them to provide in-store what many customers do nowadays online with on-the-go 4G – offering unique advice and product information. This is just another layer of added value mobile devices can offer.

Transforming the retail experience

Many stores are already adapting to meet consumers’ requests for a seamless and convenient shopping experience, only making customers expect more. With the technology available today, the days of queueing are numbered, and merchants who don’t adapt to customers’ demands by reducing the barriers to payment risk losing out on sales.

If upgrading payments systems to maximise the in-store experience is something you’re interested in, the best thing to do is contact a payments professional who can take a look at your companies’ individual needs with their expert eye.

Such professionals have the expertise and background as long-time pioneers of in-store mobility solutions. At Ingenico Enterprise Retail, we believe that in-store mobility is the retail trend that will redefine the first half of the coming decade, so it’s well worth having a serious think about it. With over 20 years’ experience and a range of payment system offerings, we are perfectly placed to answer any questions you may have – retail, security, technical or otherwise – and help your business improve its in-store mobility with a bespoke payments system.