What we do:
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Demonstration: software for firearms dealers and gunsmith businesses
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Software for coin dealers helps them in-store and online
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Tower Systems makes point-of-sale (POS) software for a range of specialty retail channels, including coin dealers. This software is terrific for shops as well as online businesses and businesses that do both.
Our Aussie made and supported POS software has features that perfectly suit the needs of coin dealers:
- Serial number tracking: Keep meticulous records of every coin that comes with a serial number.
- Enhanced security levels: Protect your valuable inventory and customer data.
- Age verification: Ensure compliance with age restrictions for certain coin purchases.
- Online store integration: Seamlessly connect your physical and online sales channels.
- Detailed product descriptions: Capture rich information about each coin, including historical and numismatic details.
- Free access to international barcode lookup: Easily find and manage barcodes for your inventory.
The Tower Systems coin dealer POS software also allows you to:
- Use extended product descriptions: Record comprehensive details about each coin, including its history, condition, and any unique features.
- Track sales by mint: Analyse the performance of different mints and identify sales trends.
- Track sales by licence: with plenty of mints producing products under licence this horizontal tracking can be useful.
A significant benefit of Tower Systems POS software for coin dealers is the streamlined handling of secondhand goods:
- Track secondhand goods: Monitor the journey of each secondhand coin from the moment it enters your store.
- Manage consignment items: Easily track coins held on consignment for other collectors.
Selling at local coin markets and other coin related events markets is a breeze with our Retailer Roam option:
- Sell from anywhere: Process sales effortlessly at markets and other off-site locations.
Check out www.mintconshop.com.au to see a Shopify site we created that is connected to our Tower POS software. We help make managing online sales easy. The POIS software manages all inventory, feeding data like product descriptions and product i8mages to the website.
See how our coin dealer POS software may benefit your business. Tell us what matters to you. If we think we can serve your needs we will say so. If we can’t do anything you explain to us, k we will say so. There’s no obligation and no pressure – we understand that every coin dealership is unique.
Here are some of the ways our POS software can help you leverage the unique aspects of your coin dealership:
- Rare visit loyalty: Nurture relationships with collectors who may visit infrequently by offering targeted loyalty programs.
- Pre-orders: Easily manage pre-orders for coins that are not yet in stock, securing sales and fulfilling customer requests.
- Professional valuations: Generate professional-looking valuation certificates for your customers.
- Second-hand goods management: Track and manage secondhand goods with ease, ensuring accurate records and efficient inventory control.
- Connecting buyers and sellers: Leverage your database to connect collectors with specific interests.
- Group marketing and support: Easily target specific groups and clubs with tailored offers and pricing.
- Product care information: Share valuable product care knowledge with your customers to enhance their collecting experience.
- Serial number tracking: Maintain accurate records of coins with serial numbers.
- Anniversary marketing: Celebrate collector anniversaries with personalised offers and promotions to foster long-term relationships.
Our Australian-made and supported coin dealer shop POS software offers much more.
Schedule a free, no-obligation demonstration today and discover how it can help you streamline your operations and grow your business. Call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au.
Low-cost fast-track Shopify web development opportunity for local small business retailers
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If you want a website for your business, and fast, this is for you:
LIMITED TIME OFFER: Low-cost fast-track Shopify web development offer.
Fixed price $3,990.00 (inc. GST)
If you know what you want to sell online; have a logo; have straight forward requirements; offer reasonably easy to ship products; want to go live within a month. This proposal is for you.
In the pre-start assessment, we will assess whether you meet the above requirements. If you do not, we reserve the right to not proceed.
The goal of this project is to deliver you a website you can use to start selling online, to gain experience and that you can maintain with minimal technical knowledge. This is a fast-track option, to help you get online quickly.
The terms and conditions at www.towersystems.com.au apply.
Here’s what’s included in the $3,990.00 fixed price:
- Qualification meeting (up to 30 mins): Bring to this over the phone meeting: your logo, about us text, contact text, home page text/images, details (including images) of the products you want to launch with.
- 1hr consultation & planning including theme selection.
- 1hr support training & Tower Systems Retailer POS software setup to train you on setup of products with product descriptions and images in Retailer for linking to the website.
- 10 hours of Shopify store setup by our specialist web developer: Setup pages using the content you supply: Home – you provide images and text. About Us – you provide the text. Contact – you provide the details. One standard product page layout. Blog – you to write about the products you sell, to drive traffic.
- Setup structure using your available product feed: Up to 25 menu links.
- On completion – up to 2hr Shopify handover training
Costs not included in the quote.
- Domain & Email – you’ll need to set these up. It’s straightforward. Register with Crazy Domains or similar.
- Theme purchase – if you prefer to not use a free theme.
- Shopify plan & transaction fees.
- Website plugins you require.
Limits to the proposal.
Our goal is to have your website live in 2 weeks. This depends on how ready you are. We will hold the project for no more than 2 months total. If either additional time is required, or if unresponsive, the site is handed over, as is.
Important note.
A website is a hungry beast. It requires work almost daily to drive traffic and win sales. It will only be as successful as the attention you provide it. This proposal offers you a website that is a good starting point.
Interested?
Please email: sales@towersystems.com.au. They will want to see that you have a logo; have straight forward requirements; offer reasonably easy to ship products; want to go live within a month.
ACCC to crack down on surcharges in retail
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Local small business retailers need to ensure that they are surcharging correctly as the ACCC has said it will act.
After years of inaction on card surcharging, the ACCC a week ago warned small business it is cracking down with potentially considerable fines.
The move comes ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s preliminary findings on the Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging expected by mid-year, and after both the RBA Governor Michele Bullock and ACCC Chair suggested there may be no legal grounds to stop the high blended rates charged to small businesses.
Here’s an issue some small business retailers may find. Some have their software platform funded through their payments costs and they pass all of these on to their customers. This means their customers are being surcharged for payment costs and POS software access costs. This is likely viewed y the ACCC as outside was is acceptable.
The other aspect that may concern some is the disparity in payments costs and, therefore, surcharges. Consider two retailers in the same type of business, in the same town. One chooses a payments platform that costs them .7% and the other chooses a payments platform that costs them 1.5%. The second business has a surcharge double of the first. This business could get the lower costs payments but is too lazy to negotiate access to it. That results in their customers paying a higher surcharge than they otherwise might.
The ACCC said it is monitoring business compliance, and may take appropriate compliance or enforcement action. Our point in writing abut this today is to draw it to the attention of local small business retailers.
The maximum pecuniary penalty for breaches of the prohibition against excessive payment surcharges is: $2,135,430 (6,471 penalty units) for corporations; $427,350 (1,295 penalty units) for individuals
Where the ACCC has reasonable grounds to believe that a business has charged a payment surcharge which is excessive, it can issue an infringement notice: $19,800 (60 penalty units) for corporations; $198,000 (600 penalty units) for listed corporations; $3,960 (12 penalty units) for individuals.
While Tower Systems is payments gateway agnostic, we do offer our customers access to a low cost gateway. This saves them a ton of money.
AI tools in small business retail software a game-changer
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Forget the POS software of yesteryear focussed on cash register replacement and reporting. That is so old, useful, but old. The world has changed.
While some still rely on those unique to local small business retail functions, plenty of retailers are leveraging artificial Intelligence tools embedded in our Tower Systems POS software to make faster decisions, better decisions, more profitable decisions.
Tower Systems released the first AI integration in its POS software in 2022 and has updated it every few months since. The latest AI enhancements, released two months ago, are the biggest yet. Retailers tell us they are a game changer.
AI innovations are engineered to drive operational efficiency and enhance sales revenue for local small business retailers, to improve their competitive position. Here are some of the AI tools retailers are loving today:
- Optimised product listings: AI-generated, SEO-friendly product descriptions, enhancing online visibility and driving consumer demand.
- Strategic content marketing: Streamlined creation of engaging blog content, amplifying product awareness and customer engagement.
- Data-informed pricing decisions: AI-powered price comparison tools, enabling retailers to maintain competitive pricing strategies.
- Efficient inventory management: AI-driven stock forecasting, minimising stockouts and maximising sales potential.
- Operational streamlining: Reduction of administrative overhead, allowing retailers to focus on sales and customer service.
Retail is changing rapidly and big retailers plus online retailers are leveraging AI daily to compete in a mare targeted way. The exclusive AI tools released by Tower Systems help retailers meet that competition.
Strategic advantages include:
- Increased product discoverability: Enhanced online product visibility through SEO-optimised content.
- Improved retailer operational efficiency: Streamlined inventory management and reduced admin costs,.
- Data-driven sales strategies: AI-enabled price comparison and sales analysis, facilitating informed decision-making and sales growth.
- Reduced stock depletion: Accurate inventory forecasting, ensuring consistent product availability and maximising sales opportunities.
- Strengthened retailer partnerships: Provision of advanced technological solutions, fostering long-term collaborative relationships.
By equipping local small business retailers with these sophisticated tools, Tower Systems is committed to nurturing local retail success.
We have been to the National Retail Federation conference in New York, the UK Spring Fair in Birmingham and Shoptalk in Las Vegas this year and have seen first-hand what many other POS companies are offering and are confident in what Tower offers Aussie small business retailers.
Retail is changing rapidly because of AI and Tower Systems is equipping retailers to benefit from this.
We are grateful for all the mums in local small business retail
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As you’re out shopping for Mother’s Day, it’s likely you’ll encounter a mum working in or running a shop, juggling work, the business, family, home and more. Plenty of mums we see in local retail are mentors to others in their business. Plenty are champions in their local community. See them. Celebrate them. Appreciate them. #Local #SmallBusiness #retail #grateful
A real-time view of inventory available for in-store and online for small business retail
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While big retailers in 2025 wrestle with a whole of business real-time view of available inventory, Tower Systems small business retail customers rely on what we have now offered for 10+ years.
Fashion shop POS software: designed for your success
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Streamlining repairs management for jewellers, bike shops and others doing repairs
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Managing repairs can be challenging for businesses offering specialised services. Jewellers, bicycle shops, farm supply businesses, pool service providers, and irrigation specialists are some we have worked with in offering repairs management tools.
Our specialised retail POS software incorporates comprehensive repairs management tools meticulously designed to streamline these intricate processes, irrespective of whether repairs are conducted within the business or outsourced to external providers.
Initially developed to address the specific requirements of jewellers and bicycle shop operators, these features have since been embraced by a diverse spectrum of our retail customers.
Our repairs management software boasts a range of key functionalities tailored to the unique needs of various specialised industries:
- Jewellery: Facilitates the efficient management of both jewellery and watch workshop repairs, alongside the precise tracking of time-sensitive manufacturing projects.
- Bicycle shops: Offers comprehensive management of bicycle and tricycle repairs, coupled with a streamlined process for handling warranty returns.
- Garden centres: Enables the effective organisation and management of landscaping service workflows, ensuring smooth project execution.
- Firearms stores: For managing gunsmithing and equipment repairs, as well as an efficient system for processing warranty returns.
- Pet Shops: Facilitates management of specialised installations, such as intricate aquarium setups, ensuring accurate scheduling and completion.
- Irrigation businesses: tracking product repair and care.
Beyond these industry-specific applications, the repairs management tools within our POS software extend beyond basic tracking to offer comprehensive operational management capabilities, providing versatile tools for job management, workshop control, and enhanced overall operational efficiency.
From the initial receipt of a repair job, the system provides meticulous tracking of its progress and facilitates consistent and timely communication with the customer throughout the process. This ensures transparency and builds trust. Furthermore, the software enables precise tracking of both labour and resource utilisation, leading to accurate billing and efficient inventory control.
For businesses that utilise external providers, our system offers efficient management of repairs outsourced to contractors or suppliers, including the seamless handling of warranty claims. To optimise internal operations, the software also provides real-time tracking of repair staff actions, contributing to efficient service delivery and resource allocation.
Integrated customer communication is a cornerstone of our repairs management system. Automated customer notifications via SMS or their preferred communication method are triggered upon repair completion, ensuring prompt updates and enhancing the customer experience. The system also facilitates seamless payment processing through a variety of methods, including cash, EFTPOS, and various digital payment platforms, offering convenience for both the business and the customer.
By streamlining the entire repairs process, Tower Systems’ software significantly improves communication, enhances operational certainty, and ultimately empowers businesses to deliver a professional, efficient, and personalised service that fosters customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Our commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in the collaboration with our customer community, including firearms stores, bicycle shops, and other specialised retailers. Customer feedback is key to our development process, ensuring that our software remains a relevant and powerful tool for the specialised retail marketplaces we serve.
POS software embedded dispatch management tools tailored for Australian small business specialty retailers
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Successful dispatch management is important for local specialty retailers. Getting the right products delivered on time at the best price and with all paperwork in order is challenging. Garden centres, produce businesses, feedstock businesses, landscaping businesses – all of these and similar businesses with dispatch needs understand the challenges.
We are grateful to the many local small business retailers with dispatch needs who have helped us evolve the dispatch management tools in our POS software.
The dispatch management tools in our POS software empower retailers to manage the dispatch of sold products within their business efficiently and effectively, all in one place.
Retailers can easily manage the scheduling of their in-house vehicle assets, ensuring optimal utilisation and resource allocation. The system allows for the straightforward allocation of specific dispatch jobs to designated vehicles, providing clear accountability and organisation. Furthermore, the software enables real-time tracking of dispatch completion, offering valuable insights into delivery progress and potential delays.
Beyond vehicle management, our tools facilitate comprehensive management of dispatch orders at both the individual customer level and other relevant organisational levels. Retailers can gain a clear and consolidated view of dispatch activities by vehicle, allowing for efficient route planning and workload balancing. Additionally, the system provides the ability to view all outstanding orders for a specific customer assigned to a particular vehicle, enhancing customer service and delivery coordination.
To ensure a smoother and more accurate dispatch experience for customers, and to maximise operational efficiencies, our software incorporates robust address validation capabilities. This feature helps to minimise delivery errors and associated costs. Recognising the dynamic nature of local deliveries, the system also offers dispatch route options for use by drivers. Importantly, it empowers drivers with the flexibility to manage their dispatch sequence based on their invaluable local knowledge and other pertinent factors, optimising delivery routes in real-time.
The dispatch management facilities embedded within our Tower Systems POS software are robust, field-tested solutions that have been embraced and lauded by our valued customers. We deeply appreciate the collaborative journey we have undertaken with these retailers, whose invaluable feedback and insightful suggestions have directly shaped the evolution of this software, ensuring it truly meets their on-the-ground needs.
It is not commonplace for POS software to delve so deeply into such a specific area of operational need. However, for businesses such as garden centres, farm supply stores, produce retailers, landscape businesses, and others with in-house delivery operations, these integrated dispatch management facilities offer a workflow management solution and time-saving efficiencies that are genuinely appreciated and impactful.
Developed entirely from the ground up by our dedicated in-house POS software development team, these dispatch facilities represent true innovation for specialty retailers with mid-sized dispatch operations. We are, understandably, very proud of what we have achieved in this domain for our local small business retail partners. This is comprehensive software tailored to address the very specific and niche requirements within selected specialty retail channels. This focused approach embodies the very essence of Tower Systems’ mission – to serve the unique needs of these specialised marketplaces.
At Tower Systems, we take pride in creating and supporting the software we offer. We are committed to providing our retailers with an ever-evolving POS solution that meets their current needs and anticipates future demands in the specialty retail marketplaces we serve. Our integrated dispatch management tools are a testament to this commitment, providing a powerful and tailored solution for Australian specialty retailers.
A self-checkout POS software solution made for local small business retailers
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Tower Systems offers innovative self-checkout point-of-sale (POS) software designed to cater specifically to the needs of local small business retailers. This POS software solution empowers these businesses to provide a convenient self-checkout option for their shoppers in various scenarios where it can significantly benefit their operations and customer experience.
There are numerous situations where implementing self-checkout can be advantageous: during peak trading hours, offering a self-service lane can dramatically improve customer throughput, reducing queues and enhancing overall efficiency. Similarly, for businesses operating in larger premises or those wishing to provide service in areas away from the main sales counter, a self-checkout terminal offers a practical and flexible solution for customers purchasing single items or those seeking a quicker transaction.
The Tower Systems self-checkout POS software provides customers with an easy to use experience. They can effortlessly scan their items, proceed to payment, and receive a digital or printed receipt. The system also offers the flexibility for customers to scan their items, save the sale temporarily, and then finalise their purchase at the main counter if they prefer, providing a hybrid approach to the checkout process.
Importantly, the self-checkout POS terminal seamlessly integrates with existing retail operations. All established special prices and catalogue pricing are automatically honoured at the self-service terminal, ensuring price consistency across all sales channels. Furthermore, the self-checkout system offers the same loyalty program facilities that customers can access at the traditional sales counter, allowing them to accrue and redeem rewards regardless of their chosen checkout method.
This powerful software solution is available for a modest per-site monthly rental fee, offering exceptional value and flexibility. Retailers can scale their self-checkout capabilities as needed, as the rental fee remains consistent regardless of the number of self-checkout terminals they operate within a single location.
To facilitate seamless transactions, the software requires integrated EFTPOS capabilities. You can use Tyro or any of the major banks (through Linkyl cloud), ensuring compatibility with the major banking networks and providing retailers with reliable and secure payment processing options.
Getting started with the Tower Systems self-checkout POS software is easy. Upon initial setup, retailers are guided through an intuitive configuration process that includes the ability to load their own start-up and sale close images, allowing for brand personalisation and a consistent customer experience. Retailers retain complete control over these customisation options.
Please note that the self-checkout computer and stand options are available for separate purchase directly from Tower Systems, ensuring retailers have access to fully compatible and reliable hardware solutions to complement their software investment. This comprehensive offering allows local small business retailers to embrace the benefits of self-checkout and enhance their service delivery.
Here are our answers to frequently asked questions:
Is there a camera? What we have created is self-checkout POS software. It’s not integrated with a camera. We have left the choice of a camera up to each retailer to consider.
Could I run this in a pop-up shop? Yes, you could. All that is needed that the self-checkout is network connected to the main software.
Could I run self-checkout and nothing else? No, you need the base Tower software to manage the back end.
Is there anything that I might want as a retailer that the self-checkout software does not do? It does not do customer quotes or invoicing to a customer.
What if I want to use it for a couple of months of the year only? Easy. Rent it for those months and then suspend the rental costs until it is needed again.
Can I test it to see if it suits? Rental is so cheap it’s costs little to try.
Can I run this on a regular computer? Yes.
The POS screen appears to be in portrait more. Is that all you offer? No, you can run it in landscape as well.
Can I suspend a sale and finish it at my traditional sales counter? Yes, a staff member can suspend the sale so it can be completed at the counter.
We are helping the local Aussie newsagent transform their business
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The local Aussie newsagent is alive and well in towns and cities across Australia. Tower Systems is grateful to serve more than 1,700 of these businesses with newsagent management software.
A newsagent today is not what we may think of when we hear the term newsagent. No, a newsagent today can be a clothing shop, a jeweller, a bike shop, a garden centre, and more. These businesses have evolved, and they continue to evolve to be more relevant than ever, serving their local community in ways not imagines a few years ago.
The local Aussie newsagent is a fighter, in service of their local community, and Tower Systems is proud to serve these businesses.
The purpose of every newsagency / newsagent business is different. The notion of us all being the same and having the same focus is old-school. Years ago, when newsagents were primarily agents, being a hub in the community made sense. Following deregulation and the dilution of the value of being an agent, the commercial value of being a community hub, too, diluted.
What is the future of the local Aussie newsagency? It’s bright for those who look beyond tradition and embrace change.
Tower Systems is helping newsagents transform by providing access to smart newsagency software that has embedded AI tools to help these retailers act with confidence, to see beyond what they see themselves.
Newsagents have moved beyond the traditional: For more than five years, print media products have not been valuable traffic generators for newsagents. While for sure that are people buying the daily paper or their weekly magazines, those shoppers are not the valuable shoppers that make money for newsagents. Indeed, thanks to basket analysis in our Tower Systems software and tracking loyalty offer engagement, magazines especially are the impulse purchase if a shopper has bonus loyalty dollars to spend.
Why plenty of newsagents are thriving.
Many newsagents have transitioned their businesses to sell high end gifts, sought after collectibles and other products people will drive and hour or two to source. We have newsagents doing well with books and others doing well with coffee. Many newsagents have websites that reach people way beyond their local area. Some, too, with websites that have nothing to do with their newsagency businesses.
Streamlining secondhand goods management for Australian small business retailers
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Tower Systems offers comprehensive secondhand goods management facilities as an integral feature within our specialised retail point-of-sale (POS) software.
Initially designed to meet the specific needs of jewellers, the application of these features has broadened considerably, supporting a diverse range of retail channels, including businesses exclusively dealing in secondhand items.
As the secondhand retail landscape has evolved, so too has Tower Systems’ understanding and ability to cater to the nuanced requirements of retailers in this sector.
The secondhand goods management facilities in our POS software simplify and enhance the business processes needed for success with secondhand goods. Through the integration of advanced technology and streamlined procedures, we empower retailers to navigate the complexities of the secondhand market with confidence and efficiency.
From the initial purchase or consignment of an item through to its final sale and shop floor management, our software provides precise tracking of each used product, guaranteeing robust data integrity. These facilities are instrumental in assisting retailers to meet their regulatory obligations concerning the tracking of secondhand goods, a particularly significant aspect of today’s business climate. By automating and centralising record-keeping, our specialist POS software saves valuable time for business owners, eliminating the need for cumbersome and potentially error-prone manual processes. This meticulous data integrity proves invaluable, especially in the event of potential disputes or audits.
We understand the critical importance of adhering to regulatory requirements within the secondhand goods sector. To this end, we have taken considerable care to ensure that our secondhand goods facilities meet requirements mandated by authorities such as NSW Police, widely recognised for their advanced standards and provision of integral guidance in this area. Our software is designed to facilitate seamless compliance, providing retailers with peace of mind and reducing the administrative burden associated with regulatory adherence.
Our secondhand goods management features extend beyond basic tracking and reporting. They incorporate tools to assist with valuation, condition assessment, and the management of repairs or refurbishments, catering to the diverse nature of pre-owned merchandise. The system also supports flexible pricing strategies, allowing retailers to implement discounts, markdowns, and special offers as needed to optimise sales and inventory turnover.
By leveraging the secondhand goods management facilities in our POS software, retailers can enhance operational efficiency, improve data accuracy, ensure regulatory compliance, and ultimately drive business growth within this dynamic and increasingly important sector of the retail market. Our commitment to ongoing development and customer collaboration ensures that our software will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of secondhand goods retailers across Australia.
Artificial Intelligence embedded in POS software helps local small business retailers move smarter, faster
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Here at Tower Systems we are seeing Artificial intelligence embedded in POS software help local small business retailers move smarter, faster.
We released our first POS software embedded AI tools in mmid 2022 with our most significant Artificial Intelligence advances released earlier in 2025.
I am shocked at what I can get done in a day now, one retailer told us. This is a game-changer for my shop, another said. I am discovering opportunities I’d have missed previously, another said. I love it, a retailer in their mid seventies said.
The Artificial Intelligence tools now embedded in ur Tower Systems POS software are practical and success outcome focussed for our local small business retail customers. Using them is like choosing the pen you wish to write with, they are everyday tools designed to save time and to get you to the best possible decision for your business.
Leveraging the very latest LLMs from OpenAI and Google, the AI tools in our POS software provide our retailers with options hitherto unavailable.
Our AI POS software empowers retailers to optimise their online presence by generating compelling product names and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) ready descriptions. They simplify administrative tasks by effortlessly converting PDF supplier invoices into import-ready electronic formats. Retailers can also leverage AI for price comparison, identifying opportunities to improve profitability and stay competitive.
One customer told us recently that they now do in five minutes work that previously took them three hours. This is work they had to do twice a month, delivering a saving a at least six man-hours a money. This is senior staff work that costs $38.00 an hour. The business is saving $228.00 a month or $2,736.00 a year from this one Artificial Intelligence facility alone. That’s real money in the bank for the retailer.
The core advantages of our AI tools are time savings, improved decision quality, and faster decision-making. We are committed to ongoing research and development, with exciting enhancements on the horizon.
We love hearing stories from our customers on how they are benefitting from the AI tools embedded in our POS software and we are excited for the stories that will come as we deliver more in this space.
Helping local small business retailers efficiently run profitable businesses is our goal here.
Sell how it suits you
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Small business retail advice: how to reduce the cost of customer theft in your shop
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Theft by customers hurst retail businesses financially and emotionally. Often, it is this second cost point that can har the business more as it can negatively impact on the mindset of business leadership.
Having a plan to mitigate against customer theft is key to reducing the cost on the business. This starts with knowing what is being stolen.
the cost of theft can be seen in your business profit and Loss as well a discrepancies revealed from stock take work. First, understand the problem. next, develop a plan.
- Ensure all staff know about the problem.
- Spot stock take weekly. Record the number stolen somewhere for staff to see. This sets a target for all.
- Place a portable work table near the often stolen products and move most there such as product pricing, invoice checking or other tasks that could be easily done on the shop floor.
- Ensure you have camera coverage of the location.
- Place the stock so there are no blind spots that make theft easy.
- Try other locations and see if theft declines.
- Watch the location or stand from outside your business to see how shoppers interact with it.
- Act based on your business data.
- Involve the police if you get any actionable evidence.
The alternative is you complain about the problem and do nothing and that is not good management. Theft is something to be managed.
Consistent and unaddressed theft can erode the very foundation of a retail business. It can foster an environment of distrust and suspicion among staff, potentially leading to decreased morale and a less positive customer service experience. Implementing a proactive and data-driven strategy, as outlined, not only serves to minimize losses but also cultivates a more secure and confident atmosphere for both employees and honest patrons. This commitment to managing theft demonstrates responsible leadership and contributes to the long-term sustainability and reputation of the business within the community.
We helped a retailer discover regular theft in their shop and develop a plan for reducing this. The benefit in the first year was $20,000 returned to the business bottom line. In their case, people were stealing because they thought no one was noticing. No one was noticing until we said, hey look at this in your business data.
Our POS software can help local small business retailers reduce customer theft.
Small business retail advice: how to cut employee theft in your shop
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Theft in retail businesses presents a persistent challenge, often remaining undetected until long after the event has occurred. This lag in discovery frequently stems from an underestimation of the problem’s prevalence, particularly when considering the possibility of employee theft.
Tower Systems helps local small business retailers detect and deal with employee theft.
Our POS software meticulously tracks alterations to transactions, including deleted items, cancelled sales and more. This valuable data is typically stored within a secure, less obvious section of the software, separate from standard reporting functions.
In roughly one out of every ten instances where we have accessed concealed transactional data for a retailer utilising our POS software, we have uncovered indicators of potentially dishonest activity. By carefully analysing this data in conjunction with supporting evidence such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and employee rosters, patterns of suspicious behaviour and individuals of interest often emerge, sometimes with clear visual confirmation of misappropriated funds.
While we will not divulge the specific keystroke patterns that can signal fraudulent activity – information that has been rigorously tested and accepted in court proceedings where we have people who have served as expert witnesses for the prosecution – we urge retailers to actively engage with the theft detection and mitigation capabilities embedded within their POS systems. Take the time to understand these features and integrate them into your operational practices. Importantly, maintain discretion regarding your monitoring activities.
A common, yet potentially counterproductive, approach some retailers adopt is to implement stringent system lockdowns, aiming to minimise opportunities for theft. While the intention is understandable, individuals determined to steal will often find ways to circumvent these restrictions. Furthermore, excessively restrictive measures can inadvertently complicate the very detection processes you need in place.
Instead of creating an overly fortified environment, we advise against excessive POS software restrictions. Granting employees reasonable access while diligently monitoring their activity – guided by your POS software provider’s recommendations on leveraging the system’s data – offers a more effective strategy for identifying potential issues.
The financial consequences of undetected employee theft can be substantial. In our experience, the cost of individual theft cases has ranged from $5,000 to a staggering $245,000. In each of these instances, the proactive utilisation of the hidden data tools we have described could have facilitated earlier detection, thereby significantly mitigating the financial and emotional toll on the business and those associated with it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It is often the case that the topic of theft only gains traction when its impact is felt personally. However, by proactively engaging with the tools at your disposal, you can take meaningful steps to protect your business and your livelihood.
Small business retail advice: the best place to manage your inventory data and retail business settings
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The needs of a physical shop are different to the needs of an online business and the best place to manage the settings for your physical shop are in software designed to manage your physical shop.
Smart POS software links seamlessly with any of the awesome website solutions out there. The POS software manages the shop, its inventory and its physical shop management settings and it leaves the specialist web software to manage online sales – feeding data both ways thanks to integration.
To try and run your physical shop with software designed for running a website could, we think, result in a cumbersome solution that costs time and results in other impediments to the business.
Trying to force a website-centric system to handle the intricacies of a brick-and-mortar store is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. You’d likely end up with a clunky, inefficient setup that adds unnecessary complexity to your daily operations. Think of it this way: a chef needs specialized kitchen tools, not just a Swiss Army knife, to create culinary masterpieces. Similarly, a physical retailer needs purpose-built POS software to truly thrive.
We have been serving brick and mortar shops for decades with software that has evolved to serve the changing nature of physical retail. We’ve also served physical shops with online stores too. The needs of the two types of retail can have similarities. In our experience, the settings are different as is the workflow and other aspects of business operation.
Choosing software made for your needs, your specific tarp of customer interface: physical, online or a mix of both will deliver a more efficient and valuable outcome for your business. We serve physical and online and this is another thing that makes Tower Systems a useful partner.
By selecting software tailored to your specific customer interface – whether it’s the tangible experience of a physical store, the digital realm of online sales, or a seamless blend of both – you’re setting your business up for greater efficiency and ultimately, more value. It’s about having the right tools for the right job, allowing you to focus on what you do best: serving your customers.
We are grateful for mums in local small business retail
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As you’re out shopping for Mother’s Day, it’s likely you’ll encounter a mum working in or running a shop, juggling work, the business, family, home and more. Plenty of mums we see in local retail are mentors to others in their business. Plenty are champions in their local community. See them. Celebrate them. Appreciate them. #Local #SmallBusiness #retail #grateful
Small business retail advice: be sure to understand the total cost of POS software
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The software of the software you choose for your retail; business is the cost of renting access to the software as well as any mandatory costs associated with the software.
Some software companies make it hard to understand the total cost of using their software. They are clever at how they dress up their data.
Take a nameless POS software company. Their monthly rental for a small shop is $200 a month. They require you to use their payments platform at a cost of 1.6% of all transactions. A business doing $500,000 a year using this software has a total cost of ownership of $2,400.00 + $8,000 =$10,400.00 $10,400.00.
That same small retail business using Tower Systems and a price competitive payments gateway would pay $2,800.00 for the software and $4,500.00 for payments, making a total cost $7,300.00.
That’s a saving of $3,100.00 in one year alone on the cost of the software and the payments processing.
If you add in enhanced functionality that supports better productivity and a more useful focus on profitability we can make a case for benefits of more than $50,000 to the bottom line.
Our point here is to note that it is vital for any retailer to understand the cost of ownership of the software they are considering as there are big differences in the costs, especially when comparing with businesses that require you to use a payments platform connected to their software. Oh they will pitch productivity gains and other good-sounding benefits. the thing is, these benefits are available outside their business.
Take your time. Do your research. get the numbers in writing. Compare, and compare again.
Slick marketing can cover many sins, including a higher cost for your business.
Here at Tower Systems our approach to pricing is transparent. The choice you make about payments is 100% yours to make, meaning you can shop the market for the best deal for you.
Look beyond the sticker price; ongoing expenses and limitations imposed by a software provider can significantly impact your bottom line. By forcing you into their payment ecosystem, some companies effectively create a captive market, limiting your ability to secure more competitive processing fees. This lack of transparency and control can erode your profit margins over time, making it crucial to look beyond the surface-level monthly subscription and delve into the complete cost structure, including any mandatory integrations or transaction-based charges.
Small business retail advice: specialty software matters to specialty retailers
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One thing to love about local small retail businesses is their focus on being specialists, being focussed on a product or service niche. People are more likely to trust a specialty retailer for ethic rout, their uniqueness, their specialisation.
It stands to reason that the needs of specialty retailers are best met by software designed for eerie area of expertise.
Jewellers benefit from software designed for jewellers. Big shop businesses benefit from software made for bike shops. Bookshops benefit from software made for bookshops. Produce businesses benefit from software made for produce businesses. Garden centres benefit from software made for garden centres.
You can see where we are going with this.
If you want plants for your local garden a local garden centre will be more helpful than a general retail shop that sells all manner of things.
We understand and appreciate the value of the specialist.
The same is true of software.
Anyone can say they have software for this or that type of business. Only some software companies actually make software for some specialty retail channels. Take jewellers. Right now, at the time of writing this post, Tower Systems is the only company developing software in Australia for Aussie jewellers. And, yes, Aussie jewellers have unique needs, needs serves by our specialty jeweller POS software.
Specialist retail software made for your type of business is more likely to help more in the running of your business, assisting productivity and nurturing profitability.
Generic software can only go so far. It is certainly unlikely to help you shine a light on the specialty nature of your business, what makes you unique.
If being a specialty retailer matters to you, taker a moment to consider software made for your type of business.
This laser focus on specific industries allows Tower Systems to build in features and functionalities that directly address the unique challenges and opportunities within each of the retail channels we serve. For instance, a point-of-sale system designed for a jeweller might include features for managing valuations, custom orders, and intricate inventory tracking of precious metals and gemstones – functionalities that would be irrelevant and cumbersome in software designed for a bookstore. By catering to these niche requirements, specialist software empowers small retail businesses to operate more efficiently, serve their customers better, and ultimately leverage their unique expertise for greater success.
If you are a specialty retailer, we’d love to see if we can serve your needs.
POS software made for equestrian businesses
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Australian made. Australian supported.
Here’s what our equestrian POS software offers:
Feed Management:
– Bag feed into smaller packs with accurate stock tracking.
– Track bulk material purchases, mixing, and packaging of your own products.
– Sell by weight, including fractions.
Sales & Customer Management:
– Streamlined quote and invoice management for accuracy and efficiency.
– Provide local produce care information to enhance customer experience.
– Flexible trade pricing profiles.
– Professional customer account management.
– Customisable pricing profiles based on customer types.
– Detailed tracking of colour, size, and style variations.
– Informative, customisable receipts.
– Pre-order and special order management.
– Powerful loyalty programs.
Inventory & Ordering:
– Seasonal reordering for efficient stock management.
– Weatherproof label printing.
– Electronic supplier invoice support to reduce errors.
– International barcode database lookup for quick product addition.
– Logistics & Delivery:
– Dispatch management tools for efficient delivery, including multi-truck and multi-delivery support.
– Integration with Allotrac for advanced dispatch management.
Marketing & Customer Engagement:
– Loyalty marketing to build lasting customer relationships.
– Free integration with FindIt.com.au to drive local shopper traffic.
– Flexible Selling & Integrations:
– Flexible selling options: by weight, length, and fractions.
– Portable “sell anywhere” solution.
– Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Xero, and more.
– Shopper self-checkout option.
– Digital receipts via Slyp.
AI Enhancements:
– ChatGPT and Google Gemini AI integration for product descriptions, blog posts, and price comparisons.
– Auto background removal for product photos, suitable for online platforms.
– Additional Features:
Our software is designed for local, independent equestrian businesses. We are committed to helping local businesses thrive.
Key Benefits:
– Save time on daily tasks.
– Increase sales and profitability.
– Enhance customer relationships.
– Streamline inventory and logistics.
Tower Systems is a small business focussed POS software company developing, and supporting POS software for niche specialty retailers.
Lest We Forget
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How to choose the right POS software for your specialty retail business
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Choosing the right Point of Sale (POS) software is a pivotal decision for any independent, small retail business. A well-suited system can significantly boost your business’s worth and success, whereas a poor choice can be costly.
While this advice is from us and we are a POS software company, it is advice that will stand up to professional and independent scrutiny.
To make a well-informed decision, it’s crucial to carefully think about your business’s unique aspects.
- Specialisation: If your business caters to a specific niche, look for POS software designed for similar businesses, software that serves your needs.
- Local focus: If supporting local businesses is important to you, consider POS solutions developed and supported locally. Talking to people who understand your local situation is helpful.
- Training. be sure to understand the cost of training for professional training by the software company is key to you leveraging the best value from the software.
- Expertise: To establish yourself as a local expert, your POS system should enable efficient and consistent service, and the leveraging of your expertise.
- Services: If you offer repair or maintenance services, your software should handle these functions, and save you time.
- Product bundling: For businesses selling bundled items, the POS system must effectively manage these configurations, helping you to differentiate through what you sell.
- Customer retention: If you operate in a tourist area, loyalty programs can be vital for maximising repeat business – they need to be the type of loyalty encouragement your shoppers will love.
- Product weight: If you sell products by weight, your POS system should have this capability, especially selling in fractions.
By carefully considering these factors, you can pinpoint the specific features and capabilities needed in your ideal POS software.
It’s important to remember that while price is a consideration, it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. Just as you’d advise customers against compromising quality for price, the same applies to POS software. Investing in a higher-quality system initially can lead to significant long-term savings and advantages.
To make comparisons easier, think about the weekly cost of the software rather than just the upfront investment. This approach gives a more accurate picture of value for money, taking into account support services and software functionality.
If you’re unsure about a particular software package, it’s wise to explore other options. It’s better to pass on a system that doesn’t fully meet your needs than to deal with ongoing frustrations. However, be prepared to adjust some of your business processes to align with your chosen software.
Once you’ve implemented a system, it’s crucial to follow the software provider’s advice and make full use of the training provided. Embracing suggested changes to your business processes can optimise how well the system works for you.
Accurate data is essential for successful POS software use. Put in place strict data entry procedures to ensure reliable information for making decisions.
Building a strong relationship with your software provider can benefit both parties. Sharing feedback and suggestions can contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the software.
By using your POS system to automate tasks, you can free up valuable time for strategic planning and engaging with customers.
Implementing new software can be challenging. Focus on the long-term benefits of increased efficiency and satisfaction once you’ve mastered the system.
Ultimately, the POS software you choose should reflect your business’s identity. Invest time in careful consideration to select a system that aligns with your goals and helps your business grow.
Here at Tower Systems we make POS software for local specialty retailers.
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