Some POS software companies focus on the software from a technical perspective. While we do that here at Tower Systems, we go beyond the software and provide retail management advice based on insights the software curates for each customer business.
From report analysis to AI facilitates retail business performance insights, we help retailers leverage data collected and curated by our POS software.
In our customer workshops and in the advice we provide to retailers, we try and help beyond what’s typical for software companies. We can do this because of years of experience running retail businesses. We speak from that experience. Here’s one example of this. What we share below was is a customer email we sent out a couple of days ago, right before the end of 2025. The advice we share wasn’t asked for. We shared it as part of our desire to help local small business retailers beyond what;s average for a POS software company.
Now, here’s that advice we shared:
Advice on our Monthly Sales Comparison Report.
In preparation for comparing 2025 with 2024 in your business: If you log into our website and go to Onboarding you can access awesome training videos. Here is a summary of what is covered in our training about the Monthly Sales Comparison Report:
Understanding your store’s performance is not just about looking at today’s takings; it is about identifying trends, measuring growth, and setting evidence-based goals for the future. In our Retailer POS software, the Monthly Sales Comparison Report serves as a sophisticated tool to help you achieve this level of insight.
By comparing two distinct periods, you can pinpoint exactly where your business is thriving and where it may need additional attention.
Accessing the Report
There are two simple ways to find this report within Retailer:
- The Top Menu: Navigate to Reports, select Sales Reports, and choose Monthly Sales Comparison.
- The Home Screen: Click on the Reports button and select the Monthly Sales Comparison tile.
Customising Your Data
Despite its name, this report is highly flexible. You can compare any two time periods—be it one month versus another, a specific quarter, or year-on-year performance.
To get the most out of your data, the report offers several customisation options:
- External Sourcing: If you have an integrated website, you can compare in-store performance against online sales.
- Department Filtering: Choose to view all departments or focus on specific areas of your business.
- Agency Exclusions: For newsagents or retailers selling low-margin items like stamps or travel cards, you can exclude “Agency” departments. This ensures your
- Gross Profit (GP) and sales figures are not skewed by high-turnover, low-margin products
- Levels of Detail: You can choose to view a high-level summary by department or dive deeper by including categories and even specific suppliers.
Understanding the Results
The report is presented in three clear sections:
- Period One (The Left Column): Displays the data for your most recent selected date range.
- Period Two (The Middle Column): Displays the data for the earlier period you are using as a benchmark.
- Variance (The Right Column): This is where the magic happens. It shows the growth or decline in both quantity sold and dollar value, expressed as both a raw number and a percentage.
At the bottom of the report, you will find a comprehensive “Total” section. This provides a snapshot of your overall business health, including total sales (both including and excluding GST), the number of transactions, average sale values, and average items per sale.
Using Data for Goal Setting
Data is most valuable when it informs action. By reviewing your performance from the previous year, you can set realistic, data-driven targets for your team. For example, if your “Cards & Wrap” department performed well last January, you might set a goal to increase those sales by another 10% this year.
The Monthly Sales Comparison Report is more than just a summary of the past; it is a roadmap for your future success. We encourage all our customers to dive into their reports and discover the stories their data is telling.
Now, if you’ve run your Monthly Sales Comparison Report and would like a second opinion on what it shows, shoot a copy of it to us by email and we will take a look at it for you. No cost. Our goal is to help you run a more valuable retail business in 2026.
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The right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.
Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au.
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