AI tools embedded in POS software help retailers thrive
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Advice for retailers on chasing genuine savings: what Retailer AI does to the weekly workload
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AI in retail gets discussed far more than it gets used, and most of the discussion is about possibility rather than the specific, dull tasks that consume a retailer’s week.
The Tower Systems software has had AI tools embedded since 2022. They now carry a name, Retailer AI, and they are aimed squarely at those dull tasks.
The Ai tools we offer cover so many areas now. Here are just some of them …
Supplier invoices
This is where most retailers find the largest single saving. It’s the easiest to access saving too.
A supplier invoice arrives as a PDF, an Excel file or a typed Word document, and traditionally someone keys it in line by line. Cost prices, quantities, retail prices, item after item. On a large invoice that is an hour or more, and every line is a chance for a typing error that later becomes a pricing error.
Retailer AI reads the invoice and imports it.
The saving is partly time and partly accuracy. An invoice imported correctly means stock on hand is right, cost prices are right and margin reporting can be trusted. An error introduced at this point travels a long way through a business before anyone notices it.
If an invoice does not import cleanly, it can be emailed to Tower Systems, where the team works on making that supplier’s invoices import easily and accurately in future.
The other tools
Product descriptions. Writing headings and descriptions for online listings is slow work that most retailers put off. Retailer AI drafts them, which helps stock get found in search.
Price comparison. Checking pricing against other retailers without spending an afternoon on it.
Replenishment ordering. Generating an order without working through a long, multi-step process.
Theft detection. Flagging transaction patterns worth a closer look.
Business insights. A plain-text end of shift summary comparing the day with recent trading, in place of a stack of reports.
Where the savings land
Retailers using the tools report saving between five and ten hours a week. The figure varies with the business and with how many of the tools are in use.
Hours are the visible saving. Harder to count, and probably worth more, is the effect on decisions. A decision made sooner, on complete and accurate information, tends to be a better decision.
There is a financial point worth noting too. Retailers choose their own AI model, whether ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, and control their own AI spending directly. Tower Systems does not sit between the retailer and that access, and does not add a margin to it.
Getting started
Begin with invoices. It is the clearest saving and the easiest to measure. Time one invoice keyed by hand, then time one imported, and the comparison makes the case on its own.
Add one tool a month after that. Trying everything at once rarely sticks.
Book a training session. The tools are included in the software, and the free training covers how to use them.
Retailer AI is available across the specialty markets Tower Systems serves, including newsagents, jewellers, bike shops, garden centres, bookshops, pet shops and toy shops.
Meet Retailer AI: AI tools made for local independent retail
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We have added a collection of AI tools to our POS software. We call it Retailer AI, and it is made for local independent retail businesses, from the front counter to the back office.
Retailer AI uses Gemini, Claude and ChatGPT. The work happens inside the POS software you already run, so there is no new system to learn and nothing to copy between apps.
This all started in 2022 and has evolved since. What’s changes is that we now call the collection of AI tools in our POS software Retailer AI.
What the tools do
Invoice processing turns a PDF or paper supplier invoice into an electronic invoice ready to import. Anyone who has keyed a 200-line invoice by hand on a Friday afternoon will understand the appeal.
Reordering watches your inventory and sales, then drafts replenishment orders for you. You buy what sells and skip what sits.
The AI insights dashboard gives shop floor staff a view of what matters today, so they can plan their time and look after customers between serves.
Reports now come with a click-through to plain advice on what to do next. If you have ever closed a report none the wiser, this one is for you.
There is more. Product names and SEO-ready descriptions are written for you so shoppers can find your products online. A local price comparison shows where you sit in your market. Blog posts are written and published for products you manage, which keeps your website fresh without you typing at the kitchen table at 10pm.
What it is worth
A typical business using these tools saves between 5 and 8 labour hours a week. At $35 an hour, that is $175 to $280 a week. One pet shop owner in regional NSW says he saves 10 hours a week. A Victorian newsagency used the tools to find more than $10,000 in dead stock, money it can now put into stock that moves.
Those numbers are why we built this. Hours back and better buying decisions are what a small retail business notices week to week.
Our approach
There is a lot of noise about AI right now, and plenty of it is hype. We are not selling hype. These tools exist to make everyday retail tasks quicker and everyday decisions better. You stay in control of how much or how little you use, and we do not profit from what you spend on AI.
See it working
The best way to judge Retailer AI is to watch it handle your own work. Book a free demo, email our sales team on sales@towersystems.com.au with your questions, or take a look at our YouTube channel to see the tools in action.
All set for Reed Melbourne gift fair
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We are all setup and read to go for the Reed Melbourne Gift Fair, which starts today.
On our stand we will be demonstrating the very latest in POS software for gift shops, jewellers, garden centres, newsagents, toy shops, music shops, bookshops and more.
This is smart POS software. Melbourne made. Melbourne supported.
Gift retail has its own rhythm. Seasonal buying, one-off suppliers, products that need good photos and descriptions to sell online. Our software is built for that. Supplier invoices load in around 30 seconds. AI writes product descriptions and SEO content for you. Reports come with plain advice on what to do next. It connects with Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce and Xero, so your shop floor and your online store stay in step.
If you are walking the fair with buying on your mind, five minutes at our stand could save you hours every week back at the shop. Bring your questions. We like the hard ones.
What sets us apart we think is the help behind the software. Our help desk is in Australia, staffed by people who know retail, and training is part of the deal rather than an extra. When you call, you speak with someone who understands what a busy Saturday in a gift shop looks like. Plenty of the retailers on our software came to us from bigger-name systems where they felt like an account number.
AI is doing real work in our software, and it has been since 2022. We call it Retailer AI, and it draws on Gemini, Claude and ChatGPT inside the POS software itself. A typical business saves between 5 and 8 labour hours a week, worth $175 to $280 at a $35 an hour pay rate. One retailer used it to find more than $10,000 in dead stock. There is plenty of AI hype about at the moment. This is not that. It is invoices loading themselves, reorders drafting themselves and reports that tell you what to do next.
The Melbourne Gift Fair is the best week of the year to see all of this in person. Bring a sales report or a supplier invoice from your own shop if you like, and we will show you what the software does with it on the spot. No script and no canned demo. If you cannot make it to our stand, book a free demo and we will bring the software to you after the fair.
Advice for retailers: The numbers that warn you before the bank balance does
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By the time the bank balance looks wrong, the trouble started weeks back. Money in the account is a lagging number. It tells you what already happened, not what’s about to. Run a shop on the bank balance alone and you’re forever finding out too late to do much.
The early warnings live in the trade, not the account. They turn up small, and they turn up first, if you know where to look.
We have been asked for help by many small business retailers where this is the case. We’;re not accountants or business consultants but day to day we do get into discussions with retailers and we help where we can, drawing on our experience in retail from years back and the support we offer today with our POS software.
One is basket size easing off. People still coming in, still buying, just spending a bit less each time. The day’s total holds for a while because the traffic covers it, right up until it doesn’t. Spot the slip while it’s small and you’ve got room to move.
Another creeps in through how often people come back. A regular who was in twice a week is now in once. Weekly becomes fortnightly. No single customer tells you anything, and that’s the trap, because the ones drifting off are the ones you stop noticing. Put them all together and it’s a trend you needed to see a month ago.
Then a category goes quiet while the busy parts of the shop cover for it. The overall figure looks fine. Underneath, something you lean on is fading, and you won’t feel it in the takings until it’s well down the track.
The catch is that finding any of this means running reports, lining up one period against another, and knowing what you’re hunting for in the first place. Most retailers haven’t got the time. Plenty were never shown how. So the warnings just sit in the data until they finally show up as a number too big to miss.
That’s the gap the Insights Dashboard closes.
It’s a business intelligence dashboard, free to every Tower Systems customer. It uses smart AI tools and a good deal of built-in retail know-how to watch your trade as it happens and tell you what’s worth knowing, the good and the bad. You don’t run a report. You don’t go digging. The insights are curated as the day goes on, kept fresh, and sitting there when you look.
So the slipping basket, the lengthening gaps between visits, the category drifting off the boil, it all surfaces on its own, while there’s still time to act. You get to spend your attention on the decision instead of the digging.
For a small shop that’s what business intelligence ought to be. Not one more report to find an hour for. Something keeping watch on the trade and tapping you on the shoulder while the warning is still early enough to use.
The retailers who get ahead aren’t drowning in data. They just catch the right thing at the right time. The Insights Dashboard puts that in reach of any retailer, free, and built into the software you’re already running.
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The right POS system or website for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the business. Tower offers POS software and websites 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.
Garbage In, Garbage Out: How to Know if Your Retail Stock Data is Actually Accurate
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A POS system reflects what you put into it. Feed it bad data and every report it produces is wrong. That might sound obvious, but in a busy retail environment — where stock arrives daily, staff turn over, and returns pile up — inventory data degrades faster than most retailers realise.
Poor data costs real money. It means stockouts on best-sellers, cash locked up in product that will not move, and numbers you cannot make decisions from. You do not have to guess whether your stock-on-hand figures are right. There are practical ways to check, and the right tools make staying accurate far less work than most people expect.
The stocktake: still the gold standard
Nothing confirms inventory accuracy like a physical count. Closing the shop for a full weekend count is not necessary anymore.
Tower Systems supports targeted rolling stocktakes on a specific shelf, category, or supplier group. Run them during quiet trading periods — before opening, after a delivery, or during a slow mid-week afternoon. Small, frequent counts catch discrepancies early, before they distort your buying decisions and margin reports. A full-store stocktake a couple of times a year, combined with regular section counts, gives you a solid base to work from.
Stop errors at the back door: AI invoice import
A lot of bad retail data enters at inward goods. Manual entry of cost prices, supplier codes, and product descriptions from paper invoices introduces typos. Every time. It is not a staff problem — it is a process problem.
Tower Systems has an AI Invoice Import tool built directly into the software. It reads digital PDFs, spreadsheets, supplier accounting exports, and even photos of printed invoices, then matches items and imports the data without manual entry. Fewer keystrokes means fewer mistakes, and fewer mistakes means stock counts you can trust.
Two daily habits that hold it all together
Systems help, but discipline matters too.
Track every sale individually. Generic open-department keys destroy stock counts over time and make category reporting worthless. Process returns at the time they happen — scanning them back in later means the numbers are wrong in the gap, sometimes for days.
Neither habit takes long. Both make a material difference.
The bottom line
Every manual entry is a risk. Every workaround compounds the problem. Rolling stocktakes and automated invoice importing reduce human handling of data, and less handling means fewer errors. When the data is right, you buy better, you waste less, and your reports tell you something useful.
Find out more at www.towersystems.com.au.
Retail transformation: Mount Lawley News, Perth WA
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Matt bought a traditional newsagency shop in late 2020. It was his first retail business. He knew e wanted to reinvent the business, to be relevant and appealing.
In less than 4 years Matt with his family and team have transformed the business into a thriving and loved local shop in Mount Lawley 10 minutes out of Perth.
While it’s called Mount Lawley News, this shop is not a newsagency, not what you think of as a newsagency. It’s a gift shop, a fun place to shop, somewhere you’re likely to find a gift for just about any occasion.
As Matt shares in this video, he embraces the opportunities of change, and he shows that even though the shop has been transformed, he’s not done. What he has created online through the website as well as on social media is fresh, engaging, and successful.
We are grateful to Matt for the opportunity to find out more. Be sure to check out their website: http://www.oliviaandgrace.com.au.
Fishing & Outdoors Shop Software Facilities Help Specialty Retailers Thrive
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Retailer, the Fishing Shop Software from Tower Systems has facilities designed for this type of business, to help you better serve your customers and to bring them back into the business.
This is all about Stickiness. Stickiness is the best way to describe what really matters to any specialty business, like a fishing and outdoors business.
Stickiness is about doing things that make customers stick to your business. Our goal is to provide facilities in the software that enhance stickiness, that make customer engagement more profitable for you.
The more you leverage the specialisation in your business the more you differentiate your business from big business competitors. We are in an era where specialisation matters in retail, and in POS software.
- Instant loyalty rewards. Another way we can help maximise sales is with an instant loyalty reward. This is particularly useful where you see shoppers once a year or quite infrequently as is often the case in fishing and outdoor businesses.
Using rules that you control, a receipt can include a voucher offering a specific amount off the next purchase if that purchase is made in a timeframe you set.
An average 19% redemption rate for the vouchers with a third redeemed the day of purchase. Male shoppers are far more likely to redeem the day of purchase.
This instant loyalty reward facility is another way we serve your type of business. In the software, we call it discount vouchers. - Smart receipts. Include product care instructions on receipts, adding extra value to the purchase. Whereas a competitor will sell an item, you will sell the item plus advice on care and use.
Better still, include local fishing insights. For example, the details of a local fishing spot that is particularly good right now. Share details, how to get there, when to fish and other information. The more relevant the information you share the more it will be loved. - Club / community group deals / pricing. A great way to win new shoppers is through a community group. You can publish a card or voucher enabling members of a group to present this for a discount on each purchase. The software can track the purchases and at a designated time you can give the group a rebate in return for their member loyalty.
Consider being flexible of what constitutes a club. It could be that people who like to fish with a particular person are in a ‘club’.
The more groups and people you have talking about your business the better. - Bundled goods. Package several items together for a single price. This could be into a physical hamper or simple placed with each other on the shelves with a package price. Bundling like this makes it hard for shoppers to price compare as the bundle is yours, it is what you create. To manage bundles, use the manufactured goods facilities in the software. It is easy to bundle and unbundle, managing stock on hand all the way through.
Bundles could be: rod and reel; rod, reel, net and basket; a set of handmade lures. - Repairs. If you offer a repair service, you can use the repairs facilities in the software to track the work and notify the customer when a repair is ready for collection. This helps you better manage that part of the business and drive better customer outcomes. Repairs business can grow as a result.
- Events. Using this new facility, added Q1 2018, you can market to shoppers based on interests, past purchases, birthdays and other date related events in and around their lives. For example, you could run an email campaign for all who purchased a particular brand of reel with an offer of an add-on pack. We think it is important to leverage brands with extension marketing. We know from other marketplaces that inviting shoppers back works enough to make the small investment well worthwhile.
- BOGO. Using our Buy one get one free facility you can set offer type pricing and have it managed easily at the register, ensuring a consistent customer pricing experience.
- Catalogues. This facility allows you to automatically apply discounts, based on rules that you specify. There are a variety of options that you can make use of to make sales and promotions seamless during at point-of-sale.
Your marketing group or product suppliers can provide data files for any catalogues in which you participate. You can load these into the software making it easy to offer catalogue prices through the term of the catalogue offer. - Serial number tracking. If you sell any item with serial numbers you can easily track them using this facility. Customers appreciate a receipt with a serial number of the specific item they purchased, especially if the item is of a considerable value.
- Special customer orders. This is the ability to order stock from a supplier for a specific customer. On arrival of the stock item, a barcode is printed with the customer name, for placement on to the product. The software can be set to send an alert to the customer by text or email, advising the arrival of the goods into the store. Customers love this personalisation.
- Gift vouchers. Sell customers who can’t decide what gift to purchase a gift voucher. Load on to this voucher any amount the customer wants. You set the rules on expiry and other voucher handling.
- Supplier comparison. Since you can purchase some items from multiple suppliers, use smart reports in the software to compare the performance of your various suppliers.
- BNPL. Integrated in Retailer is this “buy now pay later” finance option. You are settled quickly by the funder and the costs are like credit card costs. This can work better than LayBy in that you do not need to manage the goods in-store.
- Laybys. You have complete control over how this is setup including the terms, rules and more.
- Manage remotely. Plenty of our fishing and outdoors business owners are not in their businesses regularly. Our software has facilities that enable easy remote tracking and management. Some are obvious while others are hidden and secure, giving you peace of mind that you can leave your business.
Free FindIt marketplace from Tower Systems helps local shoppers find local retailers
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In today’s world of online shopping giants, it’s easy to forget about the fantastic array of shops right on our doorstep.Supporting local businesses is about more than just convenience; it’s about investing in the lifeblood of our communities.That’s where FindIt, a free online marketplace from Tower Systems, steps in.
Only serving local independent retailers, Tower Systems has a track record of shining a light on this most vital of retail sectors. It’s work on FindIt drawn on decades of service and a community of 3,500+ retailers served.
FindIt bridges the gap between local stores and shoppers like. It’s a platform offering products from a wide range of independent retailers across Australia. Whether you’re after that perfect birthday gift, a unique piece of homeware, or something special for yourself, FindIt allows you to browse and discover hidden gems from local businesses, all from the comfort of your couch.
But what makes FindIt special is its focus on ease and accessibility. Here are some of the key benefits for both shoppers and retailers:
For Shoppers:
- Support Local: FindIt makes it easy to find and support businesses in your area. You’ll be putting money back into your community and helping to create a vibrant local economy.
- Diverse Range: Discover a treasure trove of unique products you won’t find on mainstream online retailers.From handcrafted jewellery to locally-sourced produce, FindIt offers something for everyone.
- Convenience: Shop from the comfort of your home and choose between in-store pickup or home delivery (depending on the retailer).
- Transparency: FindIt provides clear information about each retailer, including their location and contact details.
For Retailers:
- Free Listing: Tower Systems POS software users can sign up for FindIt for absolutely no cost. This eliminates the need for expensive individual online stores, making it easier for smaller businesses to compete in the digital marketplace.
- Wider Reach: FindIt exposes your products to a broader audience of potential customers who are actively seeking out local businesses.
- Simplified Sales: The platform integrates seamlessly with Tower Systems POS, streamlining the sales process and reducing administrative headaches.
FindIt is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Shoppers get access to fantastic local products, while retailers gain a valuable platform to showcase their offerings and reach new customers. It’s a fantastic initiative that fosters a sense of community and strengthens the backbone of Aussie commerce – our independent retailers.
To have product data – text and images – flow to FindIt is easy thanks to the integration with the Tower Systems POS software. Tower helps retailers with advices training and support to get connected.
The goal really is to encourage more local shoppers to want through the front door of local retail businesses.
FindIt: A Marketplace Empowering Local Retailers & Connecting Aussie Consumers
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Discover FindIt, a revolutionary online marketplace dedicated to fostering the success of independent Australian retailers. This free platform made here in Australia by Tower Systems seamlessly connects local businesses with consumers seeking a unique and personalised shopping experience.
Unparalleled Visibility for Local Businesses:
- Retailers can effortlessly showcase products to a wider audience through a user-friendly online platform.
- No website development or management required – FindIt takes care of everything.
- Leverage the power of SEO expertise to ensure your products rank prominently in Google searches.
Streamlined Shopping for Customers:
- FindIt acts as a comprehensive online catalogue, allowing customers to discover from their phone, tablet or computer a diverse range of products from local retailers.
- Enjoy the convenience of adding items from multiple stores to a single basket for a seamless research.
- FindIt facilitates a direct connection between customers and retailers, fostering a sense of community and personalised service.
A Perfect Fit for Tower Systems POS Users:
- Retailers who utilise the Tower Systems POS software, automatically gain access to FindIt, extending your reach at no cost.
- FindIt seamlessly integrates with your existing Tower Systems POS solution, streamlining your operations.
Supporting Aussie Businesses:
- FindIt is a proud advocate for independent Australian retailers, empowering them to compete in the digital landscape. It was built to serve this purpose.
- Together, we champion the values of local businesses – community engagement, personalised service, and unique product offerings.
FindIt is unique in that it is not about making money for Tower. Retailers can list products at no cost whatsoever. The goal is to encourage shoppers to find shops near them that have products being sought out. This really is all about nurturing local in-store shopper traffic. We think we’re pretty unique in that regard.
Learn More:
- Explore the capabilities of Tower Systems POS software at https://www.towersystems.com.au/.
- Witness the user-friendly interface and comprehensive features through readily available online demonstrations.
- Tower Systems exclusively caters to local independent retailers in a range of specialty retail , fostering a strong partnership with the local business community.
Contact Us:
Discuss your point-of-sale needs or schedule a personalised demonstration by contacting Tower Systems:
- Email: sales@towersystems.com.au
- Phone: 1300 662 957
Together, let’s empower local businesses and enrich the Australian retail landscape!
Low EFTPOS fees benefit local retailers and their customers
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Retail transformation: newsXpress Leven, Ulverstone, Tasmania
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This business has been in the family for decades, across two generations. What was once a traditional newsagency is today a vibrant gift shop that has some newsagency lines as a service for customers.
This shop is an excellent example of doing it yourself and creating something genuinely local, warm, comforting and clearly loved.
This shop also shows that you can succeed by trading outside of what people expect for your type of business, that today in retail, your shingle does not have to define your business.
Ulverstone is a wonderful local community, a beautiful part of the world. What Sharene and Wayne have created at newsXpress Leven is a shop people love to visit and spend money in.
Often, local retailers can get caught in their head about what they could do in their business. Seven years ago, Shareen and Wayne set about embracing change, and they haven’t stopped since – creating a business of which they can be proud.
It was a thrill to see what they have created.
Inspiring retail: The Hub General Store, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia
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Inspiring retail: Wattle Bee Next, Mount Morgan, QLD
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POS software AI integrations announced to help local small business retailers stay ahead
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We launched our first POS software ChatGPT AI integration 17 months ago now. We are grateful to have kept up to date with AI developments and how they can help local small business retailers to run more successful and efficient businesses. It’s been a ride for sure.
Keeping abreast of AI developments is important. In a recent update we have done this:
Decommissioning of Legacy AI Models: In line with OpenAI’s recent announcement regarding the phased shutdown of several AI models, we have proactively taken steps to ensure a seamless transition for our users. The affected models have been decommissioned from our system to pave the way for more advanced and capable alternatives.
Introduction of New AI Models: We are thrilled to introduce the addition of two groundbreaking AI models to our system:
- GPT-3.5-turbo-instruct: An enhanced version designed to understand and execute instructions more efficiently, providing you with faster and more accurate responses.
- GPT-4: The latest iteration in the GPT series, offering unparalleled AI capabilities with improved understanding, creativity, and contextual awareness.
Of course, there is more work under the hood when it comes to AI and POS software. Our commitment is to help our small business retailer partners to access tools that help them run efficient and forward-leaning businesses.
Being an early-adopter of AI technology for POS software we have experiences on which we can draw. This, and relationships with AI businesses help us play ahead in this space.
Our POS software AI integrations offer practical and smart help to retailers. We back the software facilities with packaged documentation and easy to access stackable training videos. Our goal with these is to demystify the AI side of things to a level that the POS software integration is understood and useful.
Tower Systems is a small business focussed POS software company developing, and supporting POS software for niche specialty retailers. Jewellers, garden centres, bike shops, toy shops, produce businesses, farm supply businesses, fishing shops, pet shops, charity businesses, landscape gardening businesses, antique shops, sewing shops, haberdashery businesses, newsagents and more benefit from this software.
Find out more at www.towersystems.com.au Call 1300 662 957 or email sales@towersystems.com.au
Compare POS software to find the POS software that fits your needs best
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The best way to compare POS software is to compare function by function.
We love doing this for retailers considering our POS software. We setup a Zoom meeting where we show our POS software live next to software from any other POS software company open to function by function comparison.
Not all POS software companies will agree to this type of comparison. For you and your business though, a live comparison under your control is what is best.
As a leading Australian provider of POS solutions, Tower Systems understands the unique needs of local retailers. We make POS software for a range of specialty retail needs. If you want to compare POS software for pet shops, jewellers, bike shops, garden centres, newsagents, gift shops, music shops, fishing and outdoors shops, fashion shops, toy shops, bookshops and more, Tower Systems can show POS software functions that go deep to needs unique to these retail channels.
Tower Systems recognises that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to POS software. That’s why we offer a unique service: POS software comparison, on your timing and to the depth of function that matters to you.
We believe informed decisions lead to better outcomes. By comparing different POS systems, local retailers can gain a clear understanding of the features, functionalities, and pricing structures available. This empowers you to select the software that best aligns with your specific business needs and budget.
Our commitment extends beyond the POS software itself. We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure retailers get the most out of our POS system.
We are grateful to have helped thousands of local retail businesses across Australia and New Zealand to achieve success.
If you’re a local retailer looking to streamline operations, improve customer service, and boost your bottom line, take time to compare POS software from us. Our commitment to local businesses, combined with our expertise in POS solutions, can empower you to make informed decisions and achieve long-term success.
Compare POS software from us and we prom use to be open and transparent. We our software does not do something you need, we will say so. This truth serves you and us well. We want customers who genuinely benefit from what our software offers. We know you’ll love us for this.
When you are ready to compare POS software, have your list of must-haves ready.
POS software for local Australian retailers who prefer Australian made and pitch shop local
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If your retail business is locally owned, pitched shop local and likes to stock Australian made products, we are writing this for you.
You know the importance of supporting local. Here are Tower Systems we are grateful and proud to offer Aussie-made and supported POS (point-of-sale) software designed specifically for local retailers.
Tower Systems goes beyond just helping you process sales. Our POS software, called Retailer (we’ve been in the game for over 40 years!), is built with specialty retailers in mind. Whether you’re running a jewellery store, a bike shop, a garden centre, or something else entirely, Tower Systems has features that cater to your unique industry.
The software we offer today is designed for retail today, it’s very different to where we started, as is your shop most likely.
Imagine managing repairs in your jewellery business, selling produce by weight, or creating custom bundles of products – our Tower Systems POS can handle it all.
Tower Systems is all about helping local businesses thrive. We understand the challenges that independent retailers face, and our software is designed to streamline operations and boost efficiency.
Here are just a few ways our Tower Systems POS might be able to help your business:
- Save time and money: Streamline your processes and reduce errors with user-friendly software.
- Improve customer service: Faster checkouts and better inventory management lead to happier customers.
- Gain valuable insights: Get reports and data to help you make better business decisions. Better still – ditch reports and rely on business insights presented to you.
- Integrate with other tools: Connect your POS system with existing accounting software or online stores for a seamless workflow.
One of the biggest benefits of choosing Tower Systems is our local human-based support. With a team based here in Australia, you can get the help you need quickly and easily. We also understand the specific needs of Aussie retailers, so you can be sure you’re getting software that’s built for our market.
With us, support starts with a conversation. There are no rigid scripts. Talk to us. Tell us what’s on your mind.
If you’re looking for POS software that’s made for Australian retailers by Australians, then Tower Systems is the perfect choice. Visit their website to learn more about their products and book a free demo today!
What makes the Tower Systems software for newsagents stand out?
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Beyond the 1,843 newsagents who now use the Tower Systems software for newsagents and the customer service that supports this community, there is functionality for newsagents deep within the software, including:
| Newsagents | |
| Quote and invoice management: comprehensive tools | ●︎ |
| Catalogue: create and manage pricing based on time/date range | ●︎ |
| Refund management: maintaining data integrity | ●︎ |
| Marketplace integration: www.findit.com.au (free) | ●︎ |
| Insights dashboard: pushing actionable business insights | ●︎ |
| Theft tracking: early detection of employee theft | ●︎ |
| Stock reorder by min / max requirements | ●︎ |
| Stock Management: easily make changes in bulk | ●︎ |
| Easily manage LayBy (Lay Away) purchases, payments and more | ●︎ |
| Produce gift receipts (price not shown) | ●︎ |
| Gift Vouchers: manage sale and redemption easily | ●︎ |
| PreOrders & Special Orders: sell products before you have the stock | ●︎ |
| Automatic sales based replenishment with supplier connectivity | ●︎ |
| Easy purchase order generation (supplier ready) | ●︎ |
| Include images on receipts for easy promotion / marketing | ●︎ |
| Manage product box / package location | ●︎ |
| Attach product data/info sheets | ●︎ |
| Age check for products you select | ●︎ |
| Easily bundle & Manufacture products for package sale | ●︎ |
| Manage magazine inventory where an item has multiple issues | ●︎ |
| Manage products with different prices on different days (papers) | ●︎ |
| Manage the regular home delivery of products daily / weekly | ●︎ |
| Manage sale & return of products to other retailers | ●︎ |
| Recall customers based on purchases | ●︎ |
| Special customer orders | ●︎ |
| Manage product returns | ●︎ |
| Easily train casual staff | ●︎ |
| Kiosk/Self-Serve mode | ●︎ |
| Aird group EDI integration | ●︎ |
| Club / group member pricing for products | ●︎ |
| Product classifications for easy online product management | ●︎ |
| Product tags for easy horizontal product management | ●︎ |
| Comprehensive customer accounts management | ●︎ |
| Reorder based on past sales | ●︎ |
| Average cost price maintenance | ●︎ |
| Record customer details for certain products | ●︎ |
| Batch payments: easily import a payments file | ●︎ |
| Track stock by author for bookshops | ●︎ |
| Surcharge management: EFTPOS fees to customer | ●︎ |
| Customer display content management | ●︎ |
| Multiple customer delivery address support | ●︎ |
| Click and collect management | ●︎ |
| Pick slips for efficient product picking | ●︎ |
| Proforma invoicing | ●︎ |
| Account credit limits | ●︎ |
| Easy supplier stock file importing | ●︎ |
| Reporting to Excel | ●︎ |
| Managing tax free items (set by item) | ●︎ |
| Manage tax free / duty free sales (entire transactions) | ●︎ |
| Multibuy price breaks (pet food, coffee etc) | ●︎ |
| Multiple suppliers supported per stock item | ●︎ |
| Static quantity Items (no stock control tracking) | ●︎ |
| Product weight per item (flows to e-commerce) | ●︎ |
| True landed cost price for stock tracking | ●︎ |
| Insurance claim related sales management | ●︎ |
| Google maps address autocomplete | ●︎ |
| Microsoft365 and Gsuite email Integration | ●︎ |
| Customer loyalty cards for easy engagement | ●︎ |
| Staff rostering | ●︎ |
| Staff permissions manage function access | ●︎ |
| Manage stock at multiple locations, transfer stock easily | ●︎ |
| Manage newspaper home delivery | ●︎ |
| Manage sales to sub-agents (wholesale) | ●︎ |
| Manage magazine putaways | ●︎ |
| Integration: XchangeIT | ●︎ |
| Integration: TheLott | ●︎ |
| Integration: Pacstream | ●︎ |
| Integration: Titlepage | ●︎ |
| Integration: ePay | ●︎ |
| Integration: Centrepay | ●︎ |
| Integration: POSTEC forecort controller. Sell Fuel | ●︎ |
| Integration: Cashless Debit Card, Product Level Blocking | ●︎ |
This software for newsagents is more than average, it’s industry standard, and we have our customers to thank for this.
Tower Systems releases major POS software update for specialty retailers
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Two weeks ago we released the most substantial software update in several years, and that is saying something because there have been some significant updates in recent years.
This update is more substantial as it takes the software deeper into a couple of areas of specialty retail business management that are new for us.
As we have grown, we have found opportunities to serve more deeply. So, we asked our customers early last year about these areas and plenty responded with suggestions.
Thus began a project of significant collaboration as we developed new software, new functionality for our POS software. We showed progress along the way, seeking feedback. Then, we finally moved to alpha release, then pre-beta followed by weeks of beta and, then, commercial release around two weeks ago.
We are grateful to the customers who worked closely with us through this, providing feedback, encouraging us, being test sites. It means so much to have customers working with you in partnership like this.
In announcing the commercial release of the software, we shared comprehensive details on how yo use the new facilities as well as a brief overview. Here’s a sample of some of the comms on the POS software update:
- New Facility: We are excited to introduce a new capability within our Quote & Invoice Management system that allows users to reserve items from their inventory. This ensures that your stock levels are accurately reflected, preventing overselling.
- Proforma Invoice Status: A new interim status, “Proforma Invoice,” has been added to our Quotes & Invoice management. This status acts as an accepted quote that has not yet been processed as an invoice but has already reduced the available stock quantity by moving it to a new “Reserved Quantity.” This significant update allows you to issue proforma invoices to customers without making the reserved stock visible on your website or in-store.
- We have enhanced the Quote & Invoice Management system to support the acceptance of deposits and progression payments for Proforma Invoices. This feature facilitates flexible payment options for your customers and streamlined financial management for your business.
- New Feature: The ability to order parts directly from the Repairs Module has been introduced. This feature links part orders to the corresponding repair case, ensuring that parts are accurately tracked from order to delivery, and reducing the risk of misplacement.
- New Substatus – Awaiting Parts: For better management and visibility, a new substatus, “Awaiting Parts,” has been added to the Repairs Module. This helps workshop technicians easily identify which repairs are pending part arrivals.
Our update notes are considerable, enabling our customers to access details appropriate to their type of business.
Mrs Red & Sons at 427 Crown St Surry Hills is one of the most wonderful retail experiences we have ever had and here’s why
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POS software for sporting goods retailers: Aussie made and supported
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Our Australian made and supported sporting goods retail POS software helps local and indie sporting goods retailers to run more efficient and successful businesses. We are grateful to sporting goods retailers for their guidance on ensuring this software is of service.
This POS software offers a bag full of facilities sporting goods retailers can use to focus on the specialist nature of their retail businesses. Facilities such as:
- Track inventory by colour, size and style – variants. That is, track by colour, size and style. This works for clothing as well as sporting equipment.
- Tag products by sporting code. This helps you to understand what matters to your local shoppers.
- Leverage you with local knowledge shared automatically on receipts – demonstrating your point of difference.
- Embrace next gen LayBy through buy now pay later like ZipPay and Humm – get purchases today that shoppers may otherwise think are too expensive..
- Know what you sell by brand / supplier.
- Supporting sporting clubs and their members with deals, offers and support – to drive them members to shop with you.
- Easily load electronic invoices from suppliers. Save time.l Cut mistakes.
- Manage your workshop if you do repairs or maintenance work – including text messages to customers.
- Drive customer stickiness with marketing based on past purchases.
- Offer club and group pricing to win more business.
- Sell online easily, direct from your POS software.
- Enjoy pricing consistency for catalogues, multi-buy and bundles.
- Save money on bookkeeping by integrating with accounting software.
- Make more money from the one time only shoppers.
Respecting the capital needs of retail businesses, our sporting goods POS software can be rented for $185.00 a month. For this you get…
- Australian developed and supported sporting goods POS software.
- Software updates as we release them.
- Unlimited licences for your retail location. If you need an extra computer, there is no extra software cost.
- Shopify / Magento / Woo link. Easily sell online from your POS software.
- Xero link. Easing bookkeeping costs and streamlining accounting.
- Our OzBiz link – connect to MYOB and Quicken through OzBiz.
- Tyro link – safe, fast and easy EFTPOS link for streamlined sales.
- PC Eftpos link – easy EFTPOS processing for the major banks.
- Easy buy now pay later thanks to Zip Pay and Humm – that Boomers, Gen Y, Gen X and others are using more and more.
- Support – help desk access, unlimited training, updates and more.
- User documentation. Access to our searchable knowledge base.
Rent this software for a few dollars a day.
This is awesome POS software for sporting goods retailers. We’d love to help you enjoy your business more.
Tower Systems offers Industry-Specific Features: functionalities tailored to a range retail sectors, including produce stores, firearms dealers, and specialty retailers. Seamless Integrations: Tower Systems integrates with popular accounting software (Xero) and e-commerce platforms (Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce) for streamlined data flow and efficient business management. Offline Functionality: Our Retailer Roam™ tool allows you to make sales even without an internet connection, perfect for situations like market stalls or mobile sales. User-Friendly Interface: The software is designed to be easy to learn and use, minimising training time for your staff. Local Support: Tower Systems prides itself on offering personal and local human-delivered support. Their team is readily available to answer your questions and assist you with any issues.
Thank you for considering Tower Systems.
ANZAC Day
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Aussie made game shop software helps local game shops thrive
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The game store POS software from Tower Systems helps local game shops thrive by nurturing:
- Connections with local clubs and local game players.
- Helping to identify faster moving games.
- Leveraging game knowledge is service of customers.
- Better and more valuable business decisions.
- Reducing dead stock.
- Accurately and easily managing sales.
- Bringing shoppers back sooner.
- Guiding more items each purchased each visit.
Game shops are unique businesses, not your everyday retail. This game shop software helps game shops leverage their specialisation in service of game players, local game clubs and the makers of games, while at the same time running an efficient and successful local business.
This POS software made for game shops has facilities that go deep into the unique needs of game shops.
Here are some of the ways our game store POS software helps local game shops leverage their uniqueness:
- Rare visit loyalty. We are told that customers visit a game shop infrequently. Our software offers subtle loyalty tools that encourage more value from each visit.
- Pre-orders. Easily manage selling products before you have them in-stock. Collectors love these facilities. It works really well for items that are hard to find.
- Buy Now Pay Later and LayBy. Through our software you can have both.
- Club / collector marketing and support. Leverage clubs and collectors with offers and pricing. Nurture the love of gaming and connecting to this community, and growing the size of the community. These facilities can also help the game shop raise funds for game clubs.
- Special orders. With some items ordered in for a customer request, managing these types of orders helps the business to manage opportunities and to capture revenue in advance.
- Consignment selling. For customers who ask you to sell their items, you can track this inventory and any sales.
- Sell online. It’s easy with our Shopify integration.
Our Australian made and supported game store POS software does much more than this.
We are grateful to the game shops already using our software for their advice and feedback is key to helping us to continue to evolve this game store POS software.
Of course, the game shop POS software from Tower Systems offers much more than this.
Customisable thanks to many user-selectable options, this software helps game shops differentiate from big box retailers. It helps retailers highlight their difference, leverage their specialty knowledge and compete in unique and proven valuable ways.
This POS software is not average POS software that you’d see widely used. It really has been made for local specialty retail, like game shops, to help them leverage being specialty.
Tower Systems offers personal customer support. Our Australian-based help desk is available by phone and email during business hours, with 24/7 support for urgent issues. We also provide up-to-date videos for training as well as access to an awesome knowledge base.
If you’re a game shop owner looking to streamline operations, build a stronger community, and focus on what matters most – creating an awesome gaming experience for your customers – then Tower Systems POS software is worth considering. Check us out here: https://www.towersystems.com.au/game-shop-software.html
If you run a gift shop and stuggle to keep track of product boxes, this software could be your life saver
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The customer comes to the counter with their purchase and you know there is a box for it but have forgotten where. You go to the back room and wonder which of all the boxes is the right one for this beautiful gift.
Finding the box that belongs to each product in a gift shop is so hard for some that they trow the boxes ut and tell customers the gift does not come with a box.
The Tower Systems POS software helps your record the product box location, thereby making it easy for you to find the box and give the customer that extra customer service experience they will for sure appreciate.
This facility of recording the location of a box for a product is just one of many facilities in the Tower Systems POS software for gift shops that helps local gift shops provide efficient, professional and local service to local shoppers – showing that local retail can cut it with the best of them.
There are many benefits to using Tower Systems POS software in your gift shop. Here are just a few:
- Save time: Tower Systems POS software can help you save time on a variety of tasks, such as sales processing, stock management, and reporting.
- Reduce theft: Our software includes features that can help you reduce theft, such as employee logins and password protection.
- Increase sales: Tower Systems POS software can help you increase sales by making it easier to track stock, run promotions, offer gift cards and target market to customers.
Best of all, this POS software for gift shops helps you make business decisions based on evidence.
In today’s retail climate, an online presence is crucial for any gift shop, even if your heart lies in serving the local community. Tower Systems’ POS software goes beyond the in-store experience, integrating seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Big Commerce, Woo Commerce and Magento. This seamless data flow to and from e-commerce helps local gift retailers get and stay online with success.
The Tower Systems gift shop POS software helps you:
- Wave goodbye to the time consuming box search: Find the right box for the purchase thanks to software that records this location for you per product.
- Sell smarter, not harder: The software helps you identify what’s popular and what’s collecting dust. This means you can make sure you’re always stocked up on best-sellers and avoid over-ordering those slow movers.
- Keep your customers coming back: Gift-giving is all about creating a special experience. Tower Systems’ software allows you to track customer preferences and purchase history. Use this intel to offer personalised recommendations and loyalty programs that’ll keep your customers coming back for more.
If you’re looking for a POS software solution that can help you run your gift shop more efficiently and profitably, then Tower Systems is a great option to consider. Their cloud-based system is easy to use and manage, and it offers a wide range of features that can benefit your business.
Be sure you know what you want out of software for your gift shop. Coe to us with a list. If we don’t do any of the things you want, we will tell you. We know we are not right for everyone.
POS software from Tower Systems helps retailers manage duty free sales and tax free sales
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For years, Tower Systems, through its POS software, has helped retailers who do duty free sales and tax free sales to easily manage them at the sales counter with good record keeping, streamlined workflow and sound business management practices guided for the employees of the retail business. Let’s break that down:
Streamlined Workflow: This POS software from Tower Systems automates tasks and calculations associated with duty free and tax free transactions, reducing the time it takes to complete a sale. This minimises wait times for customers and frees up employee time to focus on other tasks or provide better customer service.
Easy Record Keeping: Tower Systems’ POS software ensures accurate and efficient record keeping for all duty free and tax free sales. This can include capturing customer information, flight details, and itemised receipts that meet customs regulations. Having this information readily available simplifies reporting and audits.
Sound Business Practices: The POS software from Tower Systems guides employees through the duty free and tax free sales process, ensuring they follow all the relevant regulations and procedures. This can help to minimise errors and ensure that the retailer remains compliant with all the requirements.
Improved Customer Service: By streamlining the sales counter processes for duty free and tax free sales, employees can focus on providing excellent customer service. This can mean spending more time with customers to answer questions, recommend products, and create a positive shopping experience.
Tower Systems has offered POS software for managing duty free and tax free sales for many years. Retailers are able to identify products that have the tax free status if they have products that do and do not have tax applied to them.
The best way to see if this POS software may suit your needs in magazine duty free and / or tax free sales is to see the software for yourself. This can be done via a personal and one-on-one demonstration where you outline what your business needs and the software functions in those areas can be shown. If the software is not right for the needs you have outlined, we will say so. It’s not in our interests to promote our software where we know it will not suit your needs.
If you do duty free sales and / or tax free sales, take a look at the POS software Tower Systems offers.
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