Can next-generation POS platforms help grocers succeed?

In the wake of Amazon Inc.’s purchase of Whole Foods Markets, grocery retailers face uncertainty regarding how the acquisition will affect the market overall and their businesses in particular. And according to new research conducted by retail management consulting firm BRP, in this time of dynamic change, shoppers increasingly want more from their grocery shopping experiences.

In a new white paper, BRP noted that grocery shoppers want:

• Enhanced service
• Lower prices
• Higher quality
• More personalized loyalty rewards
• More choices in how they shop
• More choices in how they check out

“They also want assurance that ‘speed of service’ will always be a priority – whether with a cashier through a traditional checkout line, mobile apps, self-service checkout lanes or even no checkout at all (e.g., Amazon Go),” BRP stated.

Scott Langdoc, Vice President at BRP, added, “Grocery retailers are keenly aware that without the IT and operational investments necessary to support these critical, customer-demanded changes, the threats represented by so many direct and indirect competitors, such as Amazon, could be devastating. No matter how extensive and complex the technical, operational or competitive changes to the grocery customer experience, nothing will ever be as important to the intersection of shopper satisfaction and profitable operation as speed of checkout.”

Technology as equalizer

BRP believes next-generation POS platforms can help grocer retailers satisfy customers and stay in business. “While the competitive threats facing traditional grocery retailers in 2017 and beyond are extensive, so too are the capabilities available in technology-driven software solutions ready to redefine the grocery customer experience - blending both efficient service with personalized engagement, and driving a big wedge into the gap between grocery market leaders and industry laggards,” BRP stated.

ISOs, merchant level salespeople and other payment professionals interested in serving grocery retailers and evaluating the effectiveness of the POS solutions they currently offer can download BRP’s white paper, Defining a Next-generation Grocery POS Platform Strategy. The paper sets forth 10 important selection criteria BRP suggests should be central to any grocery POS evaluation. It is available for free download at brpconsulting.com/2017-white-paper-grocery-pos/ .

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