ANZAC Day is more than just a public holiday in Australia. It's a day when we come together to remember the brave men and women who have served our country in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. It's a day of reflection, gratitude, and respect.   My Connection I've always held a special place in my heart for ANZAC Day. I remember my Dad, a World War II veteran who fought in New Guinea in WW2, taking me to the Dawn Service, and I saw him march when I was a kid. I remember him marching in the unit; sadly, I doubt any of them are still with us. Many years later, I remember my aunty l ..read more

The Australian retail landscape is in flux; we all know that what is essential with these studies is not just what they say but also what others, for example, banks that control the finances and prospective buyers and their accountants, are being told. These people control the inflow of money. What we do know is that retailers face obstacles. - We have a rising cost of living - We have significant supply chain challenges - Shifting consumer preferences As everywhere, only those who are willing to adapt and evolve do well. Let's dissect some critical insights from Roy Morgan's recent retail ad ..read more

I recently had a surprising experience at a large supermarket. I went to pay and was told to go to another cash register as this one could not handle cash! While I'd seen this once at a trade show, it was the first time it had been in a mainstream store. This got me thinking that we are genuinely nearing the end of cash, despite what banks and governments say. Soon I expect many shops will introduce a surcharge for cash. The Australian Cash Exodus The numbers don't lie. The Global Payments Report predicts a dramatic shift – by 2025, cash will likely account for just 2% of the value i ..read more

Let us talk about boosting your efficiency with the speed you need. As a retailer, you're always busy with tasks in your store. Technology updates might not seem key, but modern laptops give great perks that can change your daily work. In a typical work meeting, we all sit around a table with our laptops open. Let's Talk Laptops Laptops are everywhere for a reason! Here's the lowdown on what you need to consider: Limited Upgrades: Unlike desktop computers, there's less ability to swap out internal components in a laptop. Usually, what you buy is what you get. Warranty: Warranties today are of ..read more

  Today is a continuing rant. Have you ever felt frozen before starting a task because it's not perfect? Here's the thing—aiming for perfection can stop you from doing anything at all! I've learned this lesson over and over. When I began this blog, it was all over the place initially, but it improved dramatically, mainly as I learned more. Perfectionism Kills Progress Years ago, I worked with a supplier who wanted to improve their data reporting using our POS software. Sounds simple, right? Except every POS system handles data differently. Figuring out what was possible and what wasn't b ..read more

As a retailer, you need to keep records for years. Government regulations, legal needs, or even access to old customer data are all important! I sometimes had to access very old information just for commercial reasons 20+ years ago. Now, have you thought about how long your digital records will last? Sadly, the hard drives and discs we use aren't built for centuries like those old carvings archaeologists up to today. Let's look into long-term storage so you make the right choices. What Lasts, What Doesn't, and How to Make it Better Cloud storage: Theoretically, it lasts forever, but there wil ..read more

Running a shop can be a problem if you don't have much room.  This is a common problem as most of us have more stock than we can display. Don't let that hold you back! You can turn your shop into a sales machine by understanding your customers and applying clever design tricks. Why Your Store Layout Matters A well-designed store does more than look good. It caters to your target customers' needs, guides them effortlessly through your space, and highlights your best products. When customers feel comfortable and understood, they're more likely to find what they need, linger longer, and ..read more

    It appears the way people will pay is changing, and Australian retailers need to know. While not yet available in Australia, palm-based payment technology is gaining traction in the US. I see it appearing here soon. What is Palm-Based Payment? This technology links customers' unique vein patterns in palm prints to credit/debit cards. At checkout, a person whose palm is registered hovers their hand over a scanner. The scanner reads their vein structure and sends the details to the bank for payment authorisation. Such systems are already in use at select locations in the ..read more

If you run a shop, one of the best ways to make more sales is by mastering cross-selling, which suggests extra related items to your customer's purchase. Doing this can help you make each sale worth more.   I can assure you that this woman above did not come to this centre knowing what she would buy in all these bags.   Why Suggesting Extra Items Works Well Suggesting extra, related items to customers as they buy or browse can help because it: Makes Shopping Better: When you suggest items that fit your customer's needs or likes, you show you understand them.  Raises Sale Value ..read more

How Taylor Swift Concerts Rocked Retail Sales: Over 600,00 fans going to see her sent up retail sales alright! It turns out these "Swifties" (that's what her fans call themselves) bought big. What does this mean for you? It is said, " The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today." – Elbert Hubbard. As this case shows, in the bustling world of retail, retail fervour unfolds if you are prepared and able to capitalise on it in some way. There was plenty to capitalise on as Ben Dorber, Australia Bureau of Statistics head of retail statistics, highlights out here in their F ..read more