5 Ways to Increase Customer Engagement with a POS System

The retail industry is constantly changing and evolving according to consumer needs and advanced technology. With so many competing businesses offering similar options, consumers desire engagement and personal connections more than ever when they shop. These shifts aren’t just present in retail environments—they’re occurring in restaurants as well. So what can restaurant owners and managers do to increase engagement and keep customers coming back?

Learn about 5 ways to increase customer engagement with a POS (point of sale) system and other retail technology.

1.) Incentivize Customers with Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs are an easy and effective way to reward customers—and to keep them coming back. Offering deals, incentives, and special offers alongside natural engagement with customers across various channels is a great way to stand out compared to competitors. The more you can offer a tailored and specific program for your consumer, the better.

Some of the strongest businesses offer unique rewards, in-store loyalty programs, and even SMS marketing alongside traditional social media marketing to stand out. The rewards and loyalty points give customers a stronger incentive to keep using the company, while the personalization gives you a leg up.

One of the easiest ways to synchronize the loyalty programs with your other channels is to invest in advanced POS technology that bridges the various platforms. That way, in-store shoppers have a seamless experience with online options too. Whether it’s a restaurant needing online reservations and to-go orders or a retail store connecting online shopping with in-store shopping or curbside pickups, point of sale technology makes it possible.

2.) Simplify Ordering with QR Codes and Online Ordering

Customers will appreciate the flexibility and ease of online ordering, making reservations, or picking up items or to-gos. This allows them to do things on their own timeline and terms, giving them maximum flexibility, independence, and the ability to shop virtually anywhere, anytime.

With some retailers stuck in the past, modern shopping and dining experiences offer an easier, more efficient method for consumers, immediately giving advanced retailers the edge. Giving the customer the convenience to pick the best time and place relieves pressure on the company, workers, and the consumer themselves. Oftentimes, half the challenge is meeting the customer where they are at.

Giving the customer the decision of where and when to make a purchase, they feel less pressured and more inclined to utilize your products and services. Mobile and online ordering, self-service options, and omnichannel presence mean your company can be everywhere it needs to be at any given time.

3.) Reduce Wait Times with Self-Checkout Technology

Offering customers the ability to jump ahead in line (and avoid lines entirely) can significantly improve retention by eliminating the wait during peak times. For example, allowing customers to order online and go right to the register when they arrive to pick up their meal or product(s) is a huge draw for busy individuals or families who don’t have time to shop in-store or dine in. In fact, it may even lead to increased sales, as satisfied customers order more.

There are a few routes retailers can take with self-checkout technology. One of the most efficient options is handling product purchases or to-go orders entirely online. Another option some companies offer is self-checkout registers and kiosks to expedite the checkout process.

With these processes in place, the result is faster, easier checkouts for both customers and employees, fewer people waiting in line, more efficient operation during peak times, and faster transaction speeds that meet the customer where they are at. If they are feeling chatty, they can still use traditional checkout methods where they talk to a real person. If they want to keep to themselves, self-checkout POS systems make that happen.

Related Content: Why Modernizing the Shopping Experience Matters

4.) Improve Service and Pace with POS Systems

In restaurants and in retail stores that require more hands-on attention, giving staff and customers the ability to search for items, order, and pay right at the table has many benefits. It decreases the likelihood of order errors and minimizes wait time for both food and the check, leads to faster turnovers, and allows the customer to take timing (and shopping) into their own hands.

Whether it’s a restaurant, technology provider, entertainment venue with waivers, or another more hands-on venue, tableside POS systems and kiosks near entrances and exits can help expedite the process. As a result, fewer employees are needed to get the same job done, order accuracy is up to the consumer, payment processing is easier, and overall customer satisfaction increases.

Related Content: Enhanced Efficiency and Customer Experience with Next-Gen POS Systems

5.) Use Consumer Data to Improve Customer Satisfaction

One of the biggest benefits of using advanced POS systems is to modernize your retail space according to real consumer data. Recording insights that define who your customers are makes it easier to attract new customers in the future. On top of that, it helps improve customer loyalty programs and pinpoints what increases customer satisfaction.

Using data analytics and insights that come from shopping behaviors, specific orders, prices paid, how much time inventory takes to run out, and more, you can start getting an idea of who your customers are and what they want. Using this information, you can personalize the purchasing process for current customers and potential consumer leads in the future. This business intelligence all helps improve your current and future retail processes.

Related Content: 5 Ways to Future-Proof Your Retail Technology and Business

Maximize Customer Engagement with an Upgraded POS System

If your retail point of sale system is in need of an upgrade, Retail Tech offers all-in-one POS services, including sourcing, placing technology on your floor, disposing of old equipment, and more. We carry a wide variety of POS systems, including monitors, printers, self-service kiosks, and any other technology you might be searching for. Ready to find the right solution for your unique business needs?

This is an updated blog that was originally published in 2018.