The Rise of Mobile POS in Retail: Harnessing the Power of Retail Pop-Ups

Retail

19 Jul

In the rapidly evolving landscape of retail, businesses are continually exploring new ways to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and boost sales. One trend that has gained significant traction in recent years is the adoption of mobile point-of-sale (POS) systems.

In this month’s blog we will delve into the benefits of mobile POS and explain why retail pop-ups are a good way to road test this technology with retailers that don't use Mobile POS in their stores.

A colourful illustration showing a storefront, mobile phone, credit card, paper receipt, coins and stars with the words The rise of mobile pos in retail.

The Mobile POS Revolution

“44% of retailers cite mobile POS implementation/enhancement as their top POS priority, up from 33% the previous year.”
- 2022 POS & Customer Engagement Survey Report, Retail Consulting Partners, Oct 2022

Mobile POS systems utilise smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices to facilitate customer requests and transactions from these hand held devices. Mobile POS offers retail staff the flexibility to engage customers, process transactions, and manage inventory without being tied to a fixed till location. Mobile POS is a natural solution for retail pop-ups, which are gaining in popularity in the retail world.

During the pandemic retailers rushed to implement new processes to support BOPIS (buy online, pickup in store) or BOPAC (buy online, pickup at curb) sales, many of which were not ideal in the long term. Though introduced through necessity, many customers have now come to expect and, especially among Gen Z, prefer to have as many choices as possible when it comes to how they shop. Mobile POS solutions mean that staff can effectively bring all the information that’s available at the main till to the customer at the precise moment they need it.

Here's why this technology is revolutionising the retail industry:

Enhanced Customer Experience

Mobile POS enables retailers to engage customers directly on the sales floor, reducing waiting times and providing a more personalised shopping experience. Front line staff armed with mobile devices can assist customers with product information, product availability, and can even make a sale or place an order for items not available in the store, from anywhere on the shop floor.

Flexibility and Mobility

By reducing the reliance on fixed tills, mobile POS equips retailers with the technology to conduct transactions wherever customers are most engaged. This flexibility allows for seamless omnichannel integration, bridging the gap between online and in-store experiences.

Inventory Management and Analytics

Mobile POS systems can track real-time inventory, helping retailers streamline operations and improve inventory accuracy. By leveraging analytics, businesses can gain valuable insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and purchase patterns, enabling data-driven decision-making.

The Power of Retail Pop-Ups

“80% of global retailers that have opened a pop-up store rated it as a success.”
- Why Choose Short-Term Retail?, Storefront, 2019

Retail pop-ups, temporary or short-term stores that "pop up" in different locations, have become increasingly popular. Pop-up stores can quickly change location, making them ideal for reaching new customer segments or participation in events, festivals, or trade shows. Mobile POS enables retailers to set up shop in unconventional spaces and adapt to the specific needs of each location.

Pop-up stores offer customers a unique, engaging, and memorable shopping experience that goes beyond the traditional retail environment. They can provide access to exclusive products, personalised interactions, and immersive experiences, making them an attractive option for customers looking for something different and special. In recent months our clients have used pop-ups to launch new products, attend significant events, and move excess inventory in exclusive customer sales, using Retail Pro to connect with customers on the sales floor.

32%

of brands say they’ll be establishing or expanding their use of pop-up and in-person experiences in the next year.¹

Pop-up stores offer improved market visibility and provide an opportunity for customers to directly engage with the brand and its representatives. Customers can ask questions, seek recommendations, and receive personalised assistance from knowledgeable staff members, fostering a deeper connection and trust with the brand.

52%

of retailers indicated flexible fulfilment and retail mobility as their top priority.²

Pop-up stores are usually strategically located in high-traffic areas, making them easily accessible to customers. They offer convenience by bringing the shopping experience closer to customers' homes or workplaces, saving them time and effort in travelling to traditional retail locations.

44%

of pop-up shops cost less than $5,000 to open.³

Pop-ups offer an affordable alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, allowing businesses to test new markets or products without significant upfront investments. Mobile POS systems complement this model as they are often more affordable than traditional POS terminals.

32%

of consumers say they’re likely to engage with in-store experiential moments.¹

Pop-up stores often prioritise creating immersive and interactive experiences for customers. They may include engaging displays, interactive installations, product demonstrations, or even workshops or events. These experiences allow customers to connect with the brand on a deeper level and make their shopping trip more memorable and enjoyable.

⅓

More than one-third of consumers […] say a sense of community is a top motivator to visit local shops.¹

Pop-up stores often create a sense of community when used to host events, workshops, or collaborations with local artists, influencers, or like-minded brands. This fosters a social atmosphere and allows customers to connect with others who share similar interests, creating a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

Implementing Mobile POS with Pinnaca

“53% of brands are investing in tools that allow them to sell anywhere.”
- The Future of Retail Report: Trends for 2022, Shopify, Jan 2022

Although only temporary, setting up a pop-up store requires a lot of planning and logistics to ensure success, but the team at Pinnaca can take some of the strain. We can advise on the best mobile POS solutions to suit your needs, help procure the hardware, and ensure your staff are trained and ready to trade, all within a matter of weeks. If you are just testing the waters with pop-up trading, we can even offer hardware loan options to alleviate high startup costs.

We can provide mobile POS solutions to suit any business, from bricks-and-mortar stores to pop-ups. Mobile POS can be set up as a standalone system or can be integrated to function along with your existing POS as part of a Retail Pro Prism upgrade.

Here at Pinnaca we are experts at retail POS with many years of experience and we pride ourselves on great working partnerships. We work closely with our clients to quickly provide flexible, intuitive solutions to specific business requirements and have many satisfied customers that consider us part of their team, see for yourself.