“The impact IBS has made in the shop is visible and immediate. We’re busier than ever before with a massive increase in footfall in a retail space that has remained the same size. An idea of the sophistication of the operation is the fact we have over 15,000 items on sale, including recently introduced chilled products.
It’s funny but I remember deliveries and stock taking used to be very long-winded processes. Now it’s all automated, including using handhelds for checking stock.
Our EPOS system is easy to use and explain to my colleagues in the shop. I have three full time staff and one part-time as well as students working with me. We’re able to work a lot faster and be a lot more accurate with everything we do. Automated student cards have been a revelation.
We used to have to put an ID number on the cards manually but this is now done automatically. Students get a £25 credit in September for course materials or anything else they want to buy. The card stores all their transactions so we have a historic record of their purchases in case there are ever any misunderstandings.
The downside, and I’m saying this tongue-in-cheek, is we’re incredibly busy for the first couple of weeks when the students spend, spend, spend… We love it. I’m looking forward to developing the card system so we can run a whole series of promotions such as two for one. It’s all part of our constant desire to look at ways to improve and enhance our retail operation.”