A quick note that I have now confirmed some data with liquor stores that use the Cloud Retailer liquor store point of sale software and Dual Pricing!
Net summary is that:
These liquor stores have not lost any customers by using Dual Pricing
These liquor stores are adding $800 to $3000 each month by no longer having to pay credit card processing/merchant services fees
These liquor stores are happy be a reference for both Cloud Retailer POS and the use of Dual Pricing.
Please contact me for details are kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632 and your beer, wine or liquor store can starting increasing your monthly profits as well!
Wow! The Cloud Retailer point of sale software for beer, wine and liquor stores is keeping me busy! The most popular states have been Texas and Oklahoma. In fact, I'm headed to Oklahoma and Texas in early 2023 (weather permitting) to meet with around 20 different liquor stores in these states.
The liquor store owners and managers really liked that Cloud Retailer is designed specifically for beer, wine and liquor stores and is not just general retail point of sale software. The addition of Dual Pricing in Cloud Retailer also creates a significant financial incentive for beer, wine and liquor stores to use Cloud Retailer.
Please note that I am already booked with installations and meetings with liquor store owners and managers through early 2023 thanks to Cloud Retailer POS!
If you happen to be a beer, wine or liquor store manager/owner, it is highly advisable that you take a look at Cloud Retailer POS - especially the Dual Pricing option in Cloud Retailer which can add $2000 or more each month in additional profit.
So, Proposition 125 passed which will allow grocery and convenience stores in Colorado to start selling wine on March 1st 2023. While this is disappointing to liquor store owners in Colorado, there are some ways to compete. Having visited hundreds of liquor stores across the US, including stores located in states that already allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores, I have gathered these various tips:
You can decide to only sell spirits and eliminate beer and wine from your product mix.
Convenience stores and many grocery stores will not have the same selection of wines that a liquor store can offer. Consider offering price matching for wines that the convenience and grocery stores actually sell.
Offer special ordering options - convenience and grocery stores generally don't offer any way to special order a specific wine.
Have a customer loyalty program as a way to encourage loyal repeat customers.
Have a "good neighbor" discount for local loyal customers. This can normally be done via a button at the point of sale software screen.
Have an employee mystery shop the grocery store to know what wines they offer and at what price (or look at their weekly online ads). You could also do this with any nearby convenience stores.
Be wary of customers that will use your wine knowledge but then go to the grocery store to make the actual purchase (aka "floor shoppers"). Recommend wines that are not available at a convenience store or grocery store.
Use Dual Pricing so you can at least re-coup merchant services fees when price matching. This will increase your margin by around 2.5%.
Use the Cloud Retailer liquor store point of sale software so you can adjust margins by individual product instead of by department or category.
What tips, questions, or suggestions do you have? Please share them by contacting Kevin Antosh at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com
Liquor stores using the Cloud Retailer point of sale software are seeing
average profit increases of $2000 each month! If you have a beer, wine,
or liquor store in the United States, a one time $1200 investment for
the Cloud Retailer liquor store point of sale software, hardware and
training can net you $2000 a month in increased profit.
Find out more by visiting https://www.cloudretailer.com/dualprice-pos/, emailing sales@cloudretailer.com or by calling 888-267-7483.
A previous video on YouTube indicated that the monthly cost for the Cloud Retailer liquor store point of sale software starts at $650/month. This is not correct! The up front cost for Cloud Retailer starts at $650 per lane for hardware, software and training. The monthly cost for Cloud Retailer starts at $0/month per lane (yes zero dollars).
A video correction of the error notification can be found below.
For more information on the Cloud Retailer point of sale software for beer, wine, and liquor stores, please visit www.cloudretailer.com
A quick comparison showing how using Dual Pricing is a better option
than Cash Discounting. This is a great way for beer, wine, and liquor
stores in the United States to see their monthly profits increase by
$2000 or more.
It was a bit tough to explain in the video but the issue with Cash Discounting related to ads that include product prices. For example:
You have a sign for a 18 pack of Bug Light for $18.99. It is likely that the liquor store down the street has the same sign and price of $18.99.
If you switch to Cash Discounting, then you have to show a the higher credit price of $19.75 while the liquor store down the street is still at $18.99.
If you switch to Dual Pricing then the price stays the same at $18.99 (or lower if you want). This works out even better if the liquor store down the street tries to use Cash Discounting and now their price is $19.75 and your price is $18.99!
At this time, Cloud Retailer is the only point of sale software designed
for beer, wine, and liquor stores that includes Dual Pricing.
A quick comparison showing how using Dual Pricing is a better option
than Credit Card Surcharging. This is a great way for beer, wine, and
liquor stores in the United States to see their monthly profits increase
by $2000 or more.
As I have previously posted, the feedback from liquor stores using the Cloud Retailer point of sale software with Dual Pricing have been 100% positive. No one is reporting a customer loss and everyone is reporting a profit increase.
At this time, Cloud Retailer is the only point of sale software designed
for beer, wine, and liquor stores that includes Dual Pricing.
Having had the opportunity to speak with several liquor stores who are concerned about using cash discounting, credit card surcharging, or dual pricing in their liquor store, I have come across the following concern or objection from liquor store owners and managers:
"I will lose customers"
The reality is that you will not lose customers if you stick with Dual Pricing (the best of the Cash Discounting, Credit Card Surcharging options). Check out this 1 minute YouTube Short with more information:
Some initial feedback and data to pass along from liquor stores that recently started using Dual Pricing and the Cloud Retailer point of sale software for beer, wine, and liquor stores in the United States. As a reminder, Dual Pricing is a far superior option to cash discounting or credit card surcharging.
No one is reporting that they are losing customers due to implementing Dual Pricing (some are offering a loyalty program or a "good neighbor discount" for loyal customers).
It took less than one day to train the staff and change out the pricing to reflect the two prices for each product.
Average increased monthly revenue is $1888/month (low was $667/month and high was $3000/month)
Not bad! If you have a beer, wine, or liquor store in the United States, it would be smart to take a look at the Cloud Retailer point of sale software with Dual Pricing! Here are some resources for you to check out:
Unlike cash discounting or credit card surcharging. Dual Pricing is legal in all 50 states. Results have shown that the use of Dual Pricing in a liquor stores nets an instant profit increase of $2000 or more each month.
Here is a quick video that I took of what Dual Pricing looks like in the Cloud Retailer point of sale software for beer, wine, and liquor stores in the United States:
Due to the popularity of my previous post about how liquor stores can instantly increase profits by using Dual Pricing, I have reached out to a couple of liquor stores who have agreed to provide data and feedback as they start using Dual Pricing in their stores.
The key metrics that we will be tracking are:
Net decrease in merchant services fees paid (processing fees)
Net change in monthly gross sales
Net change in average transaction amount
Customer complaints/customer loss
All of these stores will be using Dual Pricing as part of the Cloud Retailer liquor store point of sale software.
It will likely take a good 30-45 days to gather all the data but initial feedback is that Dual Pricing is covering around 90% of their merchant services fees resulting in a monthly increased profit of $2400 to $2800/month.
Some customers have complained but these are:
Customers who only buy loss leaders
Many of the customers who complained came back the next week which matches industry data that 98% or more of customers won't change their buying habits
If you have a beer, wine, or liquor store in the United States and have questions or feedback on Dual Pricing, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.
One of the biggest trends that I have seen over the last few months has been more and more liquor stores in the US offering different prices when it comes to customers paying with cash versus paying with credit. While some states ban the use of offering a cash discount or applying a credit card surcharge, it appears that the use of Dual Pricing is allowed in all 50 states.
Dual Pricing has the advantage of creating instant additional revenue for most liquor stores as the fees paid for merchant services are mostly paid for by the customer.
There are some other advantages well but I'm still learning about how Dual Pricing works. Here are some great Dual Pricing resources that I found online:
I have created a free and unbiased point of sale buying guide for beer, wine, and liquor stores in the United States. This was created based on the workshops and consulting work that I have done for multiple retailers and industry associations over the years.
If you own or manage a beer, wine, or liquor store in the United States with between 1 and 25 store locations, you can request the buying guide by completing this brief form: https://forms.gle/eWSg9aLQppGnfJaB7
Just a quick note that I am headed to the annual Texas Package Store Association conference in Dallas, TX. Be sure to contact me if we should meet while I am at the conference!
Update 2/7/2023: Bid Notification is out on the OregonBuys website. Look for OLCC Distilled Spirits Supply Chain RFP. You must be a registered vendor/supplier to see the RFP and respond.
I have had multiple requests from liquor stores in the state of Oregon to provide an update regarding the OLCC's search for a new POS system.
I do not work for the OLCC but have been in communication with the OLCC. I also have met in person or online with multiple liquor stores in Oregon.
If you have any questions or insights, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com
If you don't want to listen to me ramble for 3 minutes, here are the key
messages in the video:
1) Yes, Microsoft RMS still works even though the July 2021 End Of Life
date has passed
2) Support for RMS will continue to wane over the next couple of years
3) Something will happen that will require you to replace Microsoft RMS
with a different point of sale software program
4) If you are hanging on to Microsoft RMS, have a plan ready for when #2
or #3 happens.
If you are a retailer in the United States who is still using the
Microsoft RMS point of sale software and need some advice on replacement
options for RMS, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or
kevinantosh@gmail.com
Howdy! I have had quite a few retailers using the Microsoft RMS point of sale software contact me for support or advice on replacing RMS. Some highlights and notes to pass along:
I am not able to provide in depth technical support for RMS
I realize that many of you want to keep using Microsoft RMS even though Microsoft ended all sales and support of RMS back on July 13th, 2021. However, you WILL need to replace RMS at some point so please have a plan in place should you need to quickly replace RMS.
Please note that RITE has ended all sales of their various Plug Ins and Add Ons for RMS.
Have questions? Retailers in the United States are welcomed to contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com
The folks at EZ Spirits POS in Kansas have set a Feb 28, 2022 deadline for customers to use one of two companies for credit card processing/merchant services. If the customer does not switch to either Heartland or Processing Partners for merchant services, the integrated processing will not work in EZ Spirits.
This has prompted several liquor stores in Kansas to switch to the Cloud Retailer liquor store point of sale software. Unlike EZ Spirits, integrated credit card processing in Cloud Retailer POS can work with multiple processors like First Data, Heartland, TSYS, NAB, Clearent, and Beyond.
Since a lot of retailers have been contacting me about support for Microsoft RMS as well as replacement options for Microsoft RMS, I wanted to pass along a couple of tips:
Based on the multitude of calls and emails that I received so far this month, I was to let everyone know that yes I can refer both food service and retailers to the best POS system for their business.
Not many of my recent posts or videos have related to bars and restaurants but I am still active in that industry.
If you are in need of some advice, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com
No charge for an initial 20 minute consultation if you are in the United States.
I pulled together a list of ideas and suggestions for combating the current retail staffing shortage. I'll link a video with more details once the video has been uploaded:
„This is based on site visits with over 360 retailers
across 9 states as well as multiple years of experience in retail management.
Simply „scan the list and pick out some things to try.
One quick definition: „What is “FTE”: Full Time Equivalent (1 full time employee = 1 FTE.
1 half time employees = 1 FTE)
Suggestions/Tips/Ideas are broken down by section.
Compensation:
„Bonus to employee for being on time and showing up for all shifts
„Paying a competitive wage
„Benefits for both PT and FT employees
„Growth plan with incentives for
completion of growth plan steps
„PT or FT - each has advantages and disadvantages but your FTE count
is the same in the end
„Random incentives for meeting team goals, outstanding work, positive customer review (gift cards, pizza lunches, etc)
„Offer higher pay rates for employees who don't need benefits (need
to check with laws regarding offering health care to make sure this is
acceptable in your locale)
Smart Thinking:
„Use a staffing service to pre
qualify applicants
„Check with local schools for internship programs
„Does the job posting include unique positive reasons to work at
your store?
„Offloading admin tasks like scheduling to empower staff and free up managers time
„Use a 3rd party bookkeeping service
„Using POS tech to it's fullest to free up managers time (have a whole video on that alone = correct use of a POS
system = .75 FTE)
„Looking at processes to increase efficiencies
„using job coaching services to add staff who have disabilities.
they can perform a variety of tasks (stocking, shelf tags, opening mail,
cashiering, etc) and you get a wage credit plus the placement agency will provide
a job coach
„hanging on to bad employees or hiring warm bodies. Why?
„cross train employees so you do not run in to a situation were only
one employee knows now to print shelf tags, receive inventory, etc
„Creating a safe working environment with a zero tolerance policy
against internal theft and full prosecution of external theft. Word gets out
when a store is lax on letting employees steal or not arresting and fully
prosecuting theft (or letting people hang out in the parking lot, pan handle by
the front door, etc).
Second pair of eyes:
„Is the store an inviting place to shop? if not, it is likely not an
inviting place to work
„I'm sure that many of us could spend a few hours in a liquor store
shadowing and spot some easy fixes
„How much of the staffing issues come back to the stores leadership?
In some cases, the work environment is why they can't retain staff while the
liquor store down the street has no issues with staffing.
„Is the stores leadership so fixated on staffing issues that other
important tasks to be delayed?
