Result of meetings with multiple liquor stores in Oklahoma last week

 What a blessing to be able to meet with the owners, managers and staff at over 31 liquor stores in Oklahoma last week! Most of them use the Cloud Retailer Liquor POS software in their stores and they all had a lot of positive things to say about Cloud Retailer.  Here are a few pictures that I took:

 

 Aside from the feedback on Cloud Retailer, we discussed a larger variety of topics like YoY sales data, THC, marketing, dual pricing, and the Oklahoma ABLE Commission.

If I missed getting chance to meet with you, please let me know via my personal email (kevinantosh@gmail.com) - I'm sure that I can make another trip to Oklahoma if enough liquor stores express interest in meeting with me! 

Cheers! 

 

Liquor Stores: The RLAO Conference and Trade Show is TODAY!!!

 Liquor stores: a quick reminder that the Retail Liquor Association of Oklahoma trade show and conference is taking place TODAY at the Oklahoma City Convention Center! 

  Stop by to score some great deals on products, meet with vendors and suppliers, attend important conferences, and be sure to stop by booth # 536 to pick up some free swag from Cloud Retailer Liquor POS!

 

 

Liquor Stores: New for 2025!

New benefit in using the Cloud Retailer Liquor Store POS Profit System!

 

Link to the free training and open office calendar https://helpdesk.cloudretailer.com/support/solutions/articles/67000716604-cloud-retailer-community-training-schedule-and-calendar

Wanted: Liquor Store Owners who want to increase profits by at least 5%

 

 Visit https://bestliquorpos.com/ to learn more on how you can increase profits and decrease expenses in your beer, wine or liquor store.

Beer and Wine Stores in Pennsylvania: The 2023 MBDA Conference is this month!

 RITE Cloud Retailer Liquor Store POS is a proud sponsor on the MBDA and will have a booth at the MBDA annual convention.

 

 

 

Why EZ Sprits POS Users are Switching to Cloud Retailer POS

 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.

The Adventures of Bob the Liquor Store Owner

 While I recover from surgery and prepare for another surgery (which, God willing, will happen sooner than later), I am going to be including a work related cartoon based around the life of Bob who owns a liquor store. 

Welcome to the First new Customers of 2021!

A quick shout out to retailers that have signed on recently for point of sale hardware, software and services. I am so grateful for all of you putting your trust in me!

• CJ Eateries - 22 location chain in Oregon - moving from Microsoft RMS/HQ to Cloud Retailer
• Owasso Liquor - Oklahoma - moving from Microsoft RMS to Cloud Retailer
• Total Health - Idaho -support and services to upgrade their Microsoft RMS point of sale system
  

Updated for 2021: Microsoft RMS vs. Retailer Management Hero (RMH) vs Cloud Retailer

 A quick comparison of running sales transactions, inventory, purchasing, reporting and merchant services in the Microsoft Dynamics RMS, Retail Management Hero (RMH) and Cloud Retailer point of sale software programs.

For questions or comments, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Retail Management Hero or Cloud Retailer: Which is a better replacement for Microsoft RMS?

Designed to help you decide whether Retail Management Hero (RMH) or Cloud Retailer is a better replacement option for the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software.

One Update: RMH is available globally while Cloud Retailer is designed only for retailers in the United States.

For questions or suggestions, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

A List of the modules and plug ins for the Cloud Retailer point of sale software

I've had around a half dozen retailers contact me asking for more information about the various plug ins and modules for the Cloud Retailer point of sale software (Cloud Retailer is point of sale software designed as a direct low cost replacement for the Microsoft Dynamics RMS point of sale software as well as software for medium sized retailers with more that $1M in annual gross sales).  Here you go:

Cloud Retailer Add On and Module List

Add Ons* (click on link for related video if available) Antivirus: Professional grade Anti-virus/malware software Cloud Retailer Mobile: Cloud Retailer Android App for inventory functions Supplier Integration (Fintech):            Liquor industry supplier QuickBooks Integration: Either QuickBooks for Windows or QuickBooks online PurePOS: Limits the computer to only POS software Base Alert Configuration: 50 email alerts per month on store level            activities or events like voids, discounts, low stock 250 Alert Per Month Pack:                 If using more than 50 alerts per month Customization (per hour):               Hours needed to create a customization Additional Data Pack: Needed If a stores database exceeds 2GB 50GB plus databases:                        Needed If a stores database exceeds 50gb Microsoft PowerBI:                         Integration with Microsoft Business Intelligence Uncorked Commerce: Cloud Retailer e-commerce site for liquor stores Magento e-commerce (basic):           Integration with a basic e-commerce site from Magento Magento e-commerce (advanced):    Integration with an advanced e-commerce site from Magento 1014 Reporting (PA):                      Report required for liquor stores in PA OLCC Reporting (OR):                    Report required for liquor stores in OR WSLCB Reporting: Report required for liquor stores in WA AC Nielsen Export:                             Export data for an AC Neilsen report Additional EDI import formats:         Data Interchange importing setup and configuration   *please contact RITE at 888-267-7483 or sales@rite.us for current pricing

Module* (click on link for related video if available) Basic Install and Training Services:   General POS and Back Office Operations plus POS Basics and Back Office Basics  End Of Day Reconciliation: End of day close out process Back Office Reporting:           Running reports Shelf Tag Printing: How to print shelf tags& barcode labels/tags Age Verification:  How to setup and use Age Verification Gift Card Creation And Processing:     How to create and redeem gift cards Employee Time Clock:  How to use the employee time clock Setting Up Basic Promotions:            How to create general sales and related promotions like discounting Rentals / Kegs: How to use the keg rental feature Inventory:   More in depth inventory training that includes  purchase orders, inventory transfers and physical inventory counts   Introduction To Configuring Taskpads:     How to create, modify and save POS Taskpads (buttons on the POS screen) Creating and managing orders:          How to setup and use work orders, layaway's, and  special orders Wholesale / on account:                     Setup and use of the Accounts Receivable feature Customer Loyalty Program:              Setup and use of the customer loyalty feature Basic Product Importing:                   How to import products from supplier catalogs or  similar sources Supplier Purchase Planning:             How to use supplier purchase planning to create purchase orders Configuring Dynamic Attribute Sets:  How to create multiple relations Multi-store Functionality:                     Various multi-store functions for products, staff, reports, etc. Regional Permissions:                         How to restrict leadership at one location from accessing another store locations data. Formula Based, Advanced Promotions: How to setup complex promotions and sales Multi Layered, Quantity/Volume Discount Schemes, Price levels, etc. Importing Of Other Data Types:         How to import non-inventory data POS Installation Training: How to install and configure Cloud Retailer POS  without assistance from RITE Introduction To Creating Custom Reports: How to use the built in tool for creating custom reports Advanced Task Pad Configuration:    How to create and maintain task  pads in Cloud Retailer Advanced Commands And Workflows: How to manipulate and adjust commands and software work flows in Cloud Retailer

Facebook Group for Liquor Store Point of Sale Software Discussion

 The folks at RITE have started a Facebook group designed for the discussion of point of sale software designed for liquor stores. The group is just getting started so now is a great time to join and share your thoughts or ask questions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/751859958997672

RITE Waives Contactless Payment Change Fees for Cloud Retailer and Card Defender Customers.

July 7th, 2020: RITE (Retail Information Technology Enterprises) is now waiving change fee's for customers who want to adjust their Cloud Retailer POS software or their Card Defender for Microsoft RMS software to accept contactless payments. This is a great way for retailers to reduce a common touch point in their store to help mitigate the spread of COVID 19.

Retailers using Card Defender or Cloud Retailer can reach RITE tech support at support@rite.us or by calling 888-267-7483. Note that RITE is only able to assist retailers whose payment terminals are under RITE's control.

If you want to learn more about Card Defender for Microsoft RMS or the new Cloud Retailer point of sale software (including what contactless payments are accepted), please contact RITE at sales@rite.us or by calling 888-267-7483.

Video Overview of Cloud Retailer Loyalty Program

When showing retailer the Cloud Retailer point of sale software program to retailers, I am often asked about the available customer loyalty module for Cloud Retailer. The video below gives a great overview:

If you have any questions about Cloud Retailer or point of sale systems in general, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.

Cloud Retailer POS for Beer/Wine/Liquor Stores

Over the last few years, the folks at Cloud Retailer have been working on including specific features and functions within the Cloud Retailer point of sale software that are vertical specific. Recent examples include the following retail verticals:

• Gun and Archery Stores
• Furniture Stores
• Convenience Stores (no fuel sales)
• Cannabis Retail
• Corner Markets and Specialty Food Stores
• Mobile Retailers
• Trampoline Parks
• Gift Shops and Tourist Attractions
• and more on the way...

This post will focus on the Beer, Wine and Liquor Store vertical.  There is a lot that Cloud Retailer offers for the Beer, Wine and Liquor retailers.  Specific examples include:

Age Verification:

Automated Cash Discounts:

Supplier Purchase Planning:

Unit of Measure:

Detailed Product Attributes:

If you own or operate a beer, wine or liquor store, it is worth taking a look at Cloud Retailer. Free trial versions are available by contacting me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com (US and Canada only please),.

JUUL's Retailer Access Control Standards: POS System information

A quick request first: Are you a JUUL Retailer?  What are your thoughts on JUUL's Retailer Access Control Standards? Planning updating your POS system or will you just switch to a different product to sell instead of JUUL?

All responses are completely off the record. You can reach me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com.

Now on to the post...

JUUL has initiated compliance program called "Retailer Access Control Standards" or "RACS" for short. RACS has a compliance deadline of May 2021 for using a POS system that meets RACS standards in order to be a JUUL retailer.

The 2 main parts of RACS are Age Verification and Enforcing Purchase Limits. Several point of sale software companies have already committed to meeting RACS Compliance. They are:

• LightSpeed
• ShopKeep
• Fastrax
• Clover
• NCR
• Various gas station POS systems - see https://www.racscompliance.org/documentation/#compatible-pos-systems

Aside from the obvious "does anyone care" question as a retailer could simply opt to switch brands, there are some interesting points to consider:

• Age verification is a good thing for any retailer selling age restricted products
• This may spur more retailers to update the technology that they use in their store

So what does this mean for other POS systems like Microsoft RMS, Retail Management Hero, and Cloud Retailer?

Microsoft RMS: RACS Certification is in process. Keep in mind that extended support for RMS ends between July 2020 and July 2021 anyway. However, given the number of retailers using RMS, RACS certification may be approved in conjunction with a software and/or hardware update. 

Retail Management Hero: RACS Certification not being sought at this time

Cloud Retailer: RACS Certification is being initiated due to existing Cloud Retailer customers already being JUUL retailers.

If you have questions specific to JUUL RACS and Cloud Retailer or Microsoft Dynamics RMS, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

For official information from JUUL, please visit https://www.racscompliance.org/

Cloud Retailer: Video Overview of Custom Discounts

A general overview showing how flexible the Cloud Retailer point of sale software is when it comes to creating custom discounts. Also shows how easy it is to learn!

As always, please do call or email me with any retail point of sale related questions. You can reach me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Retail Point of Sale Software With Rental Capabilities

A quick video showing how the Cloud Retailer point of sale software can handle rentals:

https://www.screencast.com/users/TerryS83/folders/Jing/media/af4517ef-0aae-426a-9b9d-37b1a5d9e915

For more information, please contact RITE at sales@rite.us or 888-267-7483.

Top Reasons Retailers Contact Me

OK - not super exciting but here are the main reasons and topics why retailers are contacting me:

Locations and Blog Site Stats: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/10/the-power-of-social-media.html

Microsoft Dynamics RMS / HQ End of Life / RMS Replacement Options: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/08/what-other-microsoft-rmshq-users-are.html

Point of Sale Technology for Goodwill's and Similar Thrift Store Chains: http://www.pospondering.com/2019/09/goodwill-pos-meeting-updates.html

RMS Replacement Options Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-oS4ehvjgI
 

If you are in the US and need point of sale related consulting, advice, sales, service or support, please contact me at 208-340-5632 or kevinantosh@gmail.com

Welcome!

I really enjoy these types of posts!  A quick shout out to the following retailers that I am helping with new point of sale equipment:

1. Smokin' Willy's in Washington State: Replacing Microsoft RMS with Cloud Retailer at all store locations
2. Asia Grocery in Kansas: Replacing Revel with Cloud Retailer
3. Good Stuff in Louisiana: RMS Maintenance Agreement
4. Mary Janes House of Glass: Replacing Microsoft RMS and HQ with Cloud Retailer at all store locations.
5. Point Liquor in Texas: RMS/HQ Maintenance Agreement for all store locations as well as some new hardware

I enjoy working with all of you! If you would like to learn more about why these retailers are working with me, please contact me at kevinantosh@gmail.com or 208-340-5632.