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From load-shedding to labour strikes, living in South Africa poses a number of challenges for retailers. However, as our social climate changes, we adapt to new ways of doing business. Lately, South Africa has been struck with more waves of load-shedding, effecting everything from the traffic lights to mobile phone reception. How do retail outlets mitigate these risks ahead of time, and still operate as usual? The answer lies in accurate offline trading that allows a continued, high-quality customer experience, secure tracking of transactions, and ensures the safety of data on re-connection.

If you run a retail business, there is no denying the fact that you are accustomed to a variety of challenges. However, with a high-quality POS system, you can mitigate these challenges and turn them into opportunities for improvement. Let’s take a look at what challenges retailers face, and how you could get better manage these challenges.

Distributors within the retail sector, require a fair amount of business planning in order to thrive and not just survive. With a variety of challenges facing the industry as a whole, Distributors require business solutions that will allow them to grow and adapt to the needs of the industry, their customers, and their ever-fluctuating peaks and troughs of the economy.

When it comes to retail management, the best way in which to ensure success – or part thereof – is to invest in an effective system to streamline processes to save time and enable a set up that is more organised, allows for more automation and that can deal with change. This comes in the form of a high-quality ERP software solution that boasts various capabilities that provide solutions to the diverse range of challenges that Distributors may face. Here we have the five most common challenges faced by distributors:

There is no denying the fact that data makes the world go ‘round and managing your business’ data and various parts of information in a transparent, organised, integrated and effective manner is key. One of the best ways to ensure that you are part of it is to invest in a reliable and high-quality ERP solution. However, as various data components become more important, it is important to consider a solution that can future-proof your business as opposed to leaving you disappointed. While selecting the right ERP solution for your business can be overwhelming, it is important to choose a system that suits your business. Here are five keys features to look for when making your decision:

The retail industry, the world over, is a tough vertical that often needs refinement in terms of management due to the fast-paced change that occurs within short periods of time. Very often, the success of a retail outlet lies in the capabilities of the management team. If you are looking to improve your retail business, it might be time to review and improve upon your management skills. Here are the most important skills for effective retail management:

Contrary to popular belief, retail management is not a simple job that allows customers to be right all the time. Instead, retail management can determine whether or not a retail business closes its door; whether or not it retains its staff; and whether or not the business is able to keep up with its competitors. However, when hiring for retail management positions, business leaders can often overlook the essential management basics that determines successes or failures. In an effort to ensure that the doors to your organisation remain open, we share the 101 on retail management:

The first generation to grow up with uninterrupted access to technology and information are the Millennials. Millennials are perceived as a tough market to understand which often translates into the workplace. Employers are not sure how to navigate the needs of millennial employees or might not be ready for such changes yet, which can lead to unnecessary confrontation and resentment. So, how does an organisation meet the needs of the millennial target group? When it comes to ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), we’ve got a few tips to share. If you’re looking to engage millennial users, here are the top ERP features that will help you achieve this:

Enterprise Resource Planning helps businesses make better decisions, improves productivity, mitigates various risks, and assists in reducing costs. Not every small business has an implemented, water-tight ERP strategy though. If you are looking to scale your business, an ERP strategy would be your first step toward success. Here are four reasons why every small business should consider an ERP solution:

ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is a smart solution for small to medium businesses that are looking to improve their internal processes, perfect their time management, increase output, and maximise available resources. If you are looking for the right kind of ERP solution for your retail business or organisation, take a look at our top tips on how to go about choosing the right fit:

With the festive season in full-swing, retail businesses are looking for various ways in which to win over their most complicated shoppers. From the big spenders to budget-conscious, it is important to cater to all shopping styles. However, there is no denying the fact that it is much tougher to cater for the budget-conscious shopper, especially in a strained economic climate. Here are our top four tips on how to win over shoppers who are looking for a little more bang for their buck.