NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, ShopKeep POS, the cloud-based point of sale system made by retailers for retailers, announces the official launch of a new online resource center for storeowners – TheLeanRetailer.com – and shares findings from this week’s Lean Retailer panel discussion.
TheLeanRetailer.com aims to drive conversation around innovation in technology and new approaches to retail that are helping local stores not only survive but succeed against larger chains. “60% of ShopKeep’s new customers are, in fact, new businesses—that’s exciting to us,” said Jason Richelson, Founder and CEO, ShopKeep POS. “This site is dedicated to the forward-thinking merchant, who we’re lucky enough to work for.”
Inspired by the technology startup industry, ‘Lean Retailing’ embraces new technology and takes a data-led approach to starting and growing a retail store, applying tests and measures to learn what works before investing too heavily.
Expect to find advice and real-life applications from a variety of experts who have grown their businesses, as well as a five lesson ‘Lean Retail 101’ email course that will provide helpful advice to small business owners on starting and expanding their business.
The panel event shed light on major trends that are keeping small brick and mortar retail stores alive in NYC and all over the country, and well-known local storeowners came by to listen in:
LEAN TRENDS
Cloud cuts costs
Maturing technology is enabling small shops to invest in new inexpensive services in the cloud. “There is perhaps no industry like brick and mortar retail that requires aspiring entrepreneurs to make so many upfront commitments just to enter the marketplace,” noted Richelson. “But it couldn’t be a better time to be a small business. A lean, cloud-based and data driven approach to building a business can make a huge difference, and today’s technology is making it possible for more people to start.”
Innovate or next door will
The discussion also observed the displacement of those old shops that were slow to innovate with their clientele, and younger generations entering the workforce starting up stores on their own rather than looking for jobs. “In fact, there’s a huge demand in NYC for more access to small business education, which we are supporting at our local service centers and online,” said Kelvin Collins, Assistant Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Small Business Services. “What’s more is these technology innovators and startups are helping businesses new and old grow with breakthrough systems that provide a better service for customers and employees,” added Jed Kleckner, CEO, delivery.com. "Local businesses have the best opportunity to run lean, be nimble with decisions and embrace innovation ahead of larger companies where change is made by committee."
Integrated and intelligent shop data
When looking toward the future, all agreed that integrated operations will benefit business. “In some ways, I’m jumping from screen to screen to keep the business up and running. While ShopKeep simplifies point of sales for us tremendously, unifying operations would be really helpful,” said Ike Escava, Co-owner, The Bean. “The future is full of integrations and add-ons that will allow shop owners to activate all different kinds of services –delivery, loyalty, CRM and more—all from one access point at the point of sale,” said Richelson.
For more on how to innovate your local shop, visit TheLeanRetailer.com for fresh content and insightful conversations.
Editor’s Note: On Tuesday evening, ShopKeep POS invited technology and small business experts as well as dozens of successful New York City brick and mortar retailers to discuss how a lean, data-led approach to retailing and transformative cloud-based technology can help local shop owners make smarter business decisions. The event was held at The Bean, a local NYC coffee shop and ShopKeep POS customer using its iPad point of sale system. Panelists included Jed Kleckner, CEO, delivery.com; Kelvin Collins, Assistant Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Small Business Services; Jason Richelson, Founder & CEO, ShopKeep POS; Ike Escava, Co-owner, The Bean; and Moderator John Tucker, Bloomberg.
Images of the event are available on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/103278088@N06/sets/72157635913491194/
About ShopKeep® POS
ShopKeep POS, a fast growing up based in New York City, provides cloud based point-of-sale software for managing retail shops and restaurants. Founded and designed by a merchant, we pride ourselves on understanding the challenges of growing a retail business. We’re dedicated to supporting our customer’s success with intuitive, reliable software. ShopKeep POS allows small businesses nationwide to set-up their registers in minutes, accept cash and credit cards with their choice of processor, view real-time sales from their phone or web browser with our dashboard app, and easily track inventory and staff. Most importantly, our customers can call our award-winning customer care team seven days a week and know we’ll be there. Everything we do is about supporting retailers. www.shopkeep.com
