Small retailer playbook: from cash-only to omnichannel in 30 days

Ready to move beyond “cash only” without turning your shop upside down? Here’s a clear, week-by-week plan to get you taking cards, running EPOS, offering click & collect, and syncing stock across in-store and online—all in a month.

What “omnichannel” means (in plain English)

One product and price, one stock count, one customer experience—whether someone buys at your counter, on your website, or reserves for pickup. Fewer mistakes, faster service, better data.

Week 1: foundations and fast wins

1) Pick your payment setup (same week go-live)

• Portable card terminal for counter + shop floor.
• Must-haves: contactless, email/SMS receipts, offline mode, next-day payouts, easy tips/refunds.
• Order paper rolls and a spare charger; label the device with Wi-Fi details.

2) Map your product list

• Create a “single source of truth” spreadsheet with columns like:
  • SKU, Product name, Variant (size/colour), Category, VAT rate, Cost, RRP, Barcode (EAN/UPC), Reorder level.
• Keep SKUs human-readable (e.g., TEE-BLK-M).

3) Choose EPOS that can grow

• Look for: barcode scanning, variants, multi-price lists, discounts, roles/permissions, detailed reports, and integrations (webshop, accounting, delivery, gift/loyalty).

4) Compliance and basics

• Turn on device lock/PINs, update firmware, enable digital receipts, and add your shop name to receipts so customers recognise statements.

Week 2: EPOS live and stock under control

1) Load products

• Import that spreadsheet, add barcodes, set tax rules.
• Print shelf labels or small barcode stickers for items without codes.

2) Build workflows

• Discounts: set rules (e.g., 10% staff, 3-for-2).
• Refunds: store credit vs original tender.
• End of day: X/Z reports, cash up, and payouts check.

3) Train the team (short, focused huddles)

• 15 minutes on selling: scan, modify price, discount, receipt.
• 15 minutes on returns/exchanges.
• 15 minutes on closing procedures.
• Create a one-page cheat sheet behind the counter.

4) Start measuring

• Daily: revenue, gross margin %, top 10 products.
• Weekly: sell-through, no-stock lost sales, refunds %, staff performance.

Week 3: click & collect and simple online

1) Launch a basic webshop

• Keep it lean: your top 100 items, good images, clear variants.
• Enable local pickup (click & collect) and standard shipping.
• Sync stock from EPOS to website so counts stay accurate.

2) Define pickup rules

• Set pickup windows (e.g., “Ready in 2 hours, held 48 hours”).
• Auto-emails: order received → ready for pickup → collected.
• Pick & pack slip prints from EPOS; attach to the bag.

3) Payments and fees online

• Offer card + mobile wallets (Apple Pay/Google Pay).
• Be transparent on delivery fees and returns.

4) Tell customers

• Update Google Business Profile with “Order online” and “Pickup available.”
• Add a simple poster at the till: “Order ahead—collect today.”
• Post a short social video showing how click & collect works.

Week 4: optimise, automate, promote

1) Fix the bottlenecks

• If queues form: add a second terminal or a handheld to roam the floor.
• If stockouts happen: set reorder alerts and minimum on-hand levels.
• If orders pile up: schedule pickup slots and limit daily capacity.

2) Automations worth turning on

• Low-stock email alerts by category.
• Weekly auto-report to your inbox (top sellers, margin, refunds).
• Abandoned basket emails (if your webshop supports it).

3) Simple loyalty without the faff

• Start with stamped digital receipts or a points-per-euro rule.
• Offer a welcome code for newsletter signups.

4) Promote with purpose

• Run one tidy offer: “Order online, collect in 2 hours—save 10% this weekend.”
• Feature one hero product each week; link to the product page.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Prices don’t match online vs in-store → keep one price list in EPOS and sync outward.
• “Out of stock” online while shelves are full → switch on real-time stock sync or schedule frequent updates.
• Returns headache → publish a clear policy and train staff on exchanges vs refunds.
• Internet wobbles → use terminals and EPOS that support offline transactions safely and auto-sync later.

Launch checklist

• Card terminal live, tested, and labelled with Wi-Fi.
• EPOS live with all products, taxes, and user roles.
• Webshop live with top items; click & collect enabled and tested.
• Signage at till; Google profile updated; social post scheduled.
• Daily and weekly reports hitting your inbox.
• Reorder alerts working.

Need a hand?

truepos helps Irish retailers move from cash-only to modern omnichannel in days, not months—card machines, EPOS, stock imports, and click & collect tied together with clear, negotiable rates and local support.
Tell us your average basket, product count, and whether you need pickup or delivery—we’ll map your setup and book a quick demo.

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