Buttoned Up: Tech Tools Every Fashion Store Needs
Whether you’re running a small boutique fashion store or a chain, you need the right tech to properly run your business. There are many different gadgets and types of software aimed at fashion retailers. Here is a roundup of some of the most important tech tools every fashion store needs.
Card machines
Most customers pay by card nowadays, so you need a card machine. Choose a contactless reader from a company like Stripe or Paypal so that customers can conveniently tap to pay. If you want to accept credit card payments, you’ll need to also set up a merchant account if you haven’t already got one.
POS systems
Gone are the days of clunky cash registers. Modern POS systems consist of touchscreen displays that can be linked up with inventory management software (more about this in a minute) to digitally track stock levels. POS systems from companies like Square and Lightspeed can be easily paired with card machines and other accessories like loyalty card scanners or barcode scanners.
Inventory management software
Inventory management software can help you to digitally keep track of stock. No more guessing as to when certain dresses or shirts are running low – you can accurately monitor stock levels and receive automated alerts when stock is running low. When used with RFID tags, you can also digitally track the movement of stock, helping you to identify theft.
Accounting software
Accounting software can help you to track income and expenses. Analytics tools can be used to create sales forecasts and help you manage your store’s cash flow. You can also calculate how much tax you owe so that you’re prepared for tax deadlines. This accounting software can be linked up with your POS system so that each sale is automatically tracked in real time.
CCTV cameras
Ward off shoplifters by installing security cameras around your store. Modern cloud-based systems can be viewed from any time on your phone and are able to store huge amounts of footage. Security cameras can be paired with other forms of security tech such as burglar alarms or sensormatic detection systems. There are some security companies that provide bundles on all of this tech.
Website/ecommerce store
All physical stores need a website. It can give your company a digital presence – helping you to rank on search engines and giving you a place to advertise opening times and your location. Going beyond a standard website and setting up an ecommerce store could also provide an extra platform to sell your inventory through. Retailers that have a physical and online store can generate twice as many sales. Of course, managing an online store on top of a physical store is extra work, however you can hire and outsource help – this could include outsourcing logistics companies that can handle warehousing and shipping for you, or hiring extra staff to man your store, providing you with more hours to focus on your online store. You can use website builder platforms like Shopify to build your own online store.
