Tablets Replacing Cash Registers at the Point of Sale
U.S. stores are increasingly using tablet computers as point of sale terminals, with the number of such tablets projected to rise from 80,000 today to 2.2 million by 2016, according to a new Mercator Advisory Group study. Mercator says tablet-based POS systems are attractive to retailers because they cost less than conventional electronic registers, as in many instances suppliers do not charge licensing fees, while monthly fees cover round-the-clock customer service, and merchants automatically receive system updates online. Tablets’ mobility is another compelling incentive for merchants, with many stores equipping employees with tablets that can be used for checkout and other functions. Some tablet POS systems, which also support loyalty programs and coupons, are offering merchants special deals for switching to fuel business. Groupon, for example, is waiving processing fees for a retailer’s first $5,000 in credit card volume. Mercator says the proliferation of tablets will increase retailers’ comfort with using them to accept payments, although they also will expect easy-to-use payment processing software.
From “Tablets Are Making Cash Registers a Thing of the Past”
Internet Retailer (10/07/13) Evans, Katie