Winter season High Street chain Calendar Club installs Toshiba tills supplied by Southern Retail Systems
Winter season High Street chain Calendar Club installs Toshiba tills supplied by Southern Retail Systems
Calendar Club, established on the High Street in 1998, has selected the ‘all-in-one’ Toshiba ST-C10, with its small footprint, integrated printer and fanless design.
Opening over 300 stores across the UK and Ireland on a yearly basis, the seasonal retailer trades only from September until January.
With a limited store opening period, it is essential that stores are up and running within a very short time scale, and that its electronic point-of-sale (EPoS) system is reliable and fast, allowing staff to serve customers as quickly as possible.
Robust and reliable till requirements
“Once the site location is secured, the store needs to be fitted, merchandised and the tills up and running within 48 hours, for trading to commence,” said Gareth Wynn, technical analyst for Calendar Club. “With only one or two tills per store, it is critical that we have a reliable, robust and easy-to use solution that our self-employed store operators can operate immediately.”
The ST-C10 can be used in the retailer’s diverse range of store formats, from High Street stores to smaller open shopping centre trading areas, with its integrated printer, receipt auto-cut and easy media loading. The option of an integrated battery also offers Calendar Club the flexibility to look at retail sites where power is not available – sites that previously would not have been considered by the retailer.
As well as the seasonal retail outlets, Calendar Club stocks additional products on the web, as well as the full range stocked in store. The touchscreen EPoS allows store staff to access the website from the till, and provide advice to customers if a product is not available instore.
“Being able to access the website from the till is a really useful tool for helping customers instore. I can simply check stock and provide customers with a free delivery coupon, so they can order online at home and avoid post and packaging costs,” said Sian James, self-employed operator at Gloucester Quays Shopping Centre. “The unique flip-up screen also allows us to show the customers the product quickly and conveniently which is critical in busy periods when we have queues at the till.”
Making use of real-time data
Calendar Club use a mix of Toshiba terminals across its estate, replacing the previous legacy cash registers. These all-in-one tills now provide the business with real-time sales information on a store level basis. Reports show basket analysis, results of promotions, top titles per store, what titles people are buying together, which enables Calendar Club to plan stock effectively for individual sites, regardless of size.
“Although Calendar Club only has a seasonal presence on the High Street, it is very important that our stores do not have the appearance of a ‘temporary’ operation,” commented Steve Jones, national retail manager for Calendar Club.
“A great deal of planning goes into the merchandising and aesthetics of the stores, resulting in a high quality, organised look, with a strong brand presence. The same applies to the technology. We need to know that we can ship the Toshiba tills to the store and they will be networked, up and running, ready to open, without any issues.”
Wynn concluded: “Southern Retail Systems understood the requirements of our retail operation and offered the best product for us in the marketplace."
