9 Strengths of an Excellent Point of Sale for Camera Stores

The choice of point-of-sale software can be complex. However, it is easy to find a supplier of a cloud-based point-of-sale system. The question is whether it effectively meets your needs and the needs of your business.

What features should I have in a point of sale for camera stores? Here are the 9 strengths of an excellent point of sale software to optimize the management of your photography business:

1. Cross-selling
2. Product Serialization
3. Web Inventory Synchronization
4. Rentals
5. Used Product Management 
6. Consignment 
7. Package Breakdown
8. Repair Management 
9. Customer Order Management

Since technology is constantly evolving, it is essential to choose point-of-sale software that can adapt to these changes. To learn more about the key features for a photography store, read on! 

1. Cross-Selling

With this feature, you can increase your revenue and turnover by offering items that are similar or complementary to the product your customer is buying. For your photo store, state-of-the-art point-of-sale software, such as Alice POS, could offer your customers items related to the purchase of a camera, such as a tripod, SD card, or lens, for example. Through cross-selling, you can provide better service, sell more products and provide ongoing training for your employees.

2. Product Serialization

Product serialization, or assigning products a unique serial number, allows you to track the unique item each time it passes through your store. In other words, thanks to a serialized inventory function, each piece of inventory sold can be easily identified. Thanks to the various serial numbers assigned to each part of a camera or video, for example, it is much easier to locate the specific object in question in the system. You should also be able to manage your inventory in quantity, i.e. without assigning a unique number to each product.

3. Web Inventory Synchronization

Web inventory synchronization is an important feature when you want to sell online. Indeed, you need point-of-sale software capable of managing your e-commerce to synchronize your in-store sales with your online sales. Without a connection between your point-of-sale software and your webshop, you will have to manage your inventory twice, which increases costs and operational time. For example, Alice POS is integrated with Shopify, Ecwid eCommerce and WooCommerce. Alice POS, also automatically sets minimum quantities to keep in your inventory to help you better manage your inventory.

4. Rentals

The rental function is particularly interesting for photoshops when it comes to renting cameras, camcorders, lenses or accessories. At some stores, it is possible to rent a wide variety of equipment if you are carrying out a project or a professional contract, for example. It is therefore essential to choose point-of-sale software that ensures proper management of rental rates and rental procedures in your store(s). 

With state-of-the-art, all-in-one point-of-sale software that offers this option, such as Alice POS, you can closely monitor your customers’ rentals. If you do not offer rentals or repairs in your store, you can still use these powerful features to increase your revenue! To find out more about what Alice POS can do for you, click here. 

5. Used Product Management

Some photography stores sell a variety of good condition used cameras, lenses and accessories at a reduced price. If you offer this service or would like to offer it, you need a point of sale system capable of managing used products through customizable statuses. This can be an excellent new source of revenue for stores looking to offer better service and products than the online used marketplaces. Choosing excellent point-of-sale software also allows you to track your inventory and sell online quickly and efficiently. 

6. Consignment

When you take items in consignment, such as a tripod or various high-end photo accessories, you can offer your customers credit or cash in store if the product sells, which is a great business opportunity. Indeed, if a customer consigns an item in your store and it sells you can take a certain amount from the sale and thus allow both parties to make a profit.

7. Package Breakdown

When photo stores receive their inventory orders from their suppliers, each purchase is often assembled in boxes containing given quantities. For example, memory cards, filters, batteries, frames and photo albums. If you often buy from the same supplier, the quantities in these boxes are probably the same for each order. With an option to quickly disassemble packages into units, you can enjoy significant time savings. With Alice POS, you can easily receive your inventory in packages, and disassemble it into units in a few clicks. Such a feature has the effect of saving a lot of time and energy. 

8. Repair Management

If you offer a camera repair service in your store, it is important to have point-of-sale software that can manage this service. Without this functionality in your point of sale, you will need two pieces of software, which generates twice as much cost and double inventory management. That’s why you need an all-in-one point-of-sale software system with the option of managing repair statuses. Indeed, thanks to a system such as Alice POS, ensure a rigorous follow-up of customer items to be repaired by registering them directly in your point of sale. It is also possible to make internal notes in customer files and it is easier to identify the prices and costs associated with customer items based on breakdowns or adjustments to be made. 

9. Sales Order Management

As for the order module, it is a space that allows you to track the items to be ordered in-store. It is also possible for customers to make product requests. For example, when a new camera appears in store (or on the market) and a customer requests to reserve this new camera when it arrives in-store, the cashier can order the product in question and notify the customer to pick it up in-store when the camera is in inventory. Thanks to point-of-sale software, it is therefore much easier to make product reservations and a rigorous follow-up of your inventory. 

Related Questions

What is the difference between a point of sale and a payment processor?

The payment processor allows customers’ transactions to be processed, including credit or debit card payments, while a point of sale allows the transaction to be recorded. The payment processor processes card payments, while the POS record billable sales information and subtract inventory quantities.

How to make effective inventory management?

There are many ways to carry out effective inventory management, but three ways to track your inventory predominate: manual, computerized and robotic tracking. However, computerized tracking has many advantages for an independent business or store network and remains the best way to ensure effective inventory management.