Blog - Retail Control Systems

May72020 by Ryan ParksNo Comments

4 Proven Customer Retention Tips

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 4 Proven Customer Retention Tips By John Garvey[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Research cited by Harvard Business Review shows that improving customer retention by five percent results in a 25 to 95 percent increase in profits. Keeping current customers is also less expensive and easier for your business.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Here are a few quick customer retention tips: Pilot new loyalty programs. If you’re running a coffee shop, there’s nothing wrong with a simple punchcard based rewards system. But for most retailers, a loyalty program that tracks purchases electronically and provides customer-specific insights will be much more valuable. The better your customer data is, the more you can tailor rewards to customers, offering them discounts on their favorite brands, birthday pings, and the like. Communicate your purpose across channels. Knowing your “why” can excite employees to…

Apr172020 by Dave AlbertNo Comments

Navigating COVID-19

E-commerce, News, RCS Payments, Retail

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Dave Albert The COVID-19 health crisis struck quickly and has far-reaching implications for the health of our families, communities and the world. To proactively combat, control, and limit the adverse health impact during this pandemic, society as a whole has sacrificed their normal way of life. Coronavirus, Covid-19, Social Distancing, Quarantine, Self-Isolation, flattening the curve, essential vs. non-essential business, and the new normal are the terms and phrases we all use today. At RCS, we are first concerned with the health of our co-workers, their families, and the health and well-being of RCS customers. Secondly, we are concerned about your success and helping you through this tough time. As we have been for 33 years, RCS is as strong as ever and available to help our customers in any…

Mar252020 by Mark NelmsNo Comments

Retail Tips: Weathering the Covid-19 Economic Storm

Clothing & Apparel, E-commerce, News, Retail, Web Tips

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Retail Tips: Weathering the Covid-19 Economic Storm By Mark Nelms Before we get started, I want you to know that none of this article is written lightly. What we are discussing today could potentially impact the future of your businesses for many years to come, not just now in this time of crisis, but for the remainder of the 4th industrial revolution. I’d also like to remind our readers, I am not a physician or an economist, but I am an expert in retail. With almost 25 years of working for, consulting with, and in retail; I have a unique advantage in predicting the behavior of retail buyers. Many of you have already spoken to me about the sharp drop in foot traffic, and unfortunately, until this virus is…

Jan142020 by Corey GilbertNo Comments

How To Utilize Your Off-season

Clothing & Apparel, E-commerce, Gift Stores, Retail, Specialty Retail

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] How to Utilize Your Off-season By Corey Gilbert After the holiday hype has settled down, how do you take advantage of the typically slower winter season? If you find yourself in a seasonal slump this time of year, have no fear there are plenty of options to help stir up buzz and business.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] You’ve got a great location, why not share it with the masses?! Can your space be used in other ways? In winter, that greenhouse at the garden isn’t as abundant as in the spring, invite the local farmers market to use your space as a winter shelter. Their business will drive more revenue for your business as higher numbers are drawn in and circulate your shelves. Do you have an extra room that you could spruce…

Dec52019 by Corey GilbertNo Comments

Tariffs – The Never Ending Story

Retail, Specialty Retail

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Corey Gilbert Yeah, what about them? In case you missed it, the President has been implementing tariffs on imported goods such as steel, aluminum, apparel and even washing machines beginning around Jan. 2018. Since then it’s been like a can of Pringles and he hasn’t stopped, leading to concerns over an imminent trade war.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] So what does this mean? For consumers it would mean price jumps in apparel imports and some big-ticket items (like cars). If you have a business that relies on imports, you could see some new purchasing strategies coming your way. Many wholesalers have been stockpiling inventory to keep your prices low, but as they run out of that inventory prices are set to jump. That bubble tea that you love so much, where do you…

Oct312019 by Jessie SousaNo Comments

November Anniversaries

Awards & Recognition, Just for Fun, Spotlight

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] November Anniversaries at RCS [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Jack Oxton, 3yrs “I've worked in a sales role or sales leadership role for the last 10 years of my professional life, and never before had I found an organization that truly puts customers and people before profits. I love working with customers to identify their pain points, then working with that customer to find the best solution and help them understand how it can make their lives easier or save them money. It's an awesome role because every call and conversation is different and I get to learn so much about so many different topics. From understanding how integrations work and are built, to learning more about network security and hosting solutions, every day is unique and every solution is custom tailored to help…

Sep112019 by Jessie SousaNo Comments

September Anniversaries

Awards & Recognition, Just for Fun, Spotlight

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] September Anniversaries at RCS [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Jessie Sousa, 13yrs “Over the past 13 years I’ve had the opportunity to learn and grow through a few different roles and can honestly say that I still love being here! I enjoy being able to help our customers and being a part of the RCS Family. I look forward to continuing to grow with this team.” [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="100px"][vc_empty_space height="100px"][vc_column_text]Karen Rechtin, 1yr “RCS is an amazing collection of people that work as a team to create success for our clients. Each team member is always ready and willing to help each other with anything. Employees are supported in their personal as well as professional lives. I am personally driven and rewarded by the relationships with the people and companies I work with, helping them become…

Aug162019 by John GarveyNo Comments

Here’s How Old POS Systems Get Retailers Screwed

News, Restaurant, Retail

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Here’s How Old POS Systems Get Retailers Screwed Understanding the potential implications of the Sonic breach to your business. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hold the onions … and my personal banking info! Two years ago, Sonic Drive-In experienced a massive Point of Sale system breach. In September 2017, financial institutions noticed fraudulent charges on numerous cards that had previously been used at the fast food chain. Days later, Krebs on Security reported that a batch of five million credit and debit cards had suddenly shown up for sale online. Krebs’ banking insiders bought some of the cards to investigate, confirming that they had indeed been recently used at Sonic. Fast forward a year and a half to last May for the real day of reckoning. American Airlines Federal Credit Union—the financial institution that…

Aug72019 by Jessie SousaNo Comments

August Anniversaries

Awards & Recognition, Just for Fun, Spotlight

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] August Anniversaries at RCS [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Patrick Carmody Patrick began his career with RCS on August 8, 2016, by joining our implementation team and becoming the lead trainer and installer for our restaurant division. From his time working at his family-run restaurant to his own career in the industry, Patrick understands what it’s like to be in the customer’s shoes and after about a year became an Account Manager serving our Counterpoint clients. Patrick enjoys being able to work with such a great group of people that is always willing to help him or the customer succeed.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="100px"][vc_column_text]Matt Parker Matt found an opportunity at RCS after one of our managers visited his tech class for career day. Shortly after graduating in 2015 Matt joined our team on August 12th. Matt has…

Aug72019 by Jessie SousaNo Comments

RCS Volunteers at 38th Annual Prouty in Hanover, NH

Spotlight

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] RCS Volunteers at 38th Annual Prouty in Hanover, NH By Jessie Sousa[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Last month Dave and Laurie Albert, Kellie Mulherin, and Rob McDonald joined the more than 1,100 volunteers for the 38th annual Prouty where 4,000+ participants raised a record-breaking $3,300,000 for The Prouty. The Prouty is the largest charity north of Boston and the money raised provides funds for cancer-related research and projects as well as patient and family support services at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. [caption id="attachment_8147" align="alignright" width="300"] Laurie Albert and friends cheering on riders and keeping them fueled.[/caption] On Friday, July 12th Dave, Laurie and Rob completed pre-race work in anticipation of Saturday’s big event by putting signs along the road to guide the cyclists and walkers. On Saturday they joined Kellie at 6:00am…