Mobile point of sale software takes off for small businesses in Europe
Small and medium-sized businesses typically have to work harder to keep up with large retailers, and a recent report found that many are looking to enhance the point of sale experience by investing in POS software that caters to mobile users. With mPOS systems in place, small retailers can accept all credit cards with ease.
"Small businesses have traditionally been reluctant to accept card payments, but across Europe that is starting to change – mPOS is the catalyst for that. It's a solution that dispels many of the convictions previously held and genuinely works for small businesses if they are accepting payments at their premises or on the go," Caroline Drolet, Visa Europe's head of mobile point of sale, told BizReport.
Europe is going mobile
As technology advances, more options become available in just about every sector, and this includes retail POS systems. Visa Europe surveyed 2,000 small businesses in France, Germany, the U.K., Poland and Italy and found that more than 25 percent are planning to invest in mobile POS software within the coming six months. When asked which features they wanted in their software, the retailers indicated that security was the No. 1 priority. When customers feel their personal information is safe, they'll be more likely to make purchases. Having an mPOS that accepts all major credit cards was another important factor that small and medium-sized businesses wanted to see in the software.
Benefits of mPOS
When retailers are able to accept payments through mobile devices, they instantly have flexibility not afforded by traditional point of sale setups, such as kiosks and registers. For instance, retailers may be able to give their staff mobile devices with POS software installed. This way, when an employee is helping a customer choose an item, he or she can also ring up the purchase and help expedite the shopping process.
This comes in especially handy for entrepreneurs and upstart businesses, as mPOS systems can be used in any setting. Whether retailers are attending conventions and fairs or taking part in local farmers markets, they will be able to accept a variety of payments. When businesses only accept cash, they may lose sales if shoppers aren't carrying currency, so having the ability to take credit and debit cards will improve conversion rates of browsers to buyers.
