5 Remote Store Management Tools for Merchants

Details matter in the retail industry, where minor adjustments in store layouts or product displays can result in major boosts in sales. Using the latest in mobile and location-based technologies, merchants are beginning to look at real-time traffic patterns and other in-store data points to manage operations, merchandising, and marketing programs. Even those retailers who’ve yet to invest in beacons or other in-store tracking technology are using connected POS solutions to manage their stores remotely and fuel integrated marketing programs.

Sixty-eight percent of retailers plan on having in-store Wi-Fi by the end of this year, and 33% will have Bluetooth Low Energy. With these technologies in place, it should be even easier for businesses to adopt mobile store management systems.

Here are five tools with hyperlocal capabilities that retailers can use for remote store management.

1. ShopKeep: POS with inventory and staff management features
ShopKeep is a cloud-based POS provider with integrated tools for store management, including real-time inventory tracking and staff performance indicators. For retailers, specifically, ShopKeep uses transaction data from the POS to track inventory levels and customer information. That same customer information, which is captured automatically during in-store transactions, is pulled into a marketing dashboard, where retailers can see exactly which coupons or email links are being clicked on and redeemed most often. Because staffers are an important component of any retail business, ShopKeep also offers built-in time clocks and employee-level reporting. ShopKeep charges $49 per month, per register.

2. Nomi: In-store analytics
Nomi has taken a different approach to store management, relying on indoor location technology to help businesses enhance their operations, marketing, customer service, and mobile marketing programs. From an operational perspective, Nomi combines data from door counters, Wi-Fi, staffing, POS, and local weather, and it uses this information to help retailers understand how their stores are operating in real-time. Using the same hyperlocal platform, retailers can also measure offline attribution and compare the performance of multiple online marketing campaigns. Retailers can contact Nomi for custom pricing information.

3. Vend: Managing inventory across multiple locations
Although Vend is primarily known as a cloud-based POS provider, the company also offers a number of operational and marketing features to retail customers. For example, using an inventory module, businesses can manage inventory at multiple store locations. Vend serves as a way for businesses to centrally manage prices, stock levels, staffers, and customers. Inventory, product, and POS data is funneled into a business’ marketing initiatives, with combined loyalty programs and other features for customer management and growth. Vend’s most popular plan costs $85 per month for single outlets.

4. Euclid: Insights for brick-and-mortar stores
Euclid’s solutions fall into four general categories: Operational, Marketing, IT, and Executive. Merchants who are interested in remote store management will primarily use Euclid’s operations features, which track how adjustments in staffing and store layouts influence shopper purchasing decisions. Businesses can pinpoint the moments when shopping patterns are the best and replicate those situations by making adjustments in staffing or product displays. Using this same visitor behavior data, Euclid offers businesses marketing feedback, which shows how digital promotions are performing based on crowd levels and purchasing behaviors. Retailers can also practice customer segmentation and get immediate feedback on mobile campaign ROI. Euclid’s Express plan for businesses is free.

5. Square: Real-time sales histories
In an effort to expend beyond credit card processing, Square is offering a number of business management tools, particularly when it comes to tracking offline and online sales. For store management, Square provides its clients with an inventory dashboard that updates each time a transaction goes through and sends automatic alerts to merchants when certain products are running low. Analytics features also allow merchants to track their businesses from any locations. Managers can see complete sales histories and deposit schedules regardless of where they’re located, and they can generate sales reports filtered by hour or day to determine which employees are bringing in the most revenue. Square’s inventory management tools are free for businesses with Square accounts.

Know of other tools that businesses can use for remote store management? Leave a description in the comments.

Stephanie Miles is a senior editor at Street Fight.