When it comes to running your store, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun stuff, like decorating the space and organising events but great stores are built on solid foundations. So you need to make sure that all the basics are in place to ensure your store runs seamlessly.
Luckily, there are now plenty of companies out there who’ve built fantastic tech to help you conquer the daily tasks of running your store. From assembling the right team to curating your music playlist, here are a few of our favourite retail tech brands to partner with right now.
GIG
On-demand staff for your store
GIG is the new-age employment service that matches businesses in hospitality, retail and events with temporary, shift-seeking staff. By cutting out the middleman, GIG can significantly reduce your cost of hiring. Whether you need an extra pair of hands to set up your store or expert brand ambassadors to showcase your brand, GIG has you covered – from just a few hours to a couple of months at a time. Appear Here brands receive a special discount, so if you’re interested in using their service, get in touch with your concierge to find out more.
Square
Payments made simple
Never lose a sale again with Square. Whether you’re on the move or at your counter, Square’s point of sale (POS) system lets you take chip and PIN cards, contactless cards and other mobile payments. The free app gives you real-time sales data, so you can stay on top of your incomings and outgoings daily and make more informed business decisions, like managing your inventory better and improving your budgeting. If you’re interested in using their service, get in touch with your concierge to find out how to sign up. All Appear Here brands will receive a free Reader and Dock (worth £58).
Playlister
Bespoke playlist curation
The soundtrack to your store is often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. A report from Sounds Like Branding reveals that 97% of people think that music strengthens their brand. However, 6 out of 10 haven’t identified how their brand sounds. Playlister specialises in sound advice and can help to create the perfect playlist that’s right for your store. Their team of obsessive compilers and composers have helped hundreds of brands – from Vivienne Westwood to BAFTA – find their sound.
Stuart
Power your deliveries
Stuart is the B2B delivery company that’s transforming the way retailers manage their logistics and delivery. Their mission is to make it easier for customers to receive products, while reducing congestion and pollution. With just two taps on the app, a green fleet of bicycle couriers can deliver products straight to your customers (and vice versa) in less than an hour, seven days a week. While Stuart currently only has offices in the UK, France and Spain, for US brands we’d recommend checking out Postmates.
Sprout
Social media management made easy
Keeping up with your own social media may be fun and exciting, but managing your brand’s social media marketing strategy is a different story. Sprout Social is a great platform if you need to centralise your social activity: draft, schedule and queue posts to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google Plus, all from one window. The service also allows you to track your social engagements so you’ll never miss a moment. Dig into your social profile and post-level data, so you can make better informed decisions about what content to post and when.