The Hub In-store

A retail proposition.

 Retailing is going multi-channel. The reason is primarily customer demand driven but merchants also recognise they now have the opportunity to sell everything they stock everywhere they retail. In addition in-store ordering and payment will also allow retailers to extend their catalogue and distribution channels.

 The Hub multi-channel in-store  solution will generate new revenues for retailers at point of sale as well as increase customer insight through real-time tracking of customer purchasing habits. All at a dramatically reduced set up cost given the existing software applications.

 

The Hub in-store 4P solution:

 

 Using the Hub in-store ordering and payment system on an accredited Unattended Payment Terminal (UPT) a customer can walk out of a store having purchased items not displayed. They can either return to collect the goods at a later date or arrange a home delivery via the UPT screens. This capability can be extended to attended terminals and integrated with digital display to promote The Hub in store terminals.

 The Hub platform can remotely manage multi-channel functions and data related to personalisation, product catalogues, promotion and payment (the 4 Ps) to and from all networked programmable devices. These devices can be connected either by land line or over the air and include mobiles, handhelds, kiosks accessible EPOS and increasingly new form factors carrying smart programmable capabilities.

 The Hub platform is centrally hosted within a 24/7 datacentre. The hosted solution has been enhanced to manage highly secure and encrypted data to PCI DSS compliance levels where required. This is of particular relevance to card issuance and payment acceptance processing. Unencrypted product and promotional content is also handled within this centralised hosting centre.

 Merchant data is drawn via web services from in house central or local stock management systems. The interface is templated and can be customised to the web service brand. Payment processing can be either from the merchant or other payment processors (e.g. YesPay, Verifone, Ingenico) already integrated with The Hub in-store solution.

 The Hub platform, products and services are predominantly sold under what is referred to as a PaaS (Platform as a Service) offer. This reflects the fact that we have pre-existing software (and often integrated hardware) solutions available to be deployed immediately. Although customisation is nearly always required it is thought that up to 80% of the set up costs can be removed and speed to market is increased.

 

The Hub in-store added value options:

  • The Hub in store EMV or stored value card issuance and reload

  • The Hub in store location based promotions and vouchers

  • The Hub in store handheld payment

  • The Hub in store mobile messaging

  • The Hub in store mobile ordering and payment

 

The Hub in-store benefits:

 It is a convenient way to access more products and services displayed on site. You can extend the product catalogue with new items from new suppliers not previously stocked or sold. The Hub in store solution allows access to those without at home online access and in an attended location. It has the capability to remotely and dynamically change pricing, products and promotions in real time. It is called location based activity.

 Often there is dwell time in-store and this channel engages the customer during that dwell time increasing their active shopping time to the merchant. Every interaction provides customer insight that can help personalise the customer experience and engagement thereby enhancing the loyalty of the customer and value to the merchant.