Business

5 Tech Tools Every Liquor Store Should Have

Published

3 years ago

October 9, 2021

Technological advancements have seen retail stores rely more on technology for various operations and needing more from their point of sale (POS) systems. Liquor stores need tech solutions to operate efficiently, keep track of inventory, give customers a fast and safe experience, and boost sales. Tech also helps to improve decision-making at the executive level. Here are the top five tech tools that every liquor should have.

1. ID scanner

Liquor stores sell highly regulated products, with the laws being stringent on the age of persons allowed to shop there. An ID scanner makes it easier to ascertain whether one has reached 21 years of age, which is the minimum legal drinking age. You can scan and authenticate passports, visas, ID cards, or drivers’ licenses in a fast, secure, and accurate way.

2. Inventory and back-office management integration

Store managers no longer need to catalog every product in the liquor store manually. There is the option of acquiring a POS system that integrates the store’s technology and back-office processes for fast and efficient operations management.

A well-designed liquor store POS system should process orders, organize inventory, and accept payments. The system should also integrate with your back office tech solutions, letting you run aspects like employee scheduling and vendor management.

3. E-Commerce and delivery apps

E-commerce platforms and delivery services in these pandemic times have revolutionized the liquor industry. With the number of walk-ins now limited, online orders and delivery services have enabled businesses to expand their reach, maintain and increase their sales levels. Customers simply log into the app or website, make an order, and make an online payment right from the comfort of their homes.

These liquor store tech tools have also greatly helped the store staff remain employed. Instead of getting laid off due to the low number of walk-ins, they can be deployed to the delivery department.

4. Payment processing options

As technology in the retail space continues to develop, new payment options available have emerged too. Customers are no longer restricted to just credit and debit card options. It is now possible to make payment for your liquor orders entirely online using smart wallets, wearable tech, and other third-party payment solutions.

When your POS system integrates different payment options, you offer your customers flexibility, allowing them to pay using their most preferable means. You will not only improve the customer experience but also make some valuable liquor sales too.

5. A gift card or loyalty solutions

Wines and liquors make the perfect gift solutions for friends and family. When you have gift cards for your liquor store, your customers can gift others without going through the trouble of guessing what the recipient would enjoy. Gift your loyal customer too through a loyalty and coupons program, which they can redeem and use on their products of choice in the store.

The ideal POS system should seamlessly integrate gift, loyalty, and coupons programs to cultivate long-term customer relationships and loyalty for business success.

Endnote

Technology is part and parcel of every sector, and as new technologies keep being invented, the customers’ expectations of their shopping experience keep rising as well. To remain competitive, your liquor store just has to keep up with these rapid tech changes. Invest in future-oriented technology that personalizes your business processes and leaves the customer impressed.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.