[{"_id":"project-settings","settings":{"translateMetaTags":true,"translateAriaLabels":true,"translateTitle":true,"showWidget":true,"isFeedbackEnabled":false,"fv":1,"customWidget":{"theme":"dark","font":"rgb(255, 255, 255)","header":"rgb(0, 0, 0)","background":"rgba(0, 0, 0,0.8)","position":"right","positionVertical":"bottom","border":"","borderRequired":false,"widgetCompact":true,"isWidgetPositionRelative":false},"widgetLanguages":[{"code":"es-LA","name":"Español (América Latina)"},{"code":"fr-CA","name":"Français (Canada)"}],"activeLanguages":{"fr-CA":"Français (Canada)","es-LA":"Español (América Latina)","de":"Deutsch","en":"English"},"enabledLanguages":["de","en","es-LA","fr-CA"],"debugInfo":false,"displayBranding":true,"displayBrandingName":true,"localizeImages":false,"localizeUrls":false,"localizeImagesLimit":false,"localizeUrlsLimit":true,"localizeAudio":false,"localizeAudioLimit":false,"localizeDates":false,"disabledPages":[],"regexPhrases":[],"allowComplexCssSelectors":false,"blockedClasses":false,"blockedIds":false,"phraseDetection":true,"customDomainSettings":[],"seoSetting":[],"translateSource":false,"overage":false,"detectPhraseFromAllLanguage":false,"googleAnalytics":false,"mixpanel":false,"heap":false,"disableDateLocalization":false,"ignoreCurrencyInTranslation":false,"blockedComplexSelectors":[]},"version":3582},{"_id":"en","source":"en","pluralFn":"return n != 1 ? 1 : 0;","pluralForm":2,"dictionary":{},"version":3582},{"_id":"outdated","outdated":{"#Free up time managing inventory":1,"#iQmetrix has partnered with suppliers that make inventory recommendations and provide telecom retailers with transparent reporting. This enables you to accurately and efficiently make purchasing decisions and drive sell-through while keeping inventory fresh.":1,"#Vendor Inventory Service (VIS) Landing Page":1,"#iQmetrix | Vendor Inventory Service (VIS) Landing Page":1,"#Vendor Inventory Service (VIS) is an automated inventory system and service that links processes and information from RQ directly to your supplier, creating an efficient and intelligent inventory system. It is a service that takes on all the data analysis, sales forecasting, purchasing, and distribution, which gives telecom retailers full oversight of their inventory with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on providing consumers with a great experience.":1,"#Ready to start optimizing supply chain management?":1,"#When selecting a distribution partner, you want a cross-functional team who provides concierge support, comprehensive value-added services, and years of experience to empower your sales growth. A distribution partner that watches inventory flow and conducts forecasting, taking into consideration the real inventory demands of their clients. A partner that offers accurate demand forecasting and spares their clients from a backlog of inventory and shelf pulling.":1,"#How should I choose a distribution partner?":1,"#New endpoints to execute transfers between stores":1,"#Service-based; not RQ release-dependent":1,"#Vendor Inventory Service (VIS) is a full-service supply chain management integration designed for telecom retailers":1,"#Similar endpoints retrieve location, inventory, and sales reporting while still being able to push POs and RMAs (Return Merchandise Authorizations)":1,"#Benefits of a Modernized VIS Platform":1,"#Outdated SOAP platform, with limited opportunity to add value":1,"#Complicated, challenging to troubleshoot issues":1,"#Restrictions for feature development":1,"#Top Challenges with VMI":1,"#So what’s the difference with VIS, aside from it being built on modern technology?":1,"#The new VIS architecture aligns with our overarching product and business focus around inventory movement. We are committed to increasing the transparency of inventory across our entire ecosystem of vital stakeholders, from carriers to enterprise retailers to brands and our distribution partners.":1,"#At iQmetrix, we’re continuously working to create a more seamless experience for you and the end consumer. For that reason, our renovated Vendor Inventory Service (VIS) platform will pair modern technologies with existing VMI offerings to build a strong foundation for streamlined and efficient monitoring and resupplying of essential inventory.":1,"#What is the difference between Vendor Inventory Service (VIS) and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)?":1,"#Browse VIS Partners":1,"#No — in fact, the opposite. It is a common misconception that it is difficult to control inventory changes with a VIS system because the ordering process is automated and there is little to no supervision. However, the main objective of VIS is to automate time-consuming manual tasks like purchase-order creation and inventory forecasting, and to minimize risks involving inventory changes. It is essential that vendors maintain clear communication with retailers to establish what products should be launched or phased out.":1,"#Will I lose control over my inventory using VIS?":1,"#Remember, VIS is an extension of the team — not a replacement.":1,"#Furthermore, with a VIS system, inventory managers can better anticipate demand and make data-driven decisions to address seasonal or market trends. They can allocate more time and energy for researching and testing new products, implementing bundle accessories campaigns, and other growth strategies.":1,"#No. You may have heard of recent advancements that allow artificial intelligence to do a job once done only by humans. (Scary stuff for those humans.) But, like AI technology, VIS only helps humans do their jobs better. VIS helps inventory managers be more productive and precise. Inventory managers know their inventory, store, and promotions better than anyone.":1,"#Does VIS make the Inventory Manager’s job obsolete?":1,"#Frequently Asked Questions":1,"#Pull inventory reports specific to the vendor’s SKUs, including sell-through data and SKU performance, giving you transparent, clear data at your fingertips.":1,"#Data Analysis & Reporting":1,"#VIS vendors provide recommendations on best-selling inventory, proactive returns recommendations and processing for slow-moving inventory, plus detailed monitoring and reporting performed by designated specialist.":1,"#Enjoy full oversight of your inventory with minimal effort by using this supply-chain management service that takes care of all your data analysis, sales forecasting, purchasing, and distribution needs":1,"#White-Glove Service":1,"#With VIS, you can create orders including POs, RMAs and Transfers, and get order status reports on all these actions.":1,"#Tailored stock models based on region, square footage, and customer preferences.":1,"#Demand Forecasting":1,"#Direct-to-store automated replenish and stock-balance processes based on sales and inventory data. Retailers get flexible level controls to streamline analysis and adjustments.":1,"#Inventory Replenishment":1,"#Vendor Inventory Service Features":1,"#Procurement & Supply Chain Manager, T-ROC / Let’s Talke Mobile":1,"#Save Time on Supply Chain Management":1,"#provider.":1,"#-fold since inception and they are my #":1,"#criteria is RQ compatibility. One Source’s integration of RQ into their business makes ordering and inventory control simple and easy for their customers which is invaluable. The way One Source keeps me as a customer is with their excellent customer service and products. I believe my business has grown":1,"#I have been purchasing from One Source for a few years now. When I select a vendor the #":1,"#Vice President Operations, Team Wireless":1,"#VoiceComm has been reliably excellent in procuring product we want to stock in our locations, and we see it in-store very quickly. VoiceComm’s VMI team has been great with monitoring our levels, and sometimes even catching problems before we do.":1,"#Since partnering with Eternity Wireless, our shelves have never looked better. The thought and integrity behind their products is second to none. I thought it was seamless before VMI but I had no idea how much easier VMI would make my ordering process. What would take me half a day literally takes me an hour at the most. I love being able to see what is available and knowing that what ships actually gets to the stores. The POs are accurate and the stores are stocked more than they ever have been. We are grateful for the team at Eternity. Their attention to detail and follow through is the best around. We could not ask for a better partnership and are grateful we found them.":1,"#Vendor Inventory Service":1,"#Supply Chain Manager, SunCom Mobile":1,"#It’s been a wonderful experience working with the Ghostek team, their range of SKUs and categories is fantastic. We have received great feedback from our customers about the Ghostek brand.":1,"#Browse All VIS Partners":1,"#Vendor Inventory Service Partner Ecosystem":1,"#Supply chain vendors are experts in their field and serve as an extra pair of eyes on your inventory and supply chain strategy. With RQ, retailers get visibility of inventory across channels and transparent reporting on their inventory. Our integrated partner vendors’ platforms offer robust data on inventory and sales details for fast decision-making. Plus, these platforms offer easy-to-use functionalities to accept orders and get inventory recommendations, while keeping control and oversight of your inventory.":1,"#Efficient supply chain":1,"#VIS means smarter, healthier inventory. You’ll have the right amount in stock exactly when you need it, maximizing sales through fewer out-of-stocks, and saving money by spending less on excess inventory. We’ll also proactively recommend returns to process slow-moving inventory.":1,"#Maximize profits with intelligent inventory management":1,"#VIS improves visibility to inventory performance and metrics, so your inventory team can spend more time on sales-driving activities such as training, promotions, merchandising, and more. They will spend less time ordering and analyzing, and instead be able to make quick, informed decisions.":1,"#As new sub-dealers join and stores open, the new locations are onboarded inside the shared database. This means the sub-dealers can use the rich configurations controlled by their master agent, which speeds up the launch process exponentially — which is great for the rapid onset of new stores.":1,"#Visibility Into the Sub-Agent Channel":1,"#The business only started in August <span ljsid-1=\"\">2024</span>, and jumped from five Total Wireless stores in November (two corporate, three sub-agent-operated) to the <span ljsid-3=\"\">22</span> it has as of early April <span ljsid-5=\"\">2025</span>. And this number is only increasing.":1,"#Why Total Wireless Master Agent Gen 7 Uses iQmetrix's Multi-Tenant…":1,"#The multi-tenant database in RQ has all the sub-dealers’ store databases feeding into it, giving the master agent full visibility into the sub-agent…":1,"#Solutions for Total Wireless":1,"#Want to learn more about how iQmetrix solutions work for Total Wireless retailers?":1,"#General Manager, Western Region, Gen <span ljsid-1=\"\">7</span>":1,"#One of my most-valued tools is the performance metrics reporting that iQmetrix offers. We get to see pretty much everything — all the sales that are happening, all the activations, all the numbers very easily. This is great, and it works extremely well. It’s very easy to see everything, and to filter and adapt if we need to, as there are various metrics that we need. We might need to know how many activations are done or sometimes we want to see how many bring-your-own-devices are done in terms of activations. This really helps us to keep track of us hitting those metrics correctly. And if we’re not on pace with what Total Wireless has set as our goal, we can figure it out.”":1,"#Hwang said,":1,"#With the Total Wireless head office expecting metrics and KPIs to be met by all its locations — for which Gen <span ljsid-1=\"\">7</span> is on the hook when it comes to their own stores and that of their sub-agents — having a full set of reporting across all locations in real time is invaluable.":1,"#Hitting the Metrics":1,"#Taking this a level deeper, it’s not just the data and reporting that matters, but what the master agent then does with that information. Hwang explains that this kind of data gives the Gen <span ljsid-1=\"\">7</span> the opportunity to coach and guide their sub-agents to uplevel their performance, or to solve problems in underperforming locations.":1,"#Uplevelling Sub-Agents’ Operations":1,"#This database gives the master agent real-time insight into all aspects of the sub-agent retail channel, including sales, activations, inventory levels, and more — allowing them to report back to Total Wireless on their entire organization. For the sub-dealer, their view of the database only shows their own store or stores, so they can only see their own inventory, reporting, and sales.":1,"#Thompson said, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>Everyone loves the proficiency of the scheduling. Having the highest sales performers scheduled to work at the highest-traffic times creates a higher performing location in many instances, with less downtime or time fillers in those low-traffic days.” She added that putting trust in this intelligent solution means that there is also a drastic reduction in schedule reviewing time.":1,"#Catherine Thompson, BeMobile’s Regional Sales Director — Northeast, reported to iQmetrix that store managers and district managers are describing Shiftlab as a <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>big time-saver,” resulting in <span ljsid-5=\"\"></span><span ljsid-7=\"\">\"</span>less downtime overall.” One store manager told her, <span ljsid-9=\"\"></span><span ljsid-11=\"\">\"</span>It has created a great mindset among the staff that when they are here, their time is being better spent, and working during the most optimal times.”":1,"#it?":1,"#brief overview of what VIS is, and how it delivers value to retailers that use":1,"#—that prevent retailers from using it. Can you give a":1,"#also known as vendor-managed inventory (VMI)":1,"#Here at iQmetrix, we’ve discovered there are still some common retailer misconceptions about vendor inventory services, or VIS":1,"#In this Q&A, we sit down with our integrated vendor accessory partner Solutions 2 GO to talk about common retailer misconceptions about vendor inventory…":1,"#Check out the Solutions <span ljsid-1=\"\">2</span> GO partner page for more information.":1,"#Lastly, VIS integrated alongside Dropship can let retailers extend their product offerings without having to have more space in their store. This lets retailers improve the customer experience by offering a wider range of products, without having to take on the extra risk that comes with additional product stock on-hand. And integrating Dropship with VIS makes sure product availability and pricing updates across all systems instantly.":1,"#However, there are still various misconceptions and myths surrounding this inventory management approach. We sat down with Justin Drage, former iQmetrix Vice President of Partnerships and now Vice President of Partnerships, Mobility, at <a ljsid-1=\"\">Solutions <span ljsid-1-1=\"\">2</span> GO</a>, to tackle this topic. Solutions <span ljsid-3=\"\">2</span> GO is a global distributor with locations across North and South America, and its <a ljsid-5=\"\">integrated partnership with iQmetrix</a> brings Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) and Dropship services to telecom retailers in Canada<em ljsid-7=\"\">.</em>":1,"#And that’s another area where return rights come in. In my experience at Solutions <span ljsid-1=\"\">2</span> GO, it really does us no benefit to overstock our partners, so those return rights help to build trust and understanding that VIS partners are aligned with retailers’ needs. It makes sense for VIS partners to make sure retailers have the right products at the right place and the right time, because otherwise it just amounts in losses in the value chain.":1,"#Another example is return rights. If you’re a retailer who is sitting on a lot of Product X that hasn’t sold in a month and the return rights with the vendor that sells the product are coming up, your VIS integration partner can send you an alert about the underperforming product. Then you can decide what makes the most sense – do you run a promotion for your team to help sell the product, or do you send it back to the supplier for credit?":1,"#VIS creates alignment with supply-chain partners by allowing them to see your inventory and help determine which inventory goes best where. It also puts you at the front of the line before businesses that submit their own purchase orders, because now your suppliers have skin in the game. If an item isn’t performing for you, or if you’re running short on critical stock, your supplier becomes part of solving that problem. It aligns the resources on both sides, which is a huge advantage for retailers and suppliers.":1,"#This means retailers keep all the control, and VIS is just taking busy work off their plate and better integrating their supply chain.":1,"#At Solutions <span ljsid-1=\"\">2</span> GO, we offer retailers the ability to review all orders before they’re completed. We look at sales, trends, and inventory on hand to build suggested orders, and then build orders for you on the date that you requested for us and send them to you for review.":1,"#but does that require giving up control over your inventory? Given that one common perception of using vendors to manage inventory is that the retailer loses control.":1,"#That helps managing inventory":1,"#Updated on March <span ljsid-1=\"\">19</span>, <span ljsid-3=\"\">2025</span>":1,"#There are many important dates, including deadlines, to remember, but we marked the key ones to keep top of mind:":1,"#First things first: mark your calendar. The key is not only to start early but to plan ahead (read, not starting and filing in April).":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">1</span>. Make a plan and stick to it":1,"#iQmetrix | 5 Strategies to Get Through Tax Season":1,"#5 Strategies to Get Through Tax Season":1,"#We interviewed resident finance expert, Theresa VanderVeen, for financial tips and tricks to help wireless retailers get through tax season.":1,"#RQ tracks inventory purchases, reconciliation transactions, sales data, is cloud-based and has Quickbooks and other integrations to help manage every facet of retail management. Get the whitepaper to learn more.":1,"#Let’s dive in!":1,"#But what if there was a solution out there that fit your business, prepared you for the future of your industry, and didn’t cause a headache when it came time to rollout?":1,"#When you’re a busy retailer, trying to meet (and exceed) the rising expectations of today’s modern consumer, changing your retail technology is likely low on your priority list. Not only can you not afford any downtime with your retail software, you also don’t want to take your employee’s time away from selling.":1,"#Want more?":1,"#From a retailer’s perspective, less busy Tuesdays are a great time to set up operational practices inside their stores of completing the pesky operational tasks done, such as organizing the storage room, processing return merchandise authorization (RMA’s). Consider creating a checklist and holding your team to it making sure they’re accountable.”":1,"#We asked Teresa what the most important takeaway for retailers is to become, and stay, more organized:":1,"#Then you have time to give yourself a chance to do the other things you like doing. If you do start to feel overwhelmed, or your numbers are off, sometimes it’s as simple as getting up, walking around, having a conversation about something different for <span ljsid-1=\"\">20</span>, <span ljsid-3=\"\">30</span> minutes it gives your mind the space to come back and look objectively for the thing your trying to find.":1,"#It only takes one hour per week.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">5</span>. Set up a routine":1,"#Read more <a ljsid-1=\"\">here </a>to learn how to protect yourself and your business.":1,"#We interviewed resident finance expert, Teresa VanderVeen, to get important planning and financial tips, tricks, and strategies that are guaranteed to help you, and your wireless business, get through tax season.":1,"#So, how can retailers protect themselves, and their stores, from fraud?":1,"#Scammers target people who are vulnerable and one may think it’s impossible to fall for a scam, but fraud organizations are highly skilled. Not only do they target vulnerable people but also those who are under pressure during a busy time in the workplace.":1,"#Turns out, it wasn’t:":1,"#Teresa runs a catering business in her spare time and spoke to how her husband received an email from one of their small, local vendors stating they did their invoice wrong, that money was owed, and must be repaid immediately. He knew to take pause, reach out directly to the vendor to see if the notice was legitimate.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">4</span>. Beware of scams":1,"#Take the same thing and apply it to your accounting software. Ask yourself, how can I use this to help me manage my assets and the things I need to manage long term?":1,"#Popular opinion: filing taxes is everyone’s least favorite thing to do, perhaps only bested by having a tooth pulled. Yet, like it or not, it’s that time of year again: Tax filing season officially began on January <span ljsid-1=\"\">27</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup>. And before you know it, April <span ljsid-4=\"\">15</span><sup ljsid-5=\"\">th</sup>, the deadline to file, will be here.":1,"#For example, think about the equipment that you purchase for your stores. Whatever system you’re using for managing your business, you should be able to create those large purchase items and check them into your system.":1,"#There are tons of different accounting management technologies out there, from Quickbooks to simple mileage counting apps that can help you streamline processes come tax season. Teresa often challenges retailers to think about how they can use existing accounting software outside its intended purpose.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">3</span>. Think differently about how to make technology work for you":1,"#What big purchases did you make last year that need to be written off?":1,"#Did you get back all the money you were supposed to from RMAs?":1,"#Are your inventory counts accurate, so you aren’t paying tax on inventory that isn’t in your store?":1,"#Are all of your transfers where they need to be?":1,"#Are your purchase orders are up to speed?":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">2</span>. Make sure everything is closed out":1,"#Most importantly, set a cadence.":1,"#March <span ljsid-1=\"\">2</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">nd </sup>is the deadline for farmers and fishermen to file <span ljsid-4=\"\">2018</span> income tax return (Form <span ljsid-6=\"\">1040</span>) and pay any tax due. However, you have until April <span ljsid-8=\"\">17</span><sup ljsid-9=\"\">th</sup> to file if you paid your <span ljsid-11=\"\">2019</span> estimated tax by January <span ljsid-13=\"\">17</span><sup ljsid-14=\"\">th</sup> <span ljsid-16=\"\">2020</span>.":1,"#February <span ljsid-1=\"\">28</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup> : Deadline for businesses to submit forms <span ljsid-4=\"\">1099</span> and <span ljsid-6=\"\">1096</span>, if filing on paper. These documents relate to business transactions that aren’t covered by W<span ljsid-8=\"\">2</span> (anything that falls outside of tips and wages – hiring an independent contractor, etc.). If filing electronically, the deadline is March <span ljsid-10=\"\">31</span>.":1,"#February <span ljsid-1=\"\">15</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup> <span ljsid-4=\"\">2020</span>: Deadline for businesses to give annual statements to recipients of specific payments made in <span ljsid-6=\"\">2019</span>. Business can use the appropriate version of Form <span ljsid-8=\"\">1099</span>. Form <span ljsid-10=\"\">1099</span> can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient.":1,"#April <span ljsid-1=\"\">30</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup>: CRA requires most business owners submit their tax returns by April <span ljsid-4=\"\">30</span><sup ljsid-5=\"\">th</sup>, or six months after their fiscal year if they observe a non-calendar fiscal year.":1,"#February <span ljsid-1=\"\">24</span><sup ljsid-2=\"\">th</sup>: Employees must be sent a T<span ljsid-4=\"\">4</span> information slip by the last day of February following the year to which the information slips apply.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">5</span> Strategies to Get Through Tax Season":1,"#iQmetrix’s Stacy Hamer is seeing this play out in client conversations, too. She said, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>I’m fascinated that three times in one week, this idea of an AI-powered or in-store virtual assistant has come up in client discussions. So, there is an appetite to think about it and talk about it, which suggests that it could soon be a reality.”":1,"#Wes Filson, director of retail sales and operations at Jump.ca in Canada, told us these longer buying cycles are why he wants to keep a healthily diversified business. He told us, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>Previously, customers were upgrading once every <span ljsid-5=\"\">18</span> months. Now it’s at three years; even as high as <span ljsid-7=\"\">40</span> months. While cellphones will continue to play a huge role in our business, I would encourage businesses to see what other opportunities may be out there.”":1,"#iQmetrix’s Trish Sale confirms that this is what the company is seeing among its client base. <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>Retail is moving into that hybrid space where customers are expecting to interact in multiple ways with a given brand, and see the store as an extension of their other points of contact with the brand. It’s not that physical retail is disappearing, but that Interconnected Commerce is becoming a key way that the telecom industry interacts with its retail customers.”":1,"#Bryce McDonald of Advanced Cellular thinks the physical store isn’t going away any time soon. He told iQmetrix, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>The in-store experience of holding that device, making sure they’re getting exactly what they want, will still be a big thing. Trends recycle themselves and we saw this during and after the pandemic. Everyone did everything online, but we all got sick of that, and we needed to get back out to stores. Today, people want a convenient combination, where they go to physical stores to check out their new device, but maybe they want to pay for it online.”":1,"#Wes Filson of Jump.ca is one of those respondents. He said, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>eSIM could also be devastating to our industry. They pose a real threat to us as dealers, as the customers have that opportunity to purchase online from the carrier, and activate it wherever they need, so it might obviate the need for the physical store. I’m under no illusions as to the threat of eSIMs, but they’re here now. It’s either put our heads in the sand, or make plans and work towards those pieces like the IoT and smart home automation and those different elements that could lead to success.”":1,"#Rayer said, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>They need to think beyond the transaction to ensuring they have the right tech stack for the future. One that has turnkey integrations, powerful reporting, security in today’s climate, flexibility, and stability. How do they grow their marketing to customers — which a lot of these sessions were talking about — if they don’t have the right solutions in place to scale?”":1,"#Key Results from the <span ljsid-1=\"\">2023</span> Tendances de l'enquête sur la vente au détail de télécommunications":1,"#Stacy Hamer, Chief Operating Officer of iQmetrix, said, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>These features are table stakes. If you’re not doing these already, get with it, because that’s old school now. The question is, what’s new that you should be thinking about?”":1,"#Travis Brown, Director of Sales of ConnectCell, a family-owned authorized retailer for US Cellular, thinks sales of smart devices will hold steady. He told iQmetrix, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>You’ve got population that’s going to only increase device sales, but the rate of growth will slow down. People are hanging on to their devices longer, which means people are going to be buying fewer devices, but I think that will be backfilled by upcoming population, new phone purchases, and maybe a renewed trend for carrying two devices — especially Gen Z, who are often using a separate device for streaming and content creation.”":1,"#For telecom retailers — who face the added challenge of clunky systems and processes that create poor experiences for both reps and customers — the need to implement streamlined solutions is key to the challenge of employee retention. Travis Brown of ConnectCell told us, <span ljsid-1=\"\"></span><span ljsid-3=\"\">\"</span>Right now, you have to enter all the customer information into the point of sale, and then enter all the customer information into the billing system and you’re duplicating everything. Except the billing system doesn’t have payment processing. And then you have accessories and in-store purchases that are done at the point of sale. And, in terms of plan selection and feature selection and so on, we’re duplicating both of those things on both sides of the system.”":1,"#How to Understand the <span ljsid-1=\"\">2020</span> Wireless Retail Consumer":1,"#Preparing for the Holidays: Small changes for a big impact":1,"#Inventory Insights <span ljsid-1=\"\">5</span>: Use Advanced Shipping Notices to Solve Pain Points":1,"#-Waleed Ayoub, CTO, iQmetrix":1,"#iQmetrix | 5 Holiday Marketing Ideas for Your Retail Business":1,"#That’s one of the biggest advantages of VIS — you basically extend your inventory staff to your supplier staff, because you’ve got a group on the supply chain side that is also helping to manage your inventory for you.":1,"#Without that visibility, I’m just firing purchase orders into the void, because I don’t know what they have on hand unless I do a lot of extra work to ask suppliers to send me all of their current stock and figure out orders from that, which doesn’t really happen. On the flip side, without VIS, my supply chain partner doesn’t know what I need because they don’t have access to my inventory. If you’re doing ordering on your own and just sending a vendor POs, how would they know to keep this many for you if you haven’t communicated with them?":1,"#If I’m an inventory manager who is responsible for a large number of stores and I’m doing my purchasing the old-fashioned way — by looking at sales and inventory on hand, creating purchase orders, and sending them to a supplier to fulfill — that won’t necessarily address the most important issue, which is: does that supplier actually have the inventory I need?":1,"#VIS is software that integrates with retail management systems to give retailers better control over their stock by allowing them to more easily track products, prevent stock-outs and overstocks, and better align resources across the supply chain.":1,"#It also helps retailers make sure their shelves are stocked with important items. Say you’ve placed an order, and a VIS partner can see that you need <span ljsid-1=\"\">1</span>,<span ljsid-3=\"\">000</span> of a product, but the supplier only has <span ljsid-5=\"\">970</span>. They can either determine where to short those <span ljsid-7=\"\">30</span> — either stores with lower sales of that item or with higher stock levels of the item — or they’ll supplement with another approved item.":1,"#On the supply chain side, the ability to view ongoing trends helps retailers make smarter purchasing decisions and respond faster to supply chain disruptions. Say if a business is low on stock because a promotion caused a surge in sales, supply chain partners can start working on quicker ways to get the inventory, or dropping supplementary purchase orders with their own suppliers who have the inventory.":1,"#Also, VIS tends to come with better return rights than standard purchasing. When you have items that aren’t selling well, it’s in your supply chain partner’s benefit to get those out of your stores, because they make money when you move inventory. So if a product is sitting there stagnant, everyone in that value chain is losing out on their ability to make money.":1,"#VIS creates much smoother inventory trends than what you see with businesses that don’t use it, where it’s all spikes and valleys, spikes and valleys, and they’re constantly struggling and scrambling for inventory. With VIS, you end up having fewer inventory losses because you have somebody else helping you manage the bad SKUs.":1,"#What are some of the biggest benefits to retailers of using VIS that businesses might not be aware of?":1,"#Whether referred to as VMI or VIS — essentially a back-end technology distinction — the fundamental concept of vendor-managed inventory services remains consistent.":1,"#Are there any other common hesitations that retailers have about using VIS?":1,"#So, VIS isn’t replacing the inventory manager role, because there still needs to be some point of contact that is having these discussions, creating strategy, picking SKUs, determining fill rates, and corresponding with supply chain partners. What it does is add to the capabilities of that role, because now there’s a whole team of people running analytics and helping you manage your inventory to make sure it’s as effective as possible.":1,"#VIS creates visibility into the supply chain, but it doesn’t replace the need for inventory managers, who are in the best position to make decisions for their business.":1,"#Another big concern we heard about was fear that VIS could replace inventory management jobs. Can you speak to that?":1,"#Not at all.":1,"#in the just last quarter of <span ljsid-1=\"\">2019</span>. <span ljsid-3=\"\"></span><span ljsid-5=\"\">‘</span>Tis truly the season to be a wireless retailer.":1,"#more than <span ljsid-1=\"\">72</span>.<span ljsid-3=\"\">9</span> million iPhones":1,"#of all the electronics sold annually in the U.S. are purchased between Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays, with Apple alone selling":1,"#approximately <span ljsid-1=\"\">30</span>%":1,"#All retail businesses are susceptible to seasonal peaks and lulls. Exactly when businesses experience these highs and lows is dependent upon factors like the business’s location and product category — after all, winter coats will, of course, be more popular during the winter season, and this season occurs at different times of the year around the world. But for many specialty retailers everywhere, November and December are undeniably the best months for business. For example,":1,"#Buying trends, new releases, and seasonal purchases all factor into how often shoppers walk through your door. When the quiet months hit, have you created…":1,"#iQmetrix | How Wireless Retailers Can Compensate for Seasonal Lulls":1,"#Inline-02 (3)":1,"#Inline-01 (3)":1,"#by <span ljsid-1=\"\">Beth Wanner</span> on Feb. <span ljsid-3=\"\">5</span>, <span ljsid-5=\"\">2020</span> in <a ljsid-7=\"\"> Retail Marketing </a> <a ljsid-9=\"\"> Retail Industry Trends </a>":1,"#Tooykrub, Shutterstock / testing, Shutterstock / Anton_Ivanov":1,"#contact our team":1,"#iQmetrix is a suite of solutions that put wireless retailers in the driver’s seat of data. Finding and understanding insights is faster and easier than ever in any season. When you’re read to enjoy sustained success all year long,":1,"#Last, but not least, use this slower time to optimize the processes, resources, and strategies you already have in place. After all, that busy holiday period will be back in no time.":1,"#Don’t be scared of slow and steady":1,"#If you’re looking to upgrade your systems to something that powers real profits, consider point-of-sale systems that are easily integrated, provide mobile in-store abilities, and that focus on customers first so you can beat out your wireless retail competition.":1,"#Whether you’re after the unification of your commerce platforms or you’re looking to create personalized experiences that really hit home with your customers, it’s just not possible when a legacy system is holding you back. Software that isn’t built to scale as your business does isn’t able to pivot and add new features, functions, and capabilities that empower your store to thrive.":1,"#Any change is hard but a change in retail technology seems to be one of the toughest switches out there. But while you may fear the growing pains, the right technology will be able to coach you through these new moves to reap the investment rewards.":1,"#Earn more return":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">Sales and special promotions are common during seasonal lulls, but they don’t have to hurt the bottom line. Data from </span><a ljsid-1=\"\"><span ljsid-1-0=\"\">POS </span></a>or CRM systems can reveal what kinds of products and price points are likely to do well when things are generally slow. They also reveal the kinds of messages and offers that are likely to get people into the store. A data-driven approach leads to promotions that are more about building excitement and less about lowering costs.":1,"#Run a promotion":1,"#is an easy compromise. Retailers are able to keep less inventory in stock without limiting the range of products available to customers.":1,"#drop shipping":1,"#As such,":1,"#There is only so much retailers can do to drive sales during seasonal lulls, which is why they must also cut costs. The risk is that by scaling things back and having fewer products to offer, they can degrade the consumer experience and sacrifice sales as a result. Everybody likes options and lacking them can cause your customers to look elsewhere.":1,"#Rely on drop shipping":1,"#even when they’re nowhere near the store. Remember: just because your stores are empty doesn’t mean your sales can’t be high.":1,"#to <span ljsid-1=\"\">connect with potential consumers</span>":1,"#A big reason sales slow down in the warm months is because people spend more time outdoors and more money on vacations. There are simply more forces vying for their attention and disposable income. Focusing on mobile marketing and making ales easy is a way":1,"#Go mobile":1,"#Pestering existing customers during seasonal lulls makes them less inclined to buy in any season. That means outreach efforts must be carefully calibrated based on individual<a ljsid-1=\"\"> <span ljsid-1-1=\"\">consumer’s known needs and wants</span></a><span ljsid-2=\"\">. For instance, someone who just bought a new television may not be in the market for another, but they could be interested in add-ons like speakers or accessories. Customer data is a goldmine of insights that wireless retailers can use to</span><a ljsid-3=\"\"> <span ljsid-3-1=\"\">get people in the store</span></a><span ljsid-4=\"\"> and products off the shelves.</span>":1,"#Engage old customers":1,"#Another aspect of seasonality is the consumer buying cycle: for instance, right after someone buys a pair of diamond earrings is when they are least likely to buy another. Targeting outreach efforts at new, prospective customers is a way to overcome consumer apathy and increase the overall customer base. Studying data on existing customers makes it easier to find, engage with, and compel the consumers most likely to switch, for example, jewelry brands.":1,"#Target new customers":1,"#Spring and summer tend to be the slow seasons for cell phone sales in the U.S., but this may be anecdotal. The only way to truly compensate for seasonal lulls in any retail vertical is to anticipate when and why they actually happen. To do this, begin by reviewing sales data from the previous years. Look at when sales are low and high along with how those sales break down by product, consumer segment, or price point. This will give you a good idea of your brand’s unique sales history and help you anticipate dipping sales.":1,"#Understand seasonal factors":1,"#The remaining <span ljsid-1=\"\">70</span>% of sales are divided between the other <span ljsid-3=\"\">10</span> months, leading unavoidably to seasonal lulls. These may be tempered by the release of a high-profile new phone or the back-to-school buying rush, but in this industry, slumping sales are somewhat inevitable. Luckily, they don’t have to be debilitating. There is actually a lot that wireless retailers can do to both drive revenue and ensure this downtime isn’t wasted.":1,"#It’s not just about having coverage at the right times, but also have the right coverage. In the hospitality business, for example, switching out one bartender’s shift with another might not make a difference to drink sales. But in commission-based retail sectors, such as telecom, the sales associate who is on shift during high-sales hours can make a big difference. Especially when shortages of staff members can result in having inexperienced associates on staff, it is crucial to have your top performers working when you really need them. A powerful workforce management solution will enable you to schedule your top sales performer at the strategic times when they will make the biggest impact, so that you can get the best experience and the times the matter the most.":1,"#Using the right employees":1,"#As data people, we love analyzing detailed sales and traffic metrics and providing our customers with a calculated decision on their store hours. Looking at this information is essential, as it not only affects your labor’s productivity but also is the foundation for the staff shifts that you’re creating. For example, a store that is open from <span ljsid-1=\"\">9</span>am to <span ljsid-3=\"\">8</span>pm often has staff shifts that are <span ljsid-5=\"\">9</span>am to <span ljsid-7=\"\">5</span>pm. But when you examine most stores’ sales patterns, you might see that <span ljsid-9=\"\">9</span>am isn’t productive, and an associate leaving at <span ljsid-11=\"\">5</span>pm is the worst time, as you are about to see a post-work-day rush of customers. A simple switch to opening at <span ljsid-13=\"\">10</span>am would scoot those employee shifts, providing you better coverage while likely reducing labor costs.":1,"#Optimizing store hours":1,"#Generic nine-to-five shift types are not built for retail, where stores are open into the evening and there is a post-work-day customer rush. If your employees are just placing eight-hour shifts where they want to work , that won’t result optimally for the retailer. Instead of churning out the same workforce scheduling patterns, take a fresh look at what will work best for your store. The way to think about scheduling is to look at the data to understand your busy days and times and maximize coverage when you need it. For example, we see our best managers place shorter shifts on slow days — like from <span ljsid-1=\"\">9</span>am to <span ljsid-3=\"\">3</span>pm on a Tuesday, for example. This means that the manager can extend that employee’s coverage on a busy Friday or Saturday, from <span ljsid-5=\"\">10</span>am to <span ljsid-7=\"\">8</span>pm, where the sales volume is likely to be higher.":1,"#Strategic scheduling":1,"#Here are five solutions for maximizing staff scheduling efficiency:":1,"#Why Your Telecom Retail Operations Need Intelligent Workforce…":1,"#In this time of staff shortages, using a data-driven employee management system will help you revamp your workforce scheduling and rethink operating hours":1,"#Devin Shrake, Co-Founder, Shiftlab":1,"#Analysis of historical sales data, compared with workforce schedules bears this out. One metric that is helpful to look at is unproductive hours. On average, companies began using the Shiftlab offering in <span ljsid-1=\"\">2020</span> had more than <span ljsid-3=\"\">50</span>% of labor hours clocked during times with zero sales volume. Results from these clients ranged from <span ljsid-5=\"\">70</span>% of labor hours being unproductive downtime to <span ljsid-7=\"\">30</span>% for some companies that were super optimized.":1,"#Interesting in learning more about Shiftlab’s data-driven telecom workforce management solutions?":1,"#Especially in retail, the management of store operations and scheduling creates a major difference in your guest experience and your profit optimization. A couple of tweaks in any of the categories above naturally eliminates unproductive hours and ultimately gives your customers a much better experience.":1,"#Too often, retail operators are compromising their workforce scheduling based on using a cumbersome tool that is not designed to be adaptable. It’s important to use a flexible system that’s highly configurable, so that you can use the strategy that works for your specific store locations, and the tool simply executes this for you. This tool also needs to allow you to scale for the size of your retail operations without losing its adaptability, so even if you are a cruise-ship-sized retail organization, you can make strategic moves like a jet ski. The right workforce management tool relies on data to thrive. Now that Shiftlab has been acquired by iQmetrix, which offers advanced data and reporting in its market-leading retail management system, we can build integrations that will create even more <a ljsid-1=\"\">intelligent workforce scheduling</a> and a seamless client experience.":1,"#Using an intelligent, flexible, data-driven scheduling tool":1,"#Break percentages are hard to calculate. Are your team members taking their allotted breaks, or are they just slipping out of the store an hour earlier each day? The retailers we work with typically have between <span ljsid-1=\"\">10</span>% and <span ljsid-3=\"\">75</span>% of shifts where breaks are being taken — a wide range. Not only do breaks help optimize for slow times during the day, but they also stretch out your scheduling pattern to cover the hours that matter most. There’s so much downtime in the middle of the day, if you can schedule your associate to take a lunch break at a strategic time instead of leaving early, then you don’t negatively affect customer service and you get to keep that person in the store for longer, which is important for a lean retailer. Consider this: the difference between <span ljsid-5=\"\">10</span>% and <span ljsid-7=\"\">75</span>% is nearly $<span ljsid-9=\"\">10</span>,<span ljsid-11=\"\">000</span> of labor per store per year that could be eliminated or redistributed to busier times.":1,"#Leveraging employee breaks":1,"#For any retailer, labor management is a fundamental part of daily store operations and should be treated as an important business strategy that requires creativity and insight. But overworked store managers and a lack of data can mean employee scheduling is treated as a cookie-cutter task, rather than a key piece of the operation requiring thought, strategy, and effective planning to produce the highest ROI. Standardizing the scheduling process creates a shocking number of labor hours clocked by employees that result in zero sales . This fact is particularly galling in a time when the retail sector is suffering severe employee shortages.":1,"#by <span ljsid-1=\"\">Devin Shrake, Co-Founder, Shiftlab</span> on Sep. <span ljsid-3=\"\">27</span>, <span ljsid-5=\"\">2021</span> in <a ljsid-7=\"\"> RQ Retail Management </a> <a ljsid-9=\"\"> Workforce Management </a>":1,"#6 Reasons Canada’s Biggest E-commerce Stores Offer Buy Now, Pay Later":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">7</span>. Omnichannel Shopping Solutions":1,"#Each app is customized to your brand and packed with features. Here are just seven of the most effective tools in the platform to help you reach your sales goals in <span ljsid-1=\"\">2022</span>.":1,"#How the TracPoint Apps platform improves customer experience to bring shoppers to your wireless retail store again and again.":1,"#<a ljsid-0=\"\">Learn more</a> about the TracPoint App and how it can help your business reach its goals.":1,"#As we move into <span ljsid-1=\"\">2022</span>, consumers are going online for almost everything. For retailers, that means your online presence needs to be on point. The first place your customers are going to look for before they shop with you are your online reviews. They want to know what to expect. The app allows your customers to leave a review on Google or Yelp with just one click — no need to search for your page.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">1</span>. Digital Business Card":1,"#It’s clear that <span ljsid-1=\"\">2022</span> will bring new challenges for wireless retailers. The TracPoint App gives you a comprehensive tool that will equip your business to face this upcoming year head on.":1,"#The overwhelming majority (<span ljsid-1=\"\">97</span>%) of consumers look for deals when they shop, <a ljsid-3=\"\">according to Hawk Incentives Research</a>. What’s more, <span ljsid-5=\"\">91</span>% said they would share a promotion with a friend or family member if given the chance. And <span ljsid-7=\"\">77</span>% spend $<span ljsid-9=\"\">10</span>-$<span ljsid-11=\"\">50</span> more when shopping with a discount. As a retailer, it’s your job to help new customers get their foot in the door with a little incentive. You can create and track promotions that are customized for your brand within minutes, using TracPoint App’s promotion designer.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">2</span>. Store Locator":1,"#Retailers need to be as flexible as ever. With the pandemic still lingering, every customer has different expectations for retailers. Connect your customers to your online shop, give access to your device trade-in page, or give customers the ability to schedule an appointment. Include any mobile link you’d like to add functionality and features to your app.":1,"#If you want to build customer loyalty, you need to focus on the customer experience. This is as true in wireless retail as it has ever been. In today’s highly competitive marketplace, shoppers have more and more options, making it harder than ever to attract customers and create loyalty.":1,"#Retailers in <span ljsid-1=\"\">2022</span> need to be equipped with the latest technology to engage their salespeople and their customers. The TracPoint Apps platform, which is integrated with iQmetrix’s retail management software, is designed specifically for wireless retailers to create loyalty among their customers and increase sales.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">6</span>. Online Reviews":1,"#7 Tools to Help Create Customer Loyalty in 2022":1,"#More direct communication with customers is an essential part of the formula when it comes to customer loyalty. Deliver messages to your customers inside the app, and include promotions, events, and more. You can even filter messages by device type, carrier, and other identifiers.":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">4</span>. Push Messaging":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">3</span>. Custom Promotions":1,"#by <span ljsid-1=\"\">TracPoint iQmetrix Partner</span> on Jan. <span ljsid-3=\"\">17</span>, <span ljsid-5=\"\">2022</span> in <a ljsid-7=\"\"> Customer Experience </a> <a ljsid-9=\"\"> Retail Marketing </a> <a ljsid-11=\"\"> Wireless Retail </a>":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">7</span> Tools to Help Create Customer Loyalty in <span ljsid-2=\"\">2022</span>":1,"#<span ljsid-0=\"\">5</span>. Customer Referrals":1,"#Are your salespeople still using paper business cards? It’s <span ljsid-1=\"\">2022</span>. It’s time to be honest and admit that paper business cards are not a cost-effective way to network. You order a box of <span ljsid-3=\"\">500</span> for each employee and <span ljsid-5=\"\">90</span>% of those get lost, end up in someone’s laundry, or go in the trash. It’s time to let go. The TracPoint App can be loaded on the customer’s device in seconds, giving them access to your store associates via one-touch calling, email, Google reviews, social media, and so much more.":1,"#One of the most cost-effective ways to gain a new customer is through referral. Let your customer advocate for you. In the app, customers can refer your store or associate by sharing your digital business card to their friends and family with the click of a button.":1,"#It goes without saying that your brick-and-mortar locations need to be easy to find. The TracPoint App includes a location tab, which displays your locations closest to the customer, so they can get there easily. It also includes your store’s contact information and operating hours.":1,"#The reason for this growth? New habits created in the early pandemic! While <span ljsid-1=\"\">2022</span> has seen shoppers returning to in-person shopping, <a ljsid-3=\"\">two thirds (<span ljsid-3-1=\"\">67</span>%) of US shoppers surveyed in one survey had used BOPIS</a> (Buy Online, Pick-up In Store) in late <span ljsid-5=\"\">2021</span> and early <span ljsid-7=\"\">2022</span>, and <span ljsid-9=\"\">49</span>% of those shoppers made an additional purchase while picking up their items in-store.":1,"#– the largest annual increase in":1,"#saw an explosion of retail activity as consumers hungry for a return to pre-pandemic holiday traditions drove":1,"#The pandemic saw a seismic shift in shopping habits, with a massive <span ljsid-1=\"\">64</span>.<span ljsid-3=\"\">1</span>% increase in e-commerce sales from <span ljsid-5=\"\">2019</span> to <span ljsid-7=\"\">2021</span>. This year’s economic woes will only accelerate this continuing shift. Despite forecasted overall spending decreases, Deloitte projects a growth of <span ljsid-9=\"\">12</span>.<span ljsid-11=\"\">8</span>% to <span ljsid-13=\"\">14</span>.<span ljsid-15=\"\">3</span>% in holiday e-commerce sales.":1,"#<a ljsid-0=\"\">Consumer’s holiday budgets have shrunk</a>, with <span ljsid-2=\"\">73</span>% saying they’re watching their spending more closely in <span ljsid-4=\"\">2022</span>.":1,"#This free <span ljsid-1=\"\">90</span>-minute virtual keynote on Wednesday, October <span ljsid-3=\"\">19</span> at <span ljsid-5=\"\">11</span>am ET will offer an unmissable overview of industry trends, <span ljsid-7=\"\">2023</span> forecasts, market disruptions, and key barriers the telecom sector is facing.":1},"version":3582}]