news PayPoint unveils its latest technology PayPoint One offers an epos system along with payment capabilities

SIMON BANKS

PayPoint officially launched Sales were up 4.3% in Co-op food its new PayPoint One platform stores in the first half of the year last week. The new device offers PayPoint’s traditional terminal Co-op posts services along with an inte- first-half store grated epos system and pay- ment capabilities. It’s the first sales growth major tech innovation since the second-generation terminal The Co-operative Group has launched in 2004. announced 3.1% first-half like- The tablet-based Android for-like sales growth in its food device features an 11.6-inch business, driven by the per- touchscreen, advanced appli- formance of its convenience cations, browser and flexible The PayPoint One platform aims because I already have an epos stores. connectivity. Retailers will be to improve efficiency and give system, and the cost of the In its interim results for the able to manage their business retailers increased flexibility device is a concern.” 26 weeks to 2 July, the group’s remotely, too, with its cloud Saquib Ghafoor, owner of a core convenience estate back office. your store. We sell hot and cold and store in reported sales growth of 4.3%, The device has rolled out food and it has been great to Tyne & Wear, said: “It looks like with the food business expe- with 2,000 orders so far, includ- create all the buttons needed. an impressive piece of kit and riencing its sixth consecutive ing 500 new customers. There Now we can just process all our could potentially help some quarter of like-for-like sales is no upfront cost to retailers, sales through the single termi- retailers to save time. My con- growth. but a weekly payment plan of nal, which saves us time.” cern is that PayPoint is refusing However, the group’s pre- £10-£20, depending on custom- However, PayPoint One has retailers access to the PPOD sys- tax profits more than halved ers’ existing plans. been met with scepticism from tem unless they sign up to their from £36m to £17m, due mainly Kawal Singh, owner of DM some retailers. Mo Razzaq, epos system, which is almost to its rebuild investment, pay Stores, , said: “We’ve who owns a Family Shopper like being forced into it. I also increases to frontline staff been really impressed with and Premier store in Blantyre, think there will be a few teeth- and food price cuts. Overall PayPoint One. I like that you can Glasgow, said: “I won’t be ing problems with the inte- revenue increased by 2.2% to personalise the buttons to suit upgrading to PayPoint One grated epos. Time will tell.” £4.7bn. Over the six-month period the Co-op opened 30 new food stores as part of the 100 THE BIG PICTURE The family-owned planned in 2016, and pur- Jaybee’s Convenience chased 15 stores and Store in Basingstoke eight stores. celebrated 40 years of trading It also sold 298 smaller food in its local community last stores – which fell outside of its month by fundraising for a core strategy – to McColl’s for local hospice. £117m. The store first opened Co-op chief executive at a site two doors down from Richard Pennycook said the its current unit. After 10 years group remained firmly on track as a newsagent its founders with its rebuild plans. Jim and Jenny Buttress “Revenues across the group decided to offer a full have grown and profitability convenience offering when has fallen due to our major they moved to its current site. rebuild investment, pay Their son Mark Buttress has increases for our people and been running the store for the price cuts for our customers,” past 20 years. he commented. The Mayor of Basingstoke “We are able to invest for the attended celebrations which long term, strengthening the raised a total of £500 for the appeal of our products and Naomi House and Jacksplace. services.” www.conveniencestore.co.uk 7 October 2016 | | 7