A coffee shop is about a lot more than just good brews. You need friendly staff, and a well-stocked snack shelf ready to sell. The crux of any good shop is its ability to handle volume customers, which is one of Starbucks’ biggest advantages. Starbucks puts a lot of work into optimizing its POS station so that staff can quickly take and fulfill orders to keep the line moving. Investing in cash registers in store and impulse itemscan have more positives than you might think.
Upsells
Any good coffee shop offers plenty of upsells near the register. It could be something like a graphic for the smoothies and other pastries you offer, or it could be a small plastic case with tiers to hold pastries on display. If you sell mints, gum or other breath enhancers, keep them at the register. These items are known as “impulse” buys, and they are basic items that customers don’t think about until it’s time to purchase something. Like reminders. It’s a good opportunity for you to create multiple points of monetization at the register.
Registers and Supplies
Behind the register, you should improve a few aspects of employee protocol. For instance, schedule dates and time for inventory. It’s also a good idea to create separate ordering sheets, so you can keep cash register supplies separate from the impulse buys at the counter. This keeps your system organized, and frees your staff up to perform the required duties. Make sure that you schedule time during the day where there is low customer activity, and provide your staff with enough help on the floor so that at least one or two people can focus on inventory.
Training
Operating a cash register is basic knowhow for any sales association, but training in customer service is worth investing in. Your employees are your first point of contact with the customer, and they contribute to the overall impression customers have about your business. Teach them to take orders, upsell and to listen to the customer. It’s also a good idea to test employees on their knowledge of cash registers, and see how long it takes to complete a transaction.
Other Tips
When you staff a coffee shop, someone should prep orders while someone else takes them. You will find you have a higher customer turnaround, and improved sales if you take the time to make your point of sale more efficient.
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