Like all merchants, liquor store retailers need to have up-to-date inventory information on hand to ensure accurate stock levels and prevent merchandise shrink. Many retailers use manual methods to get the job done, perusing the shelves with pen and paper in hand, recording counts on paper, later entering them into a computerized system. These methods are not only time-consuming; they leave a wide margin for human error when information is transferred from hand-written documents to computerized records.

But that’s not all. In liquor stores, the receipt of deliveries often involves transporting merchandise from the door to the cash register for processing. This clutters up the area and makes for a disorganized appearance at the point of sale. And of course, it is rather inefficient.

Another option is to replace the manual liquor store inventory management procedures with a mobile solution to check in deliveries and tally merchandise quantities.   pcAmerica’s hand-held Pocket Inventory solution is a prime example.

Operating on Windows Mobile hand-held devices, Pocket Inventory has a “count” feature that allows staff to scan the bar code on each product and enter the quantity of that SKU in stock. Counts are automatically synchronized with pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express™ liquor store point of sale solution, and discrepancy reports can be generated to indicate where stock levels are excessive or inadequate. The procedure is fast and, just as importantly, entirely accurate; better, more informed buying decisions can be made based on real information instead of “educated guesses.”

Pocket Inventory also adds efficiency to delivery processing because purchase orders and direct store deliveries can be scanned in at the door rather than moved to the cash register area. Generating new orders from the hand-held takes just a few minutes and is mistake-free; store managers or owners simply scan the appropriate shelf labels and enter the purchase quantity.  The information “syncs” back to Cash Register Express™, making the process completely seamless. What’s more, there are no boxes and bottles to mar the appearance of the point of sale counter.

To learn more about Pocket Inventory and other features of pcAmerica’s point of sale system for liquor stores, visit www.pcamerica.com.