UK Retail: 2024 Christmas Footfall

Christmas. The busiest time of year for many industries, especially retail. But will this year's festive footfall be naughty or nice? We reviewed data published by MRI Software to find out.

It's hard to consider this year's retail trends without first looking back to 2019, pre-pandemic. And the good news is that 2023 saw a return to 'normal' for Christmas retail trends with this year following suit.

As always, Black Friday kicks off the start of the silly season spending. Now with Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us, how is the rest of the month faring?

Data from MRI Software predicts a rise in footfall for all shopping locations, including 1% increase in retail parks, 2% in shopping centres and 5% on the high street.

Jenni Matthews, MRI Software's Marketing and Insights Director, suggests high streets historically perform better during the festive season due to Christmas attractions (such as markets and lights) drawing crowds to town centres.

Matthews offered advice to retailers looking to attract footfall in to store rather than online, commenting that promotions, special shopping evenings or workshops could help drive traffic.

She also remarked that maximising convenience for customers was key, offering click and collect options and store opening times that make it easy for people to shop around their working hours. Ensuring that the atmosphere in store is welcoming, not too hot or cold.

Using data from your point of sale system to identify your business' own shopping trends and using that to manage your staffing and store operations.

Though Black Friday is considered the 'biggie' when it comes to the Christmas shopping calendar; it's worth noting that Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday this year. With some predicting that Saturday 21st December will be a 'super' Saturday with people rushing to finish their shopping.

And let's not forget the Boxing Day sales madness! According to MRI Software's data, Boxing Day shopping in recent years has only been a tad 'mad,' as families presumably prefering to continue their festivities at home. Whilst 2023 saw a peak in footfall on Thursday 28th December as people ventured out of their Christmas lull.

So, though the Christmas countdown is on, there's still plenty of December shopping days left to make 2024 a very bright and prosperous year in retail.

If you need assistance with retail reporting from your EPOS Systems' point of sale system, then one of our EPOS Experts will be happy to help. Contact our support team today.

Do POS machines work without Wi-Fi?

Yes, any decent point of sale (POS) machine should allow you to continue to utilise the vast majority of features without Wi-Fi. Although there may be a small number of functions that you might need to wait to use until you have a connection.

EPOS Systems' pioneering POS systems allow you to continue smoothly with your day-to-day operation even without Wi-Fi. And when you're internet is back up and running, you can send all your sales data to your cloud back office, ready for reporting.

But what if you're running a market stall or a pop-up and don't have access to Wi-Fi?

No Wi-Fi, no problem! Our brand new portable and powerful POS solution, TouchPoint lite operates over 4G connectivity and requires minimal set-up. Making it perfect for festivals, pop-up food stalls, small businesses, beer gardens, plus many more...

Offering all the functionality of our complete POS system, from a lightweight, mobile device. Choose just one or multiple integrated devices depending on the size of your operation; and allow your whole team to take orders and payments all from the palm of their hand.

TouchPoint lite also integrates with Stripe, who are one of the world’s leading payment processing platforms.

If you're looking for a portable POS solution then give our EPOS Experts a call today.

Christmas Tech Tips (For Hospitality)

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring... expect those in hosp!

Christmas, well-known as the busiest time of year for the hospitality sector. In fact, this year is set to be busier than the last, with Britons due to spend £12.3bn at hospitality venues over the festive period. That's an increase of 2.3% from 2023.

So with everyone rushed off their festive feet, it's the perfect time to put your hospitality tech through its paces to ease some of the burden.

We've pulled together some top tips of how you can get EPOS Systems' hospitality tech working for you over the festive period:

Menu Pre-Orders

Avoid the kitchen bottleneck and manage waste more effectively by requesting menu pre-orders. Simply use the custom field on our hospitality ordering app to collect menu choices from each of your diners.

Pop-Up Payments

Perfect for pop-ups, Christmas markets, small businesses and more... TouchPoint lite is a powerful and portable point of sale solution. Operating over 4G connectivity with minimal set up, it allows you to take orders and payments all from one lightweight device.

Reservation Deposits

There's nothing worse than a no-show, particularly when you could have sold that table 10 times over! Our reservations package enables you to request a deposit payment at time of booking, allowing to manage your stock, staff and table plan more confidently.

Digital Orders

Let your team and your customers enjoy a smoother and swifter service with digital order pads. Giving staff menu information in the palm of their hand, allowing them to send orders straight from the table to the kitchen.

Manage Kitchen Orders

It may be cold outside, but it's definitely hot in the kitchen! Keep your orders in check with our kitchen order management system. Speed up service, turn tables over quicker and maintain exceptional customer experiences even at the busiest time of the year.

Christmas Ticketing

Running a Christmas event? Our ticketing solution provides an affordable way to manage and sell tickets for all kinds of events. Use the scanner app on entry to beat the queues!

Manage Christmas Stock

Whether you're selling mince pies or mulled wine, never run out of your best sellers with our stock management software. Providing all the data you need to drive sales revenue, manage inventories and even plan for next Christmas!

Maximise Christmas Revenue

Use our hospitality ordering app to maximise revenue by creating Christmas categories selling all your festive goods. From Christmas hams to Christmas hampers, let your customers make orders at the click of a button.

Contact us today for more information about how our hospitality tech can help you manage the Christmas chaos.

Outdoor Smoking Ban - Another Knock for UK Hospitality?

With 80,000 deaths attributed to smoking in the UK each year, the Government are reviewing new steps in cracking down on the habit. Their hope is that banning smoking in certain outdoor spaces; such as beer gardens, outside sporting venues and even small parks; will help relieve the burden smoking puts on the NHS and also tax-payers.

The proposal has been met with scepticism by many of those in the hospitality industry. Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality commented, “A ban on smoking in outdoor spaces comes with the prospect of serious economic harm to hospitality venues. You only have to look back to the significant pub closures we saw after the indoor smoking ban to see the potential impact it could have.

“This ban would not only affect pubs and nightclubs, but hotels, cafes and restaurants that have all invested significantly in good faith in outdoor spaces and continue to face financial challenges.

“The government must embark on a full and detailed conversation with affected parties on the impact of such a ban before any legislation is laid. It must also assess whether such a ban would achieve its aims of meaningfully reducing smoking or simply relocate smoking elsewhere, such as in the home.”

With many hospitality businesses juggling with the huge economic pressures that have impacted the sector in recent years, one independent hospitality owner spoke to EPOS Systems about the concerns they have over the ban. "After a challenging few years with COVID, followed by increased costs and a cost of living crisis, as a small independent business we need to be supported through these challenging times. And whilst I understand and support improving public health in general, this policy is at the wrong time and will negatively impact the hospitality sector that’s already struggling."

If implemented, the ban would see smokers receiving a Fixed Penalty Fine of £150 if found smoking in a restricted area. Those refusing to pay would be liable for prosecution. Businesses could also be fined up to £2500 if they do not put reasonable measures in place to comply with the restrictions. The ban would follow the same procedures enforced after the indoor smoking ban was put in place in 2007.

According to Action on Smoking Health (ASH), the indoor smoking ban led to a 2.4% reduction in hospital admissions for heart attacks, and a 12.3 % reduction in admissions for childhood asthma.

Following the 2007 ban, until 2015, around 7000 pubs closed their doors, many citing that the smoking ban was largely to blame. Yet other factors such as a hike in tax imposed on alcoholic drinks and the 2008 recession are also likely to have had an impact. Equally, many pubs florished in the ban's aftermath, deciding to become more food or family-focused.

With compelling points from both side of the argument, perhaps the best way to move forward is to do so together. Reiterating the comments made by Nicholls, if there is enough evidence to suggest the proposal will achieve the Government's objectives, then conversations must be had with any affected parties. That way a mutual solution that not only contributes to the improvement of public health, but also encourages the hospitality sector to thrive will hopefully be achieved.

Intuitive EPOS for The Grampian Transport Museum

This case study was originally published by our point of sale partner, ICRTouch, on 6th September 2024.

Located in the historic village of Alford, the Grampian Transport Museum boasts an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots of the 1800’s to some of the fastest cars ever made. The venue showcases hundreds of transport artefacts and operates a newly refurbished tea room, reception and shop, alongside which they offer a range of visitor services from tours and talks, to hiring meeting rooms for private functions and more.

In order to streamline day to day operations, The Grampian Transport Museum reached out to an Authorised ICRTouch Gold Partner, EPOS Systems, for a range of intuitive EPOS solutions to meet their needs.

The brief - Streamlined communication and enhanced operational efficiency

The museum team were looking for a system that enabled them to create a seamless process between front of house and kitchen teams, streamlining communications and speeding up service. They needed a solution that’s easy-to-use, efficient and can be installed quickly, with minimal disruption during business hours.

Due to the range of services they offer and various revenue streams across the tea rooms and retails shops, intelligent reporting was also a requirement, in order to gain a complete bird’s eye view of the museum’s entire operations.

In order to effortlessly upgrade their existing systems, the Museum reached out to our Authorised Gold Partner, EPOS Systems, who listened carefully to their needs and suggested a range of solutions.

The solution - Robust and reliable systems that streamline operations

The EPOS Systems team decided to implement the following solutions to meet the customer’s needs:

The experienced EPOS Systems team were able to accommodate the museum’s tight timescale for replacing their old POS systems by installing the new ICRTouch ecosystem remotely.

The result - Efficient service and informed business decisions

The systems provide the museum with an easy to use and efficient solution that streamlines communication between front of house and kitchen teams, allowing them to carry out day-to-day operations more seamlessly.

The customer especially loved the system’s stock management features. Having input all stock information and menu recipes, they’re using these features to get a better handle on the museum’s stock control and gain an understanding of where cost cuts can be made.

The museum now benefits from a solution that covers every aspect of the business, allowing them to streamline operations, boost revenue and make informed decisions at the same time.

“We implemented ICRTouch's TouchPoint with support from DigiTickets to take control of our kitchen and food functions in the museum, and give us full visibility of waste, sales and profitability in a way we’ve never had before. The EPOS Systems team were very helpful and delivered the project on time, to our needs and requirements. The team find the new ways of working simpler and it’s helping them to save time to better serve our visitors.”

Case Study: The Beatles Story

This case study was originally published by our point of sale partner, ICRTouch, on 30th July 2024.

The Beatles Story benefit from streamlined operations

The Beatles Story is an award-winning museum located in Liverpool. Based in the band’s birthplace, the venue offers a unique immersive experience, sharing stories about the band’s journey and music. The business opened in 1990, and by its 25th anniversary, it had welcomed more than four million visitors and boosted the Liverpool economy by approximately £300m.

In order to efficiently tackle the high footfall the venue experiences, The Beatles Story reached out to an Authorised Gold Partner, EPOS Systems for a range of industry leading, reliable EPoS solutions.

The brief - The importance of reliable EPoS in tackling high footfall

The Beatles Story on The Royal Albert Dock opened its doors to the public in May 1990 and has been an expanding business ever since, welcoming an incredible 315,000 visitors in just 2019 alone. The business is considered an integral part of “Liverpool’s future visitor economy growth”.

As well as offering a range of fun activities, The Beatles Story also operates two busy cafés and retail stores which host thousands of international visitors each year. Managing these areas without the right EPoS system during high footfall periods became a real challenge, which is why The Beatles Story team were seeking a solution that would speed up service and streamline operations during peak hours.

The customer reached out to an Authorised Gold Partner, EPOS Systems, who listened carefully to their needs and suggested a range of intuitive solutions to fulfil expectations.

The solution - Seamless integration to manage operations

In order to meet the needs of the customer, the following solutions were implemented:

The clarity and detail of communication between EPOS Systems, DigiTickets and The Beatles Story was a pivotal factor in the success of the installation, allowing for a quick and efficient implementation of the solutions.

The result - Enhanced operational efficiency thanks to reliable solutions

The combination of ICRTouch solutions alongside DigiTickets integration allows The Beatles Story to seamlessly manage ticket sales, capacity management, retail, food and drink stock and sales through one combined system, resulting in streamlined service and improved customer experience. The systems effortlessly process all transactions throughout all areas of the business, including the two cafés and both retail stores, feeding sales reports into TouchOffice Web in real-time.

The customer now benefits from a user friendly, all-in-one system and intelligent back-office reporting, allowing them to make informed business decisions moving forward.

"The launch of this new EPOS solution came at an exciting time for The Beatles Story, alongside the introduction of a brand-new ticketing system from DigiTickets and a new website from Ultimate agency, striving towards a streamlined operation that enhances the visitor experience and supports our venue's continued growth"

Is the UK Becoming a Cashless Society?

As reported by the Evening Standard; "No orders for new coins intended for general circulation have been sent by the Treasury to the Royal Mint this year." Furthering speculation that the UK is fast becoming a 'cashless society.'

EPOS Systems reviewed the Payment Markets Report for 2023, produced by UK Finance in collaboration with Accenture, which explores the past year’s payment trends. As suspected, cash was on the decline but debit card remained the most popular means of payment. We are pleased to share the key findings that impact the EPOS industry in our infographic below.

If you need assistance in digitising your business then we would love to help. Give our team a call today on 0800 059 0991.

AI and Restaurants: An Industry That's AI-Proof?

Sitting in Bella Italia with my family, the restaurant suddenly erupted with laughter as a waiter with a sweet voice sang happy birthday to a nearby table. Wow they can really hold a tune I thought, as I spun round to check out who owned the voice. Huh! I suddenly realised this voice was not coming from a human. Instead, it was being projected from a 3ft(ish) cat-like robot, who was belting out an encore whilst delivering a plethora of desserts to the birthday table.

And that got me thinking... novel as it is to have a robot serve tables in your restaurant. Had that robot stolen some poor human waiter's job? Did you need to tip this robot waiter? What happened if you wanted an informed opinion to help you decide between two dishes? I appreciate the huge benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, but surely a machine couldn't learn to form a view on something that it can't even consume?! In a world where staffed checkouts are being replaced by self-service kiosks and takeaways are being delivered by drones; do people really want to get rid of human waiting staff too?

Turns out they don't. Or so 80% of the people we polled agreed. When it comes to dining in restaurants, human interaction and rapport with waiting staff is key and all part of the experience. But that's only front of house. How about the kitchen? As AI started exploding, rumours of machines replacing kitchen staff started unsettling the restaurant industry. But again, really? Can the passion and love that most chefs use to create their dishes really be replaced by a machine? A piece of machinery that has no tastebuds and whose only 'opinion' is what it has been taught to have by a human? Personally, I think not.

Ok, so if our front and back of house staff are AI-proof, is there room for AI in restaurants at all? I believe there is. But not as some big scary AI monster looking to steal everyone's jobs. As a tool to assist the humans in enhancing the customer experience.

For example, providing your waiting staff with a handheld device that is programmed with the allergen information for each item on the menu. Allowing them to answer any queries relating to allergies at the table rather than reporting back to the kitchen. Or, the ability to detail the exact cost breakdown of every ingredient in each dish, providing management with clear and concise P&L reporting.

So in summary, your restaurant customers want you! Not an artifical interaction or a dish cooked by a machine. Humans are what adds value to your restaurant and the restaurant experience for your customers. There's room for AI too, but only if it helps you.

If you're considering hospitality software to help with your restaurant operation then give our sales team a call on 0800 059 0991. They'll be happy to help.

Case Study: The White Lion

Nestled in the heart of the Welsh countryside, The White Lion Ystradowen boasts a beautifully renovated bar/restaurant and two luxurious guest rooms.

Offering a varied menu of hearty classics and Sunday roasts, the cosy country kitchen is a popular destination for both village residents and non-residents, many travelling into the area just to sample the cuisine.

Having recently undergone a change of management, the new owners sought a point-of-sale supplier who could provide reliable and accessible customer support along with an easy-to-use system.

With 7-day-a-week, expert support and user-friendly software, EPOS Systems were able to deliver on all the owners’ business needs.

The flexibility and functionality of TouchPoint and TouchOffice (EPOS Systems’ pioneering point of sale and cloud back-office systems), alongside integrated PDQ terminals, allowed The White Lion to provide a smoother and speedier operation.

The install was led by Tom, EPOS Systems’ newly promoted Technical Engineer. Since starting his apprenticeship at the company in July 2022, Tom has shown real drive and determination and excelled when given the task of leading his first solo installation. The management at The White Lion couldn’t agree more:

“The team at EPOS Systems have been amazing. Their speed and proficiency has been superb.”

Why your Pharmacy Needs Point of Sale

With complex inventories of thousands of products, large customer portfolios and often multiple sites; running a pharmacy is no easy task. Luckily a well-designed point of sale (POS) system can assist in creating a smooth-running pharmacy operation.    

Even with the most supportive team around you, inefficient tech can interrupt your business, costing you time and money. An intelligent POS system can automate time-consuming tasks; manage a diverse and vast inventory; provide simple or advanced reporting for sales/stock/staff etc…; integrate with popular third-party applications, including payment systems and accounting software.

What you Should Look for in a Pharmacy Point of Sale System

An intuitive POS system can improve your operation, customer experience, time management and ultimately your pharmacy business’ profitability. When shopping around for a pharmacy point of sale, you need to make sure the system:

  • Is easy-to-use

    • Choose a system that has been designed with the end-user in mind, making it easy to implement and train staff.

  • Is cloud-based

    • Allowing you to manage your business from anywhere, at any time.

  • Has inventory tracking functionality

    • Avoiding waste and mistakes, saving time and keeping your product stock levels up-to-date.

  • Automatically manages time-consuming tasks

    • Maximising efficiency by allowing the system to manage mundane tasks such as creating shelf-edge labels or automatically raising purchase orders for low-stock items.

  • Provides intelligent, real-time reporting and analytics

    • Enabling you to make accurate and detailed decisions to improve your business.

  • Has the ability to integrate

    • Whether that be with a card machine or an accountancy app. Choose a system that can make your processes smoother as well as minimising errors.

  • Accepts multiple payment types

    • Keeping the payment process simple and easy.

  • Is scalable

    • Choose a system that can grow alongside your business, enabling you to manage multiple sites from one place.

  • Provides the ability to keep your pharmacy product files updated

    • Ensuring your products remain up-to-date and competitively priced.

  • Has built-in security

    • Protecting your business against fraudulent behaviour.

  • Allows you to create loyalty programmes

    • Rewarding your loyal customers and retaining your footfall.

  • Comes with reliable support

    • No technology is totally fool-proof so a POS system that has support readily available when you need it is a must!

If you’re in the market for a pharmacy point of sale system then we’d love to help you. Give us a call today on 0800 059 0991.

Sports and Social Club Point of Sale

EPOS Systems has longstanding partnerships with many sports and social clubs. Providing up-to-date point of sale hardware and software and personalised, expert support.

Pontyclun RFC in South Wales has worked with EPOS Systems for 20 years; forming a strong professional partnership that has led to EPOS Systems becoming one of the club’s main sponsors.

The club has reaped the rewards of what EPOS Systems’ point of sale software can provide. Helping them save time, maximise revenue opportunities, manage stock and staff and organise the club’s member benefits.

With EPOS Systems’ software your Sports or Social Club can benefit from:


Easy Stock Management

  • Keep a digital track of your stock

  • Use reporting to highlight best and worst selling products to avoid low or unused stock

  • Automate purchase orders to your suppliers when a product is running low in stock


An Efficient Operation

  • Easy-to-use products that keep training and operations simple

  • Integration with other applications, such as accounting, removing manual processing hours

  • Cloud-based access so that you can manage the operation from wherever you like, whenever you like

Additional Revenue Opportunities

  • Use your point of sale system to advertise for you with a customer facing screen. Generate additional revenue from ad sales or promote your own events

  • Add merchandise or season tickets to your point of sale

Valuable Reporting

  • Real-time reporting that provides you with the data to evaluate your club’s performance and drive it forward

  • Measure staff performance

  • Track revenue, costs and transactions

  • More detailed reports allowing you to drill down into the business

Manage Memberships

  • Issue membership cards allowing your members to add credit or automatically apply discounts

If you’re thinking about point of sale for your sports or social club then give us a call today on 0800 059 0991.

Point of Sale FAQs

What is EPOS?

EPOS stands for electronic point of sale. Invented in 1992, it was designed to simplify the sales process, evolving over time to assist with the management of all areas of business.

EPOS goes beyond a cash register; it is an intelligent web-based system that businesses can rely on for reporting, staff, stock, customer loyalty and promotions management, along with many other features. It can integrate with other systems, such as accounting software or hotel PMS, or even connect to websites or ordering apps to allow for more commerce options.

What is the difference between a cash register and an electronic point of sale system (EPOS)?

A cash register is limited in its functionality allowing for the management of sales only. An EPOS system can assist in driving a business’ efficiency with an intuitive back-office system that saves time and maximises profits. EPOS offers a far greater selection of functions such as, inventory and stock management, staff management, customer loyalty schemes and marketing incentives, plus much more…

What are the key things I should look for in an EPOS system?

- Ease of Use
Whether you’re introducing a new point of sale solution or introducing a new member of staff, you need a system that is easy-to-use and slips straight into your operation. When designed with the end-user in mind, EPOS will be easy to learn and operate.

- Customer Support
Though most EPOS systems are pretty fool proof you may experience a technical issue from time to time, and when you do you’ll need an EPOS expert on the other end of the phone to help you! When picking an EPOS system, make sure you don’t forget the value of a 7-day-a-week reliable service.

- Integration
Use Deliveroo for your takeaway deliveries or Sage for your accounts? It’s worth considering your current programs and choosing an EPOS System that will integrate with them. Allowing you to manage your whole operation more efficiently.

- Versatility and Scalability
Whether you’re an independent retailer or setting up a multi-site empire, you’ll want an EPOS System that can fit with your business’ individual needs. And when it’s time for your business to grow then you’ll need an EPOS system that will be able to grow with you! A good EPOS system will allow for integration across multiple sites, meaning you can manage your entire business from anywhere.

- Security
Protecting your sales data and personal data is important so you’ll want an EPOS system that is secure. Look out for systems that assist with deterring and investigating internal fraud for extra protection.

What do EPOS Systems offer as an EPOS provider?

EPOS Systems have been innovating for 40 years, helping an ever-changing industry adapt, improve, and excel, by providing easy-to-use, feature-perfect products.
With EPOS Systems you will receive reliable and knowledgeable support 7 days a week and a full suite of point-of-sale solutions tailored to your business’ needs.

Do EPOS Systems offer support?

EPOS Systems’ software is designed to be easy to use, but training is still provided with every installation so you’re ready to get started straight away, worry-free.
And if you ever need further assistance, EPOS experts are on call 7 days a week.

Can EPOS Systems offer a software only POS solution?

EPOS Systems pride themselves in offering personalised point of sales solutions and can be as flexible as possible to your business’ requirements. Software only solutions are available depending on the compatibility of the hardware. Our sales team would be delighted to discuss options with you.

What is a complete EPOS System?

A complete EPOS system includes a point-of-sale screen, customer display screen, a cash drawer, receipt printer and fully installed and programmed cloud back-office software.

What point of sale hardware do EPOS Systems supply?

EPOS Systems offer a full suite of point-of-sale hardware including handheld devices, mobile and self-service kiosks.

Is EPOS Systems’ software cloud based?

Absolutely! Meaning you can manage your entire business in real time from anywhere in the world.

What payment providers do EPOS Systems work with?

EPOS Systems’ software integrates with Dojo, Paymentsense and Elavon. A non-integrated option would be available should you wish to use a different provider.

Can EPOS Systems’ software integrate with other systems?

From payment gateway providers and staff resource management to security, accounting, e-commerce and hotel management; EPOS Systems’ software integrates with many third-party applications allowing you to streamline your business.

I’d like an EPOS demonstration. How can I set this up?

Arrange a remote or in person demonstration via EPOS Systems’ sales team, they’ll be delighted to help!