In the first half of 2021, we saw a net decline of over 5,000 shops across the UK as all retailers felt the impacts of pandemic restrictions – charity shops included. But while this might not be as bad as 2020, the next year or so will continue to be touch and go for many retailers.

So, with the added pressure of such important causes relying on your donations and revenue, how can your charity get back in its best shape in this retail landscape? Let’s look at three common retail challenges that could be slowing your charity down.

Till errors

Charities of all sizes rely on their dedicated volunteers. But since this is an unpaid role, it’s not unusual to have a higher staff turnover than you might like. So you’ll have volunteers coming and going, all of whom need training with your EPoS system. This can lead to some mistakes as they get to grips. Now, a single cash discrepancy isn’t going to spell disaster for your charity, but every little bit of lost revenue will add up.

To make up for this, you want an EPoS system that’s quick and easy to pick up and use. A reliable, straightforward interface will mean fewer mistakes and more money going to your cause.

Unstable overheads

The world of charity retail is never going to be as predictable as we’d like it to be. While, fingers crossed, we won’t see disruption like we’ve seen over the last two years, it’s unrealistic to assume the landscape will be smooth sailing from here on out. Meaning you’ll need to continue to be cautious with your finances.

Nothing adds pressure quite like the fear that something could break and you’d be left to foot the bill at any given moment. Charities are only just beginning to find their feet, meaning a broken till or two could add unnecessary strain and pressure.

Instead of having this fear looming over your head, a subscription-based EPoS model means you can cut any sudden costs. You keep paying the same monthly fee, confident everything will be quickly fixed when it needs it. 

Convoluted processes

One of the most valuable assets your charity has is your staff and volunteers’ time. But how much of this is getting tied up in convoluted processes?

Whether it’s spent processing Gift Aid submissions that could be completed automatically, or having to wait until end of day to see daily reports, how much time and effort are you wasting on tasks that could be streamlined and simplified? How much extra revenue could you capture if hosting a raffle or enabling sale round-ups became effortless for your volunteers? How much more stable would your finances be if online sales were easily integrated into your stores?

These are just a few examples of where outdated processes might be slowing you down. And ways that technology and innovative tools could begin to impact your operations and revenue for the better.

The retail industry hasn’t had it easy over the past few years. But, with your valuable cause to think about, now is the time to look at ways to build back better and stronger than ever before. The right technology and tools will help you increase productivity, boost revenue, and streamline operations long into the future.

Are you ready for an EPoS solution that helps your charity lead from the front and stop playing catch up? Nisyst’s HMRC-recognised CHARiotWeb helps streamline your daily operations, reducing till errors with a straightforward interface, and boosting visualisation with real-time reporting. Available in one easy monthly package, it means you don’t have to break the bank. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch today on 01204 706 000.