This document discusses retail equipment and point of sale (POS) systems. It describes the main functions of retail equipment like transactions, pricing, and stock control. Specific equipment are then defined, like POS terminals, scanners, printers, and electronic shelf labels. Procedures for handling POS transactions are outlined. Information stored in cash registers is listed, like sales data and payment methods. The document concludes with tips for cash register security and setting up the POS station.

1. 05. RETAIL EQUIPMENTS
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to demonstrate appropriate
knowledge and skills to understand the importance and to operate various
retail equipments including various stationeries.

2. FUNCTIONS OF RETAIL EQUIPMENTS
The main functions that need to be carried out by retail
equipment in workplaces are:
Point Of Sale Transactions
Ticketing
Stock Control
Pricing
Ordering
Product Identification
Mark-ups/ Markdowns
Security
Information Records
Inter-store/Warehouse Communications

3. RETAIL EQUIPMENTS
EQUIPMENTS FUNCTIONS
Point of Sale Terminal, (POS)  The point of sale terminal is where the cash or
payment is collected from the customer.
 As you can see in the photo the POS terminal
comprises of a number of pieces of equipment.
Scanners  Scanners are an electronic system that recognizes and
reads the product barcodes.
Docket Printers  Printers produce written copies of the sale.
 This written copy can be given to the customer and
forms the receipt or proof of purchase for the
customer.
Portable Data Units  PDF's (Portable Data Units) They enable you to
undertake stock takes without the labour intensive
counting and to compile stock orders easily by
scanning the item directly off the shelf.

4. RETAIL EQUIPMENTS
Electronic Shelf Labelling
System
 Prices of products are printed electronically.
Pricing Guns  Pricing guns can be manual or electronic and are used
to price goods. Most stores work with bar codes for
price identification but some small retailers still use
the above manual style of pricing gun.
Self Checkout  Allows the customer to serve themselves creating
quicker service and reducing queues. Digital Camera
Shops and some supermarkets are already using this
technology.
Electronic Article Surveillance
(EAS) systems
 Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems are
designed to help retailers boost their sales and
protect their profits by increasing open
merchandising opportunities while reducing
shoplifting and internal theft.
EDC Machine  Electronic Data Capture (EDC) Machines are used to
swipe credit and debit cards used for purchase
 EDC point can be inbuilt in POS Machine
Barcodes  A barcode is a series of lines that vary in thickness
and spaces that contain information about that
particular product. This can be made by the business
or comes from the supplier already coded.

5. POS HANDLING PROCEDURES
The ‘Point-of-Sale’ is where the customer comes to pay for
his/her purchase. This will be the last place the customer will
remember while in your store. So it is important that you are
able to process transactions accurately and efficiently, leaving
the best possible impression with the customer.
Types of Equipments at the Point Of Sale (POS)
There are several pieces of equipment at the Point-of-Sale.
They include:
Cash register
EFTPOS machine
Scales
Scanners
Imprinting machines
Conveyor belt
Phone or Microphone for announcement/public address system

6. INFORMATION STORED IN AND RETRIEVED FROM A CASH REGISTER
A cash register is an important tool for the retailer as it also
stores valuable and relevant information. Information stored
and retrieved from a cash register can include:
The total day, week and/or month sales
Time of sale
Payment method
Product type and number sold
Staff sales levels (important for commission-based
employees)
Number and type of customers
Cash tendered and change required

7. CASH REGISTER SECURITY
Stores have in most cases strict rules when it comes to handling cash,
maintaining the security of stock, merchandise on display and other
valuable assets. As a security measure follow these simple rules.
Never leave the cash register open at anytime unless you are using it.
Never face away from an open cash drawer.
Never provide your staff code to anyone.
Always lock the register when leaving the station.
Never leave the key in an unattended cash register.
Have the cash cleared on a regular basis so as not to hold too much
cash in the register.
Do not be distracted while using the cash register.
Never leave cash lying around.
Never stop to talk with customers or staff while carrying cash from one
place to another.
Use common sense and be alert to suspicious persons or situations.

8. TRANSACTIONS AT THE POS
‘Point-of-Sale’ is also the centre point of other types of
transactions such as:
Purchase of Gift Certificates
Refunds
Exchanges
Warranty Claims
Payment of Accounts or Lay-bys

9. CASH FLOAT
Every register will have a cash drawer
which holds the cash taken during the
days trading period.

10. SETTING UP THE POINT-OF-SALE STATION
Once you have set up the register it is now time to ensure
your station is fully stocked with supplies that will assist in
ensuring that the day’s trading is smooth and problem free.