POS-Based Security Solution Lives Up to Expectations for Independent Grocer

Independent grocers face a tough business environment — they are typically faced with severe competition from national chains, price erosion and rising overhead, not to mention business related issues of food spoilage, sourcing, employee matters and loss prevention.

To beat the odds in this tough environment, one independent business owner is using technology. John Troyer, co-owner and CEO of a family-run grocery market and food processing facility in Berlin, Ohio, has learned that, along with a sense of humor, an integrated technology solution can help handle many of the day-to-day issues. His store, Troyer Country Market, has recently implemented a total end-to-end retail solution from Panasonic including Point-of-Sale (POS) workstations, scales/scanners, POS Printers, video surveillance cameras, network recording devices, digital signage and retail management software.

“Staying competitive means more than offering low prices or unique food specialties,” Troyer says. “It means ensuring our back-of-store operations are efficient and effective and support a positive customer experience at checkout and throughout the store. Being able to automate and enhance these procedures and processes saves us time and money and helps us to stay on top of the game.”

For guidance in selecting security equipment, Troyer turned to Terry Selkirk of Genesis POS Solutions. In addition to discussing equipment options, it was suggested that Troyer consider a total solution that would be scalable, network-based and be capable of seamlessly integrating all systems from both the store and an adjacent warehouse and manufacturing facility.

“I liked the idea of tying the POS system to a security system for a complete solution,” Troyer says. “You can get cutting-edge electronics equipment that will increase efficiency and take your store to the next level.”

In particular, the Panasonic POS systems featured an all-in-one compact design, and the workstation’s open platform meant that Troyer had the option of using whatever retail software best suited his needs. Genesis did an on-site store evaluation and proposed a network-based system that included cameras for video surveillance, network recorders for recording and archiving the video, digital signage for in-store marketing, and a complete POS package including Panasonic’s Lite-ray workstations with card swipe terminals, as well as monitors, scanners and Aloha Data Systems’ retail management software package StoreTender.