STCR client case studies
STCR takes great pride in the difference we make for our clients’ businesses. Here are just a few case studies that illustrate how the right retail management system can give independent grocers, specialty food stores, natural/organic markets and food co-ops a competitive edge in the marketplace. Click on the links below to read about how STCR's solutions got results for these clients.
Gould's Supermarket, Inc. | Man-Dell | Lake Region IGA | GreenStar
Case Study: Gould’s Supermarket, Inc.
Overview
Gould’s Supermarket, Inc. (Gould’s) is a local grocer that treats its customers like family. Located in Conyngham, Pennsylvania, the store provides consumers with community news in addition to traditional supermarket foods, products and services.
Challenge
To stay competitive and maintain its customer base, Gould’s knew that it needed to preserve its family-like hometown-market image. But with competition from large national competitors, the local grocer was looking for ways to increase sales while continuing to provide differentiating local services.
The supermarket had been using a nine-year-old IBM supermarket application on equally aged hardware. To implement new advertising and community services, Gould’s would need to upgrade to an efficient, reliable point-of-sale (POS) system.
Solution
Gould’s engaged STCR to deploy IBM SurePOS 700 Series terminals—running the IBM 4690 Operating System, and with an IBM SurePOS Application Client/Server Environment (ACE) module—and IBM Scan-and-Bag Self-Checkout systems.
With a first-of-its-kind 3GHz processor, the SurePOS 700 Series terminal scans merchandise quickly and accurately. Gould’s opted to include additional SurePOS display screens so that cashiers can handel complex transactions with ease. The store can also exhibit promotions and sales information to shoppers as they enter and leave the store.
The self-checkout systems enhance the shopping experience by giving customers the satisfaction of checking out their own groceries and giving them the confidence that they’re paying the right price.
Benefits
- Enables the client to compete with much larger chain stores by providing a personalized shopping experience and community feel
- Improves customer service and satisfaction levels
- Helps the client serve customers quickly and efficiently while driving targeted sales
"The IBM SurePOS solution gives us new ways to cater to our local customers, which gives us a competitive edge over the big, impersonal chain stores." - John Cara, Gould’s Supermarket, Inc.
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Case Study: Man-Dell
Overview
STCR and IBM teamed with Man-Dell Food Stores to deploy new IBM scan-and-bag and point-of-sale technology in five Key Food locations the company owns in the New York City area.
The Challenge
With margins thin and customer loyalty on the line, independent grocers like Man-Dell Food Stores are searching for innovative ways to save time and create efficiencies.
Leveraging customer-assisted services, like self-checkout, enables grocers to meet consumers' expectations and apply resources to other areas of their business.
The Solution
Man-Dell replaced NCR ScanMaster systems with new IBM SurePOS 700 Series systems running the IBM 4690 operating system, and later added the powerful new "scan-and-bag" self-checkout terminals from IBM.
"IBM Self Checkout offers customers a faster, more reliable, and more flexible shopping experience," said Scott Schubert, MIS Director of Man-Dell Food Stores. "We estimate that 28 percent of our shoppers now use self-checkout on a daily basis, which proves that busy shoppers want a speedy 'in and out' experience, without dealing with long lines."
Benefits
- Flexibility to tailor use to different locations and departments
- Improved ergonomic design
- Secure currency enclosures, hardware durability for enhanced reliability
- Optimized throughput
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Case Study: Lake Region IGA
IGA Inc., is a global supermarket network consisting of more than 4,000 independent stores. The company prides itself on the fact that the grocery stores are owned by individuals who live in the communities they sell to.
The Lake Region IGA is located near Lake Wallenpaupack in Hawley, Pa., and services a versatile clientele due to its proximity to the neighboring resort spot.
The Challenge
Tourists make up for 90 percent of the store's business from May to September. After summer tourism ends each year, the Lake Region IGA no longer has the luxury of constant business. The winter months around Lake Wallenpaupack are considerably less busy, and the grocery markets all vie for the locals' business.
The Solution
Lake Region IGA recently installed a new point-of-sale (POS) system that enables them to find out who their consumers are, manage their labor better in busy times and slow times, and improve their overall customer service.
In November 2002 the store implemented a combination of IBM's ACE application and SurePOS 730 hardware system. STCR provided both the installation and tech support for this solution. STCR installed the solution after store hours one night, and the next day it was online.
Results
James Shook, co-owner of the store, says, "IBM is a great system and we're thrilled to have it, but if it wasn't for STCR to be there to explain it to us and work it through for us, I don't know where we'd be today. They've got the greatest support a store could ask for."
Aside from the ability to bring in business during the winter months, Lake Region IGA has also experienced savings since implementing the new system. They are using a back office system from BR Data called Retail BOSS that was installed and supported by STCR Business Systems. This system is a fully integrated application consisting of database management, customized order entry, account receivables, account payables, DSD, file maintenance and more. This back office system integrates seamlessly with the IBM POS. IGA store manager Rick McElroy believes that the combination of the back office system, tied in with IBM's total POS solution along with STCR support, is unbeatable. "The flexibility that the system provides is overwhelming. It's unlimited."
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Case Study: GreenStar Co-op Natural Foods Store
Overview
GreenStar Natural Foods Stores are food Co-ops located in Ithaca, New York. As a Food Cooperative, the GreenStar stores are member-owned and member-governed. Both locations are open to the public and have a wide variety of time-proven natural foods products.
Challenge
GreenStar had some unique challenges; being a food Co-op they needed a POS system that could handle their complex member discount. They were also looking for system that could interface to their warehouse as well as a reliable system with proven uptime.
They had been using a 9 year-old application on equally aged hardware. To put into action the discount structure and their warehouse interface they would need to replace their current system.
Solution
GreenStar engaged STCR to install the IBM SurePOS 300 Series terminals—running the Windows Operating System with the SMS software application for the front-end and back office solution.
STCR worked with GreenStar to enable them to customize the SMS program to fit their unique needs.
Benefits
- Keep track of members' purchases and hours worked to provide accurate discounts and rebates
- Warehouse and Sales importing from the National Cooperative Advantage Program (CAP)
- Increase customer throughput while providing quality, flexibility, reliability and security
“In the Co-op world, member satisfaction is our number one goal, as our organizations are member-owned and operated. STCR worked tirelessly to assure that the unique needs of our membership were fully integrated into our new point-of-sale system. The SMS system itself has proven to be fast, reliable, efficient and customizable. All of the departments in our stores have seen vast improvements in sales reporting and category management, and STCR's customer service and technical support have been incredibly responsive and knowledgeable.” Jeremy Stutzman, IT Director, at Greenstar Cooperative Market.
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