As point of sale (POS) systems move farther into the mainstream consumer shopping ecosystem, Apple blog 9 to 5 Mac reported Gap-owned apparel store Old Navy is testing out the devices. The report was confirmed by a Gap, Inc. spokeswoman, who told the blog the company was indeed piloting the iPhone-based POS system at a handful of Old Navy retail outlets.
The device spotted in use at Old Navy was described by the blog as an "Apple PoS system ... rebranded 'ZipCheck' for third parties", which uses a modified iPod with barcode scanner to speed checkout procedures. The platform, originally called EasyPay, is already in use in select Apple stores around the country. The blog also features a photo of the iPod payment device in use: The picture shows a customer apparently signing for a purchase using her finger.
Apple argues most retail businesses -- especially those that aspire to grow -- can benefit greatly from the tools that a good retail POS system provides. "The general rule of thumb is that every retail business with gross annual sales of $250,000 or more needs a retail POS system in order to run efficiently and be competitive," the company's POS solutions Web page claimed. "A retail POS system is a good choice for any owner or manager who spends too much time on back-office activities instead of out front talking to customers, selling, learning what shoppers are looking for, providing customer service, and generally 'minding the store'."
For more, read the eWeek article: Apple Testing POS Systems at Old Navy Stores.
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