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If you have ever thought that social networks are only for entertainment, you will be surprised to discover the great benefits they can offer to your business management. The potential of social networks is wide and powerful so, to know they are becoming the main channel for companies to publicize their products and services, is not a big surprise. Through marketing strategies and content creation, social networks foster business growth and brand recognition, which translates into increased sales. Social media success depends on strategic and effective management, allowing you to achieve your desired goals and take your business to the next level. Learn how to achieve it with our blog series, where we will teach you everything you need to boost your business. Every day a new social network is born and knowing which one brings the most value to your business becomes a challenge. Different audiences interact with them and the content may vary, although in the end, they have similar objectives: brand recognition, providing information about the business, getting more customers, connecting with users, and the most direct objective, generating sales. 💡 What is a social network? It is a digital communication tool that connects communities with common interests and activities. In real time, users share information through text, photos, audio, and videos. How companies take advantage of the potential of social media? Official business communication: One of the most important advantages of social networks is the ease with which companies can share information about products and/or services, increasing the visibility of businesses through corporate profiles that allow them to connect with new customers and potential buyers. The best part is that each business can share the information it considers most relevant and wants its public to know. Connect with users: Without the right platforms to keep your customers connected with the business, providing them with daily information, where in addition to being informed, they can also generate entertaining content. This will depend on the content strategy that the communications area wants to implement. Establish commercial relationships: Social networks have become channels to offer purchase and sales of services and/or products. Take advantage of the business tools that these platforms have. Analysis and measurement of the results of the strategies implemented: Each social network has its own analysis tool, with which you can receive valuable information on the interest generated during the implementation of marketing strategies, through them you get user interaction knowledge, post's behaviour and audience growth. Promotional posts: Offer benefits to followers on social networks, it is the perfect platform to announce offers or discounts when generating content. At Universum, we give you tips on how to manage your business's social networks correctly To create social networks for your business should be a well-thought-out and structured decision. The first thing every business owner should do is set a goal to achieve through them and have specialized staff to advise them on how to manage these networks properly. These platforms are perfect for boosting and generating sales as well as being very useful for brand recognition and attracting potential customers, everything depends on the marketing strategy and content you want to implement. Select the right social network for your business: There are different target audiences.  Businesses carry out some research to understand their social media content consumer. Currently, some networks are more famous than others, but not all of them achieve the same objectives. We recommend you explore: WhatsApp business, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Remember to make use of their business tools. Create an interesting profile: Your business profile should reflect our store's identity. Make your biography and contact information stand out. Write in it what you offer and what you do. Don't forget to highlight your website. Quality content: Designing a content strategy for social networks is a priority. Don't make it all about your business info, you can also cover current issues that connect with your audience, to get more visibility and possibly more followers. Creating content is now much easier thanks to Artificial Intelligence, AI. Customer service: Make your contact numbers, website, and other main social media users visible. Use technology to automate the customer service process in social networks, the most used tool in these cases is chatbots, which answer frequently asked questions from users on your website or social networks instantly. This will allow you to provide immediate attention. Don't miss our next posts, where we will be revealing valuable tips and tricks to get the most out of each social network. With our exclusive guides and strategies, you'll discover how to transform your company's online presence and reach success levels you never imagined. This is your opportunity to learn from experts and level up your business. Take advantage of all the potential that social networks have to offer to your business, we assure you that you won't want to miss the next blog! As previously said on past blog entries, Universum has enabled its communication channels, such as customer service lines, email, chats, and social networks, to provide information to our customers and give them timely solutions. If you want to know more about Universum POS System, products and services, contact our sales agents at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, X and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

What is a Merchant Cash Advance? Imagine receiving an immediate financial boost without the bureaucracy of traditional loans. A Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) is an innovative and fast solution for small and medium-sized businesses needing urgent access to capital. Instead of going through the tedious bank approval processes, an MCA provides an infusion of cash in exchange for a percentage of your future credit and debit card sales, giving you the flexibility and speed your business needs to grow. The MCA process is relatively simple. Your business receives a sum of money upfront and, in return, agrees to repay the advance through a percentage of your sales. This percentage is automatically deducted until the financial advance and associated fees are paid in full. MCA rates are typically higher than traditional loans, reflecting the higher risk the financial advance provider assumes. History and Evolution of Merchant Cash Advance The Merchant Cash Advance concept emerged in the 1990s in the United States as a solution for businesses that needed quick access to capital but could not obtain financing through traditional methods. Originally, these advances were offered primarily to companies in the service industry, such as restaurants and retailers, that processed a significant volume of credit card transactions. Over time, the MCA industry has evolved significantly. In the early days, MCAs were fairly simple and were based on a fixed percentage of sales model. However, as technology has advanced and the market has grown, MCA providers have developed more sophisticated methods for assessing risk and determining advance terms. In addition, they have expanded into a wider variety of industries and business sizes. Today, MCAs are a recognized and widely used financial tool. Their ability to give cash quickly and to have finance options based on business income has increased their appeal. This evolution has made MCAs a viable option for many companies looking for agile and affordable financing solutions. Merchant Cash Advance vs. Traditional Lending When considering financing options, it is important to understand the differences between a Merchant Cash Advance and a traditional loan. Here we compare their advantages and disadvantages: Merchant Cash Advance Advantages: Quick Access to Capital: MCAs can be approved and disbursed in a matter of days, which is way faster than bank loans. No Strict Credit Requirements: Since the emphasis is on future sales, MCAs are accessible to businesses with imperfect credit history. Flexible Payments: Payments are tied to daily sales, which means that repayments are proportional to business revenue. Disadvantages of Merchant Cash Advance: Interest: Interest rates and fees associated with MCAs are generally higher than traditional loans. Impact on Cash Flow: Since payments are made daily or weekly, they can affect the daily cash flow of the business. Variable Terms: Terms and conditions may be less transparent and more complex than traditional loans. Advantages of Traditional Loans: Lower Costs: Bank loans usually have lower interest rates and more favorable terms. Clear Terms: The terms of traditional loans are generally clearer and standarized, making financial planning easier. Credit Building: Traditional loans can help improve a company's credit history, which can be beneficial in the long run. Disadvantages of Traditional Loans: Slow Approval Process: Obtaining a bank loan can take weeks or even months due to the documentation and approval process. Strict Credit Requirements: Banks have strict credit criteria, which can make it difficult for some businesses to qualify. Fixed Payments: Fixed monthly payments can be a burden during periods of low income. Merchant Cash Advance presents itself as a valuable option for businesses seeking fast and flexible financing. While its interest rates may be higher, compared to traditional loans, the ease of access and adaptability of payments make it an attractive alternative for many businesses. If your business needs immediate capital to take advantage of growth opportunities, address an emergency, or improve cash flow, an MCA could be the right solution. Before making a decision, it is crucial to carefully assess your financial needs, compare available options, and consider the long-term costs and benefits. Consulting with a financial advisor can also help you determine the best strategy for your business. In a business world where speed and flexibility can make the difference between success and failure, Merchant Cash Advance offers a powerful tool to keep your business moving. Evaluate your options, learn more, and choose the one that best suits your needs to ensure the prosperous future of your business. Universum's new strategy to support your business Universum keeps moving on the path of becoming a leader in the technological solutions environment to help businesses grow financially. With our Point of Sales System (POS), we optimize operational processes, not only by performing secure card transactions but also by strengthening business organization with essential tasks such as inventory management and sales reporting. This allows merchants to simplify their daily functions and better understand the dynamics of their business. With the intention of helping companies successfully grow in their market, Universum is working on strategies to boost business growth through Merchant Cash Advance. With this new service, which is soon be part of Universum's offer, our clients will be able to inject capital into their businesses in a fast and safe manner, with more accessible requirements. We want to help you grow and improve your services! If you'd like to learn more about our benefits, please contact our sales agents at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website www.universumsolution.com If you want to know more about Universum's products and/or services, follow us on our social networks to receive accurate an up-to-date info about us. Facebook, X and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

Mother's Day is a celebration full of emotion and great significance. This day represents the perfect opportunity for consumers to express love and appreciation for mothers. It is a special moment to honor them and show them how much we love them, with demonstrative gestures and carefully selected gifts. Retailers must develop unique and exclusive strategies to stand out, for the holiday presents a perfect occasion to boost their sales and achieve business goals through special promotions, exclusive products, and personalized experiences to attract the attention of customers and generate a positive impact in the community and the business itself, thanks to financial results registered during this time. 💡 According to historical records, the celebration of Mother's Day in the United States was promoted by Anna Jarvis, in 1905. How did the idea come about? She wanted to pay tribute to her mother, who had passed away, by highlighting her good deeds. In 1914, she got President Woodrow Wilson to sign an order declaring the second Sunday of May as a special day for mothers in the United States. Since then, the first days of May have been a blessing for commerce and the prelude of a beautiful celebration. The National Retail Federation (NRF) recorded that in 2023, there was a total consumption of US$35.7 billion in purchases made during this special date, surpassing by US$4 billion the amount generated in 2022, where a consumption of US$31.7 billion was reported. In 2024, it is estimated that Americans will surpass last year's figures and make a bigger impact on purchases made in physical stores and e-commerce. In our blog “How to Succeed on Mother's Day”, we talked about marketing strategies to generate more sales this May 12th and how, through social media content, every business could generate visibility to attract customers to their products and/or services. In this second part, we want to continue providing useful information for each business, offering tools to create personalized gifts that generate more demand among consumers. Creative gift ideas to offer in your business: The options are endless, but the ones that resonate most with consumers are personalized details and exclusive experiences - make choosing the perfect gift a treat, not a hassle! Personalized gift cards: Offer your customers the option to get a gift card, where depending on the amount of the card, mothers can choose the products they prefer. Product Baskets: Design exclusive product baskets, oriented to the mother's preferences. Example: Bottle of wine, cookies, chocolates, fruits, special hams, cheeses, among other products. Add a card with a special message. Box of beauty products: Create a box where you offer the best products for personal care. Example: Moisturizing creams, perfumes, make-up, among others. You can vary them or select them by categories. Personalized jewelry: These gifts have become very popular. Engraved jewelry (such as bracelets, charms, or rings) with initials, important dates, and even a meaningful phrase is always attractive for this occasion. Offer this option in your business and you will reign, because every day, buyers want exclusive gifts to express their love. Personalized photo album: Give your customers ideas. A special gift could be a personalized album with messages and photos collected, accompanied by more special memories between mother and children. Personalized mugs: A beautiful gift for mothers, with inspirational messages or a printed image. Flower bouquets: A must when talking about gifts for mom, stock your store with exclusive flowers and offer them as complements to your gifts. Spa experience: Propose a spa kit with personal grooming products. Gift Wrapping Service: Offer gift wrapping service free of charge so customers can take their purchases home ready to give, saving them time and providing a convenient shopping experience. Home Delivery Service: Offer free or low-cost home delivery service for Mother's Day purchases, making it more convenient for customers to shop at your store. How to make the most out of Mother's Day? Here are some recommendations you can use in your business. Decorate your physical store with a special “mother’s” theme: Make it special with decorations using colors and elements that picture representations of love. Display eye-catching products, to suggest gift ideas for mothers. Themed activities: Offer your customers special Mother's Day events. These events are perfect for providing experiences for customers and their mothers: What can you offer? Make a list of preferred customers and offer them activities such as Make-up workshops, crafts, food catering, and live music. It will surely be a success! Strategic alliances with local businesses: This strategy never fails! Make collaborations with other retailers, to propose promotional packages or customized discounts. For example, if you have a food store, you could work in alliance with a florist to offer discounts or gifts, when shopping in these commercial establishments. Don't forget that personalized attention makes the difference and builds customer loyalty! Give priority to having friendly in-store staff for these dates and make sure they are willing to offer the best version of your business. Pro-tip to stop losing sales You must have a Point of Sales System that helps you to keep control of your business inventory, also verify that you have the proper technology to offer a wide variety of payment methods to your customers, so you do not miss anything. At Universum we help you to make successful sales, if you want to know more about us and the benefits of our processing services, contact our sales agents at +1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: universumsolution.com. Don't forget to follow us on our social networks, where we post tips and up-to-date information that will help you and your business: Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn

May 12 marks Mother's Day in the United States and in several Latin American countries. More than just a date on the calendar, it is a time charged with emotions, family gatherings, and of course, gifts! For businesses, this is not just a date to celebrate, it is a great opportunity to boost their sales and make history in their financial records. Stores are preparing for an avalanche of customers eager to find the perfect gift. It is an event that not only touches people's hearts but also their wallets, making it a crucial point in the year for the retail economy. That's why every business must make sure to have their inventories ready and their strategies sharpened so as not to get lost in the competition. Conquer Mother's Day with these Marketing Strategies! On days like this, competition is fierce, and only those with a clear plan stand out. It takes more than just having high-quality products to win over customers' hearts and minds. You need to use innovative and successful marketing techniques. We recommend you keep reading our blog so that you have infallible strategies for this day. Targeted advertising and promotions: Promotional offers focused on mothers will set the tone. Create a promotional strategy that consists of exclusive discounts, combos, or differentiating gift packages. You can include free shipping to special customers and/or discount coupons to further promote purchases. Don’t forget to establish a time-limited period so that consumers feel the need to buy immediately. Here are some promotion examples you can adapt to your business. Use your social networks to communicate: Nowadays, social networks have become one the best platforms to sell by focusing on creating content that promotes ideal shopping experiences. This doesn’t mean your content has to be about specifically selling products in its entirety, but you can share gift ideas that customers may find in your store or business, tell inspiring stories, or create culinary recipes with the products in stock, among other quality content ideas that spark interest in followers and buyers. 💡Content Idea: a video of the preparation process one of the especial products that will be for sale on mother's day, like the one below. Check out this Instagram reel idea that works for any store, just remember to adapt the content to your market focus: DIY Gift Basket Emotion-driven marketing campaigns: Stories that move feelings would be the right ones to use during these campaigns. A good idea is to work around concepts linked to love and gratitude. Here's a beautiful example: 💡 Pro tip: Read more on the keys to influencing consumer behavior E-mail Marketing: E-mail has been undoubtedly one of the best tools to encourage loyalty among your customers by sharing your business news, and promotions, or even congratulating them on special dates and making exclusive offers for Mother's Day as well as other event days. Personalize products and/or services: Offer more options to personalize cards, gifts, or messages from customers. Create strategic allies: Currently, one of the most effective ways to promote your brand is to collaborate with other brands. These activities attract more people so don’t forget to always work on your customer service improvement. Exclusive experiences: Offering experiences has gained great value in the market, consumers are looking for activities that allow them to get out of the routine and create an opportunity to learn new things. Examples: Cooking workshops, sports and painting, among others. Remember that for all these recommendations to work, your staff must be up to the task so your sales may materialize. Read more about this here What are the most demanded gifts? Mother's Day causes great commotion because it is an emotional date that generates big feelings, love included. Commercial establishments are filled with customers who desire to have in their hands, the best gifts for that special being. So… what are the most purchased gifts? Flowers, personalized gifts, cards with dedications, and unique experiences. Consumers want access to different products, which are becoming trends, to find the perfect gift to express their love and gratitude to their mothers. Check out your POS system features We are sure that in May, your business will experience great flow in your sales and, undoubtedly, you should have the support of a good Point of Sales System to help manage the workload, especially for Mother’s Day, you must have up-to-date inventory info as well as accurate sales reports to create a data-based sales strategy and schedule offers on the products you need to sell faster and stock on products you may be out of. Other details you should take into account in your system are: Payment methods: Not everyone likes to pay with cash so you must have a payment processing system that accepts: Debit and/or credit cards, EBT cards, WIC cards, and OTC cards. Also, there are other payment methods to have in mind, like electronic cards (such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, etc.) which are becoming quite popular. You won't miss a sale! Make sure it allows you to schedule promotions and offers according to specific dates and other parameters while also handling the automatic execution of special offers without you having to worry about said dates or quantities of products. At Universum, we cover these bases and add many more features to help you get the best out of your business. If you already have a Universum POS, these are the steps you must follow to make a promotion: Log in with your administrator code. On the top menu, click on the “Inventory” button. Search for the product with the search engine or by reading its barcode. Click on the “Fees or discounts” button. Click on “Item on special”. Read and complete in detail the required fields with the offer’s price and duration dates. Here you have a short video tutorial of these steps. Remember to always analyze your strategies with reports: Through sales reports, you can know all about this season’s performance and make decisions supported by real data. Want more information? Learn more about us and the benefits of our equipment and processing services by contacting our sales agents at +1-888-507-6614 or visiting our website: universumsolution.com. Don't forget to follow us on our social media, we share tips and information that will help you in your business: Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn

Technology has brought transformation and innovation in consumer behaviors, in the way they interact with companies, in customer shopping preferences, and in the way they make payments for products and/or services. E-commerce has generated a dynamic that has allowed businesses to reach more people more quickly and extensively. The convenience, efficiency, and security in which transactions are made, are the guidelines that customers highlight as elements in a safe shopping experience without interventions. In this blog we will explore some of the proposals that are trending in 2024 and that users have chosen among their preferences. Account-to-Account Payments (A2A) This payment refers to the direct transfer of money from one account to another, without intermediaries, such as debit or credit cards. This form of payment has moved towards open banking, led by API technology, with an infrastructure of digital payment solutions for corporate and retail use. Important terms: Open Banking: a model that facilitates the exchange of information between all types of financial institutions, through application programming interfaces (APIs). API or Application Programming Interface: A set of functions and procedures that allows systems integration, allowing their functionalities to be easily reused by other applications or software. Types of account-to-account payments ✅ Push payments: This payment method is immediate and guarantees that the products and/or services have been paid for. Also, customers make the transaction from their bank accounts to the merchant's bank accounts. Both the payer and the recipient quickly know how much money is being paid and received. Advantages The customer is informed of the payment amount at the point of sale and avoids wrong charges claims, which minimizes refund requests and returns. Security and convenience for the customer who knows their payment method (Debit and/or credit card, Apple Pay, or direct deposit). Provides security to the merchant, as this payment processing generally features fraud detection. Examples of push platforms: Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, and Paypal (Instant Transfer). ✅ Pull payments: In this payment method, merchants automate their customers’ recurring payments, through automatic debits from the accounts, under the customer's consent (automatic subscriptions with direct debit). Advantages: Used for cancellation of services based on recurring subscriptions or billing. It is a convenient way to make regular payments without risking service cancellation due to late payment. These periodic payments improve cash flow management, favoring the financial planning of commercial establishments. Examples of pull platforms: PayPal, Direct Debit, Mint, and YNAB. ✅ Contactless payments: Contactless technology or NFC, Near Field Communication, is a payment technology through a payment terminal, which allows customers to make transactions by bringing their cards, smartphones, or devices close to the device's reader. This technological option provides customers with a faster and safer payment experience. Currently, all payment terminals are adapting their infrastructures with contactless technology. Advantages: Contactless payment allows users to make transactions quickly and easily by simply bringing their credit card, debit card, or mobile device close to the payment terminal. This eliminates the need to enter a PIN or sign a receipt, which optimizes the payment process, especially in situations where there are many people in line, such as in stores or on public transportation. Contactless payment is compatible with a variety of devices and technologies, including credit and debit cards with an NFC chip, mobile devices such as smartphones and smartwatches. Example of devices that include contactless payments: P200, MX915, P400 ✅ E-commerce and online payments: These payments are made through digital platforms and have become a trend for all businesses that are experiencing e-commerce, who must have these payment options. Secure payment platforms such as PayPal, Stripe, and Square are currently leading online transactions and are helping retailers to expand into a wider market by offering online cancellations of their products. Advantages: They allow users to make transactions from the comfort of their home or any place with Internet access. There is no need to physically go to a store or bank, which saves time and effort. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ✅ Digital wallets: These are applications where money is stored and transactions and transfers can be made. Customers of today are making use of digital tools, like apps for payments and transactions, more than ever. Many retailers are receiving payments through these apps, which are secure and fast, only requiring a mobile device, instead of using cash or a credit and/or debit card. Some examples of these wallets are Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung. Advantages: This enables users to store multiple forms of payment, such as credit cards, debit cards and bank accounts, in one place accessible from their mobile devices. Advanced security technologies, such as data encryption and biometric authentication, to protect users' financial and personal information. Eliminates the need to carry multiple physical cards and cash, while simplifying the payment process both in physical stores and online. ✅ Banking as a Service (BaaS): This is a model that allows non-banking companies to offer financial services to their customers without the need for a banking infrastructure. Some of the services offered by BaaS are payment accounts, transfers, cards, and loans, among others. Banking as a service has increased its financial services integrated into applications and digital platforms. Advantages: Enables companies to integrate financial services into their products or platforms quickly and efficiently, without the need to build a banking infrastructure from scratch. Gives companies the flexibility to choose and customize the financial services that best suit their needs and those of their customers. From bank accounts and payments to lending and offering risk management options. Significantly reduces the time and costs associated with developing financial services, enabling businesses to launch products more quickly and adapt to changing consumer needs. ✅ Cryptocurrencies or digital currencies: Cryptocurrencies allow peer-to-peer transactions to be carried out directly, without the need for intermediaries such as banks or traditional financial institutions. When a cryptocurrency is used as payment, a transfer of digital value is made from one part of the main blockchain network in use to another. This transaction is securely and permanently recorded on the blockchain, ensuring the transparency and integrity of the transaction. Advantages: Cryptocurrencies allow instant transactions, anytime, anywhere in the world, without the geographic limitations and waiting times associated with traditional financial systems. They have significantly lower transaction costs compared to traditional payment methods, especially for international payments. They offer a high level of privacy and security for transactions. Blockchain technology guarantees the integrity of transactions and protects against counterfeiting and fraud. 💡 By 2024 more than 50% of e-commerce transactions will be conducted through digital platforms. PRO TIP: If you run a grocery store, bodega, or retail business, keep in mind that systematizing and optimizing your operations is crucial to enabling your customers to make all kinds of secure transactions. With our Point of Sales Systems and all our terminals, you can also receive all forms of payment: Cash, Debit Card, Credit Card, EBT Cards, WIC cards, and OTC Cards, as well as many of the other methods mentioned in this blog. We help you generate more sales with our services! If you want to learn more about our benefits, contact our sales agents at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com If you wish to know more about our company, products and services, follow us on our social networks, so you can receive official up-to-date information. Facebook, X and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

What makes a consumer choose one product over another? How can we influence their purchasing decisions? Find out which tactics work best for influencing your customer's behavior. In this blog, we will unravel the strategies that will lead retailers to stand out. This 2024, the consumer is the main character! The key? Two essential pillars that support sustaining customer satisfaction, ensuring healthy profit margins, and a satisfied customer are personalization and omnichannel marketing—which maximizes the customer experience through integrated communication channels. The U.S. retail market is at a defining stage, preceded by innovative trends that promise to transform customer behaviors. Retailers are well aware that their customers are the ones who set purchasing trends, which undoubtedly makes them the center of attention. They expect better products, but more than anything, they want individualized service and more benefits from their loyalty programs. This is the outcome of a genuine relationship between the business and its clients. Today, understanding consumer preferences, their behavior patterns, and what motivates their purchase has become the main focus of successful companies. Retailers should concentrate on supplying high-quality products, influencing consumer decisions, and delivering exceptional customer service. What’s consumer behavior? 💡 These are the actions and purchasing patterns of people to satisfy their needs when acquiring products and/or services. Types of consumers Nowadays, businesses must take into account the different types of consumers to satisfy their needs as efficiently as possible. Although they might have different behaviors, in the end, the retailer's only objective is to achieve the sale, based on a positive influence of decisions made and the motivations projected on the consumer to make a purchase. Below we define these customers and what strategies to use: Traditional consumers: purchases are oriented to physical stores. For these customers, a product interaction experience, observing, asking questions, receiving personalized customer service from sales staff, and personalized recommendations are key. Digital consumers: Their shopping preferences are oriented to acquiring products and/or services via the Internet. They have a desire to purchasing products but they have the opportunity to access several stores and buy products and check prices from home, at any time. The most important thing for this consumer is that the websites, online customer service, and communication channels of the companies are reliable with their data. Mixed consumers: They tend to buy where the product is most profitable. Their consumption habits vary according to calendar dates and products offered. These customers can be targeted with great online offers and in-store discounts. There's no doubt that retailers study the consumer to sell more and implement strategies that target consumer behavior to build loyalty. How? There are multiple ways, including loyalty programs, strategies focused on communication channels and specialized and personalized attention. Loyalty programs: This marketing strategy aims to reward the purchase behavior of your customers, which generates consumer loyalty and company or brand loyalty, in addition to driving business growth and increasing revenue, since customers value loyalty programs for the added value of receiving incentives and rewards for their purchases. Omnichannel strategy: Integrate communication and sales channels. Through this strategy, customer service is a priority and is related to building a shopping experience and excellent customer service with an equal brand experience, regardless of the communication channel you choose. The main keys to having successful communication and customer service channels. Personalized communications: Keep customers loyal through optimal customer service. Call them by their given name. Define strategies in which they feel unique, for example: on their birthday, send them a loyalty card or a message with a discount voucher. Keep in mind that the company's brand voice should be reflected in the same way in all communications. Technology infrastructures: Retailers must begin to create structures and strategies that allow customers to shop in-store physically as well as online, to cover a wider audience. Hassle-free returns: It should be possible for customers to return items without having to comply with excessive demands. In addition, customers should be able to track store inventory in real-time, across all platforms. Artificial Intelligence: The use of this technology in companies has become a great tool to optimize your processes and take them to an advanced level. Make a study of which are the ones that contribute most to the growth of businesses. Post-sales customer service: Offering customer service following a sale, gives you the possibility of retaining your customers. Don't forget to habilitate channels where consumers can express their opinions. This information is valuable to improve your product and/or service. Payment methods: Have a multifunctional payment system in which the company receives all types of payments: cash, debit cards, credit cards, and other state/government aid cards. Also, make sure it offers secure and fast payment equipment and terminals, and if it is via the web, provide the appropriate technology and confidence for electronic payments. 💡 You may also be interested in: Tips for better customer service. Universum helps you to know more about your customers Knowing your customer's shopping behavior is very easy with Universum's POS sales reports and, in addition to its equipment being able to adapt to any business, one of the bigger highlights is that it accepts all forms of payment, including cash, debit, and credit cards, EBT cards, WIC cards, and OTC Program Cards. This allows you to target your promotions to a certain industry and determine which payment methods are your client's preference. If you would like to learn more about our benefits and services, feel free to contact a sales agent at 888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com. Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, X, and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

Bring out the best in your company and attract more clients! Do you have your store's best-selling items already? Are your sales consistent? It's time to stand out from the competition! Keep in mind that providing amazing customer service is your biggest asset as a retailer. Focus your goals on ensuring friendly, quality, and efficient service. Want to know how to achieve this? Hiring staff with assertive skills and qualities that promote the company's policies and identity is a great way to ensure success, as it has a direct impact on operational efficiency and high-quality customer service. In this blog, we will analyze some skills and abilities that an employee should have to bring more value to businesses in the workplace and how, through good service, customer loyalty is achieved. Read on to discover the key to success and how to hire the ideal staff for your business! 💡 If you still don't know how to ensure customer service, here are some essential tips to implement the best customer service in your company. Working personnel skills In today's dynamic world of work, company personnel face increasingly complex demands. It is no longer enough to have only a solid academic background or a professional degree; it is essential to possess skills that enable productive performance in the labor market. Adapting quickly to change, managing emotional intelligence, and being familiar with, or willing to learn about innovation and technology tools are becoming crucial. We'll compile a list of the most common skills that an employee must have to face the working world and that employers should value as essential. Personnel with social and emotional skills These skills are part of the social dynamics that promote effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork. These are some of the most outstanding: Proactive and respectful negotiation and conflict resolution. Creativity and innovation. Assertive communication and cordial behavior towards the customer as well as being able to do feedback analysis for the business. Willingness to learn new skills. Strength to face changes and adapt to new contexts. Ability to make decisive, quick, and effective decisions. Good management of emotional intelligence, ability to manage their emotions, communication, and good relationships with the work team, creating a good working environment. Resilience: it is an added value when your employee can overcome obstacles that affect productivity and take advantage of new opportunities that arise along the way. Technological and digital skills Personnel with technological and digital skills Nowadays, technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, which means that investing in having technological skills and learning to master them has become a priority. Here are some of the most important to have a competitive profile in the market. Marketing or digital marketing: Employees must learn to market products and services, including social media management. Web and software development studies: this skill guarantees the evolution of the business and better-paid profiles. Creative digital skills: This trend allows the safe growth of retail companies. Knowledge in graphic design, animations, photography, and game development, among others, allows an optimal management of marketing and communications. Ability to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Ability and skills to do remote work. Why is Universum’s POS the best option for your business? Universum’s equipment offer adapts to any business and can be acquired at the best prices in the market. Additionally, since the POS accepts all forms of payment (debit, credit, EBT, and WIC cards), you can choose to leave cash payments behind. Other relevat benefits You will be able to easily view sales reports and make fast analysis of your sales. With the Quickbooks integration, your business accounting will be easier and more accurate. Get a Point of Sale System (POS) today! and provide support for your commercial establishment's organization and receive secure payment transactions. If you want to learn more about our benefits and services, do not hesitate to contact a sales agent at +1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com. We offer 24/7 support in English and Spanish. Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, X and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

Do you want your business to be part of the select group that includes giants like Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens? With the OTC Program, you can offer your customers a wide range of healthy consumer products and over-the-counter medications, while generating revenue and building customer loyalty. Join this growing trend now and take your business to the next level. In this blog, we will continue to go deeper into the OTC Program and the advantages for supermarket and bodega owners to receive payments with S3 OTC cards. This is a benefit that guarantees the sales of multiple health food products and over-the-counter medicines, ensuring the coverage of a large public with the elderly as its main focus. In 2024 this market is on the rise, with more than 3,100 points of sale, where wholesalers and retailers already process these cards as a payment method and the benefit is perceived 100% in their finances. Having the products approved by the program in your inventory is the next, and equally crucial, step if your company already has a point-of-sale system that allows you to accept S3 cards. Be part of this great proposal, that promises to maximize sales and receive more income from purchases of food products, in this blog you will see a list of approved products to increase your sales. Benefits of the 3S OTC card for your business Many factors benefit retailers who receive these cards as a payment method, below are some of the elements that businesses can financially benefit from: Financial growth: Businesses will be able to sell more, by promoting sales of the variety of products that can be paid for with the 3S OTC card. Customers can purchase various products, such as nutritional foods, over-the-counter medicines, body and skin care. This gives customers the convenience of finding everything they need in one place. Loyalty programs: If your business receives the OTC card, you can design loyalty programs that allow your customers to save money by getting exclusive discounts on various goods. Inventory focused on authorized products. If you own a supermarket or bodega, check your product inventory and monitor which of them classify as food and/or healthy, which are on the list of authorized products, and what can be added to your stock. Said authorized products can be checked with a mobile app. 💡 OTC Program FACTS: More than 2,900 affiliated establishments. Presence in 46 U.S. states. More than 228 thousand clients. Member access to authorized products and services that support health determinants. Support local ethnic retailers across the country to improve health, under the Food=Health promise. Approximately $87 million was reinvested in local communities. Groups of products and services that apply to be purchased with S3 OTC cards Vitamins and dietary supplements. Nutrition and diabetes care. Food and beverages. Non-perishable foods. Weight control and nutritious foods. First aid. Pain management. Oral care. Skincare. Home health care. Health aids. Digestive health and diabetes care. Colds and allergies. Ear and eye care. Do you want to know which products and/or services your customers can access with the S3 OTC card? Don't hesitate to acquire this valuable information. Register on the following link to receive the official list and increase your income with these products. Universum and the OTC Program With the new alliance between Prohealthconnect and Universum's POS System, bodegas and supermarkets will have access to this program. If you are an active customer with a uCare or uCare+, fill out a form with one of our agents or click the register button below, and just like that! you will be able to receive OTC Program card transactions for free (purchases are made in the same way as a debit or credit card purchase). Remember that with our Point of Sales Systems and all our terminals, you can also receive all forms of payment: Cash, Debit Card, Credit Card, EBT Cards, and WIC cards. Trust us, we help you generate more sales with our services! If you want to learn more about our benefits, please contact our sales agents at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, X , and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

For the first time, local businesses and communities can be part of the store network that offers an OTC Benefit Program! This program expands beyond Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine but includes health foods as well. Read to the end so you don't miss out on this great business opportunity and get on the track to start receiving OTC program payments. 💡 Nationally, there are 1.905 million members enrolled in healthcare plans that have this benefit and with a spending allowance between $7.5 billion and $18 billion. Before we continue, you should know what the OTC Program is. The OTC/Health Food benefit is a health insurance benefit provided by many of your local Medicaid and Medicare insurance plans that serves the health needs of many of "your current customers". Now, for the first time, local retailers (pharmacies, grocery stores, delis, fruit markets, bodegas, etc.) can participate in these programs and have access to customers using an OTC card as a payment method – you may have had customers come in and try to transact with a card that has an S3 logo. Universum & ProHealth Connect At Universum, we are constantly working to give your business the best benefits and service, which is why we are collaborating with a new ally: ProHealth Connect. ProHealth Connect is a payment processing solution that allows new and current customers to buy over-the-counter medicines and nutritious food products in your store, using OTC benefit cards. Through Universum’s POS system, we provide independent pharmacies and grocery stores with access to millions of members of United Healthcare, Humana, Wellcare, and other leading health insurance companies. A sample list of approved products can be provided as part of the integration process. There are hundreds of thousands of eligible products. When scanned, the product will indicate whether it is included or not. Within these products you will find: Painkillers Antiacids. Antiemetics (medications designed to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting). Antihistamines (allergy medication). Dermatologicals Toothpaste Deodorants Dietary supplements. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and cereals. Be the first business to receive this benefit! Every benefit counts. Today, we’ll explore why integrating OTC (Over-the-counter) programs in your business can make a difference and provide significant added value for your customers. With Universum’s POS, you will be able to process S3 OTC cards One of the highlights for 2024 and all the members of the Universum family, is the function that can be enabled in the system, allowing you to receive eligible OTC (Over-The-Counter) Program payments. This is a great opportunity for your business to be part of the store network under the program, which is not only limited to over-the-counter medicine but also allows consumers to purchase food and nutrition products. What is the benefit of purchasing food? Food is essential to a healthy and high-quality lifestyle. Health plans have realized that making food available to members is not only an excellent consumer experience but also helps reduce overall healthcare costs. This emerging benefit means that members can purchase food, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, and grains, all of which are paid for by the health plan but purchased by the consumer. How do I know what products are eligible? 💡 Members participating in the S3 OTC/Food Purchase can access a mobile app that features a product scanner so they can verify if a product is eligible before making payment. How to acquire this benefit? If you have a Universum POS system, you must be an active customer with a uCare or uCare+ plan to receive this new software update for free; just fill out a form with one of our agents or visit this link, and just like that! you will be able to receive OTC Program card transactions (purchases are made in the same way as a debit or credit card purchase). 💡 Don't miss the opportunity to generate more sales! and gain access to the $18+ billion over-the-counter market, sign up here or contact our sales agents at +1-888-507-6614. With no enrollment costs, Universum & ProHealth Connect is a risk-free way to increase your customers’ spending and loyalty. 💡 On average, retailers using ProHealth Connect generate over $11,000 in monthly sales through benefit cards, with an average ticket size of $63. If you want to know more about our services and benefits, contact a sales agent at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, X and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

Can you picture owning a bodega or store and not being aware of the sales status? There's more to properly running this kind of business than just selling goods and getting paid for them. Doing a sales analysis is a critical task for businesses because it enables them to create commercial strategies that will help them make the right decisions and increase their profitability in a competitive market. 📖 You might be interested: Key tips to get started with your supermarket or bodega Top tip on proper business management: For starters, getting a Point of Sales System (POS) should be a priority to help you systematize all of the supermarket's operations. If you already have it, then you must explore how to use the tool to your advantage. Many owners and/or supermarket managers are unaware of the informative power of making a sales report properly, in this blog we will give you a broad idea of its importance and how you to generate them. Let's start from scratch! What is a sales report? A sales report is the collection of data specific to a business's commercial activities. Details of the transactions made (cash and/or cards) and the sales performance of a business. This information becomes the guide to identifying opportunities to improve and achieve a successful business, which also allows for the team’s performance improvement. What is the best strategy to generate a successful sales report? To acquire a Point of Sales System (POS) for your business. 📖 You might be interested: Supermarket sales strategies What can you achieve by generating a good sales report? Follow up on financial performance. Know sales behavior during the day, month, and year. Identify if you are getting the expected results with your current commercial strategy and/or if it’s necessary to make changes. Identify product demand and customer preferences. Know if you are meeting your sales objectives. Perform an analysis to determine marketing strategies, offers and prices that will improve the overall profitability of the supermarket. In the daily life of supermarkets, different information structures can be studied with sales reports, the following are the most common. A complete report on the company's sales can provide the following data: Sales performance: Access to a summary of sales by periods: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly. Inventory control: Know the status of product inventory and identify customer purchasing trends. Transaction summary: A report of transactions by filtered by payment method (Cash, debit and/or credit card, government program cards). Profit and loss: To have a view of the company's financial performance. Customer purchasing behavior: Greater control of income and expenses. Universum and its sales reports power. Universum's Point of Sales System (POS) is a powerful tool to organize and monitor all the operations that take place within your business. It is a great ally for inventories, transactions and reports. You have the option to systematize every process and be able to run them easily and securely, whenever you need to take commercial actions on the supermarket or bodega. On the reports subject, it provides great support with the summaries of daily, weekly and annual sales, gain knowledge on the amount of transactions and the payment method used for each one of them. 💡 Our POS has an integration feature with QuickBooks Online, which makes accounting processes even smoother for those already working with that app. Click on the image to know more about Universum/Quickbooks Step by Step How to access sales reports with Universum's POS system? Enter your startup password. Click on the reports button (It is the button between inventory and configuration). On the screen you will see different buttons, click on the one you are interested in. These are the on-screen options: Daily employee reports. Cost of sold goods report by item category. Sales summary Revenue report by category Revenue report by themed category Shift cash report Inventory Cash Report Perishables Report 🕰️ Reports bring accurate real-time info. Remember that making your sales report simplifies the follow-up of your operations and decision-making. If you would like to learn more about our services and benefits, contact a sales agent at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, X and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum