With JET, GK Software secures its first European client in the fuel industry.
The two companies aim to transform JET stations into comprehensive mobility hubs where the changing needs of mobile people are met reliably and effortlessly.
The full roll-out of GK Drive and JET is planned to be completed by 2026.
GK Software has successfully signed JET as its first European client in the fuel industry. This collaboration follows previous successful projects with other major fuel clients in the US with GK's point-of-sales solution for convenience stores and petrol stations, GK Drive, and marks a significant milestone for GK Software in expanding its European footprint in this particular vertical.
GK Software and JET will work closely to develop an innovative solution tailored to the unique aspects of the European fueling industry. This solution integrates stringent regulations, diverse local laws, and regional customs with state-of-the-art store as well as customer experience technologies, stemming from GK’s 30 years of experience in the retail landscape.
JET, in a bold move, is partnering with GK Software to significantly enhance customer satisfaction. JET aims to have mobile people simply better on the way. With a broad range of offers and fast service, consumer needs are met reliably and effortlessly.
On its part, GK Software will leverage insights from this project to further refine its GK Drive product and establish a robust European framework based on its proven success in the US. Over recent years, GK has consistently expanded its European as well as global footprint and has been leading in crucial categories such as global installations as well as overall customer satisfaction. For example, GK has been mentioned in the RBR Global POS Software Study 2023 as the number one in Europe for new retail POS installations as well as a leader for customer satisfaction for large vendors in the RIS Software LeaderBoard 2024.
CEO Michael Scheibner, under whose leadership GK has gained significant growth momentum since the beginning of his tenure in March 2023, comments winning the JET deal ‘with transformations in mobility, urban infrastructure and culture, customers will expect gas stations to not only offer commodities, but also to transform into convenient retail sites for on-the-go supplies and services. We are grateful for working with JET on the forefront of rethinking the consumer experience in gas stations with the help of our industry-leading solutions for unified commerce.’
‘With ever-increasing changes in the mobility sector, gas stations will not be a mere pit stop in the future, but rather a center where people expect a broader range of retail services. To cater to these changing demands, we are working with GK Software, a proven industry expert in retail technology´, says Georg Ober, Managing Director JET.
The initial pilot tests are set to be completed by 2025, with a full roll-out across Europe planned for 2026.
We are pleased to announce that GK continues to be an award-winning provider of AI technology for the retail industry. Recently, GK was honored with the RetailTech AI Solution of the Year Award from RetailTech BREAKTHROUGH. This award ceremony highlights the best retail companies, solutions and services worldwide, following extensive evaluation of a selection of the best global innovators.
Learn more about how GK has been leading the way in implementing AI-driven solutions for over 25 years.
GK's leading AI solutions are bundled in the cloud-based platform GK's Artificial Intelligence for Retail (GK AIR). When GK AIR was launched over two decades ago, it was the first AI-based solution portfolio specialized for retail applications.
The platform includes AI applications that support retailers at every customer touchpoint, including personalization, dynamic pricing, fraud detection and item recognition. These AI applications can be customized and are ready to use out of the box. Through self-learning algorithms that easily integrate with existing interfaces for POS, merchandising, ERP and CRM systems, GK AIR quickly turns data into business results.
Each of the GK AIR applications offers unique benefits to retailers.
GK AIR Personalization helps retailers increase their click-through rates, sales and margins by providing their customers with a personalized shopping experience. This AI solution fosters stronger customer relationships that enable retailers to stand out from the crowd. For example, fashion retailers achieve on average 2-3% higher sales through GK AIR Personalization.
GK AIR Dynamic Pricing provides a smart pricing solution that automatically suggests the optimal product price, allowing retailers to maximize profitability without deterring customers by overpricing. The solution incorporates internal and external market factors such as costs, stock levels, sales forecasts, competition and price elasticity into the price calculations. The solution also tracks the performance of these pricing decisions and adjusts them based on sales, revenue or margin targets. Retailers using GK AIR Dynamic Pricing achieve on average 3-5% higher sales.
The RetailTech BREAKTHROUGH award is the latest in a list of prestigious industry recognitions for GK AIR. In the IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Retail Price Optimization Solutions 2023 Vendor Assessment, GK was listed as a major player due to its AI solutionGK AIR Dynamic Pricing.
In addition, GK was ranked #1 for Customer Satisfaction among Large Vendors and Target Solution Providers and #2 for Software Reliability and Overall Performance in the 2024 RIS Software LeaderBoard due to its entire portfolio of industry-leading technology, including GK AIR.
GK AIR provides real-time, data-driven decisions so retailers can respond immediately to ever-changing customer expectations and market trends. With GK AIR, innovative retailers are always one step ahead of the changing industry, as GK AIR has been operating as a key player in artificial intelligence for over 25 years.
If you would like to know how GK AIR can transform your business and prepare it for the future, contact us to arrange a demo.
For over 30 years, we at GK Software have been pioneers in retail technology. Currently, we are working on integrating AI into grocery checkout processes with the aim of improving efficiency and enhancing the customer experience using advanced AI-driven object recognition.
Our AI technology, once fully developed, will enable image recognition directly at the checkout, operating offline and integrating seamlessly with master data information. This will reduce the reliance on extensive selection tables and speed up transactions, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the checkout process. Recent advancements in AI are leading us to develop precise, efficient, and resource-saving algorithms that can run on end devices without requiring server communication.
This ensures offline functionality and increases the robustness of the checkout system. With a in-depth understanding of operational processes and hardware requirements, particularly in grocery retail, we are designing solutions that meet the unique needs of retailers. Our extensive experience ensures optimal performance and integration of our technologies. The AI solution we are developing will support MacOS and iOS-based devices, showcasing our flexibility and commitment to accommodating diverse technological environments.
To learn more about our working in the field of AI-driven object recognition, read our brochure.
Retail fraud and theft contribute to the $112.1 billion shrink problem – are retailers doing enough to protect themselves?
In our last blog, we discussed the recent rise in fraud and crime impacting the industry and the variety of methods bad actors are taking. As retailers become increasingly concerned with fraud, they are turning to a variety of options to combat the challenge. For example, some retailers are limiting the hours of their self-checkout lanes to battle shrink while others have eliminated self-checkout lanes entirely at select stores.
These attempts may reduce fraud, but they may also lead to decreased customer satisfaction; ultimately self-checkout lanes are designed to speed up the checkout experience and many shoppers prefer them to the traditional register. Instead of eliminating these valued customer touch points, retailers should turn to advanced technology that can identify and mitigate retail fraud across their online and brick-and-mortar stores.
Here are a few data-driven routes retailers can take.
With GK's Central Electronic Journal and Reporting function, retailers can easily view all transactions across stores, cashiers and customers. The tool compiles an extensive set of reports for internal and external loss prevention including receipts and signatures, which can be pivotal for case investigations. It also helps managers identify employee issues, like repeat mis-scans from cashiers or excessive employee discount use which may indicate a lack of understanding of store policies or sweethearting.
By reviewing these reports regularly and investigating problematic patterns, retailers can reduce shrink and improve the speed and effectiveness of case investigations.
Complex returns policies create room for fraud, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Retailers that rely on GK's Central Returns solution can ensure returns policies are consistently enforced across all channels. The solution allows retailers to create and remove limits on return policies. For example, during the holiday season, a retailer may extend the returns window from 30 to 90 days. When this change is reversed in February, cashiers and customers may accidentally take advantage of the policy, leading to return fraud.
With Central Returns, a store associate is immediately alerted to a return that goes against current store policies and shown a recommended course of action, like preventing a return or seeking a manager to help override the alert and correct the situation. The solution also considers receipted or non-receipted, item type, customer history, original tender, return tender, sale date and more to determine the legitimacy of the return and suggest an approach.
As a result, fraudulent returns are mitigated, and the store can protect its profits and inventory from misused policies and bad actors.
Another approach to fraud protection is exception-based reporting. Our strategic investor, Fujitsu, offers a solution called Profit Protection that analyzes any POS transaction and store data for potential fraud by cashiers, SCO supervisors, employees or managers across all stores. The solutions also connect to CCTV video to synchronize with any transaction. With Profit Protection, retailers can easily identify suspicious patterns via AI-driven heat maps and other graphics that alert the retailer to risks.
This approach helps retailers find and resolve internal issues whether they're malicious (fraud/theft) or non-malicious (process issues). The holistic view of store processes along with visual evidence also increases the speed of prosecution or termination for bad actor employees.
Alternatively, if a retailer is up against an influx of fraud at the self-checkout kiosk, they can rely on our integration with camera vision solutions. This concept utilizes a camera and AI modeling to review self-scanning actions in real-time, catching issues like mis-scanned items, swapped barcodes, fake scans and more. If an issue is raised, a store associate is alerted, prompting an investigation.
We showcased this solution during this year's NRF and were energized to see guests try to outsmart the solution--to no avail. They also tested the solution's age recognition feature, which helps cut back on fraudulent transactions from under-aged shoppers.
To combat fraud at the self-checkout kiosk or on self-scanning devices without camera vision, retailers can implement GK AIR Fraud Detection. This solution relies on AI and a strategic scoring algorithm to review product data and customer history in real time to determine the probability of fraud. If the probability is above the retailer's pre-set threshold, the kiosk will require a rescan from the customer. If the issue is not resolved, an attendant will be requested.
GK AIR Fraud Detection is designed to reduce shrink by correcting honest mistakes and deterring bad actors without costly hardware.
Regardless of which technology a retailer chooses, they are working towards the same goals, including:
As retailers strive to achieve these goals, GK is here to help. Reach out to us today for a consultation during which we'll discuss your fraud detection challenges and identify which solution from GK or our partner organizations is right for you.
Retail fraud comes in many shapes and sizes, and it can be devastating to a retailer's business. In fact, according to the 2023 NRF National Retail Security Survey, U.S. retailers lost $112.1 billion to shrink in 2022, which encompasses theft, crime and fraud.
Unfortunately, these problems are only getting worse. In 2023 Consumer Returns in the Retail Industry report, NRF found that the number of fraudulent returns, taken as a percent of total sales, rose by a shocking 18.9% between the last two calendar years.
As a result of these trends, retailers are increasingly acknowledging retail fraud and seeking new ways to combat the growing challenge. Yet, as retailers implement prevention methods, the avenues that bad actors take further diversify and advance. Today there is no magic solution that will detect and deter every form of retail fraud every time.
That's why retailers can't afford to limit themselves to a single approach to fraud detection. Instead, they should educate themselves on holistic fraud prevention, rely on their data and institute innovative technology. For some retailers, the right solution may include camera vision, while others may prefer exception-based reporting or AI-driven analysis.
But before investing in the technology that reduces fraud, which we'll discuss in part two of this blog series, retailers must grasp the breadth of the fraud prevention challenge. Let's discuss the many forms of retail fraud contributing to the rise in shrink and the role data plays in mitigation.
Retail fraud is a broad term. It encompasses many unique scenarios that add up to be incredibly costly for retailers. A few types of fraud include:
Regardless of which method a bad actor takes, retailers must find a way to identify and deter the action. This requires a holistic approach that relies on data to determine which touch points are high risk and what solutions will best deter the bad actors.
Fortunately, the recent rise in fraud is happening alongside an increase in the availability and reliability of data. Retailers can invest in technology that carefully monitors activity across the entire organization, catching errors in inventory, discounting, online claims and more.
Having a well-connected business is critical to fraud detection, as it helps determine the root cause of shrink by eliminating extraneous circumstances and unknowns.
First, the retailer must identify its unique high-risk areas for fraud. For some, this might be loyalty fraud at the point-of-return or self-checkout fraud in-store.
After locating the biggest sources of fraud, retailers can begin educating employees regarding best practices for fraud detection. Employees should be made aware of the organization's plans to reduce fraud and they should be informed about the types of fraud to look out for. With the store teams on high alert, potentially fraudulent behavior can be identified.
The next step in fraud prevention is to introduce a holistic technology stack that utilizes the data and protects key touch points.
At GK, we help retailers interpret their data and we direct them to the right solution to create the best fraud detection strategy for their business. Whether it's advanced camera vision or the latest in AI-driven reporting, GK and its partner network are here to help.
Reach out to us to fight retail fraud today. And, stay tuned for part two of this series, in which we'll dive into the fraud detection solutions within GK's and our partners' portfolios.
GK Software, a global leader in comprehensive retail applications for real-time omnichannel business systems, today announced Follett Higher Education, North America's leading provider of collegiate retail and course materials, selected GK as its new cloud-based point-of-sale provider. This partnership will enhance reliability, improve technology integrations, and offer advanced service features for all Follett campus stores, fostering a better shopping experience for millions of students, faculty, alumni and college sports fans who shop with Follett.
As the nation's leading college store operator, Follett caters to a high volume of Generation Z consumers. According to research from the International Council of Shopping Centers, these customers want an efficient experience, with 46% of Gen Z consumers stating that a quick and easy checkout is the most important factor in a good shopping experience. In addition, 39% cited the ability to get what they want immediately and 27% said quick and helpful customer service were top priorities.
With these insights in mind, Follett is committed to exceeding Gen Z consumer expectations by creating a frictionless shopping experience at its over 1,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada. To achieve this goal, Follett sought a partner that could transform the company's POS and enable new touch points like self-checkout and bring your own device (BYOD) self-scanning.
Follett selected GK to create a state-of-the-art and forward-facing experience across all its stores and pop-up shops. GK showcased its advanced capabilities along with enhanced flexibility and team expertise during the provider evaluation process. Follett will now rely on GK solutions such as OmniPOS (Mobile POS, Self Check-Out and Self-Scanning), Advanced Central Services, and TransAction+ payments to create a better purchasing experience for students and sports fans alike.
"Our team evaluated a lot of great POS solution providers, and I was impressed by how GK's intuitive user interface, both online and on mobile, was paired with emerging technologies to ensure ongoing flexibility and innovation," said Emmanuel Kolady, CEO of Follett. "Yet for me, the real clincher was the GK team's ability to collaborate with us and develop customized solutions to meet the unique needs of our campus partners. We were seeking a true partnership from a company that would be with us for the long haul, and GK was the right fit."
Thanks to this partnership with GK, Follett customers – students, parents, faculty, alumni and sports fans – will gain access to more point-of-service and check-out options, creating an even smoother shopping journey. In addition to the in-store environment, Follett will now be able to offer these expansive customer service touch points at pop-up events and stores inside sporting arenas. The ability to deploy and manage diverse point-of-service methods even when offline ensures Follett customers receive the same exceptional shopping experience anywhere, anytime.
"Customers today expect a seamless, efficient customer service experience, and these expectations are elevated for a student who needs a book for an upcoming class or a sports fan looking to buy their favorite jersey during halftime without missing the action," said Michael Jaszczyk, CEO, GK. "We're thrilled to partner with Follett to help students and their families get the learning materials and team merchandise they need via the service touch point of their choice without waiting in lines."
To learn more about how GK helps innovative retailers reimagine their point of service technology with unprecedented flexibility and efficiency, contact us today.
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, Virginia ABC, is a multidimensional state government authority that ensures the safe, orderly and regulated sale of alcohol across Virginia. With over 4,700 employees, 400 state-run liquor retail outlets and regulation oversight of 19,000 licensed businesses including, hotels, restaurants, wholesalers, event hosts and more, Virginia ABC generates $1.6B in annual revenue.
Despite this success, outdated technology threatened to hold Virginia ABC back, especially at the checkout counter. This was a pivotal touch point for the retailer because the Virginia ABC stores have around 1,100 checkout lanes.
After witnessing the success of other local businesses using GK's checkout technology, such as Lidl, Virginia ABC turned to GK to unlock technology that was the best business fit without requiring a costly hardware overhaul.
Since connecting with GK in 2019, Virginia ABC has enjoyed a reliable partnership with a 30% reduction in the equipment necessary to operate the stores and 100% remote management capabilities. This means Virginia ABC stores were able to eliminate the need for in-store servers, reduce the number of handheld units and consolidate network devices. Ultimately, shoppers have enjoyed a consistently exceptional shopping experience, where their needs can be met efficiently every time.
In 2019, Virginia ABC was working with eight technical systems that were well beyond an expected lifespan, including its point-of-sale (POS).
Virginia ABC's previous payment process required many internal steps. When a credit card was used in-store, it was verified through a system that connected to a bank. If that middleman system was down, the store's entire payment process was disabled. This worst-case scenario experience left customers frustrated because they couldn't check out and blocked Virginia ABC from ringing up sales.
Similarly, hardware malfunctions that occurred on a Friday would sometimes take until Tuesday to be resolved. For example, Virginia ABC relied on iPods as employee devices and common touch points for customer checkouts. Prior to working with GK, Virginia ABC customers and employees experienced 30-40 failed iPods per month due to their heavy use.
In the wake of these issues, Virginia ABC sought a reliable technical footprint that could be seamlessly replicated across all stores. The authority wanted its technology to be in the same network in every store with remote management capabilities.
Once they engaged GK, Virginia ABC gained access to a secure and reliable partner capable of ensuring a low failure rate and a consistent shopper journey.
Since integrating with GK OmniPOS and the authority's suite of retail technology, Virginia ABC has increased up-time, or time in which a machine is in operation, to 99.9%. Now, the authority is assured that stores will open on time and the technology will efficiently support operations. This reliability guarantees that shoppers will have a smooth and successful shopping experience every time they visit Virginia ABC.
Since GK's solutions follow industry standards, Virginia ABC experienced a lower cost of training than previous integrations; the interface was intuitive for users who worked with other well-known POS systems.
What's more, the authority previously experienced a 24-hour delay for inventory reporting, now it has its reports in minutes, reflecting accurate sales and inventory, due in part to GK's ability to provide data in near real-time to Virginia ABC's central systems.
Virginia ABC estimates this reliable tech stack saves the authority over $300,000 a year. They no longer pay for expensive maintenance and support. If a rare issue does arise, Virginia ABC can solve the problem remotely within minutes, ensuring no sales are lost because of disabled systems.
Virginia ABC's integration with GK has decreased costs and headaches by creating a simplified store footprint template that benefits every one of the retailer's 400 locations.
Not only did Virginia ABC create a strong relationship with GK in 2019 they also unlocked access to GK's exceptional partner network, which took the integration to the next level. For example, GK recommended Virginia ABC engage with Macro Integration Services, leading the authority to implement Zebra handheld devices, new switches, cameras, POS hardware, routers and more, all while cutting down on the number of devices required to keep stores up and running.
By investing in a company like GK that has established relationships with other providers, the implementation process was smooth. And, if any issues did arise, the partners knew how to connect with one another to create a swift resolution.
Paul Williams, chief information officer at Virginia ABC, attests that, "having partners that can do the work and do it well together has driven the high levels of success we foster in our stores."
This is just the beginning of GK and Virginia ABC's partnership. The authority is interested in working toward increased transparency with a broadened use of shelf labels to automate pricing and QR codes to provide expansive product information.
GK is committed to helping its partners continuously foster the best customer experience possible. To learn more about how we can take your online and in-store journeys to the next level, reach out to us today.
Store inventory Management is the process of tracking and managing the flow of goods into, out of, and within a retail store. It’s a critical function for retailers of all sizes, as it helps ensure that they have the right products in stock at the right time to meet customer demand.
An effective inventory management can help retailers to:
Increase profits by reducing inventory costs, preventing stockouts, and improving sales.
Improve customer satisfaction by ensuring that the right products are in stock at the right time.
Reduce costs by reducing inventory shrinkage, reducing storage costs, and optimizing transportation costs.
Improving efficiency by automating tasks, streamlining processes, and improving visibility into inventory levels.
Gain a competitive advantage by offering a wider selection of products, meeting customers’ demands more efficiently, and reducing the costs.
In today’s competitive landscape, it is more important for retailers to have a robust inventory management system in place. Retailers that can effectively manage their inventory are better positioned to succeed in the long run. E-commerce retailers are facing unique inventory management, such as the need to ship orders quickly and rapidly. Therefore, retailers that invest in new technologies experience an upgrade in their best practices and will be ready to adapt to meet the uncertain challenges of the future and succeed in the complete retail landscape.
Recent data shows that effective inventory management can have a significant impact on a retailer’s bottom line. For example, a study by McKinsey found that retailers that effectively manage their inventory levels can increase their profits by 10%. Additionally, a report by Forrester found that retailers that invest in inventory management software can see a return on investment of up to 300%.
GK Store Inventory Management bridges the gap between the ERP system and store-level processes. It enables employees to handle all merchandise needs effectively and efficiently, whether in store, in the storeroom or with incoming goods, using any device.
Store-level merchandising processes are important for retailers using ERP systems like Inventory intake, which includes referencing documents for items received as support for the manual inventory intake, preliminary receipts and returns.
Some advantages of Store Inventory management include an increase in processing speed and data quality, both in stores and in the ERP systems. There is a high degree of automation in forecasting and replenishment, and the integration of the platform enables the use of data processing devices on Android and iOS. It can be integrated with SAP and any other ERP system with an optimal cooperation with CLOUD4RETAIL services.
Store Inventory management is a critical function for retailers of all sizes. By effectively managing their inventory, retailers can improve their profitability, customer satisfaction, efficiency, and competitive advantage. The complete solution is entirely platform-independent and can be used with virtually any standard hardware and any Java-enabled operating system.
New technologies and trends, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), are also emerging that can help retailers improve their inventory management. By investing in new technologies and best practices, retailers can position themselves to succeed in the future retail landscape.
Reach out to us today and discover how our Store Inventory Management software works!
EuroCIS 2024, Europe's leading trade fair for retail technology, will take place in Düsseldorf from February 27 to 29, 2024. GK Software SE, one of the world's leading providers of comprehensive retail applications for real-time omnichannel business systems, will be presenting its latest solutions and technologies together with innovation partners at booth C40 in hall 10.
At the upcoming EuroCIS, GK will focus on how retailers can be supported in serving their customers according to their wishes and needs. To keep them coming back, the key is to create the right touchpoints, the right personalization for each consumer, the right prices for each product, intelligent loyalty programs and a shopping experience that meets customer needs. At the same time, employees need to be empowered with efficient solutions and manageable levels of automation so they can focus on the services that matter to consumers. All of this must take place in a secure and sustainable environment.
GK's answer to these challenges is the modern and open platform GK CLOUD4RETAIL, on which GK solutions such as GK OmniPOS, GK Mobile POS, GK Self-Services and GK Drive are based. Modern cloud technology enables retailers to offer personalized services and seamless shopping experiences at every touchpoint, wherever the customer wants them.
At EuroCIS 2024, GK will present GK Engage for the first time in Europe. The AI-powered solution aims to deepen customer relationships through relevant recommendations, a targeted approach and customized offers. The personalized campaigns take into account customer preferences, inventory, and retailer goals in real time and can be seamlessly integrated into the CLOUD4RETAIL platform. GK Engage is designed as an open white-label solution so that different services can be integrated directly into existing retailer applications.
Michael Scheibner, CEO of GK Software SE, points out: “Every year, EuroCIS is a showcase for the leading IT providers for the retail industry. We are very much looking forward to the exhibition because this year we will present a whole range of innovative solutions that address the specific challenges of the retail industry. With GK Engage and GK Drive we have two important new solutions at our booth, which will massively expand our offer”.
After the successful market launch in the US market and productive installations in the four-digit range, GK is intensifying its efforts to adapt the cloud-based solution for fuel stations in Europe. As a result, the full functionality of the CLOUD4RETAIL platform is now available for the fuel station and convenience business, both for petrol companies and for retailers with their own fuel stations.
These core topics will be accompanied by numerous other innovations at the GK booth, which have either been developed in the company's own research laboratories or in cooperation with numerous innovation partners. For example, visitors can learn about AI-supported article recognition in connection with fraud detection scenarios at self-checkout terminals, intelligent shopping carts with integrated personalization or the new in-store fulfillment solution from GK. In cooperation with VR Payment, GK will also present an innovative solution for “Payment on Customer Display”. This solution will be demonstrated at the GK booth as well as at the VR Payment booth.
Acumera, the leading end-to-end managed network security and edge computing provider, is thrilled to announce its participation in the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2024 Annual Convention and Expo. As a testament to its commitment to innovation, Acumera will be conducting demonstrations of GK Software's retail applications, hosted by the Acumera Reliant Platform, at Booth #6645.
The annual NRF event, Retail's Big Show, serves as a premier platform for industry leaders and innovators to showcase the latest advancements in retail technology. Acumera participates to underscore its dedication to empowering retailers with state-of-the-art solutions that enhance connectivity, security, and operational efficiency.
Key Features of the Acumera Reliant Platform that enables GK Software and many other use cases:
For more information about the Acumera Reliant Platform, please visit www.acumera.com.