Choosing the Best Barcode Scanner for Retail Store: A Complete Guide
Retailers have a tough job. They have to know about all the new products and new inventory numbers for their distributors and need to plan for upcoming trade shows. A barcode scanner is one of the most important tools at their disposal.
Have you been troubled to figure out which barcode scanner is best for your retail store? Many stores make the mistake of not doing their research and purchasing the incorrect type, and they spend more time and money than they should. So, before you choose a device that will save time, effort, and money, we’ve put together this guide to make sure you choose the best possible option.
What is a Barcode Scanner?
A barcode scanner can help speed up time spent at the register and make it easier to maintain a correct inventory count and return easy access to product information with just one scan. Choosing which scanner is best for your store is not as simple as picking up the first one you see; there are many factors that you’ll want to consider before making this decision.
A barcode scanner is an electronic device that recognizes and decodes the information encoded in a printed bar code to allow the user to access information about the product, including price. Barcodes are widely used in retail and wholesale outlets where they are scanned (usually at checkout) to automate record-keeping tasks.
What is a Barcode System?
A barcode system is a form of optical character recognition that uses multiple linear arrays of invisible reflective bars to encode information. The bars are represented by parallel lines of various widths, with the widths and spacing between the bars representing binary digits.
With this system, it is possible to read any barcode simply by scanning its pattern with a laser or an optical scanner. In their most basic form, barcode systems consist of two parts: one for generating the patterns that encode information on printed media and one for reading them (called “dynamic” or “imaging”) and decoding them automatically from the printouts when scanned.
Importance of using Barcode scanner Systems in Retail Stores
Retail stores are closely regulated and very competitive, so the difference between success and failure can often be as simple as using a barcode scanner.
Barcode scanners are designed to give retailers a significant advantage over their competitors by making it easier for them to track inventory, improve customer service, reduce shrinkage and make more accurate inventories. Some types of barcode scanners have additional features that allow retailers to scan large quantities of products (such as truckloads).
In contrast, others offer sophisticated data analysis tools, so they know the profit margin on every product they sell.
The two most obvious uses of Barcode systems are:
- Make Inventory Management Easier
The most obvious advantage many types of barcode scanners offer is improved inventory management. Using a barcode scanner, a sales associate can easily scan an item and automatically update the inventory with information such as price, quantity on hand, and product description. This saves time by eliminating the need to enter each transaction while providing accurate information manually.
- Reduce shrinkage
Barcode scanners are also effective tools for reducing shrinkage (also known as shoplifting). If a store uses a handheld or fixed scanner to check each item purchased, they can identify the exact items that have been purchased and see if there is any discrepancy between their records and what was scanned at the register.
How to choose the best barcode scanners for your retail store
It is no surprise that there are many different types of barcode systems. The most popular one is the UPC (“Universal Product Code”) barcode system, which grocery stores and supermarkets across countries offer. But there are over 200 different types of standard UPCs (in fact, more than 1000).
Here are some ways to choose a barcode system for your retail store:
When your existing system isn’t as efficient as you’d like, you would like to go for a more efficient system. The best way for your business to get rich is by providing the customers with a quick, convenient and efficient shopping experience – The time it takes to process an order is the time that the customer spends reading the barcode – why should they have to spend more than a minute doing so? Go for the best quality Barcode Scanner system that can provide you quick, quality service.
The most obvious aspect is the type of barcodes you’ll be reading. There are a couple of kinds of barcodes: one-dimensional and two-dimensional. The type of barcodes used for your products will influence your system selection.
The frequency with which the barcode scanner is used will also influence the selection of a barcode system. If you scan thousands of items daily, it is better to invest in a more durable model.
The type of barcode system you choose is also determined by whether you intend to use it indoors or outdoors.
Every barcode scanner has a scan depth, the minimum and maximum distance the scanner can be used at. Choose one that is ideal for your specific needs.
The Bottom Line
There are numerous types of barcode systems available. When selecting one for your retail store, the key is to strike a balance between functionality and budget.
Your priority should be to select a system that can scan all of the products in your store. Also, choose a durable system to ensure long-term performance.
To get the most bang for your buck, prioritize performance over price.
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