IT RELATIONS Blog

Digitalization in retail and other cash-intensive industries continues to accelerate. According to current plans by the German federal government, new requirements for cash register systems and receipt issuance may affect many businesses from 2028 onward. At the center of these proposals are mandatory electronic cash registers for numerous companies and the introduction of digital receipts as the new standard.

The Hosselmann bakery has stood for artisanal baking craftsmanship for more than 100 years. The family business was founded in 1922 by Anton Hosselmann. To this day, many of the traditional family recipes are still used and form the basis of the daily product range. With Fabian Hosselmann, the next generation is already ready to lead the company into the future. With more than 200 branches, Hosselmann has become a well-established name in the region. At the same time, the company places great importance on preserving its family atmosphere and personal closeness to its customers.

Deeply rooted since 1936, Blumen Decker GmbH has stood for regionality, quality, and a passion for plants in Achern and the surrounding area for decades. However, its success is not based solely on its diverse product range. Above all, the combination of expertise, personal advice, and close customer relationships makes the garden center a trusted destination for many people in the region. To meet this standard in day-to-day sales operations, Blumen Decker continuously works on optimizing its internal processes. Most recently, the focus shifted to the checkout. The goal was to find a modern solution that simplifies sales processes for both customers and employees.

For rolls, bread, and pastries to make it across the counter, numerous processes must work together seamlessly behind the scenes. Purchasing, production planning, inventory management, scheduling, POS systems, and financial accounting all need to be perfectly aligned. Yet in many bakeries, confectioneries, and cafés, these processes are still managed across multiple systems. Integrated, industry-specific ERP solutions promise greater efficiency, transparency, and planning reliability.

In retail, the focus is often on the front office. After all, this is where advice is given, transactions are processed, and sales are made – seemingly deciding the business’s success. But this assumption falls short. Without accurate data, standardized processes, and reliable controlling, a future-proof store operation is inconceivable. This is exactly where the back office comes in. Acting as the hub between store and headquarters, it manages systems, consolidates information, and creates the foundation for informed decisions. In this crucial position, efficiency, transparency, and security are urgently needed – yet are not always in place.

In the hospitality industry, everything revolves around customer satisfaction. If food and drinks taste great, a solid foundation is in place. But what other factors matter beyond that? From personal experience, we know that attentive service, short waiting times, a pleasant atmosphere, and accommodating special requests are just as relevant. What may sound time-consuming can actually be implemented quickly in practice, thanks to end-to-end processes.

Since the introduction of the Cash Register Security Ordinance, all electronic cash registers must be equipped with a Technical Security Device (TSE/TSS). When implementing this, retailers, restaurants, bakeries, and others often face the same question: Hardware TSE or Cloud TSE? As is often the case, both methods have advantages. Ultimately, the solution must fit the specific requirements of the business. Here is a comparison.

Trust is good. Control is better — even in retail. Because grabbing cash from the till (“the drawer”) is by no means rare. For retailers, it therefore pays off to uncover behavioral patterns and quickly identify deviations from standard procedures. This way, false accusations can be avoided — and theft can be reliably exposed.

Caught between a shortage of skilled workers, continuously rising cost pressure, and evolving customer expectations, retailers are increasingly reaching their limits. Workforce planning adds yet another layer of complexity. Too few staff, and service quality suffers. Too many, and margins shrink. Finding the right balance has become a vital core competency and is particularly successful when based on reliable data.

It's the central question for anyone in the hospitality business: How can they make customers happy? Of course, restaurant operators earn points with good food – but that’s not all. At the end of every visit, the overall impression must be convincing. This includes service. Friendliness and smooth operations are highly valued. Fortunately, service staff now have technical support in the form of so-called waiter apps.