POS Shipments to Europe/Middle East/Africa Continue Solid Growth
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- The electronic point-of-sale (POS) market in Europe/Middle East/Africa experienced solid 4 percent shipment increases in 2005, fueled by new store growth of segments such as supermarkets and hypermarkets, according to a new study released today by retail technology consulting firm IHL Consulting Group.
This is happening even though several European economies continue to struggle under heavy taxation and an aging population. "Although several regional economies continue to struggle, POS shipments continue to pull out of an early decade slump as retailers upgrade their infrastructures," said Greg Buzek, president of IHL Consulting Group, a research and advisory firm that serves retailers and retail technology vendors. "Supermarkets and Hypermarkets are leading the way with new innovative systems tied to loyalty programs and Self-Checkout."
According to the study, retailers in all vertical segments are looking more to purchasing their POS hardware and software from different vendors. With few exceptions, this multi-vendor strategy is being pushed by lower cost hardware options that run on open systems like Microsoft Windows and Linux.
This is happening even though several European economies continue to struggle under heavy taxation and an aging population. "Although several regional economies continue to struggle, POS shipments continue to pull out of an early decade slump as retailers upgrade their infrastructures," said Greg Buzek, president of IHL Consulting Group, a research and advisory firm that serves retailers and retail technology vendors. "Supermarkets and Hypermarkets are leading the way with new innovative systems tied to loyalty programs and Self-Checkout."
According to the study, retailers in all vertical segments are looking more to purchasing their POS hardware and software from different vendors. With few exceptions, this multi-vendor strategy is being pushed by lower cost hardware options that run on open systems like Microsoft Windows and Linux.