CASE STUDY ..... Otter Nurseries
““Operationally, it is simple to use and the response from the staff has been great. We have an excellent working relationship with open retail and they have accommodated changes based on our ideas into their solution. This has made it an even better system and a mutually beneficial partnership ..
Malcolm Howell - Management Accountant
- Increase sales
- Improves margin
- Less Stock
- More Profit
Tried and Tested ........EPoS Systems and EPoS Software...... in use at Otter Nurseries Restaurant.
See your Profits Grow by using product promotions and managing waste, a seasonal business can still be a profitable business.
A garden centre needs to be in stock of fast sellers and clear the stock of slow sellers before the season ends.
Speed at the tills, easy promotions and sales statistics improves buying and reduces stock.
If you can measure, it you can manage it, saves time, reduces costs - increase sales increase profit
The Customer Background
Ottery Nurseries is a family run business that was originally built up from a nursery by Mr Malcolm White and his family. It has grown to the extent that it is the largest employer in the local area of Ottery St Mary in Devon. Although the majority of the product range is classic garden centre plants, trees, and shrubs many of which are still grown by the nursery locally, the shopping experience is more like a department store, selling furniture , clothing and an interesting range of general retail goods.
The Need for Change
With the expansion Otter Nurseries has made it a tourist destination known not only for the quality of the plants but also the quality of the food served in the restaurant. As part of the new building expansion a revamped restaurant was built serving both hot and cold food. It was fundamental not to loose that personal touch that was built into the waitress service , when new epos technology was to be used
The Solution
when taking orders for , controlling the preparation of and serving of meals. Although touch screens allowed for meal options and choices , an additional tier was added to record the way in which the meal would be served. Lets say you wanted a roast dinner and you had selected your vegetables, the additional request would let to say where you wanted the gravy , or even if no gravy was required..
The Benefits
As a tourist destination they need to maintain a year round custom of seasonal sales whilst still maintaining and developing a local base of customers. To do this they decided to offer a high quality carvery restaurant. The epos solution supports the restaurant using a cafe serving version of the till program.
The Future
The whole process was scrutinised and the epos system tweaked to respond to make eating there a satisfying experience. Although most of the changes were in the ordering process on the till, the kitchen is advised of both hot and cold meal preparation via printed table service, in the right order of starters, mains and sweets, irrespective of the way placed. The meals availability is stock controlled and made aware to the counter staff , avoiding the customer becoming upset, having being told up front of any sold outs choices. The kitchen monitors table service by touch screens prompting any late tables not to be missed. The serving of tables is completed by waitress staff touching and clearing the table as the meals go out. This system isn't a case of too many cooks, more a case of a meal deal, maintaining the Ottery brand of quality and service.
