Pursuit hosts successful online launch of new Sonic Software for independent retailers and suppliers

03 Aug 2020

Image: Pursuit Managing Director, Mike Burns

Leading EPoS software and solutions specialist, Pursuit, launched its latest software package, Sonic, via a successful online webinar on the 29th July and can now reveal complete details about its innovative cloud-based system to independent retailers and suppliers.

Sonic is a new software concept designed to redefine the working relationship between retailers and suppliers. The comprehensive solution offers stock control, product repair management, Chip and Pin, website functionality, advertising opportunities and data warehousing, in addition to a dedicated supplier link and a marketplace platform, as well as an app for B2B stock trading.

Pursuit managing director, Mike Burns, says,

“Our goal is to help suppliers and retailers work more closely together. By collaborating, both parties can benefit from increased sales, insights into top-performing products and streamlined stock control and reordering processes.”

As both parties can see stock volume and best-selling items in real-time, Sonic helps to prevent unnecessary restocking delays or overbuying of unsuccessful lines. Independent retailers can also use Sonic to bridge their physical and online platforms, allowing for click and collect, order fulfilment, dispatch direct from suppliers and real-time stock updates no matter where the customer is shopping.

 

For Independent Retailers

Prior to launching Sonic, Pursuit confirmed rumours that the stock control and point of sale aspects of the broader Sonic package will be offered to 300 independent retailers for free on a first-come-first-served basis. This offer has no contract limits or restrictions and promises to make effective cloud-based technology accessible to businesses of all sizes, many of whom are responding to challenging conditions on the High Street. Additional aspects of Sonic, like Chip and Pin, a repairs check-in and tracking system, and transactional websites will be available to retailers on a monthly subscription basis.

Sonic Stock Control allows independent retailers to monitor their stock holding, add new items manually or draw from a supplier’s product database, which is also hosted by Sonic for subscribed suppliers for quick and easy updates. Using this Supplier Link functionality, retailers can add a complete product listing with images, information and pricing to their own website with the click of a button.

Also being offered free-of-charge, the Sonic EPoS System gives independent retailers command over sale prices, discounts, deposits, refunds and e-receipts via a desktop computer, tablet or mobile phone.

 

For Suppliers and Brand Owners

Pursuit’s latest software is set-apart by its Supplier Link – a method of bringing retailers and suppliers closer together to encourage more streamlined working relationships in the digital space. By subscribing to Sonic and downloading the free app, sales professionals can see what stock their retailers have and manage timely reorders; track best-sellers, fast-selling lines and sell-through to offer more tailored product suggestions; and can place orders online or through the Sonic app to reduce lead times and minimise the need for regular visits.

Suppliers will be offered a free three-month trial period to test the productivity of Sonic for themselves. They will then be invited to continue with the service via a monthly paid subscription model, starting from £33 per month.

There are two core elements of the Supplier Link: a Supplier Product Database and a Supplier Sales System. The former functions as an online store, allowing retailers to select products from their existing suppliers or new suppliers to buy and upload into their stock control system. By doing this, time-strapped independent retailers benefit from the immediate transfer of product descriptions, RRP information and images to their system and/or ecommerce website.

The Suppliers Sale System allows subscribed suppliers to review their products by customer, suggest new products their customers may benefit from, and assess a customer’s current stockholding. Based on this data, suppliers can suggest reorders, which the customer must agree and confirm. The Sonic Supplier App will allow on-the-road sales reps to stay connected no matter where they are via tablet or mobile.

Burns explains,

“The Supplier Link is one of the most unique aspects of Sonic. It allows suppliers to offer daily support to their customers and maintain stock holding, monitor bestsellers and suggest repeat orders in a secure, digital environment. With social distancing playing a role in our lives for the foreseeable future, this functionality is only going to be of benefit.”

 

For Existing Pursuit Customers

Sonic is both a standalone software package and an add-on package, meaning it can be taken up by new Pursuit customers and existing customers. Multiple retailers currently using Lifestyle by Pursuit can access Sonic for its Chip and Pin, website, Marketplace and Supplier Link functions. This flexibility means businesses of all sizes, from standalone independents to nationwide multiples, can be served by suppliers and trade stock in the Sonic B2B Marketplace.

 

Further Features of Pursuit Sonic

Sonic will allow independent retailers to create a linked transactional website for their business, with product images, descriptions and prices taken automatically from their Sonic Stock Control System. Through the website functionality of Sonic, retailers can also offer click and collect to drive footfall into store and encourage add-on sales.

The Sonic EPoS System allows for an integrated Chip and Pin device (supplied by a third party) and can accommodate a range of payment methods, including Apple Pay, WeChat, Alipay, China Union Pay and tax-free shopping.

Finally, the Sonic B2B Marketplace gives retailers the chance to trade excess or unsold stock amongst themselves and put out requests for specific items they may not stock. The Sonic B2B Marketplace will also be accessible via an app.

Sonic took three years to develop and was launched to the trade earlier than anticipated in response to leaked information about the software and its capabilities. The patent-pending Sonic package is considered a first-of-its-kind system for the UK trade and Pursuit opted to launch early to maintain its competitive advantage.

Burns says,

“Sonic will be especially useful to maintain successful retailer-brand relationships in the digital space as we navigate the socially-distanced High Street. We are incredibly proud of this software, so when details about the Supplier link and other free aspects of the package were leaked to the press we chose to act.

“The online launch of Sonic was even more successful than we predicted and we’re already seeing an influx of enquiries from independent retailers, looking to be one of the businesses that will receive our Sonic Stock Control and Point of Sale services for free.”

To enquire about a three-month free trial for suppliers, please contact the team on sales@pursuit.co.uk. Independent retailers wishing to sign-up for free Sonic services can also get in touch.

Find out more about Sonic 

Source: Pursuit Sonic