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For the first time, local businesses and communities can be part of the store network that offers an OTC Benefit Program! This program expands beyond Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine but includes health foods as well. Read to the end so you don't miss out on this great business opportunity and get on the track to start receiving OTC program payments. 💡 Nationally, there are 1.905 million members enrolled in healthcare plans that have this benefit and with a spending allowance between $7.5 billion and $18 billion. Before we continue, you should know what the OTC Program is. The OTC/Health Food benefit is a health insurance benefit provided by many of your local Medicaid and Medicare insurance plans that serves the health needs of many of "your current customers". Now, for the first time, local retailers (pharmacies, grocery stores, delis, fruit markets, bodegas, etc.) can participate in these programs and have access to customers using an OTC card as a payment method – you may have had customers come in and try to transact with a card that has an S3 logo. Universum & ProHealth Connect At Universum, we are constantly working to give your business the best benefits and service, which is why we are collaborating with a new ally: ProHealth Connect. ProHealth Connect is a payment processing solution that allows new and current customers to buy over-the-counter medicines and nutritious food products in your store, using OTC benefit cards. Through Universum’s POS system, we provide independent pharmacies and grocery stores with access to millions of members of United Healthcare, Humana, Wellcare, and other leading health insurance companies. A sample list of approved products can be provided as part of the integration process. There are hundreds of thousands of eligible products. When scanned, the product will indicate whether it is included or not. Within these products you will find: Painkillers Antiacids. Antiemetics (medications designed to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting). Antihistamines (allergy medication). Dermatologicals Toothpaste Deodorants Dietary supplements. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and cereals. Be the first business to receive this benefit! Every benefit counts. Today, we’ll explore why integrating OTC (Over-the-counter) programs in your business can make a difference and provide significant added value for your customers. With Universum’s POS, you will be able to process S3 OTC cards One of the highlights for 2024 and all the members of the Universum family, is the function that can be enabled in the system, allowing you to receive eligible OTC (Over-The-Counter) Program payments. This is a great opportunity for your business to be part of the store network under the program, which is not only limited to over-the-counter medicine but also allows consumers to purchase food and nutrition products. What is the benefit of purchasing food? Food is essential to a healthy and high-quality lifestyle. Health plans have realized that making food available to members is not only an excellent consumer experience but also helps reduce overall healthcare costs. This emerging benefit means that members can purchase food, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, and grains, all of which are paid for by the health plan but purchased by the consumer. How do I know what products are eligible? 💡 Members participating in the S3 OTC/Food Purchase can access a mobile app that features a product scanner so they can verify if a product is eligible before making payment. How to acquire this benefit? If you have a Universum POS system, you must be an active customer with a uCare or uCare+ plan to receive this new software update for free; just fill out a form with one of our agents or visit this link, and just like that! you will be able to receive OTC Program card transactions (purchases are made in the same way as a debit or credit card purchase). 💡 Don't miss the opportunity to generate more sales! and gain access to the $18+ billion over-the-counter market, sign up here or contact our sales agents at +1-888-507-6614. With no enrollment costs, Universum & ProHealth Connect is a risk-free way to increase your customers’ spending and loyalty. 💡 On average, retailers using ProHealth Connect generate over $11,000 in monthly sales through benefit cards, with an average ticket size of $63. If you want to know more about our services and benefits, contact a sales agent at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, X and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

Can you picture owning a bodega or store and not being aware of the sales status? There's more to properly running this kind of business than just selling goods and getting paid for them. Doing a sales analysis is a critical task for businesses because it enables them to create commercial strategies that will help them make the right decisions and increase their profitability in a competitive market. 📖 You might be interested: Key tips to get started with your supermarket or bodega Top tip on proper business management: For starters, getting a Point of Sales System (POS) should be a priority to help you systematize all of the supermarket's operations. If you already have it, then you must explore how to use the tool to your advantage. Many owners and/or supermarket managers are unaware of the informative power of making a sales report properly, in this blog we will give you a broad idea of its importance and how you to generate them. Let's start from scratch! What is a sales report? A sales report is the collection of data specific to a business's commercial activities. Details of the transactions made (cash and/or cards) and the sales performance of a business. This information becomes the guide to identifying opportunities to improve and achieve a successful business, which also allows for the team’s performance improvement. What is the best strategy to generate a successful sales report? To acquire a Point of Sales System (POS) for your business. 📖 You might be interested: Supermarket sales strategies What can you achieve by generating a good sales report? Follow up on financial performance. Know sales behavior during the day, month, and year. Identify if you are getting the expected results with your current commercial strategy and/or if it’s necessary to make changes. Identify product demand and customer preferences. Know if you are meeting your sales objectives. Perform an analysis to determine marketing strategies, offers and prices that will improve the overall profitability of the supermarket. In the daily life of supermarkets, different information structures can be studied with sales reports, the following are the most common. A complete report on the company's sales can provide the following data: Sales performance: Access to a summary of sales by periods: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly. Inventory control: Know the status of product inventory and identify customer purchasing trends. Transaction summary: A report of transactions by filtered by payment method (Cash, debit and/or credit card, government program cards). Profit and loss: To have a view of the company's financial performance. Customer purchasing behavior: Greater control of income and expenses. Universum and its sales reports power. Universum's Point of Sales System (POS) is a powerful tool to organize and monitor all the operations that take place within your business. It is a great ally for inventories, transactions and reports. You have the option to systematize every process and be able to run them easily and securely, whenever you need to take commercial actions on the supermarket or bodega. On the reports subject, it provides great support with the summaries of daily, weekly and annual sales, gain knowledge on the amount of transactions and the payment method used for each one of them. 💡 Our POS has an integration feature with QuickBooks Online, which makes accounting processes even smoother for those already working with that app. Click on the image to know more about Universum/Quickbooks Step by Step How to access sales reports with Universum's POS system? Enter your startup password. Click on the reports button (It is the button between inventory and configuration). On the screen you will see different buttons, click on the one you are interested in. These are the on-screen options: Daily employee reports. Cost of sold goods report by item category. Sales summary Revenue report by category Revenue report by themed category Shift cash report Inventory Cash Report Perishables Report 🕰️ Reports bring accurate real-time info. Remember that making your sales report simplifies the follow-up of your operations and decision-making. If you would like to learn more about our services and benefits, contact a sales agent at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, X and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

Do you want your supermarket to stand out and be more competitive? Work on designing and implementing strategies that strengthen positive customer experiences; this will increase your sales and position your supermarket locally. Discover how to unlock your full creative potential while establishing and improving your supermarket or bodega by following our blog series. Remember, location is key, but strategic planning, attention to customer needs, and attractive offers that drive sales are key to standing out on a large scale. Here is part 1 in case you missed it: 📖 Make your Supermarket unique! Important tips to start from scratch Next, we are sharing a series of strategies that you could implement in your supermarket or bodega: Communication strategies. Every company must keep communication and customer interaction easy and fast, to know their concerns and doubts. This will enable you to gather insightful feedback that will improve operational processes as well as the promotion of products, services and the different eventualities that arise. How can you achieve this? 1.     Create effective communication channels that guarantee direct contact with customers, establishing personalized and trained attention. There are many communication channels and all of them have their own interaction strategies, sometimes their dynamics are similar and, in other instances, you can always collect information to improve. We recommend the following communication channels: o   Telephone Contact. o Customer service, support, complaints or returns contact. o   Corporate and customer service e-mail. o   Social networks with chats enabled. o   Whatsapp Business o   Website and online chat. Usually, through these channels, customers are informed about supermarket dynamics and information is collected to create more successful strategies. 💡 Important fact: Receiving feedback from customers can help your business expand and will also help you identify areas for improvement, so make sure your communication channels are enabled, active and aligned with the identity and values of your business. According to statistics, 85% of consumers believe that a brand's customer service determines how devoted they will be to it. 📖 If you need help or don’t know much about it, check out this blog about artificial intelligence (AI) and how you can apply it to your business. 2.     Trained personnel: The customer experience will mark the difference between you and your direct competition through quality service. Promote friendly and courteous attention from your employees to your customers, and efforts to find effective solutions to their concerns. Their speech must be consistent with the company's policies, promoting the business identity. 💡 Tips on how to improve customer service HERE 3.     Improve the customer experience inside your supermarket: Great customer service is related to customer comfort in their shopping process as well as in the interaction with the staff inside the store. 4.     Presence in social networks: This 2024, social networks and online presence will continue to lead the formulas to position a business, reaching a wider audience, therefore, creating quality content and focusing on consumer behaviors, will be the most important key to strengthening communication and creating more attractive promotion strategies, with a value proposition of your business brand, which is the reason why a customer prefers a commercial establishment, over others. Pro Tip: Create content strategies based on neuromarketing 💡 "Neuromarketing is the psychological study with the purpose to comprehend people's behavior at the time of purchase. It aims to understand how people interact with a brand and what their motivations and interests are for making a purchase." Let's start with the idea that everything communicates. Knowing the consumer will make the difference when creating promotional strategies based on neuromarketing studies, to know the reaction to the different products and/or services of the supermarket. Some effective neuromarketing strategies for content creation that we have already analyzed for you. Generate curiosity. Create a need. Target basic instincts. Product or service exclusivity. Show authority and capability. Create mirror neuron impact, i.e., turn the supermarket brand or any product it offers into a trend. Stimulate the senses. Talk about prices. Educate your audience. Use storytelling. Generate identity and belonging. Organize your supermarket's finances: If you want to have an organized supermarket business, a tool like a POS System is perfect to help you systematize it and have accurate sales reports. This will guarantee transactions, inventory tracking and sales analysis. In addition, it is great for the implementation of loyalty programs to help you improve the customer experience. Click on the picture on the right to know more. Achieve this by acquiring a Point of Sale (POS) system and other technologies that support employee management. How will Universum help your supermarket? With Universum's Point of Sales System, you will be able to improve your customer experience, providing a more efficient, fast and secure service. Remember: Our POS system streamlines your operations and facilitates customer service. In addition, it will help you manage checkout lines in your business so that they can flow properly. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of our services, contact a sales agent at 1-888-507-6614 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com to learn more about our company. Don’t forget to follow us on our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

Do you own or are you thinking of owning a supermarket or bodega? Do you want to increase sales but don't know where to begin? In the United States, opening a new grocery shop or supermarket is more than a simple venture; it is the beginning of a journey full of challenges, but also enormous rewards and opportunities for growth. Did you know that it requires more than just focusing on where your business is located and how the items are handled, continue reading this blog and discover additional aspects that affect your company's profitability and success. This month, we will bring you a series of tips and blogs specially designed for new owners or those who want to improve the efficiency of their supermarket. Prerequisites for setting up a supermarket All markets are different and consumer research is a tedious task. It is important to understand that not all ideas—even ones that have been effectively used in other regions of the world—work in the same way. Here is a basic guide to starting a supermarket. Let's get started! 1. The first thing to do is: market analysis. This is the primary factor and the initial stage of everything, where the operational position of the supermarket and its surroundings are assessed. Previously, an investigation of the existing competition in the area must be conducted, to later start with the identification of the final consumer, their needs and purchasing preferences. What should you take into account when performing a market analysis? Demand: How much interest do customers have in your product and/or service. Market: Quantity of people interested in your offer. Competition: How many supermarkets offer the same thing? Economic indicators: Income and employment rate. Location: Space where the supermarket would operate. Price: Determine your product's price according to the profit margin. Analysis and product selection: as well as being aware of market trends. This involves researching which products are in high demand, which brands are most popular and which prices are competitive. In addition, it is important to consider aspects such as quality, freshness and variety. What other elements should you consider? Consumers basic needs. Shopping trends (personal care, clothing, food, cosmetics, technology accessories, sports, etc.). Include organic and healthy foods (About 3,507 supermarkets already sell these products). Product sourcing: Research, establish and select reliable suppliers. Price adaptation: see if you can cut them every now and then. Selling seasonal and local goods can help you increase your profit margin. Location: make sure that your business is well-lit, adequaltely signposted, easy to access and that customers can easily navigate. 🚀 Learn more about Market Analysis 2. Detailed business plan Study all the pros and cons of opening a supermarket. Having a business plan is the basis for any type of business. Things to keep in mind Your value proposition and the unique characteristics that set you apart from the competitors. Business objectives. Marketing strategy. Costs, revenues, distribution programs and customer loyalty. Consider and resolve the following: Business objective: Define what the business does and what it offers and create a strategy that differentiates it from the competition. Name: Choose a name for your business that reflects its identity. It should be easy to pronounce and remember. Market segmentation: Who is your final customer or buyer persona? Location: Put your supermarket in a visible and easily accessible location. Communication channels: to be in constant communication with clients. Commercial strategies that you should implement to promote sales and offers according to the season. 📖 Learn more about visual merchandising here Permits and Licenses In the US, there are many licenses and permissions that need to be obtained before opening a supermarket. To make sure that all local and state laws are followed, it is best to get professional legal advice. How Universum helps you organize your supermarket from scratch? Universum's Point of Sales System has essential features to systematize and organize your supermarket. By acquiring Universum's equipment and services, you will be able to reap these benefits: Real time inventories. Accureate sales reports. Accept all types of payments (cash, debit card, credit card, EBT cards and WIC cards). Integration with Quickbooks online to make your accounting efficient. Limited time promotion programs. 24/7 technical support and attention, in English and Spanish. If you would like to learn more about our benefits and services, contact a sales agent at +1-978-416-9964 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com to know more about our company. Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

With 2024, companies are experiencing new obstacles that challenge many traditional views and methods, especially with the arrival of Artificial Intelligence (AI), an alternative that has been created to transform company operations, the decision-making process and how the most complex tasks are carried out, all while enhancing their value in customer service. Technology and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has created a need for all companies that desire to optimize their processes and personalize experiences between their employees and their clients, with a growth of more than 40% of its popularity, it is guaranteeing the evolution of businesses through operational efficiency, thus making a big difference in the market. In this blog, we will discuss the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can help generate more value in companies, and guarantee success and transformation,  but before starting with a list of benefits of AI, let’s define it. What is artificial intelligence (AI)? “It is a discipline within computer science and engineering that aims to develop intelligent systems, capable of learning and adapting, while taking human intelligence as a reference” 💡In simple terms, they are intelligent operating systems that support business processes performing tasks and solving problems, like any other employee. The benefits of using AI to improve company operations have had a great impact in how we live and work, providing quality solutions and minimizing delivery times. Benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 24/7 Availability: An intelligent system that works without interruptions at any time of the day. Ease of communication: Improves communication in companies' digital environments, providing tools such as video conferencing, messaging applications and chatbots, which adapt to purchasing preferences. Companies can provide advice and technical support to more people, at various points. Automation: Saves time and work since it helps perform repetitive tasks that require more time than usual. Decision making: Reduce human errors! Based on data analysis on customer preferences, it helps companies make decisions to improve conversion rates. Client recomendations: Conduct an analysis and promote recommendations based on the most consistent interests and habits of clients. Mixed Reality: Allows you to understand the shopping experience through product visualizations. Sensory technology: Facial recognition and product search through images. Completing the functions performed in a company with artificial intelligence (AI) strategies to sell more is a great challenge for optimization and growth, which will make the difference in achieving business objectives, with data provided through it, Entrepreneurs can anticipate and learn more about their customers' needs to make crucial and assertive decisions. Implement Artificial Intelligence to sell more With the creation of artificial intelligence, the commercial field has undergone great evolution. It has been of great help in creating strategies that allow us to know more about our clients and give us the means to reach out right on time, with the right product. What artificial intelligence tools are effective in sales? Chatbots: What can they do? - Answer frequently asked questions. - Capture data. - Perform transactions. - Remember user/ customer preferences. - Suggest related products, etc. Automation: Creating sales platforms with automated processes, avoiding long hours of manual work. Predictive analytics: Recommendations based on predictive analytics. This translates to sales reps making better decisions and creating effective sales strategies. Tools for potential customer selection: With the use of algorithms that facilitate follow-ups to potential customers and lead selection, enabling conversion rates. Marketing personalization: Companies can use AI to create targeted content, automated copywriting and personalized campaigns. If you haven't yet incorporated strategies that include artificial intelligence into your business, now is the time to try it out. By automating daily tasks, employees will be able to focus on more creative and competitive activities in the market. Why is Universum's POS system the best choice for business success? You will know how much you sell in real time! With this data you can create business strategies that strengthen your company and improve the customer experience, combine it with the help of artificial intelligence and watch your business grow. Universum's offer Quality technological equipment that allows for 100% secure inventory processes and payment transactions. In addition, with the Quickbooks integration, your accounting will always be up to date. Learn more about Universum: Contact a sales agent at +1-978-416-9964 or visit the website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

Have you stopped to think about the impact of providing top-notch customer service? Join us in this blog to learn essential tactics that can help you fulfill client expectations and position your business as a synonym of excellence. Boost your sales and attract more customers to start 2024. Do you know the importance of your company having efficient customer service? In this article, we'll discuss tactics that help you meet your client's demands and offer them practical solutions, all while promoting a positive perception of your business through the actions of well-trained employees. The first thing we must understand is the concept of customer service. What is customer service? It is the set of actions that a company carries out to satisfy and resolve the needs of its customers through assertive and positive attention. It is made up of business strategies that aim to improve the customer experience when purchasing a certain product, promoting good relationships with customers and customer loyalty. Good customer service is the perfect formula to differentiate yourself from other similar companies and generate more sales and customers. What are the most important characteristics of good customer service? Trained staff The staff in charge of customer service must have the ability to efficiently address and resolve customer problems and complaints, through personalized, professional, and courteous communication. Staff must be aware of all the services and/or products offered by the company to provide appropriate recommendations. Communication channels available Companies must have different communication channels for customers to communicate with customer service personnel easily. They must have the availability of telephones, emails, website, online chat, and social networks. Ideally, these channels must be enabled 24/7 to provide support. Responsibilities Companies must assume responsibility for any issues that arise when a customer purchases a product and/or service, in addition to showing empathy for the complaints made. Good conflict resolution attracts loyal customers. When something goes wrong, it is essential to take responsibility and ownership of the problem. This demonstrates your ability to remain composed, your dedication to finding solutions, and your concern for the user experience. Effective and positive communication Customer service staff must listen carefully to the consumer and maintain positive relationships by providing clear and timely information. Timely and efficient attention The responses and times given to clients must be timely and within the times given during the service. Businesses can employ technology to optimize their response time. For this instance, automation is a fantastic choice. 24/7 attention: It is important that customers can communicate with the company any day and at any time. Also, being able to assist while speaking the local language as well as a secondary, is ideal. Issue Follow-up The company must follow up to ensure that the problem is fully resolved. How can you obtain that information? Customer service staff should make calls, surveys, or emails. Monitoring allows them to know if customer’s expectations are being met. How to achieve appropriately trained staff in customer service? Companies must carefully select their customer service employees, when hired, this team must be continually trained to provide the best solutions to consumers. Remember, the reputation and good image of the company is in the hands of the customer service department. How can you select a good customer service staff? Study the candidates' profiles: Select competent personnel, with skills and capabilities focused on customer service. Once they are hired, the company must make sure to train them constantly and provide them with tools that allow them to do their job effectively and safely. A Customer Service Team that connects: Customer Service Staff need to be able to relate to and comprehend their clients' demands as well as to know how to assist them in a friendly and responsive manner. Motivated staff: Goals should be focused on providing excellent customer service. Employee motivation is essential, keep in mind that to prevent overload and stress brought on by the workflow, staff members need to receive training and take regular breaks. Study your customer: Conduct surveys and study the different problems and complaints that your company faces. Putting yourself in your customer's shoes, as an exercise, might help you better understand their demands and inspire your team to discover innovative solutions through the practice of empathy. 📖 Here we show you how Acquire a POS System If your goal is to improve your customer’s experience, your first step should be to obtain a POS System that will allow you to optimize your processes and have control over your sales. At Universum, we have the best equipment offer for your business. Contact Universum services If you want to learn more about our services and benefits, do not hesitate to contact a sales agent at +1-978-416-9964 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

With the arrival of 2024, a window of opportunities opens for you to sculpt the future of your company. The key is to pay attention to your customers and adjust to their tastes and habits. Additionally, don't underestimate the influence of cutting-edge trends and technology resources; these are your allies in streamlining internal operations and propelling your company into success. Discover how to chart the right course! What should you focus on to create powerful strategies? In this blog, we will mention the aspects that are bound to mark 2024: Marketing trends, consumer habits and new tech that will be game-changing. Build a great Customer experience: Short how to Personalized experience: As days pass, customers require more personalized experiences. A great tip is to start using artificial intelligence to optimize processes and offer more focused and direct experiences when you don’t have enough staff for these tasks. Don’t forget about omnichannel: Keep in mind that the more ways your client has to access you, the more communication and connection you will have with them. Make sure you have several channels enabled: Physical commercial establishments, online presence, and social media, so you can offer a smooth and seamless experience. Channels such as Facebook, WhatsApp and others will enhance your business and its customer relations. Digital transformation Technology is constantly evolving, and businesses have benefited greatly from this artificial intelligence era and its ability to optimize operations. Look into implementing blockchain technology or augmented reality in your business. Sustainable policies: Businesses are becoming more and more aware of how critical it is to link their brand to sustainability policies—those that encourage social inclusion and environmentally friendly behavior. Where to start? Investigate and incorporate environmentally friendly solutions, such as reusable or biodegradable packaging, into your business. Teach your employees to reduce plastic usage, recycle, and reuse materials while starting to reduce other contaminating factors. 📖 Learn more and check some of the best practices for small businesses ♻️ Digital Marketing and Online Presence: customers being able to find your business on the Internet is an added value and is an important element to sell more. Give power to your social networks: Making quality content guarantees a connection with your followers. Make content that does not promote sales directly, but rather informs and educates on topics associated with your business. For example, if you own a supermarket, you could create recipes with products customers can find there. Use live videos and contests to gain an audience. Analyze your clients and their feedback: It is the year of the consumer, create commercial strategies focused on understanding their behavior and satisfying them. Market Trends: Analyze market trends and make the necessary adjustments so that your products and services are at the forefront. Stay informed of what your competition is doing. Train your staff: Don’t forget your staff must be trained to provide better service. It is vital to maintain an excellent work environment, enabling everyone to work as a team assertively. Strategic alliances: Make a plan to achieve collaborations with other companies/brands that allow you to expand your market. Participating in important activities and events gives visibility to your business, as well. Business expansion: Visualize and organize your business so that it has the possibility of expanding to new markets and building new headquarters. Company organization: A company with defined systems and procedures is more effective. On the sales aspect, having a point-of-sale system that ensures secure transactions, allows for the creation of marketing plans, and gives you control over sales is perfect. 📖 In this blog we show you how Universum keeps your transactions safe 🔐 This 2024, our team will keep collaborating with businesses to provide tools for their growth and success. Our main task is to provide effective solutions to ensure that all operations are safe and supported. We are an ally that desires to continue growing along with its clients. Why is acquiring a POS system with Universum the best option for your business this 2024? Universum offers equipment that adapts to any type of business and can be purchased at very competitive prices in the market. Additionally, it features an integrated collection of systems that allow you to receive payments of all kinds, including cash, debit cards, credit cards, EBT cards, and WIC cards. You can also perform your accounting easily with its Quickbooks integration and, to put the cherry on top, customer support is available 24/7 in Spanish and English. If you want to learn more about our services and benefits, do not hesitate to contact our sales agents at +1-978-416-9964 or visit the website: www.universumsolution.com.

Nowadays, environmental awareness and responsibility have taken on much more importance among companies in the US and worldwide. Creating business sustainable strategies that help minimize damage to the planet and its ecosystems has become an almost never-ending task, establishing business models that promote committed and more environment-friendly consumption and, at the same time, generate a positive image in front of consumers and, thus, have a differentiating point among competitors. But how can your company venture into this complicated world of sustainability without getting lost in regulations and laws? In this blog, we will reveal the vital strategies that your business can adopt to lead with environmental responsibility, always aligned with current laws. But first, you must understand some terms and definitions used in the world of sustainability. Join us on this fascinating journey towards a greener future! What is business sustainability? It is the strategy created by companies to reduce the negative environmental impact that is generated in their operations processes. These strategies aim to leave traditional business practices behind and begin to implement social, economic, and environmental policies that ensure the development of communities and their environmental well-being, minimizing any nature-harming practice, through the responsible use of our natural resources. Examples of environmental sustainability strategies in companies Circular Economy: To maintain a balance between development and sustainability, this production and consumption model encourages resource optimization, the consumption of raw materials, and the use of waste, which can be recycled and reused to create new products with a new purpose and functional life. Benefits of Circular Economy 1. Protects the environment: By setting guidelines to minimize the generation of waste and protect natural resources. Reduce emissions. 2. Local economy: Benefits production models based on the reuse of waste and minimizes the import of raw materials. 3. More Jobs: Promotes the development of a new, more competitive industrial model, strengthening social responsibility and economic growth. Energy resources: Energy consumption causes a significant environmental impact. But, how can we implement strategies to save energy? Currently, companies and society, in general, are becoming more aware of the need for alternatives and are working on the transition to solar and/or wind energy, which are renewable resources with very low environmental impact. Sustainable Development Goals: In your sustainability plans, reviewing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) presented by the UN, is a must. Here you’ll find how the reduction of the environmental footprint can be achieved through different methods. An analysis must be carried out to identify which ones adapt to your business and how to approach their implementation. Raise awareness among employees and consumers: They are the main promoting agents of better environmental practices. Create goals and commitments that encourage the care of natural resources, based on three R strategies (reduction, reuse and recycling). How to encourage environmental responsibility strategies in companies? We know that employing effective policies that help minimize the environmental impact generated in our companies, is non-negotiable in the long run. It is important to raise awareness among employees and communicate to them the need to meet these goals. Below, we will reference some simple steps that make a difference and bring great results. Culture and sustainable consumption: The company is made up of its employees, who must comply with the environmental policies implemented and begin to change their habits. Raising awareness about the care of natural resources among each of them is a priority. An employee responsible for their consumption will be a leading spokesperson for these practices. 🚀 Learn about Universum's sustainable work culture ♻️ Water consumption and care. Water is one of our most important resources and, as such, it must be valued. One of the best practices is regulating its consumption, as well as looking for solutions that allow saving and/or reusing it. In addition, a process of changes must be initiated to avoid contamination with products harmful to health. Example: Detergent, oils, among other chemicals. Using natural products in general, is a great start. Carbon footprint: It is an environmental metric that calculates the emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHG), which are generated by companies and individuals. These gases are responsible for global warming and climate change. Waste Recycling: Keep your space fresh and free of trash. Implement waste collection strategies effectively. Use specific bins that indicate what type of waste should be deposited, so they can be separated correctly. Make alliances with companies that are dedicated to recycling plastics, cardboard, glass, and even oils to guarantee that these materials will be reused. Plastic reduction: Promote the use of reusable thermoses or cups and avoid excessive use of disposable plastic. Minimize paper consumption: Reduce the use of paper and implement digital solutions with technological tools, such as the use of electronic invoices. Manage your business responsibly: Start optimizing processes to consume fewer resources. If you handle hazardous waste, implement efficient methods for its disposal. Community Projects: Participate in community projects that promote sustainability and social responsibility. US Sustainable market in constant growth If you want to cover a market in constant growth, start by including more sustainable products in your inventory. During 2023, 40% of people in the United States began a change in their consumption habits and looked for better options that reduce the negative impact on our environment. What are the trends in these consumer habits changes? • Consumers are increasingly looking for brands and/or companies that have clear sustainable policies. • Consumers are currently leaning towards the use of recyclable as well as reusable packaging. • Some studies reveal that consumers between 25 and 34 years old in the United States choose to make more sustainable purchases, focused on purchasing organic and local products. • Most supermarket shoppers are opting for reusable bags or boxes. Contact Universum If you are thinking of starting a sustainable products business (or just want to implement sustainable solutions), do not hesitate to ask about our Point of Sales System (POS) services. We help you optimize your processes and organize all the information, you will be able to make your inventory, order products by expiration date so none of them go to waste, know how much you sell in real time, accept all types of transactions, and the best, all functions focused on providing your customer with a better experience. If you want to learn more about our services and benefits, do not hesitate to contact our sales agents at +1-978-416-9964 or visit the website: www.universumsol.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

The success of any business is to offer quality products or services, but there is also great value in the way it can connect with the consumer and understand their expectations and needs, allowing it to be a reference and create a feeling of identity that brings loyalty with it. When a company is based on the feedback of its customers as a tool to improve and grow, it can strengthen its commercial strategies so that its product always meets market needs. In this blog, we highlight the importance of client-business interaction and the transformational potential of feedback in developing business a plan and vision that ultimately lead to happy customers. What does a company's customer feedback consist of? It consists of the collection of data that allows us to know the customer’s perception of the business and the products or services it offers. This information is acquired through opinions, comments, and experiences that customers can share through different communication channels, such as websites, social networks, or telephone calls. When a corporation conducts a customer analysis, it gains a broad vision of consumer preferences concerning products. Said vision can be prioritized when assessing and identifying various elements to improve and understand market demands. This can help make decisions and strengthen sales strategies and customer loyalty relationships, demonstrating that the business and its staff give value to the opinions generated. How can feedback help significantly improve your business? Customer’s voice: Analyze the customer's perception of their needs and expectations. Understand that a comment can be precise information that helps you define what is going well or not and what aspects of the business need to be managed or improved. Turning criticism into opportunities to improve: Take criticism or bad comments about the product and/or service as opportunities to correct and move forward. Provide solutions to your clients, so that your company stands out as a differentiating and innovative business. Collection and strategic use of Feedback: Create a feedback-collecting method from your clients for information. This method must guarantee you can use that information to create improvement strategies. Basing your commercial strategies on it is key for business growth. More connection with customers: It is the opportunity to strengthen relationships with customers. Demonstrate their opinions matter by responding to comments, offering solutions, and letting them know that suggestions that provide customer satisfaction are being implemented. How to collect customer feedback? There are several ways to collect customer feedback and directly review their opinion about the business's products and services: • Social Networks: Customers can share their opinions through comments made on the company's social networks, forms, or emails, as well as through a conversation with a commercial agent. In addition, you can analyze the interactions on different social networks, such as likes, shared posts, or comments. • Satisfaction surveys: You can learn about the customer's experience and perception through these surveys. • Experience reviews: Some clients usually write reviews on digital platforms such as Google and on different social networks. By monitoring them you can have a balance of which have been positive and which have been negative and thus obtain a report on the consumer's perception. • Data analysis: Marketing tools can be used to measure and track various aspects of client behavior, including conversion rates, interactions, and the amount of time spent on the website. Communication channels Companies must know what their customers think about the products and services they offer, which is why they must create different communication channels that allow their interaction with departments and employees. Below, we reference some of the most used: WEB Page: This is a communication channel that provides customers with information about the company, in addition to direct online interaction. It provides the brand’s identity and may include the history, vision, mission, and policies of a company. Add sales or complaint and suggestion forms. E-mail: Through this tool, there is direct communication between the company and customers. It is ideal for receiving claims or complaints and carrying out informative and advertising email campaigns that are aimed at consumers on specific and festive dates on the calendar. Instant Messaging: Currently there are several tools to connect companies and their clients, the best known is WhatsApp Business. Social Networks: These platforms are ideal for showcasing the company's brand and products. They are sales and promotion channels. To manage a company's social networks, there must be a marketing and communications team that reflects the brand identity and develops quality content for consumers. The most popular currently are Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, among others. Surveys and Feedback: Tools that allow the collection of opinions and customer perception in different aspects of the company. In conclusion, feedback is the path that all businesses must follow to obtain an indicator of customer satisfaction and loyalty and create tools to begin strategies that strengthen processes. How does Universum collect feedback from its clients? Universum has enabled its communication channels, such as customer service lines, email, chats, and social networks, where it constantly reads and analyzes the comments, complaints, or concerns of its customers, to provide them with timely solutions and enhance commercial strategies—taking as reference the information provided by them. This information has served as a basis to improve the customer experience with the equipment and the software by changing and/or adding new functionalities that they have required in their business to continue their growth process. It also maintains communication with its clients by conducting satisfaction surveys that allow it to know the users' perception of the POS System and also provide info to create effective solutions. If you want to know the benefits of Universum’s POS System and services, contact our sales agents at +1-978-416-9964 or visit our website: www.universumsolution.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum

In the supermarket and retail business world, having a Point of Sale System (POS) has brought many benefits in commercial operations, in addition to favoring the way the customer experiences the purchasing of their products, and security in every transaction. However, the proper functioning of the POS System must be ensured through its maintenance so that every process is carried out efficiently and securely. In this blog, we will show you how to maintain your POS in the best condition. What should we consider for a POS to function properly? Updated software: Make sure you have your POS software up to date and always keep the latest version. This guarantees security, minimizes errors and allows you to make use of new features. Equipment in good condition: Check that all equipment is in good condition: The POS, printers, scanners and payment terminals. Make sure all devices are working properly and well connected. Maintenance and cleaning: Perform preventive maintenance and cleaning of the devices, this minimizes wear and tear on the equipment. Security: Take security measures. Keep passwords up to date and verify that software is protected from viruses. Monitor equipment operation: If you are mindful of regular performance, you will be able to identify failures and be able to take quick solutions. Technical Support: Have the contact of your service provider company on hand, a call for tech support can save you time and possible inconveniences. Cleaning the POS System equipment: Cleaning the POS equipment regularly is ideal to prolong its performance and useful life. Below, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to clean equipment easily and safely. 💡 Pro-tip: Before cleaning, make sure you have the equipment turned off and unplugged. Also, carefully reading the manufacturer's recommendations is a good practice considering some equipment might need specific cleaning products or techniques. Touch Screen: To clean touch screens, use a soft microfiber cloth, moisten it a little with isopropyl alcohol, and use circular movements to avoid scratching the screen. Never apply glass cleaner directly to the screen. General cleaning: With a soft cloth slightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol, clean the exterior of the equipment while avoiding applying liquids directly and preventing them from leaking into the interior of the equipment. If there are slots in printers or payment terminals, clean the area with a cotton ball and verify no residues are left. Keyboard and/or buttons: These accessories should be carefully cleaned with cotton swabs. Do not apply liquids directly and, when done, check that there are no residues left. 💡 Pro-tip: Schedule cleaning routines for your equipment every month or whenever required. This way, you will have a reminder on your calendar that helps you avoid the risk of damage. Materials necessary for a good cleaning of your equipment: 1. Soft microfiber cloths. 2. Cotton swabs or towels. 3. Isopropyl alcohol, among others. Universum and tech support It is our priority that the software and equipment function properly so that business processes are carried out smoothly. Our Point of Sale System is available in two languages: Spanish and English, and customers can select the one that best suits their needs. Similarly, customer service is provided in both languages, allowing for assertive and effective communication between our staff and our clients. Our technical support lines are up 24/7, ready to assist you: +1-888-507-6614 Get in touch with Universum If you want to learn more about the benefits of our services, do not hesitate to contact a sales agent at +1-978-416-9964 or visit our web page: www.universumsol.com Don’t forget to follow our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram LinkedIn: Universum