NEW BOZZUTO'S STORES ARE GETTING POS NETWORK SYSTEMS

DEENA AMATO-McCOY

CHESHIRE, Conn. -- Nine new stores acquired by Bozzuto's here will receive personal computer-based point-of-sale systems that will track product movement data from the back door through the front end.

The system is networked to the warehouse and main office to help Bozzuto's keep more precise track of inventory. "The system's DSD [direct-store-delivery] capabilities will give Bozzuto's better control over product movement [and] item pricing, and it can help us in our sales planning," said Tom Spagna, executive vice president for Bozzuto's.

"The DSD backdoor receiving system will let us generate our own invoices," he added. "Now when the vendor comes in, we already have the product cost available in our system."

The chain installed the new system in its Derby, Conn., store in November, and plans to have all nine of its newly acquired stores operating by March.

The new front-end systems feature an enhanced customer interface, including running order totals, Spagna said. "The monitor allows the cashier and the customer to keep track of the purchases, what items are priced, and even gives a total for food stamps if applicable to the order."

The system also has the capability to collect customer information necessary for establishing a frequent-shopper database. Spagna said Bozzuto's has no immediate plans to launch such an initiative, but the system will already be in place if the need arises.

The front-end technology is provided by Electronic Payment Systems, Coraopolis, Pa.