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Aug 6, 2024 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Jody Hewitt |Naeme Elzein |Tess Bemporat
Lightspeed’s 2024 State of Hospitality report is an in-depth analysis designed to shed light on the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. Based on a survey of more than 7,500 dining consumers globally—with 3,000 respondents in Canada and the United States—this year’s report places a significant emphasis on how inflation is reshaping dining habits. The report highlights the various methods diners are using to save money when they go out for a meal.
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Aug 6, 2024 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Naeme Elzein |Tess Bemporat |Catherine Schwartz
Nothing could be more brat than solo dining. The four letter word that has come to define Summer 2024 is all about being bold, defiant and pleasure seeking. So it’s no surprise that the masses embracing the namesake Charli XCX album are showing an unprecedented tendency to treat themselves. And a solo night on the town fits the brat bill. In Lightspeed’s 2024 State of Hospitality report, 45% of those polled are riding solo for sit-down meals.
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Aug 5, 2024 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Tess Bemporat |Catherine Schwartz
Soft openings offer restaurants a unique opportunity to test their menu, operations and service quality in a low-pressure environment before opening to the general public. In this post, we’re going to walk you through how to get value from a restaurant soft opening and position your business for success right from the beginning. Read on to learn:What is a soft opening for a restaurant? Why have a restaurant soft opening? Are there any downsides or risks?
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Jul 10, 2024 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Catherine Schwartz |Tess Bemporat
In a nutshell:Check that the Sales Recording System you’re using is certified on Revenu Québec’s website. If it isn’t, switch to a certified SRS by the applicable deadline. Introducing WEB-SRMThe right technology can save business owners considerable time and energy. In the 2022-2023 budget, the government of Quebec announced a shift in the way restaurants and bars across the province report their sales.
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May 14, 2024 | 
globalbankingandfinance.com | Tess Bemporat
By Tess Bemporat, Content Manager at Sekure Payment ExpertsAs a business owner, odds are you’re always looking to the future. Questions like “What new challenges and trends should I prepare for?” and “How should I adapt?” likely frequently occupy your thoughts as you plan ahead and anticipate the changes to come. One area that’s changing for businesses? The rise of digital payments.
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Nov 23, 2023 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Alix Fraser |Tess Bemporat
A few months ago, my wife and I took our six-year-old to the local toy store for a free event that included giveaways, copious amounts of treats and all sorts of entertainment for children. An event with the overall goal of attracting customers for life. The little toy store was packed. It seemed that every kid was emerging with a new toy. The turnout was absolutely incredible and the store seemed to be reaping the benefits.
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Nov 17, 2023 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Alix Fraser |Tess Bemporat |Amy Allen
When the first debit cards were introduced to the American public, they weren’t exactly easy to get—and they were nowhere near as convenient as they are now. The expansion of ATM and debit networks in the 1990s led to widespread adoption of debit as an alternative way to pay, replacing checks and even cash for many consumers. The introduction of chip-and-pin cards has led to the rise of pin debit, thanks in part to its increased security.
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Nov 17, 2023 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Tess Bemporat |Alix Fraser |Amy Allen
While we (rightfully) associate the holidays with a surge in sales, retailers also need to prepare for the influx of post-holiday gift returns and exchanges with a customer-focused return policy. Approximately two-thirds of holiday shoppers made at least one return or exchange in previous holiday seasons. While you might be thinking to yourself, “that’s a lost sale!”, returns aren’t bad for business. Shopping for a new POS system? Improve your search with our free POS Buyer's Guide.
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Oct 31, 2023 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Alix Fraser |Tess Bemporat
The holiday season is one of the busiest—if not the busiest—time for businesses. Keeping up with holiday retail trends can fall by the wayside as managers, owners and sales associates focus on getting through the day-to-day bustle. Unfortunately, this leaves businesses vulnerable. Being too busy to keep up with what’s changing and how data is trending means you can’t make the agile decisions during the season.
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Oct 26, 2023 | 
lightspeedhq.com | Tess Bemporat |Kashmala Omar
Today City Bird is a beloved retail institution in Detroit, but when the store opened in 2009 this stretch of Canfield Street looked very different. “The view from our counter was just an empty auto factory and a vacant lot,” says Emily Linn, co-founder of City Bird. Today the design-focused gift shop sits across from retail pioneer Shinola Detroit, a watch factory and store, and Third Man Records, a label and store launched by Jack Black, among other local gems.
