After 25 years of operating a well-respected mail order and online tea retailing business with no physical locations, the Harney family made the decision to expand its footprint with a flagship store in New York City’s dynamic SoHo neighbourhood. The company opened its first retail location in November 2010, using LightSpeed as its Point of Sale system.
“People love the look, the speed and the ease of use. Staff enjoy its power, simplicity and support through LightSpeed, and Digital Reality has been great. We’re very happy with our choice.”
This elegant, old-world tea shop is managed by the third generation of Harneys in the family business. It’s the fresh approach of this young, forward-thinking team that led them to select this groundbreaking retail solution to run their store.
Harney & Sons had previously deployed a Point of Sale system that ran on both Mac and PC, but didn’t feel that this older, less comprehensive solution would be as easy to use, or as able to support the company’s growth, as LightSpeed would be. Because LightSpeed offered mobile and multi-store features that far surpassed their existing system, they made the switch.</p
Having heard about the Mac-centric software from other satisfied retailers in the area, Harney & Sons SoHo implemented LightSpeed and LightSpeed Mobile with the help of Digital Reality’s Eric Catania, a certified Apple consultant and Expert-Certified LightSpeed reseller. Among everything else, it enables them to complete transactions and process credit card payments from anywhere in the store, using an iPod touch and Linea Pro sled – the same hardware used in Apple’s successful retail stores.
Harney & Sons SoHo enjoys all the benefits of LightSpeed, both on the shop floor and as part of its business processes.
Just as Harney & Sons learned of the platform through positive word of mouth from other retailers, they, too, would recommend the platform to others looking for a Point of Sale system.
“I love having an iPod checkout for the customers who like to walk around the store and just point at what they want,” said Emeric Harney, General Manager. “Being able to personally shop with people and walk with them makes the shopping experience very personal. LightSpeed Mobile helps us to build customer relationships and allows us to spend more time tending to the customer’s needs.”
