Two weeks ago, senior management at Afterpay confidentially advised they were shutting down their Touch business – the business through which close to 2,000 newsagents access phone recharge and other voucher related products.
This news is set to be announced to you today by Touch. I mention it here because NANA emailed newsagents in its database yesterday, unexpectedly.
Through the Tower integrated ezipass platform close to all 1,700+ Tower Systems software user newsagents have relied on Touch for 15+ years.
As far as I am aware, there is no other POS software integrated platform available.
If you want to offer voucher services, I think you will be forced to go with an ePay terminal, which is not integrated. I don’t like ePay. They have not helped support small business retailers. Their approach is to require you to use stand-alone technology on the counter to sell their products. This is inefficient.
I am pursuing alternatives as sourcing these through a POS software company makes the most sense.
If the decision by Afterpay to close frustrates you, please know that it frustrates me too. I like their platform and their people and have enjoyed doing business with them.
For what it is worth in the three shops I own and run, we will cease to offer these Touch type services. Our businesses have transitioned significantly away from traditional newsagency retail with more revenue coming from outside what has been usual for that retail channel.
Mark Fletcher
Managing Director
Tower Systems
0418 321 338
Is there any other option apart from ePay?
Not at this stage. It could be an opportunity to cut this type of service from the business and focus more on higher margin product sales.
Mark agree with your sentiment entirely. Though, my business does 2 or maybe 3 daily to longstanding customers (retirement town) and as such was a highly appreciated service even if it was a minor loss to my business. Sometimes service is a good thing and brings kudos and respect from the community.