Just nine per cent of small and medium enterprises have implemented electronic point-of-sale systems (Epos), according to new research.
The survey of over 100 SMEs found that cost is the main barrier to implementing Epos, with the average price paid for a complete system £12,000.
It also revealed a lack of awareness, with 20 per cent claiming to have a computerised till when in reality, only half of those included a credit card terminal.
The survey conducted by PFA Research on behalf of Actinic says the most commonly cited reason for adopting Epos was for management and control of the business (38 per cent) and stock control (25 per cent).
But 14 per cent of retailers said they might be persuaded to adopt Epos only if the cost was lower.
Actinic chief executive Chris Barling said: ‘The shame is that cost and a lack of information seem to be a major barrier to uptake in the SME market.
‘Unfortunately, the current round of consolidation in the market also appears to be reducing competition further and keeping prices artificially high. But companies that do adopt EPOS soon find that they could not manage without it.’
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