With 1,700 stores across 26 countries, this premier convenience and travel retailer is a staple in high-traffic hubs, including airports, hospitals, and railway stations. Their mission to provide a "quick and hassle-free" experience for travelers has fueled rapid growth, including an expansive network of over 120 stores and 500 employees in Australia alone.
Breaking Free from Manual Stocktaking
As the business scaled, its manual stocktaking process became a major constraint. Store staff recorded item numbers and quantities on paper before returning to the office to enter data into the ERP system. This time-consuming workflow limited stocktakes to only a few times per year and frequently resulted in inaccurate inventory data and stock losses. A faster, more accurate solution was required.
Real-Time Accuracy with Keypad Mobility
A rugged handheld terminal with a physical keypad was identified as essential for fast and reliable data entry. The retailer adopted the CipherLab RK25 rugged mobile computer, with CipherLab’s RK26 now available as the next-generation successor model offering enhanced performance. Featuring durable design and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, the solution enabled real-time data transmission to the central database.
Paired with Track n Trace’s stocktake application, the handheld terminal allowed staff to scan barcodes, count inventory, and enter quantities directly on the device—eliminating manual recording and duplicate data entry.
Measurable Results
The impact was immediate. Stocktaking efficiency improved by 80%, data accuracy increased by 15%, and stocktaking frequency rose from monthly to weekly. As a result, store losses were reduced by nearly 5%, while inventory visibility and staff productivity improved significantly.
Conclusion
By modernizing stocktaking with CipherLab’s keypad handheld solution and integrated software, this global travel retailer achieved faster operations, higher accuracy, and reduced losses—demonstrating how CipherLab’s mobile computing solutions support operational excellence in demanding retail environments.
