HIGH-TECH INNOVATION AT KEECH HOSPICE CARE

By: / Charity Shops, Gift Aid, News / Comments Off on HIGH-TECH INNOVATION AT KEECH HOSPICE CARE

Keech Hospice Care has deployed new EPoS technology across its 33 charity stores to boost revenue through maximising Gift Aid contributions.


“Gift Aid is a huge revenue stream for us as we raise more than £300,000 each year through its capture,” said Angela Burgess, head of retail at Keech Hospice Care. “But with research showing that charities claim less than half of Gift Aid available to them, we wanted to take steps to make sure we’re not missing out. So Keech is thrilled to roll out this new EPoS technology.”


Keech Hospice Care charity store


Keech Hospice Care is the adult hospice for Luton and South Bedfordshire, and the children’s hospice for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes, supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses – and their family and friends – both on site and in their own homes. The charity depends on donations from its community for 70% of its funding which means it needs to raise £14,000 a day to continue making the difference when it matters the most.


In August 2016, Keech switched its old till system to CHARiot, a charity EPoS system developed by point of sale specialist Nisyst. The software captures 100% of converted Gift Aid through Full Scan Mode (FSM) and Nisyst doesn’t take any commission.


Angela continued: “Three companies presented to our team but we bought into Nisyst as a business; we also liked its people and their personable approach. CHARiot appealed to us because of the time efficiencies, security and Gift Aid solutions it offers. After a presentation to our shop managers, three stores were needed to pilot the new system, yet a dozen hands went up when we asked who wanted to try the software first.


“Since the CHARiot roll-out, our revenue has increased by thousands of pounds. The new technology has ensured our staff and volunteers can effortlessly capture Gift Aid at every sale. We’re now able to monitor how different stock departments are performing and what product groups are selling well, which guides us in laying out our stores to increase sales.


“Staff and volunteers picked up the new processes quickly – everyone wants to be at the till now and loves how quick cashing up is. We plan to introduce its use for our lottery, furniture collection and delivery services in due course.”


Bob Chunilal, managing director at Nisyst, concluded: “CHARiot has been developed through collaboration with our customers and we’re constantly introducing new features to offer new opportunities to improve their Gift Aid contribution. We’re delighted to work with Keech Hospice Care and provide the charity with a solution that brings significant business benefits.”


For more information about Nisyst’s CHARiot system, visit www.charityretailsystems.co.uk and follow Nisyst on Twitter – @NisystEPoS