In today's high-stakes retail environment, a long queue isn’t just a minor inconvenience – it’s a conversion killer. Studies show that over 80% of shoppers will avoid a store if they see a long line, and nearly 70% of those who do enter will abandon their purchase if made to wait more than five minutes. For enterprise retailers, the challenge is not just about speed – it's about delivering a seamless customer experience that reflects the modern shopper’s expectations.

One of the most powerful tools in addressing this challenge? Mobile POS (Point of Sale) systems.
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The Queue Problem: A Modern Pain Point

Long queues frustrate customers, result in abandoned purchases, and damage brand perception. Retail executives recognise the issue: 92% of retailers report that in-store wait times are a significant problem, as do 84% of consumers. Importantly, 9 in 10 shoppers say the checkout experience is a key determinant of whether they’ll return to a brand.
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Enter Queue Busting with Mobile POS

Mobile POS changes the game by untethering the checkout process from the fixed register. By equipping store staff with handheld or tablet-based checkout tools, transactions can occur anywhere in-store, reducing pressure on fixed tills and improving customer flow.

This is queue busting in action: reducing or eliminating queues by bringing the checkout to the customer. Benefits include:

• Significantly reduced wait times: Customers can complete their purchases without standing in line, leading to a smoother, more enjoyable shopping experience and reducing abandonment rates.
• Higher conversion rates: By speeding up the checkout process, retailers capture more sales opportunities, especially from impulse buyers who might otherwise leave due to long queues.
• Rapid, efficient service during peak hours: Mobile POS enables staff to scale up checkout capacity instantly, easing congestion during busy periods like weekends, holidays, and sales events.
• Enhanced, personalised interactions: Associates can engage with customers more meaningfully on the floor, offering tailored recommendations, loyalty rewards, and real-time assistance while completing the transaction.
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Awayco's Results: 50% Queue Time Reduction

At Awayco, we’ve seen these benefits firsthand. With our Mobile POS solution deployed across large-format Australian retailers, we’ve helped achieve up to 50% reductions in queue wait times during peak trading hours.

These aren’t just theoretical efficiencies – they translate into measurable revenue gains, better Net Promoter Scores (NPS), and more agile store operations.
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Real-World Success Stories with Mobile POS

• Apple Stores pioneered the concept of mobile-first checkout. Employees can process transactions from anywhere in the store using handheld devices, eliminating the need for traditional counters. This approach not only reduces queue times but also creates a high-touch customer experience that reinforces the brand’s premium positioning. The lack of a formal checkout line gives customers a sense of ease and convenience, which has been widely emulated across the industry.
• Home Depot leveraged mobile POS during busy seasons to handle high customer volumes in garden centres and large aisles. Staff equipped with mobile devices were able to assist customers directly with purchases of bulky or seasonal items, check inventory availability, and even arrange for delivery on the spot. This not only shortened queues at the front registers but also led to a smoother shopping experience and a 6.1% boost in same-store sales.
• Sephora deployed mobile POS to streamline checkout during product launches and holiday rushes. Associates were able to process purchases on the floor, particularly in high-traffic beauty zones. This reduced drop-off from long waits and allowed staff to make personalised product recommendations by accessing loyalty profiles on their devices. As a result, Sephora saw higher conversion rates and stronger engagement during peak shopping events.
• AllSaints implemented mobile POS across over 140 stores globally, aiming to unify its online and offline customer experience. Associates could now complete transactions, check stock availability, and arrange online orders from anywhere in-store. This agility proved especially valuable during busy shopping periods, with reported improvements in both checkout speed and customer satisfaction. The move also supported AllSaints’ broader omnichannel strategy, helping to bridge online and in-store service.
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Why Mobile POS Works

1. Flexible Deployment

Mobile POS doesn’t rely on fixed hardware or extensive infrastructure, which means it can be deployed flexibly across the retail floor. Staff equipped with mobile devices can be stationed where foot traffic is heaviest or dynamically moved to where queues begin to form. This agility ensures a responsive service model that can adapt in real time to fluctuating customer flow, especially during promotions, events, or weekend peaks.

2. Speed & Simplicity

Mobile POS systems are designed for intuitive use and lightning-fast transactions. Contactless payments, tap-and-go capabilities, and digital receipts all contribute to a streamlined experience. By removing the barriers of outdated systems and manual processing, transactions are completed more efficiently, reducing friction for customers and allowing staff to serve more shoppers in less time.

3. Staff Empowerment

With Mobile POS in hand, store associates become empowered brand ambassadors and service enablers. They’re no longer tied to the register — instead, they can walk the floor, engage customers at the point of decision, check inventory, offer tailored advice, and complete transactions on the spot. This versatility turns a checkout into a moment of personal service, increasing opportunities for upselling and enriching the overall customer experience.

4. Scalable Across Locations

Awayco’s Mobile POS platform is purpose-built for enterprise scalability. Whether rolling out across 10 stores or 1,000, the system is designed for seamless deployment with built-in compliance, data security, and integration with existing retail tech stacks. Its modular, cloud-based architecture ensures minimal disruption during onboarding and consistent performance across diverse store formats and geographies.
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Beyond Speed: Impact on CX and Sales

The improvements aren’t just operational – they’re strategic. Shoppers expect fast, convenient service. By removing queues, retailers:

• Drive higher basket sizes with contextual upselling: Mobile-enabled associates can recommend complementary products and close sales directly on the shop floor, increasing average transaction values.
• Capture more sales by reducing abandonment: With fewer queues and faster service, customers are less likely to walk away, resulting in improved conversion rates during both peak and off-peak periods.
• Strengthen customer loyalty through smooth, stress-free checkout: By offering a frictionless and positive final touchpoint, retailers leave a lasting impression that encourages repeat visits and long-term engagement.
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Conclusion: A Faster Future for Enterprise Retail

Mobile POS solutions are no longer just an innovation or a tactical fix – they’ve become a cornerstone of competitive, customer-centric retail strategies. As shoppers grow increasingly impatient with slow service and outdated checkout processes, enterprise retailers that invest in mobile POS are unlocking a new standard of speed, flexibility, and customer satisfaction.

With Awayco, these benefits are already being realised. Our clients have seen up to a 50% reduction in queue times during peak hours, translating directly into more completed transactions, larger basket sizes, and improved customer sentiment. Just as importantly, these changes aren’t temporary lifts –they represent a lasting shift in how retailers engage with customers and deliver value on the shop floor.

Beyond the metrics, Mobile POS helps retailers create an environment where the checkout process no longer feels like a barrier, but an extension of personalised service. It transforms the final step of a shopper’s journey from a source of friction into a moment of ease, even delight. When store associates can complete transactions, provide tailored recommendations, and serve customers from anywhere in-store, the entire retail experience feels more connected, more efficient, and more aligned with what today’s customers expect.

Retailers that embrace this shift are positioning themselves not only to retain customers, but to build loyalty and advocacy in an increasingly competitive environment. Mobile POS is not just about speed; it’s about removing obstacles, unlocking revenue, and future-proofing your retail operations.

Connect with Awayco to discover how our Mobile POS platform can elevate your store operations, eliminate queues, and transform the checkout experience into a seamless, personalised interaction. With proven results across leading retailers, our solution empowers staff, enhances customer satisfaction, and drives measurable business outcomes, setting a new standard for modern retail.

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