Retailer WSS Taps Aptos for Mobile POS

In this week’s tech news, mobile POS and AI take center stage.

WSS Taps Aptos One for Mobile-enabled Store Experience

Aptos said WSS will deploy its Aptos One POS platform across more than 100 stores nationwide. Built on the Aptos One microservices-based platform, Aptos One POS is a mobile-first application designed to streamline and enhance in-store experiences for both WSS shoppers and store associates.

The move to Aptos One POS represents a strategic initiative for WSS, according to Sarah Derba, senior director of information technology at the retailer. The solution is designed to empower sales associates to move freely throughout the store, interacting with customers and providing exceptional service, the company said. With Aptos One POS on mobile devices, store associates will have access to real-time inventory data, customer purchase history and promotional offers — all at their fingertips.

Derba said Aptos One POS is extremely user-friendly, and “combines advanced functionality with a clean interface and simplified workflows, allowing for quick associate training. Customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction go hand in hand. Our investment in Aptos One is part of our commitment to providing the best possible experiences for both.”

Looking ahead, WSS said it is committed to remaining adaptable to new trends and market shifts. The Aptos One platform provides the retailer with the flexibility to differentiate its brand and pursue new opportunities. “Tech stack agility is very important to us,” Derba said. “We need to meet our customers’ needs today and react quickly as those needs evolve. The Aptos One platform gives us the ability to do just that.”

“With Aptos One, we’re helping retailers break down data silos, unify systems and reinvent the shopping experience,” said Jeremy Grunzweig, Aptos general manager. “WSS is a remarkable retailer that makes a positive impact on the communities it serves. We’re honored by our long-standing partnership and excited for their next chapter in retail technology innovation with Aptos One.”

Nearly Half of U.S. Small Businesses Say They’re Ready to Embrace AI, but Need Guidance

Visa’s latest small business study reveals a surge in interest for artificial intelligence among small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. and Canada. The report was conducted by Morning Consult and is based on a poll of 500 small business decision-makers.

The results revealed a significant gap between awareness and adoption. While nearly half (44 percent) of those polled said they are eager to leverage AI, they lack the know-how to get started.

The report, titled “The Rise of AI: Small Businesses Are Catching Up,” finds that even among those who have already adopted AI, a staggering 90 percent faced initial hurdles. Learning how to use these tools was their biggest challenge, cited by 47 percent of respondents. Other roadblocks included navigating the variety of AI options (36 percent), uncertainty about implementation (34 percent), compatibility concerns (31 percent) and worries about data privacy and security (26 percent).

The report also explored the recent surge in AI adoption. More than two-thirds (69 percent) of respondents said they have implemented AI and did so within the last year. Increased productivity is the top driver, with nearly 70 percent of AI adopters citing it as their primary reason for AI implementation.

Small businesses report experiencing significant benefits, including time savings (63 percent), productivity boosts (47 percent), improved customer experience (43 percent) and reduced errors (40 percent).

The report also highlighted the tech-forward mindset of Gen Z entrepreneurs. Two-thirds of Gen Z and Millennials polled said they use AI in both their business and personal lives. For them, AI isn’t just an option, but a necessity for staying competitive and innovative. This is particularly true for those in the creator economy, who leverage AI for content creation.