The stores allow customers to buy tickets and products in one purchase. They operate under the fascia M to Go at stations on the Merseyrail electric commuter train network.
Merseyrail used Fujitsu’s Star ticketing system already and has integrated functionality from the supplier’s GlobalStore EPoS system to support the store openings. In addition, Merseyrail has integrated the Retailbase merchandise management system from Itim to create a merchandise database.
Merseyrail retail system project manager Lee Berry said the systems are working well. He is now in discussion with Itim about adding extra reporting tools and functionality to help with decision-making around ordering and stock management.
Berry added that training staff to use the combined ticketing and EPoS system has been simple, because they were used to its user interface already.
He said that the company would sit down in the new year, look at the results of the pilots and try to make business cases for converting more ticket offices to stores. Decisions will be made on an individual basis, but Merseyrail would like to convert offices at as many stations as is viable.
In total, Merseyrail manages 66 of the 67 stations it operates across Liverpool and Merseyside, from which 30 million passenger journeys are made each year.
Profits from the new stores are invested back into the stations. Extra CCTV cameras, better lighting and other security measures have been implemented as a result so far.
The format is similar to a successful one run by Merseyrail co-owner Ned Rail in Holland. Several other major rail operators have had meetings with Merseyrail to review the format, with a view to rolling out similar operations elsewhere.
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