Clearance Sale Big
A look at what is currently available on eBay
 72" WINTER SALE BANNER SIGN store wide clearance signs discount 50% save big US $38.99 
|
 12" SALE DECAL sticker clearance retail 50% off huge big everything on for now US $9.99
|
Question on how a POS(point of sale) system works.?
Ok, so big chain stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Dillards, etc...when they use a POS system how are the prices distributed. I mean does all the info for regular pricing, sale pricing, clearance, etc...come from a central location or does every store make their own prices? Also i assume data processors are used to convert UPC info to usable info? I just need a real world explaination of how these systems work in general and in big national chains in specific.
Well... first of all, depending on the company, the prices can be set to be consistent in all stores or different depending on demographics. Essentially, all large corporations that I am familiar with, have a central office where all of the information is distributed. This is also where all business decisions are made, in regards to products, pricing, merchandising, and most importantly, the purchasing price of any item. I, myself, see various prices on the same item in different locations of the same store throughout my city and interprovincial. This could be a factor of demographics or something as simple as shipping costs. It is all variable. The current labour costs of a given location could also have a great impact on the retail price.
In regards to UPC codes, they are used to identify and track all items from the top of a corporation right down to the retail level. They will usually be associated with another code assigned to it by that company in order to organize their own inventory management. For instance, the company codes would be used in the warehouses or for ordering purposes at both the wholesale and retail level. At the retail level, the products could also be assigned a "plu," which is usually a manually input code to identify an item. These are most commonly used with items such as produce or deli items. These plu's are usually shorter than the UPC, which makes them easier to remember or be processed manually at the retail level; Especially at the cash register or on a labelling scale. You've seen it done thousands of times with the produce. Most produce these days even have their own plu sticker on them, which certainly ensures proficiency at the cash register.
A good P.O.S. system will be capable of defining any given item by the criteria you want. It will reflect the current cost and retail price, as well as the sales record etc. It is also very easy to introduce a new item or discontinue an old or 'dud' item. It should also be user friendly at all levels, while still maintaining the integrity and security of the information.
Essentially, someone at the top decides what product the company will sell and will negotiate a buying price ( usually a large corporation can get a much lower price than an independent buyer. ) This is then delegated out to all other departments, who then pass it down to the retail level. This would include advertising and mechandising, just to name a couple.
Due to the fact that UPC symbols have been around awhile and the majority of retailers use it or have the potential, the hardware and software in implementing and maintaining all of the data, is very streamlined. The biggest concern would be choosing a system and the cost and effectiveness of it.
What can I say, it is all very complicated, but very simple at the same time! This day and age, the road has been paved and all the hard work has been done, therefore a P.O.S. system is easy to adapt to. The UPC codes accommodate these systems worldwide!
Unfortunately, I noticed that even some large chain stores have poorly managed P.O.S. systems and it is reflected at the retail level. I had a 3 hour nightmare just the other day, trying to buy some clothes. The system was not simple, therefore, the staff and management had a difficult time trying to solve my problem. If I hadn't been patient and helpful, I have no idea what the outcome would have been! Ironically, the mistake was in my favour, but it was so extreme that it would have been wrong of me to let the clerks continue to be unaware of the mistakes! The company could potentially have lost a lot of money! I was only one person and I was undercharged $50! I hate to think of the potential for loss! The funny part was, it took me a 1/2 hour to convince the clerks that I wasn't being ripped off and that it was the store that was losing! I also told them that it wasn't their fault and that they shouldn't be held accountable because that was what head office and the computer were supposed to be for! I hope nobody was fired, because a 3rd manager had to be called in from home! (I went for supper while I was waiting)
I could go on and on, but without specifics, I'm bordering on a "UPC and P.O.S." textbook here! I hope I addressed some of your questions! If not, feel free to post specifics! 
Now.. if your product does not have a UPC code, that is a totally different story! lol!