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BlueStar Retail & Hospitality Newsletter Q1.25

BlueStar March 31, 2025 3:58:18 AM EDT

Digital Sigange Retail Self-Service Hospitality

Transforming Business with Technology

by Amy Masterman

It's no secret that the retail and hospitality industries have seen some incredible changes over the past few years. From self-service kiosks to digital signage and SoftPOS, technology has been changing the way many businesses operate. As a distributor, we're always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve and make sure our systems are working smoothly for you. In this edition, we'll be highlighting some of the updates we've made to our Bluestore and warehouse, as well as some exciting new products from our vendors.

These updates are all about helping you run your business more efficiently and effectively. Whether it's streamlining your operations or finding new ways to engage with customers, we're here to support you every step of the way with our dedicated HART (Hospitality and Retail Technology) team.

Solution Spotlight

As part of this quarter’s focus on technology updates, we’re excited to share two standout solutions from our vendor partners. These cutting-edge products are fresh off the press, designed to help you stay ahead of the curve and provide your customers with the very best in innovation. Whether it’s simplifying payments or enhancing self-service options, these updates are all about transforming business processes and delivering smarter solutions for retail and hospitality.

oona 10

In the fast-paced world of retail and hospitality, making things easier for both businesses and customers is key. That’s where the oona 10 Android tablet comes in. With its clever SoftPOS technology and groundbreaking EMVCo Level 1 Contactless Reduced Range 2 certification, it’s changing the game. This is the first tablet in the world being certified to let businesses accept contactless payments directly on the device, meaning there’s no need for bulky card readers or extra hardware. Thanks to its front-facing NFC and optimized read range of up to 2 cm, payments are quick, secure, and hassle-free—perfect for busy shops, restaurants, or cafés.

The oona 10 isn’t just about payments—it’s built to handle the demands of everyday business. Its rugged design makes it tough enough for any environment, whether it’s on a counter or being used on the go. Plus, with options to customize it with accessories, it can adapt to whatever your business needs. By simplifying workflows, cutting down on costs and speeding up checkouts, the oona 10 gives you an innovative solution to offer your customers, helping you stay ahead in a competitive market.

Shop oona 10 >>

Zebra KC50

The Zebra Kiosk System is a versatile, Android-based solution designed to meet the increasing demand for self-service options across various industries, including retail, hospitality, healthcare, postal services, and travel. Its modular design features the KC50 Kiosk Computer in 15 and 22-inch screen sizes, with Z-Flex connectors that allow easy addition of peripherals. The VESA back enables diverse mounting options,
ensuring compliance with accessibility regulations like ADA and EAA. The system integrates seamlessly with
Zebra's enterprise Android platform and DNA tools, simplifying deployment, configuration, and management
for a superior customer experience.

Shop Zebra KC50 >>

From The Studio

Ask Blue Podcast #38 | Modern Shopper Expectations with Zebra's Mark Thomson

It’s always a pleasure to welcome Zebra’s Retail Industry Director Mark Thomson to the Ask Blue podcast. In this episode Richard and Mark dive into the findings of Zebra's 17th annual shopper survey showing some surprising revelations about shopper (dis-?)satisfaction and the reasons behind these. Touching on concerns such as outdated technology, the ease of finding products and prices, the availability of coupons and discounts, and the presence of helpful staff, the discussion also highlights the growing importance of a seamless blend of physical and digital shopping experiences, with examples like in-store kiosks enhancing the customer journey.

Success Stories

As your trusted specialised distributor, we’re here to do more than just supply products—we’re dedicated to helping you and your end users succeed. From selecting the right solution to ensuring smooth delivery, we’re with you every step of the way. Over the years, we’ve worked closely with our partners to tackle challenges, simplify processes, and deliver results that make a real difference.

While there are countless examples of how we’ve supported our resellers, we wanted to share two standout success stories that highlight the impact of our collaboration. These examples showcase how our commitment to going above and beyond has helped businesses achieve better outcomes for their customers.

A Nordics POS Reseller

What we did:

To prepare the hardware, the device was unpacked, the SIM card was inserted, the battery was attached, and the power supply was set up. For the initial setup, the language was selected, the device was connected to Wi-Fi, and Google services were accepted. The SIM card was configured with the correct APN settings to enable internet access. If the device had a scanner, its settings were adjusted accordingly. Finally, the device was transferred to MDM, its functionality was tested, and it was repacked.

Results:

By performing these steps, customers received a fully configured device ready for immediate use. This ensured reliable connectivity, efficient operation, and seamless integration into their business processes. The setup enhanced device performance, leading to improved productivity and customer satisfaction.

A Pan-European Reseller of POS and Payment Services

What we did:

Our VAS team turned on the devices, selected the language, accepted T&Cs, connected to Wi-Fi, and completed the setup process. Then, the correct mobile network was set by navigating through the device settings to "Access Point Names" and updating the APN text.

The devices were then shipped directly to the end user and were ready to work straight out of the box.

Results:

By carrying out this work, our reseller and their customers benefited from a fully operational device that ensured seamless connectivity and efficient transaction processing. This setup enhanced the reliability and performance of the device, leading to improved customer satisfaction and streamlined business operations. It also saved work for the reseller and avoided unnecessary freight charges.

BlueStore Just Got Smarter: Faster Shopping, Better Navigation & Easier Accessory Matching

BlueStore has recently undergone some exciting updates to make shopping easier and more efficient for you. One of the biggest improvements is how we've simplified finding the right accessories for your devices. No more guessing which ones fit! You can now find over 6,000 SKU specific images to help you quickly identify the perfect match.

We have made navigating the site is now much simpler. We've introduced a "Manufacturers" page that lets you go straight to products from your favourite brands. This saves time allowing you to find exactly what you need in just a few clicks and makes it easier to see everything a manufacture has to offer in one place. Additionally, our label selector has been enhanced with up to 12 customizable filters to ensure you can find the perfect match in minutes.

Lastly, we've made it easy to add services and renewals to your hardware purchases. This simplifies the procurement process, ensuring you have everything you need from day one. You can explore these services using dedicated tabs within each product family. Overall, these updates are designed to make your shopping experience more efficient and hassle-free. Whether you're looking for a smoother way to manage your orders or just want to find products quickly, BlueStore is here to help.

See the updates for yourself:

2025 Kick-Off in Malta

Malta was this year’s destination for our European Sales Kick Off. The event saw vendors and Bluestar Team come together to share ideas on topics such as Business Development best practices, trends in Retail, Logistics and 2025 strategy. However, one of the highlights of the event was reconnecting in person with our European colleagues in a world of TEAMs calls, even if it did mean showing our embarrassing lack of knowledge of post 2000 music in the music bingo activity and being dragged out for runs by significantly younger colleagues! Best SKO event so far and a great way to motivate the team to achieve another record year in POS in 2025.

Image-Mar-19-2025-12-14-18-1254-PM

(Team members: Jamie Mitchell, Herr Sandy Kozljan, Emma Edwards, Jord Malcorps, Richard Austin, Morten Kruse, Amy Masterman, Stéphane Le Paih, Esther García)

Innovation in Automation

At BlueStar, we believe in innovation that drives efficiency. That’s why we’ve invested in a cutting-edge robotic automation system to streamline our warehouse operations. With this new setup, we’re not just keeping up with the industry—we’re setting the standard.

Optimized for Performance

Our warehouse is built for speed, accuracy, and scalability, featuring:

-16,000 sqm total space with an additional 1,100 sqm mezzanine and 400 sqm office space
-12.2-metre storage height for maximum capacity
-17 loading and unloading docks to keep logistics moving
-24,000 bins for organized and efficient storage
-3 manual stations & 1 bin interface for precise processing
-Automated bin system reaching 27 bins high, ensuring fast and reliable order fulfillment

With our new robotic picking system, we’ve drastically improved our ability to process orders faster and with greater accuracy. These bots move seamlessly through our facility, ensuring that every order is picked, packed, and shipped at peak efficiency.

We’re not just optimizing logistics; we’re doing it responsibly: Philips Signify energy-saving system for smart lighting Full-roof solar panels powering operations sustainably.

BlueStar isn’t just about distribution—it’s about creating solutions that drive real impact. By integrating automation with a future-proof infrastructure, we’re improving productivity, reducing operational costs, and delivering next-level service to our partners.