Systems, methods, and apparatus

Abstract

This system provides a mechanism to determine the selling price when two or more items are sold together, based on the profit margin of each product. [Solution] A system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: a discount rate identification means for identifying a discount rate when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the profit margin of the product; and a price identification means for identifying the selling price of the product and the selling price when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the identified discount rate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In the retail and distribution industries, a common sales promotion strategy involves offering discounts when customers purchase two or more items of the same type, or when they purchase a combination of different types of products. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0003] The problems that the present invention will address are, but are not limited to, the following examples. The first objective of the present invention is to provide a system that determines the selling price when two or more products are sold together, based on the profit margin of the products. A second objective of the present invention is to provide a system that determines the selling price of a product based on its profit margin, according to the quantity of the product sold. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The problem of the present invention is, [1] A system comprising at least one computer device, comprising a discount rate identification means for identifying a discount rate when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the profit margin of the product, and a price identification means for identifying the selling price of the product and the selling price when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the identified discount rate; [2] The system according to [1], comprising a storage means for storing a correspondence between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate when the product is sold in bundles of two or more items, wherein a discount rate identification means identifies the discount rate when the product is sold in bundles of two or more items by referring to the stored correspondence; [3] The system described in [2] above, wherein a memory means stores the relationship between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate when the product is sold in bundles of two or more items, for each number of items sold, and a price identification means identifies the selling price when the product is sold in bundles of that number, based on the selling price of the product, the identified discount rate, and the number of items sold; [4] A system according to any of [1] to [3] above, wherein the discount rate determination means determines the discount rate when two or more different products are sold together without discount, based on the profit margin when two or more different products are sold together without discount; [5] A system according to any of [1] to [4] above, wherein the discount rate determination means determines the maximum discount rate that can maintain the profit amount, by determining the value calculated as R × (k-1) / k, where R is the profit margin of the product and k is the number of products sold together; and within a range less than or equal to the maximum discount rate, the discount rate when two or more products are sold together; [6] The system according to any one of [1] to [5] above, comprising: an input receiving means that receives input of a discount rate for products when two or more products are sold together for each product's profit margin, via an operation on an administrator terminal operated by an administrator; and a display control means that controls the display of at least a portion of the input receiving screen in a different manner based on the relationship between a standard discount rate calculated based on the product's profit margin and the number of products sold, and the entered discount rate; [7] A system according to any one of [2] to [6] above, comprising an input receiving means for receiving input of the discount rate for products when two or more products of each profit margin are sold together, via an administrator terminal operated by an administrator, wherein a storage means stores the correspondence between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate of a product, according to the discount rate for products when two or more products of each profit margin are sold together, as input by the input receiving means; [8] A system according to any one of [1] to [7] above, comprising a first display control means that, when information that can identify a product is read from a customer terminal operated by the customer, controls the customer terminal to display the sales price of the product corresponding to the identified product, and / or the sales price when the product is sold in a set of two or more, as identified by the price identification means; [9] A system according to any one of [1] to [8] above, comprising a display device installed in a facility that sells goods, which includes a second display control means for controlling the display of the sales price of the goods corresponding to the goods, and / or the sales price when the goods are sold together in a bundle of two or more, as determined by a price identification means;

[10] A system according to any one of [1] to [9] above, comprising a printing means for printing the selling price of two or more of the product, as determined by a price identification means, in association with information that can identify the product;

[11] A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: a discount rate identification step of identifying a discount rate when two or more items of a product are sold together, based on the profit margin of the product; and a price identification step of identifying the selling price of the product and the selling price when two or more items of the product are sold together, based on the identified discount rate;

[12] A device comprising a discount rate identification means for identifying a discount rate when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the profit margin of the product, and a price identification means for identifying the selling price of the product and the selling price when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the identified discount rate;

[13] A system comprising at least one computer device, the system comprising a discount rate identification means for identifying a discount rate corresponding to the sales volume of a product based on the profit margin of the product, and a price identification means for identifying the sales price when the product is sold in the sales volume, based on the standard sales price of the product, the identified discount rate, and the sales volume;

[14] The system according to

[13] , comprising a storage means for storing a correspondence between the profit margin of a product and a discount rate according to the sales volume of the product, wherein a discount rate identification means identifies a discount rate according to the sales volume of the product by referring to the stored correspondence;

[15] The system described in

[14] above, wherein a memory means stores the relationship between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate according to the sales volume of the product for each sales volume of the product, and a price identification means identifies the sales price when selling the product in the sales volume, based on the standard sales price of the product, the identified discount rate, and the sales volume of the product;

[16] A system according to any one of

[13] to

[15] above, wherein the discount rate determination means determines the discount rate when selling different products in combination, based on the profit margin when selling the combination of different products without discounting;

[17] A system according to any one of

[14] to

[16] , comprising an input receiving means that receives input of discount rates corresponding to the sales volume of each product for each profit margin by operating an administrator terminal operated by an administrator, and a storage means that stores the correspondence between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate of a product according to the discount rates corresponding to the sales volume of each product for each profit margin that have been received by the input receiving means;

[18] A method to be performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: a discount rate identification step to identify a discount rate corresponding to the sales volume of a product based on the profit margin of the product; and a price identification step to identify a sales price for selling the product in the sales volume based on a standard sales price of the product, the identified discount rate, and the sales volume;

[19] A device comprising: a discount rate identification means for identifying a discount rate corresponding to the sales volume of a product based on the profit margin of the product; and a price identification means for identifying the sales price when selling the product at the sales volume, based on the standard sales price of the product, the identified discount rate, and the sales volume; This can be achieved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] The effects of the present invention are exemplified below, but are not limited to these. According to the present invention, the selling price when selling two or more items together can be determined based on the profit margin of the products. According to the present invention, the selling price for a product can be determined based on its profit margin, according to the quantity of the product sold. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a customer terminal or administrator terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows a flowchart of the discount rate setting process according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a discount rate table according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows a flowchart of the sales price determination process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a price table according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows a flowchart of the price display process according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The following describes embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments unless otherwise inconsistent with the spirit of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system according to the embodiment. The system only needs to include at least one computer device, and may include a plurality of computer devices. As shown in the figure, the system includes, for example, a server device 3. The system may also include, for example, an administrator terminal 1 and a customer terminal 2. Each of the administrator terminal 1 and the customer terminal 2 can communicate with the server device 3 via a communication network 4.

[0009] The administrator terminal 1 is a terminal operated by an administrator who manages or uses the system. The administrator terminal 1 may be provided in the store 5 or outside the store 5. The customer terminal 2 is a terminal operated by a customer. The customers include, for example, not only those who visit the store 5 that sells goods and are considering purchasing the goods, but also those who browse the website introducing the goods and are considering purchasing the goods. The server device 3 may be provided in the store 5 or outside the store 5.

[0010] The store 5 is equipped with POS registers 6a to 6z. The POS registers 6a to 6z can communicate with each of the server device 3 and / or the administrator terminal 1. The store 5 is also equipped with display devices 7a to 7e. The display devices 7a to 7e can communicate with each of the server device 3 and / or the administrator terminal 1. Information transmitted from the server device 3 and / or the administrator terminal 1 is displayed on the display devices.

[0011] The administrator terminal 1 or customer terminal 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is a computer device having a display screen and an input unit. The administrator terminal 1 may be a stationary type or a portable type that can be carried by the user when moving around. Examples of administrator terminal 1 include conventional mobile phones, tablet terminals, smartphones, and desktop or notebook personal computers. The POS register 6 may also serve as administrator terminal 1. The customer terminal 2 operated by the customer may be a smartphone, tablet terminal, or mobile phone owned by the customer, or a terminal owned by the store that the customer carries and uses within the store, or a terminal installed in the store that the customer can use.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an administrator terminal or customer terminal according to an embodiment. Administrator terminal 1 or customer terminal 2 comprises a control unit 11, main memory 12, storage unit 13, input device 14, display device 15, and communication interface 16, and is connected to each other by a bus.

[0013] The control unit 11 consists of a CPU and ROM. The control unit 11 executes programs stored in the storage unit 13 and controls the administrator terminal 1. For example, RAM is used as the main memory 12. The main memory 12 is the work area of ​​the control unit 11. The storage unit 13 is a storage area for saving programs and data. The control unit 11 performs calculations based on the programs and data read from the main memory 12, as well as the data input by the input device 14.

[0014] The display device 15 has a display screen. The control unit 11 outputs a video signal for displaying an image on the display screen according to the result of the calculation processing. Here, the display screen may be a touch panel equipped with a touch sensor. In this case, the touch panel functions as an input device 14.

[0015] The communication interface 16 can be connected to the communication network 4 wirelessly or via a wired connection, and can send and receive data with the server device 3 or POS register 6 via the communication network 4. The data received via the communication interface 16 is loaded into the main memory 12, and calculation processing is performed by the control unit 11.

[0016] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server device according to an embodiment. The server device 3 comprises a control unit 31, a main memory 32, a storage unit 33, and a communication interface 34, all of which are connected by a bus.

[0017] The control unit 31 consists of a CPU and ROM, and executes programs stored in the storage unit 33 to control the server device 3. The control unit 31 also has an internal timer for timing. The main memory 32 is the work area of ​​the control unit 31. The storage unit 33 is a storage area for saving programs and data. The control unit 31 reads programs and data from the main memory 32 and performs program execution processing based on information received from the administrator terminal 1 or POS register 6.

[0018] The system determines the discount rate when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the product's profit margin. It also determines the individual selling price of the product (the so-called unit price) and the selling price when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the determined discount rate.

[0019] Here, "goods" are not particularly limited, but examples include food, beverages, clothing, furniture, home appliances, stationery, books, and vehicles. Goods include not only those sold in stores but also those sold on websites. Furthermore, goods include not only tangible items but also intangible items such as digital content.

[0020] The profit margin of a product refers to the ratio of profit to the selling price of the product, and is a concept that includes, but is not limited to, the gross profit margin and the operating profit margin of a product. The gross profit margin of a product is the ratio of gross profit (gross profit is the selling price minus the cost of goods sold) to the selling price of a single product. The operating profit margin of a product is the ratio of operating profit (operating profit is the selling price minus the cost of goods sold, selling expenses, and general and administrative expenses) to the selling price of a single product.

[0021] The discount rate for a product refers to the percentage of the price per item when two or more items are sold together, relative to the price of the item sold individually. For example, suppose an item sells for 1000 yen individually. If two of these items are sold together for a total of 1900 yen, the price per item is 950 yen. In this case, the discount rate can be calculated as (1000-950)÷1000×100, which is 5%. Also, if three of these items are sold together for a total of 2700 yen, the price per item is 900 yen. In this case, the discount rate is (1000-900)÷1000×100, which is 10%.

[0022] The term "selling two or more items together" includes not only cases where two or more items with the same product name and model number are sold together, but also cases where two or more items with different product names or model numbers are sold together.

[0023] This section explains the process for setting the discount rate. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the discount rate setting process according to the embodiment.

[0024] The administrator operates administrator terminal 1 to access server device 3 and log in to the system (step S1). Logging into the system requires inputting a customer ID, password, etc., and only administrators with legitimate authority can create and update the discount rate table. The discount rate table defines the relationship between profit margins and discount rates when two or more items are sold together.

[0025] When administrator terminal 1 logs into the system, a screen for creating or updating a discount rate table is displayed on administrator terminal 1 (step S2). The administrator can operate administrator terminal 1 to choose whether to create a new discount rate table or update a previously created discount rate table.

[0026] The administrator operates administrator terminal 1 and enters the discount rate for each profit margin range (step S3). In step S3, it is also possible to enter different discount rates not only for each profit margin range, but also for each quantity of products sold in a bundle (for each item).

[0027] The discount rates for each profit margin range for each number of products sold, entered in step S3, are sent to the server device 3 (step S4). When the server device 3 receives the discount rates for each profit margin range for each number of products sold (step S5), the received information is stored in the discount rate table in the main memory 32 or storage unit 33 of the server device 3 (step S6). The discount rate table stored in step S6 may be newly created or updated from a previously created discount rate table. Steps S1 to S6 complete the discount rate setting process.

[0028] In step S3, instead of the administrator operating administrator terminal 1 to input the discount rate, the server device 3 may be configured to automatically calculate and set the recommended discount rate.

[0029] Furthermore, server device 3 calculates the maximum possible discount rate that can be set within a range where the total gross profit when products are sold in bundles does not fall below the gross profit when products are sold individually. Based on this maximum discount rate, it can generate multiple discount rate plans (for example, Plan A which prioritizes profit securing, Plan C which prioritizes increasing sales volume, and Plan B which strikes a balance between the two) according to the store's characteristics and sales strategy. In this case, server device 3 may analyze past sales performance data and customer purchasing behavior using artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning using neural networks or large-scale language models (LLMs) to generate a discount rate plan that is predicted to be the most profitable for the store. Here, the discount rate plan includes discount rates for each product's sales volume and gross profit margin.

[0030] Multiple plans generated by server device 3 can be displayed on the display screen of administrator terminal 1. When the administrator selects one plan from the presented plans, the discount rate corresponding to the selected plan is automatically reflected and set in the discount rate table. This allows the administrator to easily set a discount rate that ensures profitability while providing a high sales promotion effect, without having to perform complex calculations.

[0031] This section explains the case where the gross profit margin is used as the profit margin. In step S3, the administrator can operate the administrator terminal 1 to set up a discount rate table (bundle table) as shown below. Figure 5(a) shows an example of a discount rate table (bundle table) according to the embodiment. The discount rate table (bundle table) is a discount rate table for when two or more items of the same type, brand, or model number are sold. In step S6, the discount rate table 50 stores the discount rates 53 for each range 52 of gross profit margins, associated with the number of items sold 51a to 51c. In other words, according to the system of the embodiment, the discount rate can be set according to the number of items sold and the gross profit margin.

[0032] For example, if two items are sold, the discount rate can be 0% for a gross profit margin of 0-10%, 3% for a gross profit margin of 10.01-20%, 6% for a gross profit margin of 20.01-30%, 10% for a gross profit margin of 30.01-40%, and 12% for a gross profit margin of 40.01% or higher. Similarly, if three items are sold, the discount rate can be 0% for a gross profit margin of 0-10%, 5% for a gross profit margin of 10.01-20%, 8% for a gross profit margin of 20.01-30%, 12% for a gross profit margin of 30.01-40%, and 14% for a gross profit margin of 40.01% or higher. Furthermore, if the number of items sold is 4, the discount rate can be 0% if the gross profit margin is 0-10%, 7% if the gross profit margin is 10.01-20%, 10% if the gross profit margin is 20.01-30%, 14% if the gross profit margin is 30.01-40%, and 16% if the gross profit margin is 40.01% or higher.

[0033] In this way, by lowering the discount rate as the gross profit margin decreases, it is possible to prevent excessive discounts from undermining sufficient profits, while increasing the discount rate as the gross profit margin increases, making it easier for customers to purchase products while maintaining profitability. Furthermore, by lowering the discount rate as the number of items sold in a bundle decreases, it is possible to prevent excessive discounts from undermining sufficient profits, while increasing the discount rate as the number of items sold in a bundle increases, making it easier for customers to purchase more products while maintaining profitability.

[0034] Furthermore, in step S3, the administrator can operate the administrator terminal 1 to set up a discount rate table (set table) as shown below. Figure 5(b) shows an example of a discount rate table (set table) according to the embodiment. The discount rate table (set table) is a discount rate table for when two or more items of different types, brands, or model numbers are sold. The discount rate table 55 stored in step S6 stores the discount rate 57 in association with the gross profit margin range 56. When two or more items of different types, brands, or model numbers are sold, the same discount rate is applied regardless of the number of items sold. However, even when two or more items of different types, brands, or model numbers are sold, different discount rates may be applied depending on the number of items sold.

[0035] The process for determining the sales price will now be explained. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the sales price determination process according to the embodiment. The administrator operates the administrator terminal 1 to access the server device 3 and log in to the system (step S11). To log in to the system, the user is required to enter a customer ID, password, etc.

[0036] When administrator terminal 1 logs into the system, a screen is displayed on administrator terminal 1 for entering the information necessary to determine the price when two or more items are sold together (step S12). The administrator operates administrator terminal 1 to enter information that can identify the items, the selling price of the items individually, and the profit margin of the items individually (step S13). Here, information that can identify the items can include the product name, product model number, manufacturer name, and a number or symbol that can identify the item (product ID).

[0037] In step S13, instead of the profit margin of the product, or in addition to the profit margin of the product, information that can identify the profit margin of the product, such as the cost of goods sold and selling expenses and general and administrative expenses, may be entered. Furthermore, in step S13, in addition to entering the selling price and profit margin of a single unit of the same type of product, it is also possible to enter the selling price and profit margin of a single unit of multiple different types of products.

[0038] The product identification information, the individual selling price of the product, and the profit margin of the individual product, entered in step S13, are transmitted to the server device 3 (step S14). When the server device 3 receives the product identification information, the individual selling price of the product, and the profit margin of the individual product (step S15), it refers to the discount rate table stored in step S6 and identifies the discount rate corresponding to the profit margin received in step S15 for each number of items sold (step S16). In step S16, if two or more items of the same type, brand, or model number are sold, a discount rate table (bundle table) as shown in Figure 5(a) is used, and if two or more items of different types, brands, or model numbers are sold, a discount rate table (set table) as shown in Figure 5(b) is used.

[0039] Next, based on the individual selling price of each product, the selling price when selling a set of products in bulk (hereinafter referred to as the "bulk selling price") is determined according to the discount rate specified for each sales quantity (Step S17). The bulk selling price may be the total selling price of two or more products sold together, or it may be the selling price per item when selling two or more products together. If the discount amount obtained by multiplying the price of a single product by the discount rate is a decimal, the discount amount and selling price may be rounded up, rounded down, or rounded to make them integers.

[0040] Next, the discount rate for each specified sales quantity and the bulk selling price for each sales quantity are stored in the price table of the main memory 32 or storage unit 33 of the server device 3 (step S18).

[0041] The discount rate for each sales quantity and the bulk selling price for each sales quantity, which were identified in steps S16 and S17, are sent from the server device 3 to the administrator terminal 1 (step S19). When the administrator terminal 1 receives the discount rate for each sales quantity and the bulk selling price for each sales quantity (step S20), the received discount rate for each sales quantity and the bulk selling price for each sales quantity are displayed on the display screen of the administrator terminal 1 (step S21). The sales price identification process is completed by the processing in steps S11 to S21.

[0042] Products of the same type, brand, or model number naturally have the same profit margin, so the profit margin used to determine the discount rate in step S16 can be the profit margin for each individual product entered in step S13. However, when selling two or more different products together, the profit margin for each product will differ, so it is necessary to calculate the profit margin used to determine the discount rate in step S16. For example, when selling two or more different products together, the profit margin used to determine the discount rate in step S16 can be calculated based on the profit margin when these different products are sold together without any discounts. This profit margin can be calculated by dividing the sum of the individual profit amounts of the multiple products by the sum of the individual selling prices of the multiple products.

[0043] Specifically, if product A has a cost of 85 yen and a selling price of 120 yen, the gross profit is 35 yen, resulting in a gross profit margin of approximately 29% for product A. Similarly, if product B has a cost of 110 yen and a selling price of 150 yen, the gross profit is 40 yen, resulting in a gross profit margin of approximately 27% for product B. Furthermore, if product C has a cost of 100 yen and a selling price of 140 yen, the gross profit is 40 yen, resulting in a gross profit margin of approximately 29% for product C. If products A, B, and C are bundled together at their individual prices, the total cost would be (85 yen + 110 yen + 100 yen = 295 yen), the total selling price would be (120 yen + 150 yen + 140 yen = 410 yen), and the total gross profit would be 115 yen (410 yen - 295 yen). Therefore, the gross profit margin when products A through C are bundled together is calculated to be approximately 28% (115 yen / 410 yen).

[0044] When selling two or more different types of products together, step S16 calculates the profit margin when selling these different products together without discounts. Based on this profit margin, the discount rate table 55 can be referenced to identify the number of items sold and the discount rate corresponding to the calculated profit margin.

[0045] In step S17, the determination of the bulk selling price for each number of items sold will be explained with a specific example. For example, if the gross profit margin is 15% and the selling price of a single item is 1000 yen, applying the correspondence defined in the discount rate table 50 shown in Figure 5(a), the bulk selling price for each number of items sold will be determined as follows: If the number of items sold is 2 and the gross profit margin is in the range of 10.01 to 20%, the discount rate will be 3%. Applying a 3% discount rate to the total price of 2 items, the total amount for 2 items will be 2,000 yen (1000 yen x 2 items) x (1 - 0.03) = 1,940 yen, and the price per item will be 970 yen. If the number of items sold is 3 and the gross profit margin is in the range of 10.01 to 20%, the discount rate will be 5%. If a 5% discount is applied to the total price of three items, the total price for three items becomes 3,000 yen (1,000 yen x 3 items) x (1 - 0.05) = 2,850 yen, and the price per item becomes 950 yen. If four items are sold and the gross profit margin is in the range of 10.01-20%, the discount rate will be 7%. If a 7% discount is applied to the total price of four items, the total price for four items becomes 4,000 yen (1,000 yen x 4 items) x (1 - 0.07) = 3,720 yen, and the price per item becomes 930 yen.

[0046] This section describes a specific example of the process for determining the sales price. The POS register 6 and administrator terminal 1 read product codes (e.g., barcodes). The number of items purchased is determined by reading the same product code multiple times. It is also possible to input the number of items purchased at the POS register 6 and administrator terminal 1. The server device 3 refers to the product master table stored in the storage unit 33, searches for product records, and identifies the gross profit margin of the products included in the searched records. The product master table is a database that manages attribute information for each individual product, storing, for example, product ID (product code such as JAN code), product name, cost, sales price (list price), and / or gross profit margin (profit margin).

[0047] The server device 3 then uses the discount rate table 50 to determine the applicable discount rate based on the specified gross profit margin and the number of items purchased. Finally, it calculates the total selling price of the items using the determined discount rate. For example, if two items with a cost price of 900 yen and a selling price of 1,500 yen (gross profit margin of 40%) are purchased, the normal total amount of 3,000 yen is reduced by the specified 12% discount (360 yen off), resulting in a selling price of 2,640 yen. This allows stores to instantly calculate the optimal price based on the gross profit margin and quantity simply by reading the product code.

[0048] Here, when the control unit 31 of the server device 3 determines the discount rate when two or more items are sold together, it may calculate a threshold discount rate to ensure that the profit amount (gross profit amount) when items are sold together does not fall below the profit amount when items are sold individually. Specifically, if the gross profit margin of the items is R and the number of items sold together is k (k is an integer of 2 or more), then the maximum discount rate D that does not reduce the profit amount is... max Equation (1):D max This can be derived using the formula =R × (k-1) / k. For example, when selling two items together (k=2) with a gross profit margin of 30% (R=0.3), the maximum discount rate that can maintain the profit amount is 15%. The control unit 31 of the server device 3 uses this formula (1) to determine the maximum discount rate D max With a limit of or D max A value that is a predetermined number of points lower (for example, 5 to 10 points) than the recommended discount rate can be identified.

[0049] In the input screen for setting the discount rate table shown in Figure 5(a) on the administrator terminal 1, the safety of the configurable discount rate is displayed in a visually identifiable manner for each combination of the number of products sold 51 and the range of gross profit margins 52. Specifically, if the set discount rate is D max If it is sufficiently lower than (when an increase in profit is expected), some objects on the input screen (e.g., the input window) will be displayed in a way such as "green" to indicate that the set discount rate is D maxWhen it is close (when the profit amount is maintained), some objects on the input screen are displayed in a display mode such as "yellow" with the set discount rate being D max When it exceeds D max (when the profit amount decreases), it may be controlled to display some objects on the input screen in a display mode such as "red". The object is not particularly limited.

[0050] As a result, the administrator can intuitively grasp the range of safe discount rates according to the gross profit rate and the number of sales, and while reliably preventing the loss of profit amount due to excessive discounting, it becomes possible to easily perform discount setting that can maximize the profit amount due to an increase in the number of sales. The administrator can strategically determine what discount rate to set in consideration of the store's sales strategy, the store's sales results, etc. For example, when dealing with inventory or when wanting to increase the number of customers while anticipating some deficit, a discount rate exceeding D max can be set, and when wanting to secure sufficient profit, a discount rate sufficiently lower than D max can be set. max When it is close (when the profit amount is maintained), some objects on the input screen are displayed in a display mode such as "yellow" with the set discount rate being D max When it exceeds D max (when the profit amount decreases), it may be controlled to display some objects on the input screen in a display mode such as "red". The object is not particularly limited.

[0051] In the above sales price specifying process, the case where the discount rate is specified from the number of sales of the product and the profit rate using the discount rate table 50 has been described, but the method of specifying the discount rate from the number of sales of the product and the profit rate is not limited to this. For example, for each number of sales of the product, an arithmetic formula capable of specifying the discount rate from the profit rate may be provided, and the discount rate may be specified based on the profit rate of the product from this arithmetic formula. Also, for example, an arithmetic formula capable of specifying the discount rate from the number of sales of the product and the profit rate may be provided, and the discount rate may be specified from the number of sales of the product and the profit rate of the product from this arithmetic formula. In these cases, in step S3, information for specifying the arithmetic formula is input on the administrator terminal 1. Also, in step S16, the calculation of the discount rate is executed using the specified arithmetic formula.

[0052] Figure 7 shows an example of a price table according to the embodiment. Figure 7 shows, for example, an example of a price table stored in the server device 3 in step S18. The price table 60 stores the discount rates 62a to 62c for each sales quantity and the bulk selling prices 63a to 63c for each sales quantity, associated with the product ID 61 (information that can identify the product). The price table 60 may also store the individual price 64 when the product is sold individually, associated with the product ID.

[0053] Next, we will explain the process for displaying the discount rate and selling price of products when two or more items are sold together on the customer terminal 2 operated by the customer. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the price display process according to the embodiment.

[0054] The customer uses customer terminal 2 to read a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code (registered trademark), attached to the packaging or tags of products placed in store 5 (step S31). At this time, the camera function and application capable of reading QR codes (registered trademark) provided in customer terminal 2 are used. In addition to QR codes (registered trademark), one-dimensional codes such as barcodes or RFID can also be used.

[0055] In step S31, when the QR code (registered trademark) is read, the customer terminal 2 accesses the server device 3 based on the URL identified by the QR code (registered trademark) (step S32). The URL can be identified by decoding the QR code (registered trademark). A different QR code (registered trademark) is attached to the package or tag for each product, and the URL identified by the QR code (registered trademark) is also different for each product. The server device 3 identifies the product or information that can identify the product based on the URL accessed by the customer terminal 2 (step S33).

[0056] For example, if the URL contains product-identifying information such as a product ID, it is possible to determine from the accessed URL which product information is being requested by customer terminal 2. Furthermore, by pre-storing the correspondence between URLs and product-identifying information such as product IDs in the server device 3, it is possible to determine from the accessed URL which product information is being requested by customer terminal 2.

[0057] Next, the server device 3 refers to the price table 60 stored in step S18 and identifies the discount rate 62 per unit sold, the bulk selling price 63 per unit sold, and the price of the individual product 64, which correspond to the identification information of the identified product (step S34).

[0058] The discount rate 62 per unit sold, the bulk selling price 63 per unit sold, and the price of the individual product 64, identified by the server device 3, are transmitted from the server device 3 to the customer terminal 2 (step S35). When the customer terminal 2 receives the discount rate 62 per unit sold, the bulk selling price 63 per unit sold, and the price of the individual product 64 (step S36), this information is displayed on the display screen of the customer terminal 2 (step S37).

[0059] Through steps S31 to S37 described above, customers can view not only the regular price for purchasing a single item, but also the discount rate for each quantity purchased and the bulk sale price for each quantity, all on the screen of customer terminal 2. This allows customers to easily understand the price advantages of purchasing multiple items together when selecting products in a physical store or making online purchases, and to make informed purchasing decisions. The system enhances convenience by enabling immediate acquisition of price information for each quantity purchased through integration with server device 3, triggered by the reading of the QR code (registered trademark) by customer terminal 2, and providing a clear and easy-to-understand presentation to the customer.

[0060] Furthermore, store 5 is equipped with display devices 7a to 7e. The discount rate 62 for each quantity of products sold, the bulk sale price 63 for each quantity of products sold, and the individual product price 64, which are stored in the price table 60, are transmitted from server device 3 to display devices 7a to 7c, and this information is displayed on display devices 7a to 7c along with the product name and product image. Customers can check the information displayed on display devices 7a to 7c and consider purchasing the products.

[0061] Furthermore, information such as the discount rate 62 for each quantity of products sold, the bulk sale price 63 for each quantity of products sold, and the individual product price 64, which are stored in the price table 60, is transmitted from the server device 3 to the POS registers 6a to 6c. Based on this information received from the server device 3, the POS registers 6a to 6c bill the customer for the products and process the payment.

[0062] Furthermore, information such as the discount rate 62 per unit sold, the bulk sale price 63 per unit sold, and the individual unit price 64, stored in the price table 60, is transmitted to the administrator terminal 1 or server device 3, and can be printed on paper by the administrator terminal 1 or server device 3. Printed materials containing this information can be used for price tags, labels, POP displays, etc.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the order of each process constituting the flowchart is not limited to the extent that no contradictions or inconsistencies arise in the processing content. Furthermore, it is possible to omit some of the processes constituting the flowchart or to add new processes to each process constituting the flowchart, as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies arise in the processing content. In addition, the device that is the main entity executing each process constituting the flowchart can be changed to another device, as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the present invention. In this case, it is possible to change the processing content so as not to cause contradictions or inconsistencies in the processing content.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, the system was described as including a server device and an administrator terminal, but the system may be configured without the server device of the present invention or with multiple server devices. The functions of the system of the present invention can be executed by the POS register alone. In other words, the above-mentioned discount rate setting process and the above-mentioned sales price identification process can be executed by the POS register alone. More specifically, the POS register can execute the process of storing the discount rate table in step S6, the process of identifying the discount rate in step S16, the process of identifying the bulk sale price in step S17, and the process of storing in the price table in step S18. Also, in the price display process in Figure 8, the processes of steps S33 to S35 may be executed by the POS register instead of the server device 3.

[0065] The above embodiment describes the case where products are sold in bundles of two or more items, but the present invention can also be used to determine the discount rate and selling price when products are sold by weight. Specifically, the system can determine a discount rate corresponding to the sales volume of a product based on the profit margin of the product, and then determine the selling price when selling the product in the aforementioned sales volume based on the standard selling price of the product, the determined discount rate, and the sales volume.

[0066] The detailed explanations of the discount rate setting process, sales price identification process, and price display process in the above-described embodiment can be applied not only to cases where products are sold in bundles of two or more items, but also to cases where products are sold according to their sales volume (selling by weight). In other words, the series of processing steps in the flowchart for discount rate setting shown in Figure 4, the flowchart for sales price identification shown in Figure 6, and the flowchart for price display shown in Figure 8 can be executed in cases where products are sold by weight, just as in cases where products are sold in bundles of two or more items. In this case, terms such as "number of items sold" and "number of items" in the explanations of each process and in the flowcharts should be read as "sales volume" as appropriate.

[0067] Similarly, the data structure for the discount rate table and price table can also be applied to cases where products are sold by weight, as the configuration used for selling two or more items together can be applied to cases where products are sold by weight. In this case, the "Number of Items Sold" column in each table will contain a "Quantity Sold" expressed in units such as weight, length, area, or volume, and the discount rate and selling price will be managed according to the quantity sold.

[0068] "Sales volume" is not limited to weight (mass). Sales volume is a concept that includes any physical quantity depending on the characteristics of the product. For example, for linear products such as ribbons, tapes, strings, wires, and chains, or planar products such as fabrics, cloths, wallpaper, and flooring materials, length (e.g., meters, centimeters, etc.) or area (e.g., square meters, square centimeters, etc.) can be applied as sales volume. Furthermore, for products such as liquids, powders, or gases, volume (e.g., liters, milliliters, etc.) may be applied as sales volume. In this case, the discount rate table stores the sales volume expressed in these units of length, area, or volume, and the corresponding discount rate based on the profit margin. This makes it possible to set appropriate prices for various forms of products according to their units of sale by weight.

[0069] In the discount rate table, instead of the "number of items sold," or in addition to the number of items sold, the "quantity sold" (e.g., 100g, 200g, 300g, etc.) can be set. Alternatively, a discount rate table for selling by weight can be created by replacing the "number of items sold 51" item in the discount rate table 50 shown in Figure 5(a) with "quantity sold," and stored in the storage unit 33. This makes it possible to apply a discount rate according to the weight and profit margin to items sold by weight, such as meat and prepared foods, and makes it easy to identify the discount rate and price for items sold by weight.

[0070] When selling goods by weight (weight, length, area, volume, etc.), the "standard selling price of the goods" refers to the selling price per predetermined unit quantity. This predetermined unit quantity is a unit set based on the trading practices of the goods and the store's regulations, such as 100g for meat, 1m for dough, or 1L for gasoline.

[0071] Formula (1) above can also be applied when goods are sold according to their quantity (selling by weight). In this case, "sales quantity k" in formula (1) should be read as "the ratio (multiplier) of the actual sales quantity to the standard unit quantity of the product." For example, if the standard selling price of a product is set at 200 yen per 100g (standard unit quantity), and a customer purchases 300g, then k=3 and apply it to formula (1). Also, due to the nature of selling by weight, there may be cases where k is not an integer (k=2.5), such as when a customer purchases 250g, but in this case as well, the maximum discount rate Dmax can be calculated using formula (1). This makes it possible to appropriately set discount rates according to the sales quantity, not only for products sold in units of quantity, but also for products traded by weight, length, area, or volume, etc., as long as the discount rate does not fall below the minimum profit amount that should be secured (profit amount per standard unit quantity).

[0072] When selling a combination of different products that are sold by weight (for example, when different types of prepared foods are packaged and sold as a set), or when selling a combination of products sold by weight and products sold by the unit, the profit margin can be calculated using the same method as when selling products in bulk. In this case, the total selling price and total cost of the entire set can be calculated from the standard selling price and cost corresponding to the sales volume (or number) of each product, and the profit margin of the entire set can be determined based on these.

[0073] According to the present invention, based on the profit margin of a product, the discount rate when selling two or more units of the product together, or when selling the product according to the sales volume, is determined. Based on the sales price of the product (the base sales price) and the determined discount rate, the sales price when selling two or more units together or in the sales volume is determined, making it possible to promote sales while ensuring profits. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to consider discount rates and sales prices for each product, reducing human workload and preventing errors in setting discount rates and sales prices.

[0074] According to the present invention, the selling price can be automatically determined based on the profit margin (or cost ratio) of a product and linked to a POS register or external storage device. This eliminates the need for price calculations for each combination of individual products and pre-registration in the product master table, which previously required a lot of time. As a result, it is possible to efficiently and easily implement bundle sales and bulk sales of multiple items while saving time for staff and significantly reducing working hours.

[0075] The system stores the relationship between a product's profit margin and the discount rate applied when selling two or more items together, or when selling items according to their sales volume. By referring to this stored relationship, the system can determine the discount rate for selling two or more items together or according to their sales volume. This means that even if the product changes, if the profit margin remains the same, the discount rate can also remain the same, enabling consistent pricing.

[0076] The relationship between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate applied when selling two or more products together, or when selling products according to their sales volume, is stored for each product sold. Based on the product's selling price (base selling price), the specified discount rate, and the number or volume of products sold, the system can determine the selling price when selling the product in that quantity or in that sales volume. Therefore, even if the number or volume of products sold fluctuates, the system can determine the selling price using a discount rate that is appropriate for the number or volume of products sold.

[0077] By determining the discount rate when selling two or more different products together, or combining different products, without discounts based on sales volume, it is possible to avoid setting errors such as excessive or insufficient discounts when selling combinations of different products, based on the profit margin when selling two or more different products together, or combining different products, without discounts based on sales volume.

[0078] By operating the administrator terminal, the system accepts input of discount rates for products sold in bundles of two or more items based on their profit margin, or for products sold according to their sales volume. Based on the input of discount rates for products sold in bundles of two or more items based on their profit margin, or for products sold according to their sales volume, the system stores the correspondence between product profit margins and product discount rates, allowing the administrator to register and update different discount rates for each profit margin.

[0079] When the customer terminal reads information that identifies a product, the terminal displays the sales price of the product corresponding to the identified product, and / or the sales price when the identified product is sold in sets of two or more, or when the product is sold according to the quantity sold. This allows the customer to easily consider the price when purchasing a product individually or in a standard unit quantity, or when purchasing a product in sets of two or more, or in a desired quantity.

[0080] A display device installed within a facility that sells products will show the selling price of the corresponding product, and / or the selling price when two or more of the specified product are sold together, or when the product is sold according to the quantity sold. This allows customers to consider the price when purchasing a product individually or in a standard unit quantity, or when purchasing two or more of the product together or in a desired quantity, even at a store or other facility.

[0081] The system can print the selling price when selling two or more of the identified product together, or when selling the product according to the quantity purchased, by associating it with product-specific information. This printed material can then be used as price tags, labels, or point-of-sale displays to present customers with the price for purchasing two or more items together, or in a desired quantity, on paper. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1. Administrator terminal, 2. Customer terminal, 3. Server device, 4. Communication network, 5 stores, 6 POS registers, 11 Control unit, 12 Main memory, 13 Storage unit, 14 Input device, 15 Display device, 16 Communication interface, 31 Control unit, 32 Main memory, 33 Storage unit, 34 Communication Interfaces, 50 Discount rate table, 51 Number of items sold, 52 Gross profit margin range, 53% discount rate, 55 Discount rate table, 56 Gross profit margin range, 57 Discount rate, 60 Price table, 61 Product ID, 62 Discount rate, 63 Bulk sale price, 64 Individual price

Claims

1. A system comprising at least one computer device, A method for determining the discount rate when selling two or more of the product together, based on the profit margin of the product, A price identification method that determines the selling price when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the selling price of the product and the specified discount rate. A system that includes these features.

2. A memory device that stores the relationship between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate when two or more products are sold together. Equipped with, The system according to claim 1, wherein the discount rate identification means identifies the discount rate when two or more of the product are sold together by referring to a stored correspondence.

3. The memory device stores the relationship between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate when two or more products are sold together, for each quantity of product sold. The system according to claim 2, wherein the price determination means determines the selling price when the product is sold in a set quantity, based on the selling price of the product, the determined discount rate, and the number of products sold.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the discount rate determination means determines the discount rate when two or more different products are sold together without discount, based on the profit margin when two or more different products are sold together without discount.

5. The discount rate determination means determines the maximum discount rate that can maintain the profit amount, where R is the profit margin of the product and k is the number of products sold together, and the value calculated as R × (k-1) / k is determined as the maximum discount rate that can maintain the profit amount, and determines the discount rate when two or more products are sold together within a range less than or equal to the maximum discount rate, according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. An input receiving means that accepts input of the discount rate for products when two or more products are sold together, based on their respective profit margins, via an administrator terminal operated by the administrator. A display control means that controls the display of at least a portion of the input screen in a different manner based on the relationship between the profit margin of the product, a standard discount rate calculated based on the number of units sold, and the entered discount rate. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

7. An input receiving method that accepts input from an administrator terminal operated by the administrator, allowing for the input of discount rates for products when two or more products are sold together, based on their respective profit margins. Equipped with, The system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the storage means stores the correspondence between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate of a product, according to the discount rate of a product when two or more products are sold together, based on the input received by the input receiving means.

8. A first display control means reads information that can identify a product from a customer terminal operated by the customer, and controls the customer terminal to display the sales price of the product corresponding to the identified product, and / or the sales price when two or more of the product are sold together, as identified by the price identification means. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

9. A second display control means controls a display device installed within a facility that sells goods to display the sales price of the corresponding product, and / or the sales price when two or more of the product are sold together, as determined by a price identification means. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

10. A printing method for printing the selling price when two or more of the product are sold together, associating it with information that can identify the product and determining the price using a price identification method. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

11. A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, A step to determine the discount rate when selling two or more of the product together, based on the profit margin of the product, A price determination step to determine the selling price when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the selling price of the product and the specified discount rate. A method having.

12. A method for determining the discount rate when selling two or more of the product together, based on the profit margin of the product, A price identification method that determines the selling price when two or more of the product are sold together, based on the selling price of the product and the specified discount rate. A device equipped with the following features.

13. A system comprising at least one computer device, A discount rate identification method that identifies a discount rate based on the profit margin of a product and the sales volume of that product, A price identification means for identifying the selling price when selling the product in the specified sales volume, based on the standard selling price of the product, the specified discount rate, and the specified sales volume. A system that includes these features.

14. It is equipped with a memory means for storing the relationship between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate according to the sales volume of the product. The discount rate identification means identifies the discount rate corresponding to the sales volume of the product by referring to the stored correspondence. The system according to claim 13.

15. The memory device stores the relationship between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate corresponding to the sales volume of the product, for each sales volume. The price determination method determines the selling price when selling the product in a given quantity, based on the standard selling price of the product, the specified discount rate, and the sales volume of the product. The system according to claim 14.

16. The discount rate determination method determines the discount rate when selling a combination of different products without discounts, based on the profit margin when selling the combination of different products. The system according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. The system includes an input receiving mechanism that accepts input of discount rates based on the sales volume of each product for each profit margin, via an administrator terminal operated by the administrator. The memory means stores the correspondence between the profit margin of a product and the discount rate of a product, according to the discount rate corresponding to the sales volume of each product for each profit margin, which is received as input by the input receiving means. The system according to claim 14 or 15.

18. A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, A discount rate identification step that identifies a discount rate based on the profit margin of the product, according to the sales volume of the product, A price determination step to determine the selling price when selling the product in the specified sales volume, based on the standard selling price of the product, the specified discount rate, and the specified sales volume. A method having.

19. A discount rate identification method that identifies a discount rate based on the profit margin of a product and the sales volume of that product, A price identification means for identifying the selling price when selling the product in the specified sales volume, based on the standard selling price of the product, the specified discount rate, and the specified sales volume. A device equipped with the following features.

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