For many retailers, the holidays bring strong sales, followed by the inevitable wave of returns. Between gift receipts, exchanges, refunds, and inventory adjustments, the return season can quickly become overwhelming for small businesses.

The good news? With the right point-of-sale system in place, holiday returns can be handled quickly, accurately, and with far less stress. NCR Counterpoint, supported by Mainspring, is designed to take the headache out of the return process so you can focus on customer service instead of damage control.


Why Holiday Returns Are So Challenging

After the holidays, retailers often face:

  • Missing gift receipts
  • Exchanges for different sizes, colors, or items
  • Refunds across multiple payment types
  • Inventory discrepancies caused by manual adjustments
  • Long checkout lines and frustrated customers

Without a flexible POS system, these issues can lead to errors, lost revenue, and unhappy shoppers.

How NCR Counterpoint Simplifies the Return Process

NCR Counterpoint was built with real-world retail scenarios in mind. Here are just a few ways it helps simplify holiday returns:

Easy Returns With or Without a Receipt

Counterpoint allows you to quickly look up past transactions using customer information, item history, or date ranges. Even if a customer doesn’t have a receipt, your staff can locate the sale and process the return with confidence.

Flexible Refund and Exchange Options

Whether a customer wants a refund, store credit, or an exchange, Counterpoint handles it smoothly. The system supports multiple payment types and ensures refunds are applied correctly, reducing mistakes at the register.

Automatic Inventory Updates

Returned items are automatically added back into inventory (or flagged if they’re damaged), keeping your stock levels accurate in real time. This is especially important during post-holiday restocking and planning.

Clear Tracking & Reporting

Counterpoint tracks return activity so you can easily report on:

  • Returned items by product or category
  • Refund totals
  • Exchange trends

These insights help you spot patterns, adjust purchasing decisions, and refine return policies for future seasons.

Faster Checkout, Happier Customers

A streamlined return process means shorter lines and quicker resolutions, turning a potentially negative experience into a positive one that keeps customers coming back.

The Mainspring Difference: Support When You Need It Most

Technology is only as good as the support behind it. That’s where Mainspring comes in.

Our team works closely with you to:

  • Configure Counterpoint to match your return policies
  • Train your staff on best practices for handling returns and exchanges
  • Provide ongoing support during busy seasons, including post-holiday returns

Whether you need help setting up workflows, adjusting settings, or answering questions on the fly, Mainspring is here to support you.

Start the New Year with Confidence

Holiday returns don’t have to slow you down. With NCR Counterpoint and Mainspring by your side, you can manage returns efficiently, maintain accurate inventory, and deliver a better customer experience, even during the busiest times of year.

If you’re ready to simplify your return process or want to learn more about how Counterpoint can support your business, contact Mainspring today to schedule a demo or speak with our team.

Let’s take the stress out of holiday returns, together.