Best POS Systems for Retail
Picking the right POS for Shopify is all about making life easier at your store. Here’s the lowdown on Shopify’s Point-of-Sale (POS) system and what makes it tick.
Shopify POS Overview
A point-of-sale, or POS, system is your go-to for handling cash registers, card swipes, and the daily hustle at your shop. It’s got the gizmos, gadgets, and software that run the show when you’re handling sales in person. Key bits include the software, actual devices, and how you funnel your cash or card transactions.
Shopify rolls out two main POS plans. You’ve got Shopify POS Lite and Shopify POS Pro. The Lite version tags along with any Shopify plan you choose, perfect for pop-up stands or your market visits. Then there’s Shopify POS Pro—it’s yours for $89 a month and suits bigger shops with heaps of employees, sprawling product ranges, or numerous locations where the action happens.
Key Features of Shopify POS
- Inventory Management: Keeping an eye on what’s on your shelves is a must, and a good POS makes this a breeze. It handles barcodes, sales data, purchase orders, and vendor details. Basically, you’ve got a snapshot of your stock across all your channels, whether they’re online or brick-and-mortar.
- Automated Inventory Management: No more counting on fingers or sticky notes for inventory! Shopify’s got you covered with automatic updates. As soon as a item’s sold, your stock gets a digital check. If you’re running low, it’ll sound the alarm, whip up a purchase order, and keep things running without you lifting a finger.
- Cart Saving and Retrieval: Ever had a shopper ditch a cart and then come back, like nothing happened? Shopify’s got a cart-saving trick that lets your crew hold and bring back a customer’s cart. They might have bolted mid-buy, but you can pick right back up when they return.
Figuring out what Shopify’s system brings to the table can steer you towards the best choice for your store hustle. With a trusty POS system by your side, you’ll have smoother days, happier shoppers, and a boost in business.
Shopify Point-of-Sale Plans
When you’re on the hunt for a POS system that’ll fit right in with your Shopify setup, you’re looking at two options: Shopify POS Lite and Shopify POS Pro. No need to complicate things—just pick the one that best suits your business groove.
Shopify POS Lite
Part of the deal with every Shopify plan, Shopify POS Lite is for those who want a simple, no-nonsense setup. If you’re running around doing sales at events or setting up shop at temporary locations, this one’s in your corner. It’s all about keeping transactions smooth and your inventory in check without breaking a sweat.
With Shopify POS Lite, you can take orders, handle different payment types, and even see your sales stats as they happen. It’s all about getting what you need right when you need it, without the hassle of unnecessary bells and whistles.
Shopify POS Pro
Now, if your business is hopping and you need something with a bit more muscle, Shopify POS Pro is the ticket. At $89 a month, it’s got all the extras you could want to really tighten up your operations.
Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of POS systems—full of features like detailed reports, custom staff settings, and loyalty programs. On top of that, Pro helps juggle inventory across multiple sites and adds options for more intricate order handling.
So, whether you’re running a small gig or steering a big retail ship, there’s a plan that fits just right. Shopify POS Lite is your buddy for straightforward needs, while the Pro version has your back when things get a bit more complex. Weigh out what matters for your business and go with the plan that hits that sweet spot.
Integrating POS Systems
If you’re looking to make your business run smoother than a jazz solo on a Friday night, hooking up your POS system with other crucial software is the way to go. Two big players in this game are accounting software and order fulfillment systems.
Accounting Software Integration
Plugging your POS system into accounting software could be a game-changer for your business. It means you can kiss goodbye to the tedious job of manually tracking sales and expenses. This link-up automates the bookkeeping process, stopping errors in their tracks and freeing up your precious time for something more enjoyable, like debating if Sriracha is overhyped. If you’re looking for more in-depth advice, check out our easy-breezy guide on best accounting software for Shopify.
| Why Bother with Accounting Integration? |
| Automates tracking of sales and expenses |
| Keeps your books spot on |
| Makes reconciliation as easy as pie |
Take, for example, a restaurant chain. Hooking up the POS with payroll software means employee wages, including tips and bonuses, are calculated automatically. No more late nights wrestling with spreadsheets—this integration handles it all and kicks manual errors to the curb.
Order Fulfillment Systems
Joining your POS system with order fulfillment systems is like a match made in business heaven. It smooths out the order processing and shipping flow, making sure all orders—whether they’re for eat-in or takeout—get handled on time and without a hitch.
| Perks of Order Fulfillment System Integration |
| Makes fulfillment as smooth as butter |
| Orders get processed quickly and correctly |
| Keeps order receipt and delivery seamless |
By getting your POS and order fulfillment systems to cozy up together, you create an order management system that wows your customers with its efficiency. Curious how else these integrations can level up your operations? Check out Shopify POS Integrations.
By tightening the links between your POS system, accounting software, and order fulfillment platforms, you’re not just keeping your operations ticking. You’re investing in speed, accuracy, and happy customers—all crucial ingredients in the recipe for a successful business.
Making Business Run Smoother
Let’s chat about two biggies in business—keeping stock in check and keeping customers coming back. Handling these two things well can make your business roll like a well-oiled machine, making folks happy and pushing your biz to new heights.
Getting Inventory Right
Managing your stockpile smartly is like having a master key to the retail kingdom. Hooking up your sales systems with inventory tools helps you know what’s on the shelves, what needs restocking, and when to do it, saving you from the dreaded “nothing left” or “too much” syndrome. Fancy POS gadgets can do cool stuff like automatic ordering and keeping an eye on returns, letting you know what’s flying off the shelves and what’s gathering dust.
Connecting the dots between your sales and inventory systems means you can make purchase orders like a pro, play the stock rotation game better, and get the lowdown on what’s selling, who’s buying, and what trendy items are catching eyes. All this info helps you make sharp decisions that keep your business humming along and growing.
Loyal Customers: Your Biggest Fans
Rolling out customer loyalty programs is about more than just stamping cards—though that’s cool too. Your POS system can capture buyer info, track what they like, and help you give them that personal touch. Think special deals and thank-you goodies for loyal spenders.
With your loyalty program plugged into your sales system, you can keep tabs on who’s loving it, what’s working, and tailor your pitches to keep the love alive. By throwing in some rewards, sweet discounts, and member-only perks, you turn a casual shopper into a word-of-mouth brand champ, paving the way for steady success.
By staying sharp on stock strategies and nailing those customer loyalty perks, your business can breeze through the tough stuff, keep customers smiling, and fuel some serious growth. Smart POS systems in these areas aren’t just tools—they’re your secret weapon for running a tight ship and turning first-timers into lifelong fans.
Choosing the Right POS System
So, you’re on the hunt for the perfect point-of-sale (POS) system for your business, huh? Let’s make sure it not only keeps your business flowing smoothly but also makes your customers happier than a kid in a candy store.
Factors to Consider
- Customizable Checkout: Ever stood in line thinking, “Why isn’t this quicker?” Pick a POS system that lets you tweak that checkout like a pro chef seasoning a dish. When you can tailor it to your business, transactions will speed up, leaving both you and your customers with smiles.
- Omnichannel Selling: The more, the merrier, right? Choose a POS system that doesn’t just sit in your shop but reaches out to every corner – store, online, and even on your pal’s mobile app. It’s like having a salesperson available 24/7.
- Mobile POS Hardware: Whether it’s a tablet or your impressively outdated smartphone, grab a POS system that rolls with you. Being able to process transactions on the move means more flexibility and closer interactions with those valuable customers.
- Smart Inventory Management: You know what stinks? Running out of something because you weren’t keeping track. Opt for a system that does all the heavy lifting, tracking what’s in stock and when to reorder. This way, you’ll never have to break the bad news to a customer – “Sorry, we’re out.”
- Unified Reporting and Analytics: Okay, let’s talk numbers. A good POS system should help you peek into sales performance, what your customers dig, and how inventory trends are shaping up. If it doesn’t offer strong reporting tools, it’s not your soulmate.
- Product/SKU Management: Keeping track of all your products shouldn’t need a PhD in chaos. A top-notch POS will handle your products and SKUs like your grandma handles her recipes – meticulously and with love.
- Staff Management: No one wants employee scheduling headaches. Get a POS system that’s got your back with scheduling and payroll so you can focus on the fun stuff – like selling and actually running your business.
- Customer Management: What’s better than a customer returning for seconds? A customer who can’t stop coming back! Find a POS that doubles as a customer-whisperer, storing profiles and purchase history, and even motivating loyalty programs to keep the romance alive.
- Integrations with E-commerce Platforms: Your offline and online worlds should be as cohesive as peanut butter and jelly. Make sure your POS can chat smoothly with your ecommerce platform, unifying everything from inventory to customer data.
Payment Processing Options
When weighing up POS systems, take a good look at the payment processing options they offer for smooth and hiccup-free financial dealings.
- Acceptance of Various Payment Methods: The more ways folks can pay, the better. Cash, cards, mobile payments, you name it. Make sure your POS is as flexible as a gymnast, giving customers the freedom to pay however they wish.
- Integrated Payment Processing Systems: Skip the drama of third-party processing fees by choosing a POS that handles payments seamlessly in-house. No more waiting forever for payouts – everything’s quicker, neater, and less stressful.
- Consistent Transaction Fees: Keep your finance worries at bay by picking a POS with clear-cut transaction fees, so you’re never blindsided by hefty, unexpected costs.
When you consider these aspects and the available payment options, you’ll zero in on a POS that’s as unique as your business, keeping things rolling and setting you on the path to success. For more on nailing the best POS system for your Shopify setup, check out Shopify’s recommendations.
Case Studies
Successful Shopify Integration
I’ve got some great stories to share about businesses that have hit the jackpot by teaming up Shopify with a slick Point-of-Sale (POS) system. These tales show how the combo of Shopify and POS isn’t just talk—it’s the real deal for boosting operations and getting that sweet growth.
- Thursday Boots: Kicked off its journey on Kickstarter back in 2014, and fast forward to now—two full-fledged stores in NYC. That’s the magic of a killer POS system (Endear).
- AIMER: A top-notch lingerie brand from China jumped onto Shopify Plus, aiming to reel in those international sales. With Shopify’s bilingual mojo and easy-peasy tax features, AIMER jazzed up their customer game, pulling in more visitors, bumping up sales, and keeping their international audience engaged (Mageplaza).
- 707 Street: By stepping up to Shopify Plus and joining forces with the Shopify Merchant Success team, 707 Street seriously upped their customer service game, paving the way for growth. Automation workflows, emails that pack a punch, and mobile and affiliate add-ons let them skyrocket their growth and build some solid customer bonds (Mageplaza).
Growth and Success Stories
Switching over to Shopify Plus isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a full-on game changer. Check out these stories of brands hitting it big after making the switch:
- Emma Bridgewater: Since hopping onto Shopify Plus, they saw 32% more mobile eyeballs and pocketed 13% more cash from mobile users. During their big summer sale, they snagged a cool £190,000 in just one day online—a testament to what a shiny ecommerce platform can do (Mageplaza).
These real-life examples prove that mixing Shopify with a rock-solid POS system is like hitting the ecommerce lottery. Businesses can step up their game, give customers a top-shelf experience, and crush it in the competitive ecommerce jungle.
