In a Rush? Here are 3 of the best grocery store POS systems our team reviewed. We evaluate all POS systems based on their software, hardware, pricing, and customer support, to help you make a better purchasing decision for your business.
Best Overall
Revel POS System
“Modern, well-equipped, yet simple, The Revel POS system is yet to disappoint. Whether you need to pull a report, manage inventory, market to customers or accept online orders the POS system has you covered.”
Best Value
Clover POS System
“Highly customizable and capable, the Clover POS system is a great system for those who require features like inventory management, and affordable hardware. Reporting is a breeze and staff can pick up the platform without a hassle.”
Best Budget
Square POS
“If you are on a budget and are looking for a simple, easy-to-use POS system that can grow with you, Square could be a good fit. The software is amazing, the product is affordable and it’s clear the customer service actually cares.”
Whether you run a large or small grocery store you will require a grocery point of sale system at some point. Like standard POS systems these platforms will help you process payments and record customer purchases in addition to a range of other features.
These unique features typically include scale integrations for fresh fruit and vegetables, barcode scanners and management, expiration tracking, and employee permissions, all functions that will help you run your grocery store with a lot less complications.
In this article, we will look at the top grocery store POS systems and evaluate them for you based on a range of features and criteria including, price, hardware quality, add-ons and integrations, inventory management, grocery specific functions (i.e. scales, barcode scanner, etc), software design and ease of use, as well as marketing and reporting functions.
We hope these reviews help you make a more informed purchasing decision for your grocery store – if you find the article valuable make sure to add a comment at the end.
The 5 Best Grocery Store Point of Sale Systems
1. Revel POS System
Pricing
- Starts at $99/mo – per register
- Installation fee: $649 +
- Hardware: Custom Quote
- Payment processing: Custom Quote
Features
- Online ordering and delivery
- iPad-based POS system
- Revel Advantage Payments
- Multi-location reporting and support
- Self-service kiosk
- Customer facing display
- Extensive range of add-ons and integrations
- Gift cards and loyalty programs
Overview
If you’re looking for a modern hybrid cloud-based POS system for your grocery store with a broad range of features then Revel POS system could be a good fit.
This iPad POS system includes a highly capable set of features to run your store including online ordering, mobile ordering, employee management, cash management, EMV compliance, self-ordering kiosks, and more. Making it a great grocery store POS option.
With that being said, expect to pay a minimum of $99 per month on a 3-year contract to access the platform. In addition to a range of upfront costs to acquire and whatever hardware you may require and install the system.
Though if you are committed to the long term success of your business then these costs should be more than manageable and the system should pay for itself over time via the efficiency and insights it drives.
2. ShopKeep POS
Pricing
- Request a custom quote from the ShopKeep Team
Features
- Powerful and customizable register
- Downpayment, discount, and deposit functionality
- Time clock and user permissions
- Automated inventory management tools
- Gift cards and loyalty software add-ons
- Real-time reporting accessible from smartphones and computers
- Free 24/7 customer support
- Integrated payment processing with customized rates
Overview
If Revel doesn’t look right for your business then ShopKeep may be a good fit. This retail POS system includes time clock and user permissions, automated inventory management, gift card and loyalty add-ons, real-time reporting, as well as free 24/7 customer support.
These capabilities set it apart from some of the others in the list, especially when you also factor in the customized payment processing rates the company provides based on your transaction volume. These customized rates decrease as your transaction volume grows and help you decrease costs as your store drives more business and revenue.
In addition to all those capabilities, you also get access to a powerful register that can easily handle discounts, down payments, deposits, and refunds and returns.
While there may be some more specific grocery POS systems the ShopKeep POS still stands out and would make a great operating system for any small to mid-sized grocery or retail store.
3. Clover POS
Pricing
- Clover Mini starts at $749
- Clover Station starts at $1,399
Features
- Simple and intuitive inventory management
- Accepts a range of payment types
- Online ordering
- Employee permissions
- Reporting and analytics suite
- Great hardware range including, Clover Mini, Clover Flex, Clover Go, Clover Station Pro, and Clover Station
Overview
Another great option, Clover POS includes an extensive hardware range with highly capable software and affordable pricing to match.The POS system features capabilities including, online ordering, inventory management, employee permissions, as well as a reporting and analytics suite, making it more than adequate for most grocery stores.
In addition, Clover also gives you a ton of options when it comes to hardware, offering a full line of devices including Clover Station, Clover Go, Clover Flex, and Clover Mini, so you can purchase the set-up that best suits your store’s demands.
The POS also comes in on the more affordable side in comparison to some other platforms on this list, with the all-in-one hardware devices starting at $749 for the Clover Mini, and starting from $1,399 for the Clover Station. Paired with fair payment processing fees that can range from 2.3% of the transaction value + $0.10 fee to 3.5% of the transaction value + fee.
Overall, if you want a POS system that’s easy-to-set up, includes well designed hardware and won’t cost too much when all hardware and software is considered then Clover could be a good option for your grocery store.
4. Square POS
Pricing
- Square Register is $999 or $49 for 24 months
- Payment processing fees starting from 2.5% with $0.10 fee for Interac, chip, or tap
Features
- Customer facing display
- Multi-location reporting and analytics
- Cloud-based POS system
- Advanced inventory management
- Integrates with a range of delivery platforms
- Accepts contactless payment options (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Tap)
- Extensive range of add-ons including payroll, loyalty programs, and online ordering.
- Note: The Square POS does not include a POS scale
Overview
If simplicity and ease of use is top of mind for you when evaluating a POS system for your grocery store then Square may just be the right fit. Packed to the brim with features including contactless payments, advanced inventory management, and add-ons such as payroll, quickbooks integration, and online ordering it’s hard to go wrong with this option.
The software is intuitive and customizable without being a headache for your staff to learn and is reasonably priced with hardware starting from $999, and payment processing fees starting from 2.5%.
If cost is a concern, Square POS also offers cheaper hardware options such as their Square Reader if you are running a lean operation and want to save some additional funds. Though we should note if you sell fresh fruit or produce at your store and require a scale you will need to purchase a POS scale separately as Square does not make them.
Despite this, Square is a great choice for those seeking a basic POS system that can be easily extended via more advanced hardware or add-ons available within the Square ecosystem.
5. Polar POS
Pricing
- Starting at $24.99 per month, per register
Features
- Retail scale integration
- Basic reporting suite
- Customer loyalty programs
- Multi-store functionality
- Inventory control
- Built-in redundancy to keep data safe
- eCommerce integration
- Time attendance and payroll management system
- Secure payment processing
Overview
Lesser known than the other juggernauts in this list Polar POS is a retail and hospitality focused POS system that includes a ton of features others in this list do not.
The Polar POS system comes with retail scale integrations, time attendance and payroll management, an eCommerce integration, as well as built-redundancy. It’s low cost and can also handle multiple stores.
This makes it a great option for those who are seeking a budget grocery specific POS for their store that doesn’t sacrifice on features. Though, despite the rich features, the user interface and app design may leave something to be desired for some who are seeking a more modern technology experience.
But this is made up for in price, with the platform starting from $24.99/ per month, per register, making it one of the most affordable fully-featured options currently available.
Buyers Guide: Grocery Store POS
So you’re stuck still wondering what POS system is the right fit for your grocery store?
To help you with your decision our team has put together a buyers guide covering everything we think you should consider when evaluating a POS. We breakdown core features to look out for as well list all the hardware you may require.
We should note that everyone’s business is unique and as a result you should consider what you need for your store first and foremost, some features and hardware may or may not apply and that’s okay.
Think of this as a rough guideline most stores follow!
What Features to Consider for Your Grocery POS System
When purchasing your POS system you are likely to get inundated with sales reps touting all the features and capabilities of their platforms. From online ordering, inventory management, and user permissions, to software integrations, add-ons, and hardware it can get confusing.
To help you sift through all the noise we outline the main features we would consider when purchasing a grocery store point of sale system below.
Online Ordering and Delivery
With Covid-19 rearing its head, many consumers have shifted to online ordering and delivery options to reduce their in-person interactions with individuals outside their close circles. As a result, it could be wise to consider a POS platform with online ordering and delivery available as an option.
As we have seen, many larger grocery chains such as Sobeys, Instacart, and Walmart have moved into the online space recently to meet the new demand for this option and there’s no reason your store can’t capture some of that demand either.
Inventory Management and Tracking
Grocery stores have many SKUs making inventory management and tracking an absolute must if you want to run an efficient business and turn a profit. Lucky enough most modern POS systems will include this functionality out of the box or via an add-on. This is a feature you will not want to skip out on.
Reporting and Analytics
Want to know how many sales you made in a day, or what types of items were really popular? Without reporting and analytics software you could be stuck sifting through excel files for ages.
Think about the reporting demands of your business and factor that into your POS consideration, some stores may require advanced reporting while others may need less, weigh the pros and cons and choose wisely.
Integrations
Integrations can make your life significantly easier so think about this when purchasing your POS. If you use accounting software today like Quickbooks or Xero it could be valuable to buy a POS system with an integration to these systems so you can reduce manual reporting and improve the level of insights you have to drive decisions within your business.
Additionally, you may also find as you grow that you require new features and tools to run your business. A POS system that supports a strong app ecosystem and range of integrations can be a life saver.
Employee Permissions
Last but not least, if you are running a grocery store with more than 20 employees it can be valuable to have employee permissions within place to ensure your POS system is safe and settings remain how they are. Most systems will include some set of permissions functionality but not all so consider this prior to purchasing.
The Grocery Store POS System Hardware You Will Require
Whether you are operating a single grocery store or multiple large locations there are a number of pieces of POS system hardware you will require to run your business efficiently and effectively. These pieces of hardware include a cash register, POS scale, barcode scanner, receipt printer, and customer facing display.
To help you better understand what you will need and why each of these pieces of hardware is important for your POS system our team has listed the hardware below with corresponding descriptions of their use case.
Cash Register
A cash register is a piece of hardware that enables you to accept and store cash from customers as well as provide change for said cash purchases. They are a critical piece or hardware for all grocery stores that still accept cash as a form of payment.
Scale
Whether you are selling fresh fruit and vegetables, meat or other goods it’s likely you sell some of it by weight. As a result, you need to be able to accurately weigh and price your products accordingly, thus requiring a POS scale that connects into your main POS system.
Most POS systems will not include these in base packages so you will either need to purchase one that integrates with your current system or ensure you purchase the correct hardware from your current POS vendor.
Barcode Reader
Barcode scanners are a critical component of any grocery store. They enable you and your customers to easily scan a product’s barcode and determine its cost. In addition to making the checkout process more seamless, barcode scanners and inventory management can help you run a more efficient store.
Card Reader
Without a card reader you will be unable to accept any form of digital or electronic payments from your customers including credit cards, debit, and contactless payment options such as (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and tap).
This is a critical piece of hardware for all stores operating in the 21st century..
Receipt Printer
Providing your customers with receipts of their purchases is required by law in most places. This requires you to have a receipt printer and thermal paper. Most POS companies will offer a printer as a part of their hardware solutions.
Customer Facing Display
A customer facing display, while not required, is a nice touch. It enables you to show your customers a tally of their transaction so they can easily see what they are buying and the cost of each item at the point of sale. Like receipt printers, most POS companies will offer customer facing displays, though CDS tend to be add-ons to the core system and as a result will likely cost you more.
Final Verdict
Now that you are well informed on the best grocery store POS system options within the market and know what to look out for it’s your call. While we listed what we feel are the best grocery POS systems there is no right or wrong platform. It ultimately comes down to the needs of your business and the budget you have to work with.
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