Grocery stores require specialized hardware and software tools on top of standard point-of-sale (POS) software features, such as scale and scanner integrations, online grocery sales, self-checkout options, and lot and expiration date tracking. These extras typically come at a higher cost, but small grocers still have affordable POS options. Based on our evaluation, the best…
Grocery stores require specialized hardware and software tools on top of standard point-of-sale (POS) software features, such as scale and scanner integrations, online grocery sales, self-checkout options, and lot and expiration date tracking. These extras typically come at a higher cost, but small grocers still have affordable POS options.
Based on our evaluation, the best grocery store POS systems are:
POS Nation: Best for Growing Independent Grocers & Markets
Clover: Best for Flexible Payment Processing
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Square for Retail: Best for Small or Single-lane Grocers
Comcash: Best for High-volume Grocers
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How to Choose a Point-of-Sale System for a Grocery Store
A good grocery store POS system should include standard features such as inventory management, reports, online sales, and more. However, you’ll also need to look for specialized tools that help you run a grocery. Follow these steps to pinpoint the best POS software for your grocery.
Step 1: Set a Budget
Naturally, you need to consider costs. We found POS systems for grocery stores that were as low as $39 a month and as high as $18,000 to start. For our list, we looked for affordable options that can handle multiple lanes while also including hardware, when possible.
Step 2: Choose Your Must-have Features
For grocery store POS software, be sure to look for the following:
Advanced inventory management systems that can track expiration dates, bottle deposits, and case breaks
Reports for sales, inventory, and employee hours
Easy item lookup or photos (especially for produce)
Employee time clock and register close out functions
Ability to take coupons or create discounts
ID check reminders or verification tools (if you sell age-restricted products)
Loyalty programs that are easy to use, such as ID by phone number
Scanner and scale integrations
Integrated payment processing
Online grocery ordering with delivery and pickup (in-house or via delivery integration)
It’s also useful to have the ability to capture email addresses for marketing and other CRM functions.
For hardware, consider how many checkout lanes you need for your grocery store. Barcode scanners make taking inventory and ringing up sales easier, and scales are vital for items like produce, cheeses, or deli meats. Larger establishments like supermarkets might need self-checkout kiosks to manage long queues.
Step 3: Make a Shortlist
Have a list of the top POS systems you are considering. Make sure they each have your must-have features. Note any other stand-out features or drawbacks that they have. Being able to look at your contenders side-by-side will help make your final decision easier.
Step 4: Compare Specific Quotes & Product Demos
Once you have your choice narrowed down to a few options, reach out to each company directly for a custom quote and a demo.
During the product demo, ask to walk through all of the major tasks both management and associates will need to complete each day so that you get a sense of the workflows. Also ask about the installation process and fees, setup time, and whether or not you will be eligible for dedicated customer support.
Having your top choices laid out side-by-side will also help you negotiate lower rates – some POS companies will match competitor pricing. It will also make it easier for you to ask questions about missing or lackluster features.
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Step 5: Get Staff Feedback
When your list is finalized, get feedback from key staff members like your store manager, department managers, and lead cashiers. If you have a trial or a recording of product demos, give them access.
Since your staff will be the ones using your POS system the most on a day-to-day basis, they can likely provide nuanced feedback. And, rolling out your system will go a lot smoother if you have buy-in from your employees.
How We Evaluated Grocery POS
Grocery stores need a POS system that can handle large volumes of perishable inventory, track and manage employees, and build shopper loyalty with customer relationship management (CRM) features. It also needs durable and industry-specific hardware, including options for scale and scanner integrations. With increasing customer demand for online ordering, ecommerce tools are quickly becoming a must-have feature too. IT Retail emerged as the best grocery store POS system for markets of all sizes. The software received the highest overall score based on our criteria, earning a 4.58 out of 5 for its affordable monthly cost, perishable inventory tracking, tools for online grocery sales, and robust CRM feature set. Click through the tabs below for our full evaluation criteria:
Methodology weights
Pricing & Payments 20%
Hardware & Basic Functions 20%
Niche Grocery Features 30%
Help & Ease of Use 10%
Expert Score 20%
Groceries and small markets operate with tight margins. So first, we considered each system’s overall cost. We looked for integrated payment processing and awarded the highest points to systems that integrate with multiple processors so users can shop for the best processing rates.
We looked for systems that use durable, market-specific hardware like scales, scanners, and self-checkout tools. Because markets typically have a roster of staff to manage, we awarded points to systems that go beyond basic timekeeping and support employee scheduling as well. All did well, but only IT Retail earned a perfect score.
Groceries have tens of thousands of products, so we looked at systems that have robust inventory management tools and can account for variables like expiration dates and first-in, first-out (FIFO) schedules. Since several states require grocers to collect and distribute non-taxed bottle deposits, we looked for systems that handle this fluently. For markets that also sell age-restricted products like alcohol and tobacco products, we looked for age-verification tools. We also examined what CRM features—such as loyalty programs, custom coupons, and marketing tools—and ecommerce tools are included.
We prioritized systems that include 24/7 customer support. We also considered what type of support is available—do they have a phone number you can call or is communication only via email? And since service slowdowns can negatively impact a grocer’s bottom line, we also looked for systems that are cloud-based with hybrid installation or a robust offline mode. POS Nation, Clover, and IT Retail got the highest scores.
Finally, we considered any standout features of each individual system and whether or not the software and hardware options offer a good overall value for its price. We judged each system’s popularity among small business owners and considered existing customer reviews along with our own experience interacting with each system’s user interface, training materials, customer service representatives, and sales teams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Click through the following sections to learn more about grocery POS systems, and their pricing and available features.
Typically, yes. Most modern POS systems, and the ones we usually recommend, are cloud-based or hybrid installation POS. These operate on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model that typically requires a monthly fee.
The cost of setting up a POS for grocery stores depends on your requirements. Software will average $100 per month per terminal, and you’ll be paying more if you need kiosks, self-checkout, or industry-grade scales or scanners.
If you can sell groceries online without sacrificing your margins to the point of not being profitable, you should absolutely sell online. US online grocery sales reach over $8 billion every month, and it’s a growing market.
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Bottom Line
IT Retail has all the tools an independent grocer needs. This user-friendly system arrives preprogrammed and includes robust customer loyalty tools, detailed inventory management, and the ability to scan IDs and process bottle deposits. With an affordable baseline price and customizable hardware, this POS can support small markets or expand as your business grows. To see if this POS is the right fit for your grocery operation, visit IT Retail for a demo.
David Rivera is a retail writer focusing on point-of-sale systems. Since 2016, he has produced and optimized content for a variety of industries including ecommerce and luxury retail. For the past couple of years he has focused more closely on ecommerce and retail topics as well as point-of-sale systems.
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