6 Best Grocery POS Systems for 2022
Meaghan has provided content and guidance for indie retailers as the editor for a number of retail publications and a speaker at trade shows. She is Fit Small Business’s authority on retail and ecommerce.
With more than a decade of hospitality experience, Mary has worked in some of the most celebrated restaurants in the world. Her expertise is featured across Fit Small Business in restaurant, retail, and starting a business content.
This article is part of a larger series on POS Systems.
Grocery point-of-sale (POS) systems have standard POS software features plus industry-specific capabilities—such as scale and scanner integrations, online grocery sales, self-checkout options, and lot and expiration date tracking. These extra features typically come at a higher cost, but small grocers still have affordable POS options. We evaluated dozens of solutions to find the best value grocery POS systems for independent markets and grocers.
Based on our evaluations, the best grocery POS systems are:
- IT Retail: Best overall grocery POS
- POS Nation: Best for growing independent markets
- Revel Systems: Best for small to mid-volume markets
- Comcash: Best for high-volume grocers using their own Windows-based hardware
- ECRS Catapult: Best for self-checkout options and customer-facing price check scanners
- Square for Retail: Best for single lane grocers needing a free POS
Top Grocery POS Systems Compared
Minimum Monthly Fee | Hardware Cost | Available Hardware Peripherals | Supported Ecommerce Tools | Payment Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $79 | Custom-quoted | Barcode scanners, scales, receipt printers, customer-facing displays, self-checkout | Integrates with Local Express, Mercato, Freshop, My Cloud Grocer, and Instacart | Built-in, Custom-quoted |
 | $99 | $79–$1,499 | Barcode scanners, scales, receipt printers, customer-facing displays | Integrates with your existing site for a $15 monthly fee | Integrates with Worldpay Heartland EVO, Priority I.S., North American Bancard |
 | $99 | Custom-quoted | Barcode scanners, scales, receipt printers, customer-facing displays, self-checkout | Yes; Revel Online Ordering or via Shopify integration | Integrates with TriPOS, FreedomPay, First Data, Heartland, TSYS, Worldpay, Chase Paymentech, Elavon, Revel Advantage |
 | Custom-quoted | Can bring your own Windows Hardware; purchased through Comcash, hardware ranges from $159–$899 | Barcode scanners, scales, receipt printers, customer-facing displays, self-checkout | Yes, Comcash eStore | Built-in, Custom-quoted |
 | Custom-quoted | Custom-quoted | Barcode scanners, scales, receipt printers, customer-facing displays, self-checkout, price check scanners | Yes, Catapult Webcart | Built-in, Custom-quoted |
 | $0 | $49–$1,269 | Barcode scanners, scales, receipt printers, customer-facing displays, self-checkout kiosk via third-party integration | Yes; Square Online Store | 2.6% + 10 cents for swiped, dipped, or tapped in-person payments, 2.9% + 30 cents for online payments |
How We Evaluated Grocery POS Systems
Grocery stores—including supermarkets and corner 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. Often, grocers also need durable and industry-specific hardware, including options for scale and scanner integrations, deli and butcher integration, and self-checkout tools. With increasing customer demand for online ordering, ecommerce tools are quickly becoming a must-have feature too.
Based on our evaluation, IT Retail emerged as the best grocery store POS for markets of all sizes. The software received the highest overall score according to our grading system for grocery store software, earning a 4.33 out of 5. This software earned points for its affordable monthly cost, self-checkout option, SNAP EBT payments, FIFO and perishable inventory tracking, tools for online grocery sales, and a robust CRM feature set.
Click through the tabs below for our full evaluation criteria:
20%
Pricing & Payments
20%
Hardware & Basic Functions
30%
Niche Grocery Features
10%
Help & Ease of Use
20%
Expert Score
20% of Overall Score
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.
20% of Overall Score
We looked for systems that use durable, market-specific hardware like scales, scanners, self-checkout tools, and EBT payment processing. 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.
30% of Overall 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 nontaxed 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.
10% of Overall Score
We prioritized systems that include 24/7 customer support. We also considered what type of support is available—via phone or only 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.
20% of Overall Score
*Percentages of overall score
IT Retail: Best Overall Grocery POS System
IT Retail
Overall Score: 4.33
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Integrates with multiple ecommerce tools to process online sales
- Flexible pricing includes options for small, medium, and large grocery businesses
- Processes bottled deposits and ID scans
- Integrates with several online grocery platforms for click-and-collect orders
What's Missing
- Locked into IT Retail for payment processing; you cannot shop and compare rates
- May be too large a system for a small, single lane market
IT Retail Pricing
- Software subscription fee:
- For Markets: $79 per month
- For Supermarkets: Custom-quoted
- For Enterprises: Custom-quoted
- Hardware costs: Custom-quoted
- One-time Installation fees: Custom-quoted; small grocers may be able to self-install
- Processing fees: Built-in and custom-quoted
IT Retail’s POS is tailor-made for independent groceries and markets of all sizes. It also regularly appears as one of our top choices for a small business POS system. Its basic plan starts at an affordable $79 per month and includes all the standard grocery-specific features that other systems lack or offer as a paid add-on—multiple-scale integration, rugged hardware, bottle deposit management, marketing tools, and loyalty programs. This system is not just for small markets, though; with supermarket and enterprise options, IT Retail can expand as your business grows.
IT Retail earned a 4.33 out of a possible 5 on our grocery POS scoring criteria. This system earned a perfect score for hardware and basic POS functions, and came close to perfect on niche grocery features. IT Retail lost some ground because its customer support is not 24/7 (for this you’ll want to check out POS Nation, Revel Systems, or ECRS Catapult). Hardware pricing and higher-tier subscription fees require a custom quote, which is also not our favorite. If transparent pricing is a must for you, consider Square for Retail.
The high-contrast IT Retail sales screens are easy to navigate. (Image from IT Retail)
With card readers, scanners, and integrated scales, IT Retail terminals become a full-fledged grocery check out. (Image from IT Retail)
IT Retail prompts your cashiers to apply rewards points so your customers never miss a chance to redeem points. (Image from IT Retail)
IT Retail includes tools for building free-standing self-checkouts for larger markets. (Image from IT Retail)
IT Retail Standout Features
IT Retail is a cloud-based, serverless set up. This enables it to offer its POS for a much lower price than traditional, locally installed systems. Pricing starts at $79 per month for small shops. Larger supermarket-style stores and multilocation markets will need to request custom pricing. Your IT Retail terminals will arrive preprogrammed and ready to install. But if you prefer to leave installation to the professionals, you can request in-person installation for a custom-quoted fee.
IT Retail’s standout features include:
- Online grocery: In a recent survey, grocers said that up to 24% of their sales came from online orders in 2021. IT Retail integrates directly with industry leading online grocery ordering and delivery platforms like Instacart, so your store can meet customers where they prefer to shop.
- Employee productivity: In addition to supporting customized user permissions and tracking employee time, IT Retail also tracks your cashiers’ performance. The system logs activities like voids, refunds, and discounts and allows you to compare an individual staff member’s performance to store averages. These reports can illustrate underperforming staff members or alert you to potential theft.
- Customer loyalty: IT Retail lets you engage with customers through a customizable rewards program. You can reward loyalty points for every purchase, which customers can later redeem as a dollar amount or a percentage discount. There is no chance your customers will miss a chance at redemption; before finalizing payment the IT Retail POS alerts your cashier when a customer has unused loyalty points.
- Comprehensive inventory: IT Retail’s inventory tracks your products in real time. It also includes tools for lot tracking and expiration date tracking to keep your market compliant with FDA tracking regulations for perishable items.
- Bottle deposits and ID scans: This system seamlessly handles tax-free bottle and can deposits in states that require it. The system also prompts for ID scans for age-restricted products, so your cashiers will never forget to check.
For more information on IT Retail’s dedicated grocery POS features, read our full IT Retail review.
POS Nation: Best for Growing Independent Grocers & Markets
POS Nation
Overall Score: 4.31
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Options to pay month-to-month or upfront
- No long-term contracts
- Supports multiple payment processors
- Supports unlimited inventory items, bottle deposits, and ID scans for age verification
What's Missing
- Best pricing requires enrolling in POS Nation Payments
- Does not support self-checkout
- Inventory does not include lot tracking or expiration date tracking tools
POS Nation Pricing
- Software subscription fee:
- Flex monthly: $99 per month
- Freedom POS: $999 one-time fee
Both plans include a touch-screen terminal with cash drawer, barcode scanner, card reader, and receipt printer.
- Custom Build POS: Custom-quoted
- Hardware costs: From $79 for a card reader to $1,499 for a premium touch-screen terminal. A complete POS kit including a terminal cash drawer, barcode scanner, and receipt printer is available for $999.
- One-time Installation fees: Included in your total software quote from POS Nations.
- Processing fees: Varies by processor; choose from Worldpay, Heartland, EVO, Priority I.S., North American Bancard, or POS Nation Processing. Entry-level subscribers must have a POS Nation processing agreement, however.
POS Nation is a cloud-based retail POS with a unique pricing structure. You can choose to pay a monthly fee of $99 per terminal for the POS software and hardware or a one-time fee of $999 per terminal. Either arrangement requires enrolling in POS Nation Payments as your payment processor, but you can also cancel at any time; there are no long-term contracts. These features make POS Nation a great fit for small markets that plan to expand in the future. As your business grows, you can simply add more terminals for a simple monthly or one-time fee.
POS Nation earned a 4.31 out of 5 on our grocery ranking. This user-friendly system earned high marks for ease of use and from our experts. It could have scored higher if it supported self-service kiosks and included expiration date tracking in the inventory module. If these tools are important to you, you’ll likely be more comfortable with IT Retail, Revel, or ECRS Catapult (depending on your budget).
POS Nation operates on stationary terminals or mobile terminals, so you can meet your customers where they are. (Image from POS Nation)
POS Nation prompts for birthdate entry and ID scans for age-restricted product sales. (Image from POS Nation)
You can outfit your POS Nation registers with interactive customer-facing displays. (Image from POS Nation)
Integrated barcode scanners make it easy to update your POS Nation inventory. (Image from POS Nation)
POS Nation Standout Features
Users love POS Nation and rave about its supportive 24/7, US-based customer service. The system also arrives at your location preconfigured with the POS Nation software, so all you need to do is plug in the components. In-person installation is available; prices will vary based on the complexity of your configuration, though. If your market sells alcohol or tobacco products you can prompt cashiers to scan IDs. And if your state requires grocers to collect and refund nontaxed bottle deposits, POS Nation can handle these automatically.
POS Nation’s standout features include:
- Flexible ecommerce integration: Users are not tied to a built-in platform; if you already have a website that works for you, you won’t need to move to a POS Nation built tool. For a fee of $15 per month you can integrate your web store with POS Nation. This is great if you already have a plan for ecommerce sales. If you want a built-in ecommerce site, however, you’ll prefer IT Retail or Square for Retail.
- Mobile POS option: POS Nation operates on stationary touch-screen terminals or mobile tablets. You can use these mobile devices to run sales at a satellite location like a pop-up tent in your parking lot, or even add or count inventory items.
- US-based customer support: While many POS brands outsource their technical support to call centers outside the US, POS Nation’s 24/7 support representatives are US-based. They are also reviewed highly by POS Nation users. Nearly every positive review of this system mentions the friendly and knowledgeable support team.
- Strong inventory tools: POS Nation’s built-in inventory tracking supports unlimited products. You can create multiple pricing levels for cases or packs of items, or build mix and match product combos with pricing that updates as included items are added to the sale.
For a broader look at this system, read our full POS Nation review.
Revel Systems: Best for Small to Mid-volume Markets
Revel Systems
Overall Score: 4.24
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Supports multiple payment processors
- Myriad hardware peripherals include self-service kiosks and integrated digital displays
- iPad based terminals cost less than industry-grade hardware
- Inventory integrations enable lot and expiration date tracking
What's Missing
- Expiration date tracking requires a third-party integration
- Hardware fees are not transparent; require a custom quote
- Add-on integrations and hardware can get pricey
Revel Systems Pricing
- Software subscription fee: $99 per terminal per month
- Hardware costs: Custom-quoted
- One-time Installation fees: Starting at $674
- Processing fees: Will vary by processor. You can choose from TriPOS, FreedomPay, First Data, Heartland, TSYS, Worldpay, Chase Paymentech, Elavon, and Revel Advantage
Revel Systems is a cloud-based POS system that offers a highly customizable system for customer-facing displays, online ordering, and self-order kiosks. Although a popular choice for restaurants with multiple locations, this software also provides niche grocery store features like bottle deposit processing, age verification tools, and robust customer management functionalities. The flexible hardware setups include scale and scanner integrations, self-checkout kiosks, and even digital menu displays to support meat and deli counters.
Small to mid-volume markets will find all the tools they need at a reasonable price. High-volume markets, though, may prefer a system that operates on industry-grade hardware like IT Retail or ECRS Catapult.
Based on our grocery POS criteria, Revel earned a 4.24 out of 5. This iPad POS scored points for its 24/7 customer support and wealth of grocery supporting features. But it lost some ground because expiration date tracking requires a third-party inventory integration with Yellow Dog; Revel’s built-in inventory is great, but it lacks this feature. This system also had slightly lower customer reviews than others on this list, hovering around 3.7 stars (while systems like IT Retail and Square ranged from 4.70 to 4.90).
Revel System's popular iPad pos integrates with barcode scanners and scales to support grocery operations.
(Image from Revel Systems)
Revel's customer-facing displays are interactive, allowing customers to request emailed receipts that can save your paper costs. (Image from Revel Systems)
Revel's popular self-service kiosks can also be operated as self-checkout stands. (Image from Revel Systems)
Revel Systems Standout Features
Revel uses iPads as the foundation for its cloud-networked retail POS system, just like competitor Square for Retail does. Revel, however, is backed up to a local server, which gives it stronger offline functionality and ensures that you can process payments even if you lose internet access. Though this consumer-grade hardware is likely less expensive than purpose-built hardware, you’ll need to contact Revel for a custom quote.
Revel Systems’ standout features include:
- Inventory management: With the ability to manage complex matrix inventories, you can organize items into categories, monitor stock counts in real time, send automatic low-stock alerts, and generate purchase orders. Aside from its barcode scanner, you can use your phone to scan items, and the activity will be synced from the app to your dashboard seamlessly. If you need first-in, first-out (FIFO) or lot tracking, however, you’ll need to add the Yellow Dog inventory integration.
- iPad-based self-checkout: With self-checkout stations built on iPads, Revel users can get self-service tools for a fraction of the cost of a custom kiosk build.
- Loyalty program and CRM: Create your own loyalty program depending on how your customers want to earn—like earning points per transaction, for buying specific items, or based on the purchase amount. You can generate insights from the app’s management console to develop a rewards program (e.g., exclusive discounts and promos) that will boost customer satisfaction.
- Employee management: Set up administrator permissions, assign roles and wages, monitor timecards, and manage payroll. The system also allows you to create staff schedules and standardize time sheet rules according to local laws.
- Payment processing: Revel Systems’ management console lets you view credit card transactions throughout a particular period and check on deposited funds. It is also EMV-compliant and integrates with QuickBooks for seamless accounting processes.
Learn more about this customizable POS in our full Revel Systems review.
Comcash: Best for High-volume Grocers Using Existing Hardware
Comcash
Overall Score: 3.98
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Operates on Windows-based hardware; you can bring compatible hardware or purchase from Comcash
- Built-in ecommerce site that syncs with real-time inventory
- Digital receipt options reduce paper use and paper costs
- Detailed forecasting tools predict your future supply orders
What's Missing
- Locked into Comcash for payment processing
- Customer support is not 24/7
Comcash Pricing
- Software subscription fee: Custom-quoted
- Hardware costs: $159 for a standard pole terminal mount to $899 for a Zebra inventory scanner. Monitor prices range from $580 to $700, and payment terminals from $599 to $749.
- One-time Installation fees: Custom-quoted
- Processing fees: Custom-quoted
Comcash is a cloud-based retail POS that operates on Windows hardware. This user-friendly system was developed with two stated missions: to increase personal interactions between cashiers and customers and reduce paper receipts. While monthly fees and installation are custom-quoted, hardware prices are publicly listed. Since the system runs on the Windows operating system, you can also use compatible tablets that you already own, or purchase Elo Touch tablets from Comcash. Comcash also includes granular features that high-volume grocers need: bottle deposit processing, ID scanning, expiration date tracking, and more.
Comcash earned a 3.98 on our grocery POS scoring system. This POS scored well for its basic functions and affordable hardware. It also earned high marks for niche grocery functions like its integrated ecommerce site and sales forecasting tools that help predict future supplier orders. But it lost some points because its customer support is not 24/7, and it does not support multiple payment processors, so users are locked into Comcash’s quoted rates. If shopping for the best rates is important to you, check out Revel Systems or POS Nation.
You can operate your Comcash POS from a simple Windows-enabled tablet. (Image from Comcash)
More complex Comcash configurations rely on ELO touch-screen tablets and combination scanner scales.
(Image from Comcash)
Comcash's self-checkout terminals process sales and payments and also sync with your rewards program.
(Image from Comcash)
You can easily scan new inventory items, perform physical counts, or create new orders from Comcash's iPod or Zebra based inventory scanners. (Image from Comcash)
Comcash Standout Features
Comcash comes with several features that help you manage a high-volume market with ease. You can quickly process bottle deposits and redemptions, scan IDs for age-restricted purchases, and track expiration dates on perishable products. The system also includes an integrated online store and robust loyalty tools.
Comcash’s standout features include:
- Marketing and loyalty: Your Comcash system prompts for e-receipts for every order (they aren’t kidding about trying to eliminate paper waste). These emails are the foundation of a customer profile. Customers can also enroll using a phone number; there are no cards required and no specialized loyalty number to remember. Customers can earn points for purchases, and you can also use the loyalty system to send targeted emails and coupons or promote new items.
- Integrated online store: Like Square for Retail, Comcash includes an integrated online store. This store syncs seamlessly with your in-store inventory and loyalty program. So you will never sell an item online that you don’t have in stock, and customers can apply loyalty points or promotions just as they would if they visited in person.
- Flexible hardware: You can operate your Comcash POS on low-profile touch-screen Windows tablets or opt for industry-grade Elo Touch screens with integrated scanners and scales. Self-checkout terminals are also an option, as are handheld inventory scanners that speed order receiving and inventory counts.
- Unified customer experience: Since the loyalty and ecommerce site are built into your Comcash POS, your customers receive a unified customer experience. They will see the same logos, branding, and user interface whether they purchase in-store or online. They can apply the same coupons and rewards across channels, and even retain copies of all their past purchases so they never forget a product that they loved.
ECRS Catapult: Best for Self-checkout Options
ECRS Catapult
Overall Score: 3.93
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- Includes built-in online store
- Robust inventory with vendor management and expiration date tracking
- 24/7 US-based customer support
- Flexible hardware includes multiple self-checkout configurations and in-aisle price scanners
What's Missing
- Pricing is all custom-quoted
- Cloud access to reports and management dashboard requires a VPN connection
- More tools than small or low-volume markets need
ECRS Catapult Pricing
- Software subscription fee: Custom-quoted
- Hardware costs: Custom-quoted
- One-time Installation fees: Custom-quoted
- Processing fees: Custom-quoted
ECRS Catapult is a cloud-based POS that operates within the greater ECRS retail management ecosystem. The ECRS toolbox includes tools for inventory and supply chain management, reporting and analytics, loyalty and marketing, payments, and online sales. All components are built into the Catapult POS, so no matter how large or complex your market, there is no need for third-party integrations.
Catapult further offers the widest range of self-checkout kiosk configurations of any system on this list. If you are struggling to keep your shop staffed or simply want to meet customer demand for self-checkout, you should definitely explore Catapult.
ECRS Catapult earned a 3.93 out of 5 on our grocery POS scoring system. It scored incredibly well for its basic POS and niche grocery functions. This intuitive system includes full electronic data interface (EDI) connections to major suppliers alongside 300+ built-in reports to illustrate the health of your market. But the system slipped when it comes to cost. All software, hardware, and payment processing fees require a custom quote, so it can be hard to tell if you’re getting the best deal. This system is also incredibly robust and more machine than a small shop needs.
The standard Catapult POS terminal has bright, high contrast buttons for quick screen navigation. (Image from ECRS)
The most compact Catapult self-checkout terminal includes a built-in barcode scanner and card reader.
(Image from ECRS)
Catapult's mid-range self-checkout station includes a built-in scanner, card reader and printer, and can be wall-mounted or tabletop installed. (Image from ECRS)
Mid-volume markets will like Catapult's compact self-checkout stand with a bagging station, integrated scale-scanner and attached pin pad card reader. (Image from ECRS)
If you want to compete with Kroger and Whole Foods, Catapult also offers a comprehensive self-checkout with cash handling tools. (Image from ECRS)
Catapult is the only option on this list that includes integrated, customer-facing price check scanners to place in aisles. (Image from ECRS)
ECRS Catapult Standout Features
Catapult is a complete retail management solution that can streamline a busy local market or help a regional brand compete with Kroger and Whole Foods. With all the software tools under the ECRS umbrella, you won’t need to daisy chain third-party integrations to add needed functions. All of your reporting and analytics are also compiled on a single dashboard, which will save you administrative time. Small grocers may want to explore a smaller system like IT Retail or Revel first, though. Catapult may simply have more bells and whistles than they need.
Catapult’s standout features include:
- Myriad self-checkout configurations: Catapult has the widest range of self-checkout options of any system on this list. Small shops can use small-footprint terminals with a card reader, and large markets can expand with scales, scanners, and change dispensers. The self-checkout is guided and intuitive, and handles many everyday issues on its own. For example, if a Catapult self-checkout stand runs out of change, it will print a barcoded receipt that the customer can scan at another stand to receive their change.
- Marketing and loyalty: All the systems on this list include marketing and loyalty tools. Catapult’s tools go a bit further than most. Beyond simply rewarding customers for purchases, you can also reward them when they share your store’s events and promotions on social media. You can also offer targeted promotions for birthdays, holidays, or other custom events.
- Inventory with Universal Product Database: Catapult’s inventory includes robust tools for tracking expiration dates. It communicates directly to your largest suppliers via an EDI connection so you can place orders with a few clicks and manage invoices in the cloud. The system also contains a Universal Product Database (UPD), which contains images, ingredients, ordering information, barcodes, and descriptors for hundreds of thousands of products. This reduces your labor cost for entering items into your inventory and helps you identify new products.
- Comprehensive online learning center: All the systems on this list have customer support and training resources, but Catapult’s online learning center truly stands out. This portal includes comprehensive classes to teach you and your staff how to use every nook and cranny of the system. The Catapult team also regularly hosts webinars to help independent grocers and other retailers meet new business challenges.
Square for Retail: Best Free POS for Small, Single-lane Markets
Square for Retail
Overall Score: 3.86
OUT OF 5
What We Like
- No long-term contracts
- Can use existing hardware
- Includes free, integrated online store
- Baseline POS is free
What's Missing
- Square is the only payment processor
- Age verification tools are not strong
- Customer service is not 24/7 for free users
Square for Retail Pricing
- Software subscription fee:
- Free: $0
- Plus: $60 per month
- Premium: Custom-quoted
- Hardware costs: From $49 for a chip reader (though Square will send your first reader free) up to $1,269 for a full POS hardware kit including a Square Register, receipt printer, and cash drawer.
- One-time Installation fees: None. This system is self-installed.
- Processing fees: 2.6% + 10 cents for in-person swiped, dipped, or tapped transactions; 2.9% + 30 cents for online payments
Square for Retail is a small but mighty cloud-based POS that operates on iPads. Unlike Revel Systems—which works best on iPads you purchase from the POS company directly—Square for Retail works just fine on iPads you already own. Square for Retail has a small footprint that is perfect for small markets. This baseline POS is free to use, and comes with a free, integrated online store.
Square for Retail earned an overall score of 3.86 out of 5 on our grocery POS criteria. It earned high marks among our experts and for ease of use. The free, integrated online store also received high marks. Square lost some ground with niche grocery features though. It cannot process bottle deposits and does not have any age restricting tools for alcohol or tobacco sales. Getting expiration date tracking and EBT payments requires a third-party inventory integration, and most of the self-service kiosk integrations are geared toward restaurants. But if your market is small and your budget is tight, Square for Retail is an inexpensive way to move beyond a basic cash register. In fact, Square for Retail is our recommended retail POS system.
A Square stand and a card reader convert a simple iPad into a sleek POS. (Image from Square)
Alternatively, you can opt for a Square-built Square Register with a customer-facing display if you want more robust hardware. (Image from Square)
Square for Retail Standout Features
Like second-place POS Nation, Square does not require long-term contracts. Square also comes with built-in payment processing, so if you are a small market upgrading from a cash register or a micro-market with a single lane, this POS is a great fit. This system is so popular with small businesses of all types that your employees will likely already be familiar with it. The lack of a long-term contract lets you use Square as long as it suits, then upgrade or move to a new system if your needs change.
Square for Retail’s standout features include:
- Bring your own hardware: Square for Retail can run on iPads that you already own. All you need is a card reader and a Square account. You can get started with the system in a single afternoon. Of course you can purchase additional hardware from Square to customize your system. If you need barcode scanners, integrated scales, customer-facing displays, or additional card readers, Square has you covered.
- Free online store: Beyond being free, the Square Online Store offers a lot of great features. You can highlight top selling items, new products, discounts, or deals on your site. Your site will also integrate seamlessly with Instagram, Facebook, and Google product listings. So if a customer is looking for a nearby store that sells what they need, your Square Online Store can put your market at the top of their list.
- Inventory integration: Square for Retail includes product tracking inventory that updates in real time and includes bulk inventory intake and smart forecasting tools. If your market sells mostly shelf stable products, this may be all you need. But if you need to track expiration dates for perishable items or lot numbers for meats, seafood, and other products that are prone to foodborne illness or recalls, you’ll want to add the Finale Inventory integration. This will increase your operating costs; Finale’s software fees start at $75 to $799 per month. But considering all you’re saving on your Square hardware and software, this shouldn’t break the bank.
- Workforce management: Square offers built-in employee management tools to manage your employee hours, scheduling, and payroll. These features are included in Plus and Premium packages; Free subscribers will need to pay an additional $35 per month.
- EBT payments: If you need to accept EBT, or WIC payments, you can add the TotilPay integration for $49.95 per month.
Take a deeper look at this system by reading our full Square for Retail review.
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.
