Square is a free point-of-sale (POS) app that uses a credit card reader and your phone or tablet to process payments. A POS system is the tool retailers use at the point of purchase to process and manage sales. Square POS includes features like inventory management, customer directories, and sales reports to help retailers manage…
5 Best Cash Registers for Small Businesses
A cash register combines a secure cash box, advanced adding machine, and receipt printer into one operating unit. Many connect to credit card terminals and bar code scanners and some incorporate inventory and point-of-sale (POS) software for added functionality. Best Cash Registers for Small Businesses Small business owners have two overall choices when selecting a…
Clover vs Square: Price, Features & What’s Best
Clover and Square both have easy-to-use point-of-sale (POS) software, a full suite of hardware, and integrated payment processing with online, mobile, and contactless payment tools. The biggest difference between Clover and Square is that Clover has higher upfront and ongoing costs with a few extra features, while Square is more transparent and affordable, making it…
POS System vs Cash Register: What’s Best for Retailers
Having a cash management system is crucial for any retail store owner. A basic cash register may be suitable for some businesses, but most retailers are choosing feature-filled point-of-sale (POS) cash register software programs that run business operations much more effectively. We compare both options to pinpoint what’s best for your business. When To Use…
3 Best Cafe POS Systems for Small Businesses
Cafe point-of-sale (POS) systems help small coffee shops and eateries efficiently manage counter, seated, take-out, and delivery orders. Cafes are usually high-volume and fast-moving, meaning business owners need a durable and sophisticated POS system that’s also easy to use. Based on our evaluations, the best cafe POS systems are: : Best overall cafe POS system…
How To Track and Count Inventory + Free Templates
Conducting a physical inventory count is a tedious, but essential business process. This guide gives you the tools you need to efficiently handle a physical inventory count, and get you started on a process that works for you. You can also download our free inventory templates and follow our quick tips on how to use…
Stripe vs Square: Which Payment Processor is Right For You?
Stripe is a developer-friendly payment processing solution best for online businesses wanting to add a customizable checkout to their website. Square is an out-of-the-box point-of-sale (POS) and payment processing platform that’s best for small businesses needing an all-in-one solution. When comparing Square and Stripe, the main difference is Stripe requires technical knowledge and needs to…
11 POS Integrations Your Business Needs
A retail point-of-sale (POS) system does more than simply ring up purchases. Today’s POS technology is equipped with additional features that give retailers complete insight into and control over their business. Each time someone uses your POS, it collects data. It then summarizes that data in reports so you can see where your challenges and…
Inventory Shrinkage: Definition, Causes & How to Prevent It
What Is Inventory Shrinkage? Inventory shrinkage is recorded when a product’s listed quantity-on-hand exceeds the actual physical count. The difference between these two amounts is referred to as “shrink.” In a retail setting, this is sometimes called retail shrink; and in a warehouse or manufacturing business, it’s generally reported as inventory shrinkage. Either way, it…
Amazon Seller Fees: Cost of Selling on Amazon
Amazon seller fees include account fees and product fees. Account fees range from $0 to $39.99 per month, and product fees range from 6% to 20% of the product’s selling price, with the average seller paying 15%. You’ll also need to fulfill and ship your order, the cost for which will vary widely depending on…
Using Demand Forecasting to Grow Your Retail Business
There are a lot of ways small businesses can stay competitive, and it can be a lot simpler than you think. For some, it just comes down to demand forecasting. In fact, Amazon earns 24% of its North America retail revenue because local stores can’t forecast accurately. And retail technology has made accurate demand forecasting…
FedEx vs UPS vs USPS: Shipping Rate & Reliability Comparison
Many small businesses rely on shipping companies to deliver products. When comparing FedEx vs UPS vs USPS, you should consider cost, speed, and service. Each carrier is reliable, offers affordable options if your package doesn’t need to arrive quickly, and allows you to pay more for speed. Most small packages ship for less than $20…