Grocery store Point of Sale POS software

Grocery Store Point of Sale (POS) Software Options

Grocery stores, from small convenience stores to larger, more complex grocery operations with multiple departments like meat, deli, produce, bakery, and others, require specialized POS software that handles everything from basic checkout to complex inventory management, PLU (Price Look-Up) codes, and product weighing.

Below are some POS software options, categorized by the type of store and the requirements for product weighing, multiple departments, and more.

1. Small Convenience Stores POS Software

Ideal for: Small grocery or convenience stores with limited departments, typically without complex inventory and weighing needs.

POS Software Options for Small Stores:

• Square for Retail

  • Features: Simple interface, easy setup, inventory management, sales reporting, and mobile POS support.

  • Cost:

    • Software: $0 for basic plan, $60/month for the advanced plan.

    • Hardware: Square Reader ($49), Square Stand ($199), cash drawer, receipt printer.

• Lightspeed Retail

  • Features: Advanced inventory tracking, customer management, and customizable pricing.

  • Cost:

    • Software: Starts at $69/month.

    • Hardware: Basic hardware bundle (stand, receipt printer, scanner) can range from $700 - $1,200.

• ShopKeep by Lightspeed

  • Features: Simple, user-friendly POS for small retailers, with strong reporting and inventory tracking.

  • Cost:

    • Software: $69/month for the basic plan.

    • Hardware: Typically around $1,000 for full hardware (register, printer, scanner, drawer).

Hardware Needs for Small Stores:

• POS Terminal: Tablet, mobile device, or desktop PC.

• Receipt Printer: Thermal receipt printer.

• Barcode Scanner: Handheld or stand-mounted barcode scanner.

• Cash Drawer: Basic mechanical or electronic drawer.

• Payment Processor: Credit card reader (Square, EMV-enabled card reader).

• Scale: Basic scale (optional for smaller stores).

Initial and Ongoing Costs:

• Initial Setup: Around $500 - $1,500 for hardware and software.

• Ongoing Costs: Software subscription (typically $0 - $60/month) and transaction fees.

2. Medium to Large Grocery Stores with Multiple Departments

Ideal for: Stores with multiple departments like meat, deli, produce, bakery, and others that require product weighing, PLUs, and specialized inventory tracking.

POS Software Options for Larger Stores:

• Toast POS

  • Features: Cloud-based, integrates with multiple departments, supports inventory management, weighing scales, and PLU codes. Designed for food service businesses, including grocery stores.

  • Cost:

    • Software: Starts at $69/month for the basic POS plan.

    • Hardware: Can range from $2,000 - $5,000 for full hardware setup depending on scale options.

• Revel Systems

  • Features: Offers robust POS features for complex grocery store operations, including department management, inventory control, and PLU support.

  • Cost:

    • Software: Typically around $99/month for basic POS with additional fees for advanced integrations.

    • Hardware: Full setup can cost between $2,000 - $4,000.

• NCR Silver

  • Features: NCR offers scalable POS for grocery stores with multiple departments. Supports barcode scanning, weighing scales, and integrates with back-office systems.

  • Cost:

    • Software: Starts at $79/month.

    • Hardware: Around $1,000 - $3,000 depending on store size and setup.

• POS Nation

  • Features: Excellent for full grocery store setups with multi-department needs, supports PLU codes, product weighing, and scalable inventory tracking.

  • Cost:

    • Software: Starts at $69/month.

    • Hardware: Typically around $1,500 - $4,000 for a full system.

Hardware Components for Larger Stores with Departments:

• POS Terminal: Touchscreen monitor or tablet for each checkout station.

• Barcode Scanner: Handheld or fixed scanners to read barcodes on products.

• Receipt Printer: Thermal receipt printer for customer receipts.

• Cash Drawer: Heavy-duty cash drawer for multiple transactions.

• Scale: Price Computing Scales for weighing items in departments like deli, bakery, and produce. These integrate directly with the POS system and generate PLU codes for pricing.

• Label Printer: Used for creating price tags for items in departments such as produce and bakery.

• Payment Processor: EMV-compatible card readers for secure credit card transactions.

• Back Office System: For inventory management and employee management.

Initial and Ongoing Costs:

• Initial Setup:

  • POS Software: $1,500 - $3,000 for initial setup and training.

  • Hardware: A full system for a mid-sized grocery store may cost $5,000 - $15,000 or more, depending on the number of registers, scales, and other peripherals.

• Ongoing Costs:

  • Monthly Software Subscription: $69 - $200/month, depending on the POS provider and features.

  • Hardware Maintenance: Depending on the hardware, you might have ongoing maintenance or support fees, typically $100 - $500/year.

  • Transaction Fees: Usually around 2% - 3% per transaction, depending on the merchant services provider.

3. Large Multi-Department Grocery Stores (With Advanced Features)

Ideal for: Large grocery chains with multiple departments, including complex inventory systems, advanced POS features, and high-volume sales.

POS Software Options for Large Stores:

• Epicor POS (for Grocery)

  • Features: Supports large grocery store operations with department-specific management, including weighing scales for fresh departments like produce, bakery, and deli. Advanced inventory tracking, PLU codes, loyalty programs, and reporting.

  • Cost:

    • Software: Typically custom pricing based on store needs (likely $10,000+).

    • Hardware: $10,000 - $30,000+ depending on store size.

• IBM POS (also known as Smarter Commerce)

  • Features: Enterprise-level POS that handles multi-department setups, complex integrations, loyalty programs, PLU, and weight-based products.

  • Cost:

    • Software: Enterprise pricing, typically starts at $20,000+.

    • Hardware: Can range from $20,000 - $100,000 depending on customization and scale requirements.

• Oracle Retail POS

  • Features: Suitable for large chain grocery stores with complex operations. Supports real-time inventory management, integration with fresh departments, multiple sales channels, and advanced reporting.

  • Cost: Custom pricing, but likely $50,000+ for a large deployment.

Hardware Components for Large Stores:

• POS Terminal: Multiple touchscreen terminals with large display setups for various departments.

• Barcode Scanner: High-performance scanners, including hands-free and handheld models for quick checkouts.

• Receipt Printer: Industrial-grade thermal printers that handle high volumes of transactions.

• Cash Drawer: Large, secure cash drawers with automated features.

• Scales: High-quality price-computing scales for weighing fresh products, like in the produce, meat, bakery, and deli departments.

• Label Printer: For generating price labels for produce or bulk items.

• Customer Display: Screens facing customers to show transaction details, promotions, or total prices.

Initial and Ongoing Costs:

• Initial Setup:

  • Software: Typically $20,000 - $100,000 for enterprise-level solutions.

  • Hardware: $20,000 - $100,000+ depending on store size, number of registers, and required equipment.

• Ongoing Costs:

  • Software Subscription: Typically $200 - $500/month for ongoing support and software maintenance.

  • Transaction Fees: Merchant service fees, usually 2% - 3% per transaction.

  • Hardware Maintenance: Service contracts can cost around $500 - $5,000/year.

Conclusion

Selecting the right POS system for your grocery store depends heavily on the size of your business and the complexity of your operations. Here’s a quick summary of your options:

• Small Convenience Stores: Systems like Square for Retail, Lightspeed Retail, and ShopKeep provide simplicity and cost-effective solutions for small operations.

• Medium to Large Stores: Systems like Toast POS, Revel Systems, and POS Nation offer more robust features like department management and PLU support, ideal for stores with multiple departments.

• Large Grocery Chains: Epicor POS, Oracle Retail, and IBM POS provide enterprise-level features, handling everything from complex inventory management to integration with multiple departments and high transaction volumes.

For the hardware, small stores might need just a basic terminal, scanner, and receipt printer, while larger stores will require more specialized equipment like price-computing scales, label printers, and multiple terminals for different departments. The initial setup for larger stores can cost significantly more, with ongoing subscription and maintenance fees depending on the provider.