A convenience store point-of-sale (POS) system helps increase operational cost efficiency and deliver a modern customer experience to drive sales. But what exactly does a convenience store POS system do, and how do you choose one that meets the unique requirements of running a c-store?
What is a Convenience Store POS, and How Does it Work?
A POS system combines the hardware and software required to handle transactions by calculating the price of all the goods, accepting payments, and tracking sales and inventory.
A convenience store POS system often refers to the cash register or self-checkout kiosks. When a customer checks out, the hardware scans the barcode, and the software tallies the total. The card reader takes the information from a credit/debit card or digital wallet (or other payment methods), and the software transmits the authorization request to the financial institution. The hardware prints out the receipt when the transaction is processed.
Besides customer-facing functionalities, a POS system records the quantity of goods sold to inform inventory management. Many also collect customer data to support marketing efforts, such as personalization and loyalty programs.
9 Must-Have Features to Look for in a Convenience Store POS System
Here’s what to look for when evaluating a POS system for your c-store:
1. Payment Methods
Consumers prefer to buy from merchants that accept their preferred payment methods (e.g., cash, credit/debit card, EBT, digital wallet, etc.) Your POS system should be able to process all major payment options at high speed to avoid long lines at the checkout, which could cause some customers to leave without completing their purchases.
2. Hotkey Shortcuts
Entering produce and other non-barcoded items into the register is time-consuming and error-prone. You can speed up services by incorporating hotkey shortcuts so cashiers can quickly ring up these items and reduce checkout time. The increased accuracy also means you can better track inventory and avoid errors that could take hours to undo.
3. Age and Time-Restricted Sales
Manually handling age verification for tobacco and alcohol sales can cause delays at checkout. Meanwhile, one mistake could land you in legal hot water—you may incur fines and even get your license revoked. Your POS system should allow employees and customers to scan IDs and automate age verification to protect everyone’s interests.
4. Employee and Payroll Management
A robust POS system integrates with your back-office software to eliminate the administrative tasks of manually tracking hours. You can sync work hours recorded at the POS with your payroll software to avoid mistakes associated with manual data transfers. Some systems also integrate with paycheck companies to further streamline the payroll process.
5. Customer Tracking and Analytics
Many POS systems can track customer purchases, record their preferences, and analyze their buying patterns. You can leverage the insights to understand customer attributes, target your marketing effort, and support customer retention. For example, use a POS that integrates with your loyalty program software to send targeted promotions.
6. Employee Theft Prevention
Employee theft accounts for a substantial portion of many c-store’s financial losses. Your POS system should include security features to deter employee theft by limiting employee access to cash inside the register (e.g., they can only access the cash drawer when ringing up a sale).
7. Carton and Case Break Inventory
If you sell products as individual items and in packs, cases, or cartons (e.g., liquor and tobacco), you need a POS system with case break inventory capabilities. It should be able to track products regardless of how they’re packaged and sold by recording the status of packs, cases, and cartons when customers purchase individual units.
8. Scan Data Reporting
Some tobacco manufacturers purchase tobacco sales data from convenience stores. You need a POS system to automatically record and report transaction-level data to participate in these incentive programs. The software should also have the capabilities to handle manufacturer rebates so customers can receive their discounts and you can keep your profits.
9. Sales and Shift Reporting
Choose a POS system with robust reporting functionalities to support inventory management (e.g., which products are bestsellers and which ones you can drop.) You can also identify the busiest times and adjust your staffing plans to take advantage of the high customer volume in your store.
An Integrated Solution with All Essential Convenience Store POS Features
To streamline workflows and gain a bird’s-eye view of everything happening in your convenience store(s), you need a POS system that integrates all the features you need in a single-source cloud platform.
DUMAC’s bundled solutions are designed to meet your unique requirements. You can choose from our robust functionalities and create a customized package to get all the hardware and software you need without paying for anything you don’t use. Get in touch to build your ideal POS solution.
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