The Best POS Systems for Convenience Stores in 2024

Whether you’re running a small-town corner shop, a few regional stores or a local franchise of a national chain, the best POS systems offer hardware and software solutions to solidify your convenience store as a mainstay of the community. The right solution allows you to check out customers and process payments while helping you keep inventory in stock, your finances in order and customers loyal.

From groceries and gadgets to over-the-counter medicines, the unique combination of products your convenience store sells, along with the size of your business and customer base, means you’ll need a POS solution that fits your way of running your shop. We’ve taken an in-depth look at the top POS systems on the market and selected our top five for different convenience store needs.

You want a POS system that helps your convenience store, not one that holds it back with high costs and fees. To find an affordable solution that gives you all the POS features you need without breaking the bank, you’ll need to consider three separate costs.

• Hardware costs: It can be a significant upfront expense, but finding the right hardware is key to ringing up sales and taking payments. Many providers include basic POS hardware with a subscription, but spending more on a robust device is a better bet. Expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Convenience stores need accessories, like barcode printers and scanners, swipe cards, scales, receipt printers, and cash drawers. Look for a solution that includes these in your subscription or offers affordable add-on options. A POS system that allows you to use third-party hardware is a great way to save money.
• Subscription fees: If your shop is still getting on its feet, look for a provider that offers a basic free plan. As your store grows and requires advanced functionality, you can find an appropriate solution from the tiered service plans offered by most providers. Prices range from 10 to a few hundred dollars per month. You might need to pay more for advanced inventory management, reporting and analytics, customer relationship management, and staffing add-ons. Not all POS system providers are upfront about pricing, so call to get the exact rate for your store.
• Payment processing rates: Credit card processing fees can be complex, so make sure you understand how you’ll be charged for different transactions, like in-store or online. Some companies charge a flat rate, whereas others offer custom quotes based on your store’s characteristics. If you want to cut costs, shop for a POS system that permits third-party payment processing.

Beyond efficient customer checkout, your POS system should include features to help your shop thrive, like tools to let you know what to stock and how to bring in customers. Here are the features we think a POS system for convenience stores should include.

Inventory Management

While POS inventory management tools don’t always come standard, we think they are an essential feature for keeping your store stocked and selling. Many systems will automatically update inventory as you scan items at checkout and when they are purchased online. Timely alerts let you know what you’re running low on so you can get them quickly back in stock. The best solutions allow you to track items by a variety of criteria, like color, size or function.

Hardware Options

We may be moving towards a cashless society, but many people still rely on paper money to make quick purchases at the local corner shop. That means you need a POS system that can handle any kind of payment. A durable, secure POS register is key. You’ll most likely need a cash drawer and a receipt printer. Depending on your needs, you’ll also want barcode scanners and weight scales to help you speedily ring up customers. Some accessories connect via USB and others via Bluetooth, so make sure your devices are compatible.

External Integrations

A POS system that integrates with useful business solutions, like the best accounting software, can help you run your store smoothly and accurately. You should also look for a provider that integrates with third-party apps designed specifically for the needs of your type of store. If you sell alcohol or tobacco products, you’ll need an age-verification app. Integrations for lottery verification and payouts might also be necessary.

E-Commerce

From over-the-counter cold remedies to birthday party supplies, consumers increasingly rely on online ordering when they can’t make it to the local corner shop. Look for a solution that helps you reach more customers in more places, including social media, Google and other online marketplaces. Some POS systems even include website-building tools and delivery services. Be sure to check card processing rates for online purchases, as they are often higher than in-person rates.

Payment Processing

Regardless of how your customers pay, you’ll want a service that processes payments quickly and affordably. While most POS systems accept all kinds of payments, your convenience store might need a solution that also accepts EBT cards, which could call for a third-party app. While some providers require using their payment processing service, you could save by finding one that allows third-party credit card processing software. Pay attention to deposit times, as you don’t want your store to run out of cash on hand.

Customer Management

When consumers go out to make a convenience store purchase, you want them to think of your store first. Stocking the right products is only the first step. A good POS system will help you understand your consumers so you can target them with relevant deals and build customer loyalty. Some platforms offer customer databases to track past purchases, highlight preferences and offer personalized service in-store and online. Many solutions offer tools to create customer loyalty programs, like reward points, gift cards and coupons, to incentivize your customers to keep coming back.

Reporting and Analytics

Most POS systems include basic reporting functions, but since your store sells a variety of items, you’ll want to find a solution that offers robust POS sales reports. Timely and accurate insights will help keep your shop stocked and products moving. Look for analytics that show you which items are hot and which are seasonal favorites so you can always offer your customers the products they want at the right time.

Employee Management

Many POS systems offer basic employee management tools or add-on features. You can create individual codes for clocking in and out, with custom permissions so only certain staff can do things like process returns or void items. Some POS providers even offer employee swipe cards for a fee. You can also use the software to create schedules to make sure you’ve got all hands on deck at your busiest times. Plus, you can track sales by employee to see which team members excel on the shop floor.

Marketing Tools

While not a common feature in POS systems, we found the providers that offer marketing tools to be especially useful for convenience stores. The right tools can help you find and connect with your target customer base. Through marketing email campaigns, you can build awareness of your store and offer relevant promos and discounts to bring in more customers.

Customer Support

Convenience stores often have long hours, so you’ll want to find a provider that offers reliable customer support at any time day or night. While many offer a host of useful online resources, we think your best bet is always speaking directly with a customer service rep who can walk you through any issue. Since you can’t always be at your store, it’s important that the service is easy to reach for all your employees.

These steps will help you decide which POS system will most benefit your convenience store.

1. Determine your needs.

Before you start shopping for a POS system, you should take a look at the specific needs of your convenience store. The size of your store and the products you sell will shape the type of solution that’s right for your shop. Consider upfront and monthly costs, as well as the features that will best help you run your business. If expanding is part of your business plan, be sure to look for a solution that will grow with your store.

2. Research the market.

Once you know what you need to get out of a POS system, it’s time to start researching the solutions on the market. Having a clear idea of the functionality you require will help you narrow down your choices, but it’s a good idea to go beyond visiting vendors’ websites. Read guides and reviews to see how stores like yours evaluate their experience with POS systems. It’s also a good idea to talk to similar businesses in the area to learn what solutions work for them.

3. Speak to a sales rep.

Some POS providers don’t provide pricing on their website and others require custom packages, so you might have to contact a sales rep to get an accurate idea of the final price and features included. Even if pricing is transparent, you should still contact the vendor to find out about discounts and schedule a demo run or a free trial.

4. Compare the options.

After you’ve informed yourself about the pricing and features of top POS systems and given a few a test drive, you have to evaluate the options and determine which is the best fit for your convenience store. Read the fine print to ensure there are no hidden fees for things like online orders or deliveries. It’s a good idea to choose a solution that lets you add more devices and features as your store grows.

These are the main reasons why using the right POS system will benefit your convenience store.

• Stock and sell better: Your store’s success depends on having products that customers want in stock and priced better than the competition. POS inventory tracking and reports will help you see which items are popular so you can always have them on hand. You can also see which items might need a sale or promotion to move them off the shelf.
• Keep customers coming back: Customers have a ton of options when it comes to purchasing convenience items, so you need to give them a reason to come in the door and keep coming back. POS systems help you understand your consumers’ tastes and preferences so you can provide them exactly what they want. Customer loyalty tools allow you to offer personalized deals, coupons and rewards so shoppers will always have an excuse to pop in.
• Create an online presence: Keeping foot traffic coming through the door is essential, but people increasingly rely on online shopping for convenience purchases. Many POS systems have tools to let you expand into e-commerce, whether it be a web page or a social media shop, so you can reach your customers wherever they are. While it might be hard to beat the prices of some of the big online sellers, consumers will feel good about supporting a local business, especially one that will deliver essential goods right to their door.

• Use helpful tools: Convenience stores face challenges that many other businesses don’t. From preventing employee theft to selling regulated items, like lottery tickets and tobacco, POS systems offer add-on tools and integrations to help you run your store more efficiently.