Co-op success depends on all aspects of your operation working in harmony.
You and your fellow community members need to be invested in the co-op’s mission, striving toward the same goal and working as a cohesive team.
Your co-op point of sale (POS) system is another key member of this team. This critical tool manages your members, keeps your co-op stocked with the right items, and makes sales possible.
Finding the right co-op POS solution can seem daunting — which is why we’ve done the hard work for you! Keep reading to see our list of must-have co-op POS features and the best four co-op POS systems on the market.
Essential Features for Your Co-Op POS System
Before we dive into our top picks, we first need to cover the key features that make a POS system a good option for your co-op. Here are some tools to keep an eye out for as you evaluate different solutions:
- Membership management is a foundational feature for co-ops. Since your co-op is owned by the community, you need a way to keep track of members, foster loyalty, and offer special perks for membership.
- Inventory management is essential for reducing waste and keeping shoppers happy. Your POS system should help you keep your co-op stocked with all the right items.
- Scale integration with tare weight management is key if you sell any products by weight. With this feature, you can allow customers to bring containers and take home bulk goods like granola, rice, and quinoa. You can also use this feature to easily sell produce, meats, and cheeses.
- Reporting and analytics can help you better meet your community’s needs. Your POS system will give you insights into your shoppers’ behaviors and favorite items, enabling you to tailor your operations to their preferences.
- Accepting multiple payment types will expand your co-op’s reach. By accepting cards, cash, contactless payment, and EBT, you’ll open your co-op to the widest range of shoppers and make it convenient to shop with you.
The set of features you need will depend on your community, so spend some time considering which tools will make the most difference for your co-op.
The Best Co-Op POS Systems
Now that we’ve covered what makes a co-op POS system great, let’s take a look at some providers that meet these criteria.
Since all co-ops have different needs, we’ve selected four options with various business models, features, and price ranges.
1. CoPOS
CoPOS is a POS solution dedicated to the needs of co-ops.
CoPOS’ most impressive feature is its membership management tool, which allows you to keep detailed records of your members, their contact information, and their investment in the co-op. You can also easily identify their membership tier and apply the appropriate discount at checkout.
While CoPOS’ membership management feature is excellent, its inventory management and sales reporting capabilities may not meet your standards if you’re looking for a co-op POS system with comprehensive back office tools.
2. IT Retail
IT Retail is a POS solution created by and for grocers.
This powerful option offers a comprehensive set of features designed to streamline grocery operations and boost profits, including a robust inventory management tool, advanced reporting and analytics, and more.
If you’re looking for a co-op POS system with all the tools you need to grow and expand, then IT Retail might be the right option for you.
3. CORE-POS
If you’re tech-savvy and on a budget, CORE-POS is a unique co-op POS solution that might suit your needs.
As an open-source POS system, you can download CORE-POS for free and run it on your own hardware. If you have the time and expertise, you’ll also be able to tailor this tool to your co-op’s needs, creating a more custom solution.
However, it’s worth noting that using an open-source option like CORE-POS will add complexity to the setup process. If you’re searching for an easy-to-use co-op POS system that works out of the box, this solution might not fit your requirements.
4. Markt POS
Markt POS strikes the right balance between efficiency and community.
This solution offers the perfect blend of features designed to help you maintain a well-run co-op and nurture your co-op membership.
Markt POS’ customer loyalty tool can help you enroll new members in your co-op and offer them exclusive discounts and perks in exchange for their membership.
In addition to this membership management feature, you’ll have access to all the grocery-oriented tools you need, including real-time stock tracking, scale integration, and insightful sales reports.
If you’re looking for a flexible, easy-to-use solution with all the right features, then Markt POS might be your best option. Use Markt POS’ build and price tool to generate an instant quote for your co-op.
Give Your Community the Gift of the Best Co-Op POS
If you’re looking for the best of the best co-op POS system, look no further than Markt POS.
Created specifically for small markets and co-ops just like yours, Markt POS has everything you need to provide the best groceries and experience for your community.
If you’re ready to see what Markt POS can do for your co-op, schedule your live, personalized demo today!
