Are long checkout lines a constant source of misery for you and your customers? Are you struggling with POS hardware that’s fixed to a counter? Then a mobile point of sale (POS) system might be the answer to your prayers.
You want to deliver convenience, speed, and flexibility for your customers. When there's a long line at the register, you feel helpless seeing customers walk out instead of making a purchase. You've tried adding staff during rush times, but hiring more cashiers isn't cost-effective.
By implementing a mobile POS solution, you can let your staff process transactions from anywhere on the sales floor. For small markets and grocery stores, this could add some serious flexibility to the sales process.
However, can a mobile POS system run your entire business? Let’s find out.
This article explores what a mobile POS is, its key benefits, top solutions on the market, and critical factors in choosing the right system for your unique business needs.
What Is a Mobile POS System?
Let’s begin by answering the main question of this post directly: What is a mobile POS system? This type of solution is a game-changer for many small retailers. Unlike traditional cash registers, a mobile point of sale system uses a tablet or mobile phone to handle transactions, inventory, and customer data on the go.
When you implement a mobile POS system, you’ll equip staff with smartphones or tablets, each loaded with the mobile POS software. These devices are then connected to your store's network, allowing you to process sales, track inventory, and manage various store operations from anywhere in the store.
You can use your mobile point of sale for speedy checkouts, easy inventory checks from anywhere in the store (or even from home, if you’re using a cloud-based point of sale solution), and customer data. You can use an advanced POS solution to track shopping habits and create customer loyalty programs for your most dedicated customers.
Now, before you get too carried away, it's important to note that while mobile POS systems are incredibly handy for some retailers, they may not be the right solution for every store. Some grocery store owners may prefer a solution that allows them the flexibility and remote access of a mobile POS system, without the challenges associated with smartphone or tablet-based point of sale solutions. In this case, you may choose a more robust cloud-based point of sale system rather than a fully mobile solution.
The Benefits of a Mobile POS System
Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits associated with a mobile POS system:
- Flexibility: With a mobile POS system, you're not tethered to a checkout counter. You can accept payments anywhere in your store, at special events, or even when making deliveries. This flexibility can be a game-changer, making your life and your customers' lives easier.
- Lower Costs: Say goodbye to those big, pricey checkout terminals that take up precious space. Mobile POS hardware is often more budget-friendly.
- Customer Experience: Checking out customers right on the sales floor can reduce lines and wait times.
- Access to Analytics: Mobile POS apps seamlessly integrate with back office software, giving you real-time sales data, inventory tracking, trend-spotting, and report-generating capabilities.
- BOPIS: "Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store" (BOPIS) is a breeze with mobile POS systems. These solutions can help streamline curbside pickup and make it a convenient option for your customers.
The Drawbacks of Mobile POS Systems
No solution is without its flaws, and mobile POS systems are no different. What are the downsides of using this kind of point of sale solution?
- Smaller Screens: The screens on mobile devices are smaller than what you'll find on traditional POS systems. It might feel a bit cramped, especially during busy times, which can slow down order entry and other tasks.
- Potential for Device Damage: Mobile devices can be fragile. Dropping or damaging one could throw a wrench in your POS system. It's a good idea to have backup devices on hand, just in case.
- Shorter Battery Life: Unlike traditional systems that are plugged into a power outlet, mobile devices have limited battery life. You'll need to keep an eye on the battery levels and have backup battery packs ready to keep the system running smoothly.
- Slower Processing: Full-blown POS systems often pack more processing power under the hood. When you're dealing with a rush of customers, mobile devices may not be as speedy. This drawback is something to consider during peak hours.
Top Providers of Mobile POS Systems
Square
Square is a highly popular mobile POS system, widely recognized for its user-friendly interface and cost-effective fee structure. Square's hardware offerings, such as the Square Reader and Square Stand, have received praise for their sleek and stylish design and their plug-and-play simplicity. The Square Reader allows businesses to effortlessly accept payments via mobile devices, while the Square Stand provides a dedicated point of sale solution that can transform an iPad into a versatile and efficient payment terminal.
Pricing: Square’s Plus package starts at $29 per month, plus processing fees.
Shopify POS
Shopify POS seamlessly integrates with the Shopify e-commerce platform. This integration coordinates online and in-store sales and inventory, providing businesses with a centralized dashboard for managing their product catalog, tracking inventory, and fulfilling orders. Shopify POS is a versatile solution that works well for businesses that operate both online and in a brick-and-mortar capacity.
Pricing: Shopify’s full retail package starts at $89 per month.
Clover
Clover’s modular point of sale solution offers a broad suite of tools, including employee management, inventory tracking, and data reporting. Clover's mobile POS system is designed to cater to a diverse range of businesses, from restaurants to retail stores. This adaptability and comprehensive feature set make Clover a solid choice as a mobile point of sale provider.
Pricing: Clover offers a hardware and software package starting at $60 per month for 36 months.
Is a Mobile POS System a Good Choice for Markets?
Keeping all the context from this post in mind, let’s answer a vital question: Are mobile POS solutions the best option for grocery stores and markets? While some retailers love the flexibility of mobile point of sale solutions, they’re not the right fit for everyone.
Grocery stores tend to have a high transaction volume. Rather than purchasing a few items like a customer at a boutique, grocery store customers often have dozens or even hundreds of items in their cart. Scanning this volume on a small, mobile device can be cumbersome and slow-paced, compared with a full-sized point of sale terminal.
Another thing to consider is how a mobile solution will scale across your store. A typical grocery store needs multiple POS terminals running at once, and scaling a mobile POS solution across dozens of registers can be a logistical challenge.
Next, we have to remember that your point of sale solution is more than a barcode scanner — grocery POS systems are connected to scales, conveyor belts, scanners, customer displays, and bagging systems. Integrating all these peripherals with mobile devices might be more trouble than it’s worth.
Additionally, you need to consider your durability needs. Grocery store POS systems get put through their paces. You need a rugged system built with durability in mind, and often, mobile or tablet-based point of sale solutions are delicate and fragile.
All in all, mobile POS systems shine in scenarios like food trucks and farmer's markets. In these environments, where mobility and space are at a premium, a mobile POS can be a game-changer. However, in brick-and-mortar grocery stores, they may not be the best choice.
Answered: What Is a Mobile POS? Make the Right Choice for Your Store
This post should give you a strong idea of what a mobile POS is, and whether it’s the right fit for your grocery store or market. Over all, while these solutions are flexible and can be powerful for some retailers, they may not be the best fit for the grocery industry.
Grocery stores’ high transaction volumes and rugged environments mean that mobile devices might not cut it, especially during peak times. Scaling across multiple registers, integrating with various peripherals, and ensuring durability are all significant concerns for grocery store owners, and mean you may benefit from using a full POS system instead.
With a comprehensive, all-in-one point of sale system like Markt POS, you'll unlock a world of possibilities. From self-checkout options to robust inventory management and real-time reporting, you’ll have all the tools you need to run your store smoothly.
Ready to see it in action? You can!
The best way to understand how Markt POS can revolutionize your business is to check out our free software demo today. Explore our free demo to see how Markt POS can transform your grocery store and help you manage transactions, inventory, and more with ease.
