Your Guide to Grocery POS Hardware

Touch PC

A touch PC — also known as a terminal or an all-in-one — is a variation of a desktop computer. Touch PCs include all of the elements of a traditional desktop computer, with the addition of a touchscreen monitor. The touch PC is the most important part of your POS — it runs the whole system.

What are the minimum specs for a touch PC?

Your POS software determines the minimum computing specifications you need.

We recommend having at least 4GB of RAM and at least a 1.3 GHz processor. We also recommend using capacitive touch technology, rather than resistive touch.

Why do prices vary so much?

Prices can vary significantly based on computing power and name brand. If you find a touch PC at an extremely low price, double-check the specs and confirm that they meet the minimum requirements of the software you're considering.

Another factor to consider is commercial-grade versus consumer-grade systems. POS systems are meant to be used in rugged environments. Have you ever seen a cashier using a touch PC? They quickly punch things in while scanning your items — and they don't use the touchscreen gently. While consumer-grade touchscreens are much cheaper, they can’t withstand the daily usage of a point of sale (especially for a grocery store).

The version of Windows that is installed on your PC can also change the price. For commercial environments, we recommend that you use Windows 10 or 11 LTSC.

Receipt Printer

To print sales transaction records, you need a receipt printer. There are two types we recommend, and the one you choose should be based on your business’ needs. These include:

Thermal printers
Impact printers

What's the difference between thermal and impact printers?

Thermal printers produce a printed image by selectively heating thermal paper (receipt paper) when the paper passes over the thermal print head, darkening in the areas where it's heated. Since the paper is heat-sensitive, there is no need to purchase ribbons. Thermal printers have a more defined print, are quieter, and are usually about seven times faster than other printers used in grocery point of sale systems.

Impact printers rely on forcible impact to transfer ink to the media, similar to a typewriter. Unlike thermal printers, impact printers require ribbons which come in one-color or two-color formats. Two-color formats are typically used so that the system can print modifiers in red — perfect for prepared food orders. Impact printers can also handle multiple copies of paper using carbonless copies, so you have two to three copies for each print.

Which type of printer do you recommend?

We recommend thermal receipt printers for basic use, because they print faster and quieter. However, if temperature is a factor, we recommend an impact printer — think of outdoor markets that might have printers set up in the heat of the sun. The two-color format of impact printers is also useful for businesses like grocerants, as it can easily distinguish modifiers for food orders.

What are the name brand printers?

Epson, Star, Citizens, POS-X, and HP all make quality receipt printers.

Are receipt printers plug-and-play?

It depends. If you purchase your receipt printer separately from your POS system, it will not be plug-and-play — you need to install the correct drivers so the printer can talk to the computer. If you purchase a pre-configured system from Markt POS, the printer will be plug-and-play.

Cash Drawer

POS technology gets better all the time, but the one piece of hardware that remains constant is the metal box used to securely store cash. Even though a cashless consumer economy is becoming more popular, you still need to have your bases covered with a cash drawer.

Cash drawers have distinct compartments for coins and bills of different values, which allows cashiers to quickly and accurately count customer change without shuffling through bills and coins. The cash drawer takes the brunt of everyday wear and tear, so it’s common to need replacement parts such as tills, mounting brackets, and spare keys.

How do cash drawers pop open?

A cable connecting the receipt printer to the cash drawer prompts the drawer to open when a cash transaction is completed. The cable looks like a phone line, and is specific to your brand of printer. If a cash drawer won't open, it's likely that the drawer isn't connected to the receipt printer.

Are all cash drawers the same?

Basically. Some cash drawers are built with reinforced metal and others can be mounted, but they're all essentially the same — though you can find them in different dimensions.

We don’t sell them often, but there are also cash drawers that bypass the receipt printer and plug directly into the serial port on a computer.

What about cash drawer counts?

Properly setting up your cash drawers to flow with your grocery business processes will increase productivity — and ensure that your employees are not stealing cash. For example, some businesses perform cash counts at the end of a shift, even if the business is still serving customers. To avoid downtime while counting the drawer, many customers employ a two-till system in which they simply swap tills (the plastic insert that holds the cash and coins) and keep the register open — which is important in high-traffic businesses like grocery stores.

It’s common to request that each clerk or staff member maintains a separate cash drawer, so that a cash count discrepancy can be easily associated with the appropriate clerk. This is a fairly simple setup that only requires two cash drawers.

There are also cash drawers that do automatic counts based on the weight that is in the drawer. This is a newer technology that is still expensive, and it has yet to be proven as a cost-effective solution.

Barcode Scanner & Scanner Scale

A barcode scanner is an electronic device that reads printed barcodes. It includes a light source, a lens, and a sensor that translates optical impulses into electrical ones. There are tons of scanners available on the market, including pen-type readers, laser scanners, CDD readers, and camera-based readers.

How does a scanner work?

Scanners typically use laser beams to reflect light off a barcode. To read the barcode, the scanner measures the intensity of the reflected light. Scanners only read what is put in front of them and they do not associate UPC codes with a specific inventory item. This association is created through your point of sale software.

What types of scanners are there?

The most basic scanner is a wired handheld 1D scanner. These scanners read 1D barcodes (traditional barcodes with black and white lines) and typically have to be placed directly in front of the barcode. If you've ever seen a cashier scan an item over and over to get a price, they were likely using an inexpensive scanner. Better models can read broken or angled barcodes. A 2D scanner has the ability to read the increasingly popular 2D barcodes, such as QR codes.

There are also ID scanners designed to verify customer identification for age-restricted purchases like tobacco and alcohol. All ID scanners are 2D, but not all 2D scanners can read IDs.

Many customers request wireless scanners, though they are often significantly more expensive than their wired counterpart.

Presentation-style scanners are not shaped like the traditional gun-style scanner. Instead, these devices are made for the barcode to be presented in front of the scanner — as opposed to the scanner being presented in front of the barcode. (Think of how you quickly scan produce and other smaller items.) Presentation-style scanners are typically bi-optic, meaning they can read barcodes better. Not surprisingly, these models are more expensive than the traditional scanner.

In-counter scanner scales are what you see at the checkout register of your local grocery store. Scanner scales are presentation-style scanners that use bi-optic technology to scan barcodes, which means they contain both a vertical and horizontal scanning surface. This design maximizes efficiency and allows clerks to draw a product across the scanner scale at almost any angle to read the barcode. Then, on the same scanning surface, the product can be weighed and priced. Think of produce sold by weight at your grocery store. Although expensive, these scales are absolutely necessary for high-volume retailers like groceries.

Which scanner is right for my business?

It depends on your business flow. Grocery stores are high-volume businesses, and often benefit from using presentation-style scanners — particularly scanner scales. Presentation-style scanner scales are the most efficient because clerks can use two hands to slide products in front of the scanner, and also weigh an item if needed. Because these scanners can read barcodes from almost any angle, checkout speed is dramatically increased.

If you sell large, bulky products that cannot be presented to the scanner (like a case of water), then you may also need a more traditional gun-style device. And if mobility is what you’re seeking, wireless is your best choice.

Is there a big difference in price?

Yes. Basic scanners cost less than $100, while advanced models can cost over $1,000. But if you're a high-volume grocer, a high-quality scanner or scanner scale easily pays for itself by reducing lines and checkout times.

Customer Display

Customer displays show information about retail items and prices. They usually stand alone with a weighted base that can be extended to different heights. They can also be mounted to the rear of the POS terminal.

What are the different types of customer displays?

Customer displays differ by the interface, which displays the graphics. Traditional displays, or dot-matrix displays, use two-line LED technology to display two lines of green text on a black background. Although they're no longer the standard, they're the most affordable option. Now, popular models display graphics on a full-color LCD screen. These screens are small monitors that can project pictures, text, and videos. LCD models aren't much more expensive than the old dot-matrix style, so we encourage our customers to make the upgrade.

What's the difference between a pole display and a rear display?

The only difference between these two models is how the display is mounted to the system. A pole display is mounted on a pole and can be positioned anywhere near the POS system. A rear display is mounted directly to the back of the POS system, which requires the point of sale to be placed directly in front of customers.

Do I need a customer display?

Some states require customer displays. If you are located in a “customer display free” state, then you don't necessarily need one, but it's a nice feature to incorporate into your system. Customers can see prices as items are rung up, which gives them confidence in their purchase — which is especially important with high-volume grocery transactions.

Are there other advantages to a customer display?

Yes! In our opinion, the customer display is the most underutilized piece of hardware on the market. When not in use, the display can be programmed to run custom videos and graphics. Merchants can even supplement partnerships with their vendors and get paid to run their ads — or advertise their own in-store promotions and specials on the display.

Barcode & Label Printer

Barcode and label printers allow merchants to create adhesive labels that can be used as shelf tags and barcodes. Although many items come with barcodes already printed on them, you still need to label non-barcoded items. Grocery stores selling locally-produced goods, uniquely shaped items, or one-of-a-kind products have a great need for a label printer.

What type of label printers are there?

There are two primary variables that differentiate label printers. The first is size. Most label printers are either 2 inches or 4 inches wide, with the 2-inch model being the most common. The second distinguishing factor is the technology used to print the label. Label printers can use either thermal transfer or direct thermal technology to print the labels.

What is the difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer?

Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive paper that darkens when exposed to heat. While printing, the printer head directly contacts the labels and uses heat and pressure to mark the label. These models are slightly cheaper and have longer durability, but the labels are affected by heat and can darken over time.

Thermal transfer printers use carbon ribbons and heat to impact the labels while printing. This method results in a crisper print and a label that can withstand heat and sunlight. However, this setup also requires that the ribbon and print head be replaced more frequently.

Do I need a direct thermal printer or a thermal transfer printer?

It depends. Ask yourself the following questions:

Will your labels be in a hot environment or exposed to direct sunlight?
Will you be printing labels with any colored text other than black?
Will your labels be in place for over one year?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then a thermal transfer printer is what you need. Thermal transfer printers are slightly more expensive, but if they fit your specific needs, the extra cost is worth it.

What kind of labels can I print?

Labels can be customized in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet your needs. The most common label we sell is 2.25 inches x 1.25 inches, which is the size of a standard shelf label.

Integrated PIN Pad

A PIN pad is an electronic device used in a debit or credit card transaction. Many people don't carry cash, so this is a must for any business’ POS system.

PIN pads include hardware and software security features to ensure the security keys and PIN numbers are erased immediately in the event that someone tampers with the device. There are also standards required by the payment card industry that PIN pads must meet to ensure adequate security.

Can I accept debit cards without a PIN pad?

Yes. There is a common misconception that, if a merchant doesn't have a PIN pad, some customers won't be able to pay them. Most debit cards have a Visa or a Mastercard logo, which allows the merchant to run the transaction as a credit card rather than a debit card.

Why do I need a PIN pad?

Fees — or rather, a reduction of fees. Although there's no set rule (because processing fees are always dependent on your merchant services provider), debit transactions are usually less expensive than credit transactions. Debit transactions typically charge a flat fee, while credit transaction fees are based on the total transaction amount. Because of this flat versus variable cost structure, a breakeven point exists. And for small transactions, debit can actually be more expensive than credit. A good rule of thumb is that the breakeven point is around $20.

Should I get a PIN pad?

Yes. Swiped cards are quickly becoming a thing of the past. There are enforcement rules that can place extra burdens on merchants who are not offering a secure transaction, like a PIN pad. MSRs, or magnetic strip readers, are no longer PCI-compliant. This means that they’re easier to hack and your customers’ credit card data is at a higher risk of being stolen.

Transactions that are approved via the swiped method can also be disputed and overturned more easily than EMV transactions.

What type of PIN pads exist?

Signature capture PIN pads allow customers to swipe credit cards and sign their name electronically. These PIN pads can also display advertisements or videos on their digital screens when they are not being used.

What about EMV, NFC, Apple Pay, and Google Pay?

These payments — and most new and developing technologies — require PIN pads.

Can I use any PIN pad with my POS system?

No. PIN pads must be encrypted with the merchant's debit key, and they are typically designed for specific software programs. This is why it's always helpful to speak with a point of sale specialist before purchasing your PIN pad.

We recommend Lane 3000 or 7000, or the Verifone P200 or P400.

Scale

Scales are a necessity for grocery stores that sell random weight items — and when your scale and POS system communicate seamlessly, you’ll save time and money and avoid mistakes. There are several types of scales, and you need to understand the differences in order to determine which one best suits your business.

What types of scales are there?

There are three primary types of scales used with point of sale systems: barcode printing deli scales, integrated scales, and scanner scales. We’ve already covered scanner scales, so let’s dive into the other two.

What are the differences between each scale?

Barcode printing deli scales are the scales you see in the meat department at your local grocery store. Product is placed on the scale, weighed, and the scale prints a barcoded label that identifies the item being sold and its price based on weight. Barcode printing scales are great for meat markets, seafood markets, delis, cheese shops, and any business selling products by the pound to be packaged and wrapped by a clerk.

Integrated scales are the most basic scales we sell. They’re often used at small markets and groceries, or any other establishment selling items by weight (but only have a limited volume of barcoded items). When products are placed on these scales, the weight is transmitted to the POS system, and then a price is calculated based on the product's price per unit of weight.

Do barcode printing scales integrate directly with the POS system?

Although the barcodes printed by these scales can be read by the POS, the point of sale and barcode printing scale are not actually integrated. Two product databases are maintained — for example, if you sell apples by the pound, you have to enter the apples into both machines. This requires a little extra work on the front end, but the setup is very manageable after the initial effort.

What if I have multiple barcode printing scales?

You can network your barcode printing scales through a wireless or wired connection to ensure all scales reflect the same product database.

Tablet

The development of tablet POS systems has dramatically changed the point of sale market in the past decade. From specialty grocers to farmers markets, tablets have found their way into a variety of commercial environments.

What's so great about tablets?

Tablets are sleek, small, and mobile. If space is a limitation, or if you need to carry around your POS system, tablets can be very beneficial.

What is the downside of using tablets?

Tablets were designed for consumer applications and can take a beating in commercial environments. They can also have limited internet connectivity and depend on WiFi or a cellular signal — which is not always reliable. Additionally, most tablets lack horsepower and offer inferior processors to larger computers.

Tablets definitely have their place, but we don't envision traditional terminals becoming obsolete any time soon.

How do you recommend using tablets?

As mentioned, we don't support completely replacing your traditional POS terminals with tablets. Instead, we recommend using tablets to supplement your current operations. We sell tablets for numerous situations, but these are the most common scenarios where we’ve seen tablets add value:

Small Footprint: Tablets are small and sometimes space is limited. Tablets can be placed into docking stations and act as a low-profile POS system.
Line Busting: Tablets are great for busting the line during busy times.
Receiving Inventory: Many grocers use tablets to receive inventory in their stock room. Instead of counting each item, they can scan them directly to the point of sale.
Trade Show: Grocers have used tablets to run transactions at trade shows and other temporary sale sites.

About 80 percent of the customers and prospects that ask about tablets ultimately decide not to purchase one. Most of the time, when we ask why someone wants a tablet POS, they can't put forth a legitimate business reason beyond the appearance. Once we walk through the business scenario, most people decide against tablets.

Handheld Inventory Device

Handhelds, or inventory devices, are mobile computers used to facilitate inventory counts.

How does a handheld assist my inventory count?

A handheld allows the user to scan inventory products one by one, or scan an individual product and then enter a quantity. After an inventory count, the device syncs back with the POS system. A discrepancy report is created, showing how the device’s product count differs from the product count that exists in the point of sale.

Is a handheld different from a scanner?

Yes. Although both pieces of equipment are mobile and can operate wirelessly, they operate differently. Scanners simply read barcodes. Inventory devices count and store the information they have scanned.

How much do inventory devices cost?

Handhelds with limited functionality, such as only allowing for inventory counts, can be sold for a few hundred dollars. More advanced handhelds with additional features can cost almost $2,000.

What else can handhelds do for me?

You can also run price checks with these devices. More expensive models also allow for creating and editing inventory, generating and checking in purchase orders, and adjusting inventory — in addition to counting it.

Are there any substitutes for an inventory device?

Yes. We frequently sell tablets accompanied with a Bluetooth scanner as an inventory device substitute.