THE 5 BEST POS SYSTEMS FOR LIQUOR STORES
By Sam Nguyen
This article will delve into the features and benefits of our selected five best POS systems, helping you make an informed decision that will optimize your liquor store’s operations.
Key takeaways
- A specific POS system for liquor stores requires unique characteristics of the alcohol industry, such as comprehensive inventory management, age verification services, broad e-commerce integration, etc.
- Shopify POS’s extensive management, great compliance support, and large integrations are expected to optimize and drive sales successfully for liquor businesses.
Top 5 POS systems for liquor stores
Shopify
Shopify POS is the first mentioned on the list that liquor businesses should consider due to its qualified functions.
Pricing
- Software fees: Start at $0/month
- Hardware fees: From $39 to $399
- Processing fees: Start at 2.4% + 0¢
What makes Shopify POS stand out?
- Inventory management: Shopify POS provides comprehensive management capabilities, allowing owners to track and manage their inventory. Some qualified functions would be included, particularly for the liquor industry, such as:
– A centralized system for tracking inventory across multiple sales channels.
– Real-time updates for automatically providing accurate and up-to-date information.
– The ability to manage product variants, assign unique SKUs, and track each variant separately when necessary.
- E-commerce integration: Integrating Shopify POS into the e-commerce platform allows liquor store owners to create online stores with an attractive and functional presence. A user-friendly interface ensures consistent product listings and order tracking capabilities, enhancing the omnichannel shopping experience for customers.
- Secure age verification: Shopify POS understands the need to comply with the liquor industry’s strict age verification requirements. With built-in age verification features, shopkeepers can ensure compliance with legal regulations by prompting customers to verify their age before completing a purchase. This helps owners maintain legal compliance and reinforces responsible alcohol sales.
Pros and cons
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Who is it best for?
- Specialty liquor retailers
- Liquor store startups
- Liquor franchises
- High-end liquor stores
- Liquor stores with diverse sales channels
Square retail
Square Retail is another option that assists liquid store owners in managing their businesses effectively.
Pricing
- Software fees: Start at $0/month
- Hardware fees: From $0 to $1,389
- Processing fees: Start at 2.6% + 10¢
What makes Square Retail stand out?
- Point-of-Sale Flexibility: Whether it’s a countertop terminal or a mobile device with a free Square Reader, Square Retail offers flexibility in choosing the best POS setup that suits the unique needs of a liquor store. This adaptability enhances operational efficiency and improves the checkout experience for customers.
- Customer Engagement Tools: Liquor stores can leverage Square’s integrated CRM features to capture customer information, track purchase history, and send targeted marketing campaigns. Therefore, stores can run personalized promotions, reward programs, and effective customer retention strategies.
- E-commerce Integration: Square Retail seamlessly integrates with the e-commerce platform, allowing owners to set up an online store, manage inventory, and process online orders within the Square ecosystem. This integration ensures synchronized inventory and centralized management across online and offline channels.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
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Who is Square Retail best for?
- Mobile liquor sales
- Small to medium-sized liquor stores
- Liquor stores emphasizing customer engagement
Vend (Lightspeed X-series)
Vend by Lightspeed X-Series is well-known as the most long-lasting cloud-based POS and is expected to bring a comprehensive tool for liquor businesses.
Pricing
- Software fees: Start at $69/month (for the US if billed annually)
- Hardware fees: From $0 to $1500
- Processing fees: Start at 2.6% + 10¢
What makes Vend stand out?
- Comprehensive Liquor-Specific Features: Vend is designed with liquor stores in mind, offering a range of specialized features tailored to the industry’s unique needs. These features include age verification for alcohol sales, pricing management for different bottle sizes or vintages, and the ability to handle promotions according to liquor regulations.
- Inventory Management: Vend’s robust inventory management capabilities enable owners to track stock levels, manage multiple product variants, set reorder points, and receive low-stock alerts. Real-time inventory updates ensure accurate stock information, enabling liquor store owners to make informed purchasing decisions and prevent stockouts.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
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Who is Vend best for?
- Specialty liquor retailers
- Liquor store chains
- Liquor stores with a large volume of inventory
Bottle POS
Another prominent POS system for liquor stores is Bottle POS, which specializes in the beverage industry.
Pricing
- Software fees: Starts at $149/month
- Processing fees: Custom-quoted
What makes Bottle POS stand out?
- Liquor-specific information storage: Bottle POS is explicitly designed for liquor stores with its array of liquor-focused features. The system empowers liquor retailers to streamline their operations and cater to the unique requirements of the liquor industry.
- Inventory Management: Efficient inventory management is crucial for liquor stores, and Bottle POS excels in this aspect. It enables liquor retailers to easily track stock levels, manage product variations, set reorder points, and receive notifications for low stock levels.
- Customer Relationship Management: Bottle POS recognizes the vitality of building and maintaining strong customer relationships. It provides CRM functionalities to capture customer information for liquor retailers to offer targeted promotions.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
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Who is Bottle POS best for?
- Independent liquor retailers
- Liquor stores focusing on customer relationships
mPower Beverage
Last but not least, mPower Beverage is a complete POS system designed to deal with liquid stores’ unique needs specifically.
Pricing
- Software fees: $1,000 (up front), then $120/month/register
- Processing fees: Vary by payment processor.
What makes mPower Beverage stand out?
- Liquor Store Functionality: mPower Beverage is designed to meet the specific needs of liquor retailers, offering a comprehensive set of features tailored to the industry. It includes age verification, product categorization, inventory management, pricing control, and compliance with liquor regulations.
- Custom Pricing and Promotions: With mPower Beverage, liquor retailers can set pricing and apply for promotions according to their specific requirements. The system allows for dynamic pricing, bulk discounts, and promotional offers. Liquor stores can easily manage pricing structures and boost sales through strategic pricing strategies.
- User-friendly interface: mPower Beverage boasts an intuitive interconnection, making it easy for liquor store staff to learn and navigate the system, reducing training time. They can quickly access necessary information, process transactions efficiently, and provide a seamless customer experience.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
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Who is mPower Beverage best for?
- Independent liquor stores
- High-end liquor stores
- Liquid stores change
- Liquor stores prioritize data-driven decision-making
How Did We Reach Our Verdict?
We conducted in-depth market research to evaluate the features and functionalities offered by each POS system. We considered and focused on features such as inventory management, age verification, pricing control, compliance with liquor regulations, e-commerce integration, reporting and analytics, and customer relationship management capabilities.
Based on the comprehensive analytics, we reached a verdict by selecting the POS system that demonstrated the best alignment with the unique requirements of liquor stores.
What does a liquor store need in a POS?
A liquor store is specialized in selling alcoholic beverages, including spirits, wine, beer, and other related products. It caters to a diverse customer base, ranging from individual consumers to businesses in the hospitality industry. A robust POS system becomes a vital tool to effectively manage the operations of a liquor store and provide exceptional customer experiences.
Inventory management
Accurate inventory management is crucial for a liquor store to ensure products are always available and keep them from overstocking or understocking. An effective POS system for the bottle shop should offer outstanding features like real-time inventory tracking across multiple locations and sales channels, low-stock alert, automated replenishment, and barcode scanning capabilities to track stock levels.
Customer relationship management
Subscription management is an important way to build customer loyalty, especially for alcohol connoisseurs who prefer recurring orders or personalized recommendations. By capturing client preferences and purchase histories, the POS system can provide customized promotions and make product suggestions based on individual tastes. This fosters appreciation and strengthens the customer relationship.
Age verification
With strict regulations surrounding the sale of alcohol to minors, this feature plays a vital role in ensuring legal compliance and responsible sales practices. Therefore, a robust POS system must provide a function that efficiently verifies customer data.
Flexible payment options
In such a digital age, a liquor store POS system should support various payment methods, including cash, credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, or even emerging technologies like contactless payment or cryptocurrency. It will ultimately improve the customers’ overall satisfaction.
Product Variants and Pricing
Running an effective liquor store require catching numerous product variants, such as brands, sizes, price points, etc. The POS system can provide shopkeepers with a centralized product database to easily input and organize information.
A robust POS system allows liquor store owners to set pricing rules and apply discounts effortlessly. This feature is handy when running promotions or offering special pricing for specific products or customer segments.
Omnichannel selling
A POS system’s integration with e-commerce platforms and social media enables liquor stores to leverage popular platforms to reach a wider audience and let customers shop the way they want.
Options like buying online for in-store pickup can encourage more people to visit your store, boosting sales. Similarly, customers can order online from within your store, with items shipped directly to their homes. Additionally, if shoppers prefer to browse in-store but buy online, you can email them a virtual cart.
By syncing online and in-store data, your operations stay streamlined and connected, whether your customers prefer to shop in person or online, they can enjoy a shopping experience that caters to their preferences.
POS for liquor stores: FAQs
A liquor store’s average long-term POS system costs $50 to $800 per terminal. Specifically, it can vary depending on several factors, including the specific features and functionalities, the size of the liquor store, the number of store locations, and the POS provider. Here’s an overview of the potential costs involved:
- Software Licensing Fees
- Hardware Costs
- Installation and Setup
- Payment Processing Fees
- Support and Maintenance
Yes. it is legal if liquid store owners familiarize themselves with the laws and regulations of their particular region before considering online sales. Here are some critical points to consider:
- Licensing Requirements: These licenses are specific to each jurisdiction and may have different requirements, such as age verification, location restrictions, and compliance with local liquor control authorities.
- Shipping and Delivery Regulations: These regulations can include age verification upon delivery, restrictions on shipping to certain areas, and compliance with carrier policies.
- Compliance with Advertising and Marketing Rules: Advertising and marketing of alcohol are often regulated to prevent excessive promotion and targeting of underage individuals.
- Taxation and Reporting: Online liquor sales may be subject to specific tax requirements, such as excise and sales taxes.
A liquor store POS (Point of Sale) system should ideally have the following integrations to operate effectively:
- E-commerce Platforms: This integration allows liquor stores to expand their reach beyond the physical store and tap into the growing online market. It also provides a seamless omnichannel experience for customers.
- Accounting Software: This integration streamlines bookkeeping processes, facilitates accurate financial reporting, and ensures seamless synchronization between sales and financial records.
- CRM Tools: It enables personalized customer interactions, loyalty programs, and email marketing campaigns based on customer preferences and behaviors.
- Liquor License Verification Services: This integration allows real-time verifications of customer age and identification, reducing the risk of selling alcohol to underage individuals.
- Third-Party Delivery Services: Integrating with third-party delivery services enables liquor stores to offer delivery options to customers, including automating the delivery process, providing real-time tracking, and enhancing the convenience of stores’ products.
Bottom line
These are five POS system options for store owners to consider if they intend to run a liquor business. Due to the specific features mentioned for the industry in general and for each POS in particular, Shopify POS is believed to be a highlighted option for merchandisers to operate the store in the long term.
