Modern retail EPOS systems are equipped with a whole host of clever tools to help you run your business more efficiently. Here’s what to look out for, and an overview of the UK’s best suppliers
Only a fool would run a retail business without an EPOS system. Since you’ve landed on this page, you’re clearly not one. But perhaps you’re wondering what features to look for in a retail EPOS system, or which suppliers to consider.
Well, we’ve got you covered. This page contains everything you need to know to pick the best retail EPOS system for your business, and you can compare quotes from leading suppliers by filling in the short form at the top of the page.
Comparing retail EPOS systems
So, what should you look for in a retail EPOS system? There are two things for you to consider: software and hardware.
Retail EPOS software
EPOS software packages include both a front of house and back-office program. The front of house program is what’s loaded onto your till. It holds a full list of inventory organised into easy-to-access menus, making it easy for your staff to dial up a product.
But it’s in the back office that the real magic happens. Accessed via your computer, back office software gives you access to a host of clever tools to help streamline the way you do business. Make sure that your software includes:
Advanced inventory management: View stock levels with the click of a mouse, easily place new orders and set up alerts for when stock falls below a certain level.
Easy price adjustment: Quickly and easily update prices on a central database. This is particularly useful if your business operates across multiple premises, and for rolling out special offers and promotions.
Reporting and analytics: Deep-dive reporting helps you to make smart decisions informed by data. As a retailer, you can view a day-by-day breakdown of sales and see which products are selling well and which are underperforming, and adjust orders accordingly.
Remote working with cloud based software: Cloud based software allows you to log on to your system from anywhere, at any time. You can view inventory, amend prices, or roll out a promotion, all while sitting at home in your pants.
Retail EPOS hardware
As a retailer you will need a:
- Terminal — these can be either touch screen or a screen with a mouse and keyboard
- Cash drawer — equipped with an electronic lock and linked to your tills operating system, it will open automatically when you process a transaction
- Barcode scanner — there are both handheld and fixed position models available to cater for different types of businesses
- Card machine — and a merchant account, which is where the money from card transactions is deposited
- Receipt printer — this can be either a standalone device or built into a card machine
▶ Read more: A complete guide to EPOS hardware
How much does a retail EPOS system cost?
As a rough guide, you can expect to pay around £900 for a basic system, £1,200 for a mid-level setup, and £2,000+ for an advanced system. A more detailed breakdown of pricing can be seen in the table below.
| EPOS system cost | |
|---|---|
| What? | Price |
| Terminal and software | £800+ |
| Cash drawer | £50 |
| Wireless barcode scanner | £100+ |
| Card machine | £20+ per month |
| Receipt printer | £130+ |
▶ Find out more: How much does an EPOS system cost?
Cheap retail EPOS systems
If you’re alarmed by the prices above, don’t fret. Cheap retail EPOS systems are easy to come by… if you know where to look.
Suppliers such as EPOS Now and Lightspeed offer tablet-based retail EPOS packages on a pay-per-month basis, which helps to keep your upfront cost down massively.
A cheap Lightspeed retail epos system includes:
- 1x iPad EPOS till terminal
- Access for up to five employees
- 24/7 support
- Secure cloud backup
- Basic reporting
And all this for just £69 per month. Bargain.
Another option is to look for a second hand system. These can be bought on websites such as eBay and Gumtree, or from a specialist second hand dealer. If you do choose to go for a second hand system, we recommend buying from a reputable dealer offering a warranty. That way you’re covered if the machine breaks a few months down the line.
EPOS rental
If you only require an EPOS system for a short period of time, or if you’re looking to keep your monthly overheads to an absolute minimum, rental is the way forward.
You can rent a ready-to-go retail EPOS till for as little as £24.99 on a rolling monthly contract.
▶ Find out more: A complete guide to EPOS till rental
Best retail EPOS systems
Whether you’re looking for a portable tablet our countertop EPOS system, these suppliers have a solution to meet your needs.
Our top retail EPOS systems are: the EPOS Now Retail EPOS Package, the First Data Clover Station, and My Business Hub From Worldpay.
These are the best retail EPOS systems for businesses:
- EPOS Now Retail EPOS Package
- First Data Clover Station
- My Business Hub From Worldpay
EPOS Now Retail EPOS Package
EPOS Now’s multi award-winning retail EPOS package features a robust till system that comes complete with a thermal receipt printer and cash drawer. Industry leading software makes inventory management a breeze, and easy integration with accounting programs such as Sage and Xero cuts admin time even further.
Price: £1,199
The EPOS Now retail EPOS package includes:
- Terminal
- EPOS Now Retail Software license
- Receipt printer
- Cash drawer
- 12-month warranty
- Configuration and installation
The First Data Clover Station
Does style matter to you? If it does, then look no further than the First Data Clover Station. But this easy-to-use touch screen EPOS till is more than just a pretty face. It’s full of useful features and your system will arrive pre-loaded with inventory — so it’s ready to use straight out the box. Just plug it in and away you go.
Price: Request a bespoke quote
The First Data Clover Station package includes:
- 11.6” high definition touchscreen display
- Receipt printer
- Receipt printer
- Cash drawer
Worldpay My Business Hub
Reliable and compact, My Business Hub from Worldpay is a complete retail EPOS package available to lease for as little as £50 per month. It features a cleverly designed central docking hub with a built in receipt printer to save on countertop space, and the tablet interface can be detached from the stand and used to process transactions on the go.
Price: £50 per month
My Business Hub includes:
- Lenovo Android tablet
- Cash drawer
- Integrated thermal printer
- Barcode scanner (one off payment of £119.40)
Next Steps: Getting retail EPOS quotes
Our free quote finder service is designed to help you get the best deal on an EPOS system by making it easy to compare prices from leading suppliers.
Simply fill in our short form so we can get a better idea of what you need and we’ll match you with the most suitable suppliers for your business.
It only takes a minute to apply, and there’s no obligation to go with any of the suppliers you talk to.
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