Is your grocery store's checkout process causing more headaches than convenience?
If peak hours in your grocery store mean watching lines snake through your aisles, seeing impatient customers checking their watches as their ice cream melts in their carts, and slowly seeing your cashiers become more and more frazzled… you may have a payment processing system problem.
A sluggish payment system can be the difference between creating a loyal customer and losing a sale. But how can you improve grocery store payment processing in your shop?
This post lists five tools you can use to improve payment processing and checkout processes in your grocery store.
Grocery Store Payment Processing Essentials
Efficient payment processing is crucial for any modern business. Your grocery store is no different. Today, payment processing is about more than just a simple register with a cash drawer, though! If you want to run an efficient grocery store checkout, you need the right tools in place.
What are some key considerations when setting up your grocery store payment processing solution? Let’s take a closer look.
Point of sale (POS) system:
A robust point of sale system is the backbone of your grocery store's operations. Look for a system that offers integrated inventory management, so you can track stock levels in real time and automate reordering processes.
Multi-lane support and self-checkout kiosks are essential for faster checkout, especially during peak hours. Your POS should also include employee management and scheduling features to streamline your workforce operations. Finally, ensure your system provides real-time sales reporting and analytics.
Payment methods:
To cater to diverse customer preferences, your store should accept a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are increasingly popular and should be supported. Accepting EBT/SNAP benefits is crucial if your store serves low-income communities. Contactless payment options have become more important than ever, so ensure your system can handle these transactions. Last, while checks are less common, having a check verification system can help you safely accept this payment method when necessary.
E-commerce and online ordering:
Integrating online ordering and payments is no longer optional. Your payment processing system should seamlessly connect with an e-commerce platform, allowing customers to shop from your store online.
As curbside pickup has become increasingly popular, ensure your system can handle these transactions smoothly. If you offer delivery services, your payment system should also be able to process these payments, whether they're made in advance or upon delivery.
Security and compliance:
Security is paramount when it comes to payment processing. Ensure your system is PCI DSS compliant to protect card data. Implement end-to-end encryption for all transactions to safeguard sensitive information. Invest in robust fraud detection and prevention tools to protect your business and customers. Consider using tokenization to encourage repeat customer transactions, making a more secure and convenient experience for loyal shoppers.
When looking for the perfect payment processing tool, you want one that can manage all the above. You might also want to look for the following features:
- Gift card processing
- Multi-store support
- Currency conversions (if you are located in a tourist area or border town)
With this information in mind, let’s examine our top picks for grocery store payment processing and point of sale tools.
1. Square
Best for: Farmers markets and outdoor stands
Square offers a versatile point of sale system that's particularly well-suited for farmers markets and outdoor stands but is also capable of serving larger grocery and convenience stores. Its flexibility and ease of use make it a popular choice for solopreneurs and small businesses.
Payment processing features:
- Accepts various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets
- Option for instant transfers to a Square Checking account or Square Card
- Standard transfers to external bank accounts in 1-2 business days (free) or instant transfers for a 1.75% fee
Some of Square’s other top features for grocery stores include:
- Real-time inventory management across all sales channels and locations.
- Advanced inventory tracking with automatic low stock alerts and reordering recommendations.
- Online ordering system for grocery pickup and delivery.
- Customer relationship management (CRM) tools, including a built-in loyalty program.
- Reporting and analytics tools, including cost of goods sold (COGS), revenue, and profit margin tracking.
- Integration capabilities with third-party accounting and fulfillment apps.
Pricing: Square’s Plus package is $89 per month per location, plus processing fees.
2. IT Retail
Best for: Independent grocery stores
IT Retail offers a comprehensive point of sale system designed for independent grocers. Founded by a second-generation grocer, IT Retail understands the unique challenges faced by specialty grocers and supermarket owners.
With our cloud-based architecture and comprehensive feature set, we aim to provide independent grocers with a robust, cost-effective solution to manage their operations and take on the big chains.
Payment processing features:
- PCI-compliant payment processing
- Support for EMV chip cards
- NFC contactless payment capabilities
- Gift card processing
- EBT payment acceptance
- Check and cash handling
We also offer a broad range of features outside of payment processing. Grocers can benefit from features like:
- Powerful inventory management with low stock alerts and vendor-sorted reorder reports
- E-commerce integration with major grocery e-commerce providers
- Advanced reporting capabilities, including historical sales data and performance insights
- Customer loyalty program management
- Time tracking for employee management
- Age restriction controls for regulated products
- Full back-office reporting and management tools
- QuickBooks integration for streamlined accounting
- Label printing capabilities
Pricing: Get a custom quote for your ideal build using our transparent build and price tool.
3. Clover
Best for: Restaurants
While Clover is primarily designed for restaurants, it is possible to adapt its versatile features for grocery stores, especially those with prepared food sections or in-store cafes.
Its robust payment processing features, combined with inventory management, customer engagement tools, and employee management capabilities, make it a viable option for grocery stores looking for a versatile POS solution.
Payment processing features:
- Accepts all major credit and debit cards
- Supports mobile wallet and contactless payments
- Offers tap, dip, and swipe options
- Check scanning capabilities
Some of the other features Clover offers that might benefit grocery store owners include:
- Inventory management tools
- Customer relationship management system for tracking customer information and order history
- Marketing tools for email and text campaigns
- Employee management with shift scheduling and performance tracking
- Online ordering capabilities for prepared foods or grocery items
- Kitchen Display System for prepared food orders
Pricing: Clover’s Standard package starts at $135 per month for 36 months.
4. Markt POS
Best for: Butchers and fish markets
Markt POS offers an all-in-one solution tailored for local markets. Its features are particularly well-suited for specialty food retailers like butchers and fish markets. This system provides comprehensive control over inventory, reporting, customer communications, and marketing.
Payment processing features:
- Support for standard grocery payments, including EMV, Debit, EBT Food, and EBT Cash
- Gift card processing capabilities
- Check acceptance
- Contactless payment options, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and NFC-enabled cards
- PCI-compliant payment processing for enhanced security
Some of Markt POS’s other key features include:
- Advanced inventory management with flexible options for unique items and barcodes.
- Low stock notifications
- Purchase order creation for easy vendor ordering
- High-precision scale technology for accurate weighing of deli goods and products sold by weight
- Store performance analytics and comprehensive reporting
- Employee time tracking
- E-commerce solutions for online shopping options
Pricing: Build your custom solution using Markt POS’s online pricing tool.
5. POS Nation
Best for: Small business retailers
POS Nation offers a point of sale solution tailored for small retailers including specialty markets and grocery stores. The system's combination of robust reporting, flexible inventory options, and employee management tools provides small business owners with the insights and control they need to make informed decisions and run their operations smoothly.
Payment processing features:
- Integrated payment processing
- Support for various payment methods, including credit/debit cards
- Ability to process manufacturer coupons
- Custom coupon creation and acceptance
Some of POS Nation’s other top features include:
- Robust inventory tracking system with an unlimited database of items
- Scale integration for weighing produce and deli items, including integrated scanner scales, standalone scales, and deli scales
- Mix and match pricing options
- Hotkeys with photos for quick PLU entry
- Employee management tools, including time clock, individual pay rates, and single-click payroll reporting
- Vendor management capabilities
Pricing: Get a custom quote online using POS Nation’s pricing tool.
Improve Your Grocery Store Payment Processing Today
We've explored five robust payment processing solutions for grocery stores, each with strengths and unique features. While each option listed in this post has its benefits, it's important to recognize that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Every grocery store, yours included, has its own specific needs and challenges.
IT Retail stands out from the crowd for independent grocery store owners looking for a tailored solution. We've designed our point of sale system specifically with stores like yours in mind. Our solution goes beyond basic payment processing, offering advanced features that can transform your operations.
With IT Retail, you'll benefit from advanced inventory management that helps you keep your shelves stocked and minimize waste. Our flexible payment options ensure you can cater to all your customers' preferences, whether they're paying with cash, card, or mobile wallet. And with our integrated customer loyalty programs, you can build lasting relationships with your shoppers and keep them coming back.
Ready to take your grocery store's payment processing — and overall operations — to the next level? Schedule a demo of IT Retail today.
