Is your supermarket’s technology boosting business — or is it dragging you down?
Many new grocers are tempted to invest in popular, affordable point of sale (POS) solutions at the beginning of their small business journey. But as their stores grow, their software simply can’t keep up.
Along with costing thousands of dollars in hidden fees, one-size-fits-all solutions don’t include the features you need to manage complex inventory, handle high-volume sales, keep costs low, and achieve high profit margins.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how supermarket management software differs from these generic solutions and share the top grocery-specific providers to consider.
Finding the perfect software for your supermarket is far from an easy task — but upgrading from a generic POS system to a grocery-specific solution is well worth it.
Our top tip is to look for software that addresses your store’s biggest pain points, whether that’s excessive spoilage, frequent stockouts, high maintenance costs, or constant mistakes during the checkout process.
Let’s look at some grocery-specific features that can help you solve these problems, save time, and boost your supermarket’s profits.
Supermarkets have thin profit margins, and software without the right inventory management features can make yours even thinner.
Plus, manually counting items, checking expiration dates, and updating spreadsheets can lead to errors and cost you upwards of 20 hours per week.
That’s why you need supermarket management software with grocery-specific perishable inventory tools. Here are a few must-haves to look for:
Software with these features will save you time, headaches, and money by preventing expensive spoilage and costly stockouts.
Locally-owned grocery stores have a special appeal. Pair that with a fast, convenient customer experience — and you’ll become your neighborhood’s favorite supermarket in no time.
Short lines, accurate transactions, and happy customers all depend on your supermarket management software having the right features. Here are some essentials:
The right POS system can solve slowdowns during the checkout process to keep your customers satisfied and sales flowing.
Can’t afford downtime? Then you need a modern, cloud-based supermarket management system.
The biggest benefit of a cloud-based solution is that you can monitor sales, order inventory, adjust prices, and launch promotions from anywhere — letting you manage your supermarket on the go.
Plus, upgrading from an on-premise POS system to cloud-based software means you’ll save hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars annually on hardware and maintenance costs.
Pro tip: Want ultimate reliability from your new supermarket software? Look for a provider that offers 24/7 support. You’ll get instant answers to your questions and solutions to your problems — preventing lost sales due to technical issues.
Knowledge is power — especially when it comes to running a supermarket. You need to know your inventory turnover, sales trends, customers’ favorite products, and margins to make smart marketing, layout, and stocking moves.
However, many generic POS solutions don’t include the reporting features you need to uncover these metrics.
Your new supermarket system should help you answer questions like:
These insights will help you make data-driven decisions to grow your supermarket.
A loyalty program is a crucial ingredient for supermarket success — but many generic POS providers charge high fees for this add-on feature.
That’s why we recommend looking for software with built-in customer loyalty features. This lets you customize your rewards structure to encourage customers to visit more often and spend more during each visit.
Want to make the most of your loyalty program? Look for a system that includes email and SMS marketing tools. That way, you can keep customers up to date on your new seasonal arrivals, upcoming promotions, and in-store events.
The online grocery business has exploded in popularity in recent years, and offering convenient services like pickup and delivery can expand your customer base and boost your revenue.
But to take advantage of this profitable trend, you need supermarket software that integrates with an online grocery platform. This seamless integration is critical for keeping accurate inventory and sales records across your online and in-store operations.
We recommend looking for supermarket software that integrates with popular, grocery-specific platforms like GrazeCart, Local Express, and Instacart.
Ready to see how a modern, grocery-specific POS solution can transform your supermarket operations? To help you get started, we’ve created this shortlist of trusted supermarket software providers to consider.
First on our list of grocery-specific POS solutions is CATAPULT, designed by ECRS. This provider promises an all-in-one tool to save you time, minimize shrink, and boost your bottom line.
Here are some of CATAPULT’s most unique features:
ECRS doesn’t publish pricing information publicly, but you can reach out to their sales team for a quote.
Markt POS is a POS system designed for specialty grocery stores like butcher shops and seafood markets. This provider offers unique features to help you build a loyal customer base and manage complex inventory, like:
Head to Markt POS’ website for a full breakdown of their pricing tiers.
Vori offers supermarket management software built to handle the day-to-day responsibilities of running a grocery store — from tracking inventory to marketing.
Vori’s system includes features like:
Vori has a mix and match pricing model, letting you choose whether you want to invest in their hardware, software, payment processing, or all three.
IT Retail is a powerful yet easy-to-use POS solution designed for supermarkets, grocery stores, specialty food stores, and everything in between. Designed by and for grocers, IT Retail includes all the tools you need to manage inventory, attract and retain customers, and increase your profits.
Here are some of our favorite IT Retail features:
Get an instant, custom quote for your supermarket using our build and price tool.
The right supermarket management software can make a world of difference for you and your customers — but only if it includes the right features and the right support.
For over 30 years, we’ve provided grocers with the tools and know-how they need to launch, manage, and grow their supermarkets.
Ready to see how much time and money you could save by switching to a modern POS solution? Schedule your personalized demo with one of our grocery industry experts today.