Eye-catching signage, shiny new shopping carts, well-planned shelving, and reliable coolers — you have almost everything you need for a successful supermarket launch.
The only thing missing? The right software.
If you’re wondering what software supermarkets use to manage everything from inventory and compliance to customer loyalty and cash flow, the answer lies in a combination of specialized tools.
Below are six essential types of software that supermarkets use to keep operations steady, reduce waste, and protect profits long-term.
What Software Do Supermarkets Use in 2025?
Supermarkets utilize a mix of interconnected software built specifically for grocery operations, covering everything from your point of sale (POS) system and inventory tracking to employee management, analytics, e-commerce, self-checkout, customer data, and loyalty.
When figuring out what software your supermarket needs, start by performing a simple audit:
- List all systems your store uses, including POS, inventory, accounting, ordering, scheduling, and loyalty tools.
- Identify problem areas like shrinkage, manual data entry, or frequent out-of-stocks that slow operations.
- Check for overlap or missing features, as you may have tools that duplicate tasks or leave data disconnected.
- Prioritize features that impact cash flow or compliance first, then identify “nice-to-have” tools that support other aspects of your store.
- Evaluate scalability and support, and only select a provider with solid training, industry-specific features, and 24/7 support at no added cost.
After performing the audit, you’re now ready to identify which tools make the biggest impact on your operations. Let’s look at six types of supermarket software, including must-have features and how each one supports daily store management.
1. Supermarket POS Software
Your POS software is the operational hub of your supermarket, shaping the checkout process, processing sales transactions, and tracking everything happening in your store. Unlike standard retail POS, grocery-specific systems can better handle the unique demands of supermarkets, including high sales volume, perishables, and variable weights.
Important features your store needs include:
- Scale integration for deli, meat, seafood, or produce departments so pricing updates automatically by weight
- Custom label printing for baked goods or private-label products to maintain branding and meet labeling rules
- Configurable hotkeys for non-barcoded items like bulk candy or fresh rolls to speed checkout and reduce entry errors
- EBT, WIC, and multi-language receipts to improve accessibility and compliance
- Integrated price and promotion tools to update pricing in real time across departments
There are plenty of supermarket POS systems on the market, but consider which features would make the biggest difference in your store specifically. The right setup should help your team work faster, track inventory more accurately, better serve customers, and keep a closer eye on revenue.
2. Grocery Inventory Management Software
Inventory management is one of the most important, and most challenging, aspects of running a supermarket. Run out of your top-selling items, and you lose sales. Stock too many perishable goods, and you’re left dealing with spoilage.
Grocery inventory software gives you a clear picture of stock across every department, helps staff prioritize restocking, and flags items that need attention before they become a larger problem.
Important features for your store include:
- Real-time stock tracking so produce, meat, dairy, and packaged goods update automatically with sales and restocking
- Batch and expiration management to flag soon-to-expire items and reduce spoilage
- Automated reorder alerts for top-selling or seasonal items to prevent stockouts
- Sales-based forecasting to plan orders for holidays, promotions, or high-demand products
Used correctly, inventory software can help your supermarket save money by reducing waste, avoiding over-ordering, and planning labor more effectively around stocking needs.
Everyone else on your team should learn how to use the system, too — so select a POS provider with an intuitive interface, thorough training, and robust customer support to keep your store running efficiently.
3. Sales Reporting Software
Reporting software organizes daily transactions into clear trends, showing you which products are highest performing and which tie up cash flow, which you can then use to make data-driven decisions.
For example, if a historical sales report shows that deli sales are rising but prepared meat sales aren’t performing as well, you can then shift ordering, merchandising, or marketing to respond more appropriately to customer demand.
Related Read: Grocery Sales Forecasting: 6 Tips & Tools
Supermarket sales reports also highlight patterns that can affect labor and cash flow, such as peak checkout times or high-volume product lines.
Important features for your store include:
- Department-level reporting to track performance across deli, produce, bakery, and other sections
- Hourly or daily sales analysis to identify peak times and schedule staff accordingly
- Product-level insights to see which SKUs sell fast and which need pricing or promotional adjustments
- Multistore comparison to monitor performance across locations and spot trends
- Integrated dashboards with POS so sales, inventory, and promotions data appear in one place
Regularly reviewing your reports keeps you on top of inventory and sales trends. Daily checks help catch slow-moving items or sudden spikes in demand, while weekly or monthly reviews reveal how promotions, pricing, and seasonal changes affect overall performance.
4. Grocery E-Commerce Software
With U.S. online grocery sales hitting record highs, offering pickup or delivery can give your supermarket a distinct advantage. Grocery e-commerce software lets you list products online, accept digital payments, and sync orders with your in-store inventory so stock levels and pricing stay accurate.
An industry-specific POS platform should include built-in e-commerce and integrate with popular apps like Instacart or Mercato, connecting your products to a broad customer base while handling order fulfillment logistics.
Important features for your store include:
- Online product catalog that updates automatically with in-store inventory
- Digital payment processing compatible with multiple payment types
- Pickup and delivery management tools to schedule orders and print pick lists
- Promotion and discount management that applies consistently online and in store
- Customer account integration for loyalty points, order history, and targeted offers
Having an online option for grocery pickup and delivery helps you not only see which products customers purchase most frequently, but that extra visibility can also reduce overstock, giving you a clearer picture of demand across both in-store and digital channels.
5. Self-Checkout Software
Self-checkout continues to grow in popularity, with 77% of shoppers choosing it for faster service. For supermarkets, it’s a practical way to reduce lines during peak hours and manage labor costs, but it requires software designed for grocery operations.
Important features for your store include:
- Automated scale verification for weighted items to ensure accurate pricing
- Flexible payment options for card, EBT, and digital wallets
- Integrated pricing and promotions so discounts apply consistently across all lanes
- Reporting dashboards connected to the POS to track usage and sales
A proper self-checkout setup and ongoing oversight help your team maintain smooth operations, prevent losses, and provide a consistent shopping experience across traditional and self-service lanes.
6. Grocery Marketing and Loyalty Software
Building repeat business directly impacts a supermarket’s profitability, and marketing and loyalty software makes it easier to do. These tools track frequent shoppers, tailor promotions, and measure which offers actually drive sales.
Important features for your store include:
- Point-based loyalty programs that reward repeat purchases with discounts or free items
- Customer profiles and memberships to manage pricing, rewards, and membership expiration
- Purchase history tracking to see what customers buy most and target offers accordingly
- Customizable promotions such as mix and match promotions, buy one get one (BOGO) offers, or category-based discounts
- Integrated marketing tools to send SMS, email, or campaigns based on real shopping behavior
A strong loyalty program should benefit both your customers and your supermarket — shoppers earn points, access deals early, and receive offers that match their interests, while you gain insight into purchasing habits and a reason for customers to return.
Related Read: 7 Supermarket Marketing Strategies To Implement and Win
When structuring rewards, focus on your bestselling items, products that pair well in bundles, or seasonal items that draw traffic. Using this data to shape promotions lets you create offers that feel valuable to customers while helping manage inventory, reduce waste, and drive repeat visits.
Done right, these programs reduce wasted marketing spend, strengthen customer relationships, and turn everyday transactions into insights that support smarter growth.
Why You Need an All-in-One Supermarket Software Solution
It’s one thing to know what software supermarkets use to be successful — it’s another to put the pieces together yourself. Fortunately, you can get everything in a single, industry-specific POS platform, so there’s no need to manage separate, disjointed systems.
IT Retail provides supermarket-level software built for small stores, integrating POS, scales, EBT, loyalty, and analytics — without the complexity or cost of multiple systems. With it, you have all the tools you need to process transactions, track inventory, set up online delivery and pickup, market your store, and more.
Get a personalized demo today to see how IT Retail can help you manage and grow your business sustainably.
