Point of sale (POS) software is vital for all types of retail stores, as it allows them to better structure operations, reduce costs, and optimize customer service. For improved efficiency, stores benefit from choosing POS systems tailored to their specific needs.
As a thrift store, you have unique processes and operations that other retailers won’t have. For instance, you might accept donations of items, whereas other retailers might not. That’s why, if you’re looking to invest in POS software, you should choose one that’s specifically created for thrift stores.
With so many systems on the market today, deciding on the best one for your store can be overwhelming. To help with that, we’ll cover the following topics in this guide:
- The 5 best POS systems for thrift stores
- Benefits of an all-in-one POS system for thrift stores
- Must-have features of a thrift store POS system
- Factors to consider when choosing POS software
- How to implement your thrift store POS system
With the right solution, you’ll streamline your thrift store’s operations and increase your revenue. Let’s get started!
The 5 Best POS Systems for Thrift Stores
Let’s start by taking a look at the five best POS systems for thrift stores:
- ThriftCart: Best overall thrift store POS
- POS Nation: Best for multi-purpose thrift stores
- KORONA POS: Best for employee management
- Loyverse: Best for loyalty programs
- AccuPOS: Best for accounting
ThriftCart: Best Overall Thrift Store POS
The number one rated thrift store POS system, ThriftCart is the top choice for thrift stores. Built specifically with thrift and reuse stores in mind, it boasts features like:
- Inventory management: Stay on top of your inventory with real-time inventory tracking that instantly updates stock to include new orders and donations.
- Easy discounting: Conveniently discount entire departments at once with colored price tags. Offer custom discounts for certain groups, such as volunteers or seniors.
- Donation round-up: Encourage customers to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar and donate their change to your thrift store or the cause you support, increasing your revenue. Plus, print receipts or send e-receipts so customers have a record of their donation.
- Donation drop-off and pickups: For individuals who want to donate items to your store, ThriftCart will track donation drop-offs and provide e-receipts. We also offer pickup scheduling features that allow you to conveniently optimize pickup routes for your staff members.
- E-commerce capabilities: Create an online shop so customers can make purchases straight from your website. These purchases will sync with your inventory so that your inventory management always stays accurate.
- Reporting and analytics: ThriftCart provides you with reporting and analytics features to help you stay on top of your finances, pinpoint what items sell best, determine the best locations to acquire donations, and give you insight into how to improve your thrift store.
If you’re looking for software that pays for itself, look no further than ThriftCart. Book a demo to learn more about what we can do for your thrift store today!
POS Nation: Best for Multi-Purpose Thrift Stores
POS Nation provides a complete point of sale solution that’s best for multi-purpose thrift stores. It offers features for retail stores that sell clothing, liquor, groceries, and more! Plus, it includes an unlimited database of items so you never have to worry about running out of database space. With POS Nation, you’ll have access to the hardware, software, and payment processing you need to manage your thrift store successfully.
POS Nation provides custom pricing based on your business’ size and needs. Check out their custom pricing tool for more information.
KORONA POS: Best for Employee Management
KORONA POS software is available for various types of retailers, from amusement parks to antique stores to furniture stores. It offers many useful features but stands out for its employee management capabilities.
In particular, payroll processing and time tracking are built into its solution, making paying employees a breeze. Plus, KORONA POS allows you to set specific access controls for each employee and gives you the ability to check transaction history every shift.
Loyverse: Best for Loyalty Programs
Loyverse has its focus in its name: loyalty programs. If you’re looking for a retail POS system that focuses on turning shoppers into regulars, this solution is well worth researching. With its features, you’ll reward your loyal customers who regularly visit your store and increase the frequency of customer visits to your business.
With Loyverse, you can effortlessly start a loyalty program with no extra equipment or fees. You’ll set the reward percentage for each purchase, and customers can use the loyalty program to receive rewards across all your stores. After customers enroll, they’ll be able to start collecting points to receive discounts in future purchases.
AccuPOS: Best for Accounting
AccuPOS is a complete POS system for all business types, offering flexibility and affordable hardware choices. This tool is a top choice if you’re already working with an existing accounting solution or staff management tool.
AccuPOS provides effortless synchronization with QuickBooks and Sage. The solution instantly syncs to your inventory and customer lists to set up your point of sale and allow you to start selling to customers. These sales also sync back to QuickBooks or Sage by generating end-of-shift reports and automatically updating your accounting tool with sales information.
Benefits of an All-in-One POS System for Thrift Stores
An all-in-one thrift store POS software can help in the following ways:
- Increased efficiency and productivity: An all-in-one POS software for thrift stores smooths the checkout process, making it faster and more efficient.
- Improved accuracy and reliability: Robust POS systems include features that allow businesses to keep track of sales data and inventory levels.
- Enhanced customer experience: POS systems can be used to create customized customer profiles and loyalty programs, making customers’ experiences more personalized. Plus, faster checkout makes the in-store shopping experience more positive.
- Streamlined operations: These systems can automate and create seamless operations, covering everything from order processing to inventory management.
- Cost savings: By restructuring operations and improving accuracy and reliability, businesses can reduce costs associated with manual data entry, shipping errors, and overstocking.
Although an all-in-one POS system has an upfront cost, it will enable your thrift store to stay organized, increase efficiency, and generate more revenue, making it a worthwhile investment for any thrift store.
Must-Have Features of a Thrift Store POS System
When choosing a thrift store POS system to purchase, look for a comprehensive suite of features that include the following:
- Inventory management: Track inventory in real time, to give you a detailed overview of what’s in stock and what types of items need to be sourced. With this information, you can ensure that your shelves are always full and that customers can access the products they need.
- Customer management: Store customer information, such as contact details and purchase history. This makes it easier to create personalized experiences for your customers and provide them with the best service possible.
- Employee management: Keep tabs on employee performance and monitor their activities in the store with a robust thrift store POS system.
- Sales tracking: Track the revenue coming in and the types of products that are selling best. Use this feature to make informed decisions about your pricing strategy and promotions or new products that will increase revenue for your business.
- Donations: Accept financial donations from customers with donation features. Plus, you can encourage your community to donate items to your store, track donation cycles, and provide e-receipts for donors’ records.
- E-commerce integration: Create an online store to allow customers to purchase products directly from your website, expand the reach of your thrift store, and increase revenue.
- Reporting and analytics: Gain access to comprehensive data about how your business performs daily, allowing you to make adjustments to maximize profits. With this data, you can better understand which products sell best, the most profitable hours, and other critical details.
It’s crucial to consider the features that your potential thrift store POS provider offers to ensure that you purchase a solution that works for your store. However, that’s not all you should keep in mind — there are factors other than features that you should stay aware of.
Factors To Consider When Choosing POS Software
Aside from evaluating potential thrift store POS systems for their features, you should also consider the following factors:
- Scalability: Does the system have the capacity to grow with your business? Can it accommodate additional stores, product lines, or customer types without major upgrades?
- Customizability: Can the system be tailored to the specific needs of your store? Will it complement your existing processes, or will you need to overhaul your operations to accommodate it?
- Compatibility: Does the system integrate with existing hardware and software, such as payment processors, printers, scanners, and other devices? Does the system update automatically to ensure compatibility with new technologies?
- Security features: Does the system have robust security features to prevent unauthorized access and protect customer data? Is it PCI compliant and does it adhere to industry security standards?
- Customer support and training: Does the system have a knowledgeable support team available to answer questions and assist you when needed? Is there a comprehensive training program to help new staff members become familiar with the system quickly?
You may also need to keep in mind your budget for your software. After all, if you don’t have the funds for a system, you’ll be unable to purchase it. Some flexible systems will give you access to fewer features at a lower cost and allow you to upgrade in the future when you have the financial capability to do so.
How To Implement Your Thrift Store POS System
After you’ve pinpointed your thrift store’s needs, budgeted for implementation, researched the features and benefits of potential POS software, and chosen the right system for your store, it’s time for implementation. Follow these steps for a smooth process:
- Installation and set up: This step involves integrating the various components of the software, configuring settings for each component, and setting up initial data like customer information, item inventory, and sales history.
- Training and onboarding: Once the software is installed, train and onboard employees to ensure everyone knows how to use the software correctly, efficiently, and effectively.
- Maintenance and updates: Regularly maintain, test, and update your thrift store POS system to ensure the software is properly functioning and equipped to meet your business’ changing needs. Be sure to also back up your records and keep your data clean.
If you run into issues during the implementation process, don’t hesitate to contact your provider’s customer support team. They have the expertise required to help you overcome any obstacles and ensure that you have a smooth transition into your new POS system.
Additional Resources
Dedicated POS systems for thrift stores come with many advantages, which is why it’s worth it for you to research them thoroughly and purchase a solution that fits your unique needs. Whether you’re looking to streamline processes, increase efficiency, or generate more revenue, thrift store POS software can provide you with the features and functionality to make that happen.
If you’re interested in learning more about managing a thrift store, check out these resources:
- Managing Overstock Inventory in Thrift Stores: Strategies for Success. Having too much inventory can put pressure on thrift stores and even make shopping less enjoyable. Learn how to manage your overstock in this guide.
- Cash Flow Challenges for Thrift Stores. Thrift stores have a unique retail model, but just like other retailers, they can face cash flow challenges. This guide covers the most common challenges thrift stores face and how to overcome them.
- Using Round-Up Donations To Increase Revenue at Your Thrift Store. If your thrift store supports a nonprofit, you can maximize revenue with round-up donations. Check out how they work here.
