Till System For Retail – Compare And Choose The Best One For Your Need

In today’s fast-paced retail environment, businesses across the UK are continually challenged by the need to streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction. One of the most glaring bottlenecks? Outdated, inefficient tills slow down transactions, frustrate customers, and hamper sales. Whether it’s the cumbersome interface, lack of payment options, or slow processing times, these issues can significantly impact your bottom line and your brand’s reputation.

Imagine the peak shopping hours – your store is bustling, the queue is snaking out the door, but every transaction is a struggle. Customers sigh and tap their feet, and some even abandon their purchases. Every glitch and delay in processing a payment adds to the mounting frustration, not just for your customers but your staff. The result? Lost sales, a stressed workforce, and a tarnished customer experience. This isn’t just about slow tills; it’s about the ripple effect of inefficiency that affects every aspect of your retail operation.

Enter our state-of-the-art tills designed specifically for the dynamic UK retail landscape. Our solutions are more than just tills; they are the gateway to transforming your customer’s shopping experience. With lightning-fast transactions, versatile payment options including contactless and mobile payments, and an intuitive interface, your staff can focus on what truly matters – providing exceptional customer service. Our tills are designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing systems, providing real-time data for better inventory management and business decisions. Say goodbye to the frustration of yesterday and hello to the future of retail, where every transaction is smooth, every customer is happy, and every sale boosts your bottom line.

• Lightspeed
• Vend
• Square
• Zettle
• Shopify

Compare The Best Till Systems For Retail

EPOS Systems	Lightspeed	Vend	Square	Zettle	Shopify
Rating	4.5/5	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	4/5
Pricing/ Monthly	£49 Basic £69 +ecom £129 +loyalty £199 +analytics	£49 Lite £69 Pro	Free	Free	£24 Basic £64 Standard £242 Advanced
POS Transaction Fees ( 3rd party processors)	Depends on processor selected	Depends on processor selected	1.75%	1.75%	1.7% Basic (3.7%) 1.6% Standard (2.6%) 1.5% Advanced (2%)
Key Benefits	Multi-store chains in the UK demand sophisticated till systems, offering extensive features and integrations for seamless management across various locations.	Middle-sized stores and small chains, despite their size, often manage large inventories, necessitating till systems that are both robust and adaptable to their unique requirements.	Retailers with low transaction volumes require efficient, streamlined till systems that are cost-effective and easy to manage, catering specifically to their lower-scale operational needs.	Retailers with low transaction volumes need till systems that are simple, efficient, and tailored for small-scale operations, without unnecessary complexity or cost.	Shops utilising Shopify for eCommerce benefit greatly from till systems that seamlessly integrate with Shopify, enhancing their in-store and online retail coherence.
Device Compatibility	iOS, Android, PC	iOS, Android, PC	iOS, Android	iOS, Android	iOS, Android
Free Trial	14 Days	14 Days	30 Days	7 Days	30 Days

1. Lightspeed EPOS Retail Till

The Lightspeed Till System for Retail offers an innovative and comprehensive solution for modern retailers. It’s designed to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and optimise in-store and online sales. This system is renowned for its robust inventory management capabilities, ensuring retailers can efficiently handle large and diverse product ranges. With seamless integration for eCommerce, Lightspeed enables retailers to manage online sales and inventory effortlessly. The omnichannel approach ensures a unified retail experience, blending in-store and online channels.

Lightspeed Features

Payments: Supports a variety of payment methods throughout the store, including cash, card, and mobile transactions.

eCommerce Integration: Provides comprehensive tools for online sales, payment processing, and stock management.

Omnichannel Retailing: Enables seamless coordination between online and in-store sales.

Marketing Tools: Includes specialised features for reaching new customers and promoting products online and in physical stores.

Detailed Reporting: Offers extensive reporting capabilities for online and offline sales, business performance, and marketing effectiveness.

CRM and Loyalty Programs: Allows for the creation of customer profiles, status assignment, and rewarding of loyal customers.

Hassle-free Refunds: Simplifies the refund process, eliminating the need for customers to present their card.

Lightspeed Pricing

4.5/5	PROS Advanced POS solution tailored for UK retailers Comprehensive till functionalities Highly adaptable interface Specialised features for retail brands		CONS May be intricate to navigate Requires 12-month commitments
Features Payments: Supports a variety of payment methods including cash, card, and mobile transactions throughout the store. Inventory Management: Offers advanced features for inventory control and management. eCommerce Integration: Provides comprehensive tools for online sales, payment processing, and stock management. Omnichannel Retailing: Enables seamless coordination between online and in-store sales. Marketing Tools: Includes specialised features for reaching new customers and promoting products both online and in physical stores. Detailed Reporting: Offers extensive reporting capabilities for both online and offline sales, business performance, and marketing effectiveness. CRM and Loyalty Programs: Allows for the creation of customer profiles, status assignment, and rewarding of loyal customers. Hassle-free Refunds: Simplifies the refund process, eliminating the need for customers to present their card.			Lightspeed Retail Pricing Basic: £69/mo Standart: £99/mo Advanced: £129/mo Pro: £199/mo Sign Up Now label

2. Vend

Vend is a versatile and comprehensive point-of-sale system designed to cater to the diverse needs of modern retail businesses. Known for its exceptional POS features, Vend offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies transactions, making it an ideal choice for businesses of various sizes. This system stands out for its capability to manage in-store and online payments efficiently, ensuring seamless integration of all sales data. Robust inventory management tools allow retailers to control stock across multiple locations effectively. Vend enhances customer engagement through its advanced customer management system and a strong loyalty program. Its extensive integration options make it a flexible solution for businesses looking to streamline their retail operations. Vend Till System, with its blend of ease of use and powerful functionality, is positioned to revolutionise the retail experience, offering efficiency and scalability for growing retail businesses.

Vend Features

In-Store Payments: Supports both cash and card payments, offering versatility in transaction methods.

Online Payments: Facilitates payments on websites with seamless data synchronisation.

Inventory Management: Efficient management of inventory across multiple store locations.

User Accounts and Permissions: Allows the creation of user accounts with role-specific permissions, ensuring data security and process alignment.

Cash Management: Aids in reducing errors and discrepancies with detailed recording of cash movements, from float to closure.

Register Closure Reports: Provides printable records of daily transactions, including notes and payment type breakdowns.

Vend Prices & Packages

3. Square EPOS Till

Square is a renowned financial services and mobile payment company, widely recognised for its innovative and user-friendly Square POS (Point of Sale) system. This system is specifically designed to cater to the needs of both small and medium-sized businesses, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for payment processing, inventory management, and sales analytics. Square is acclaimed for its sleek, compact card reader, enabling businesses to accept card payments effortlessly anywhere. The platform integrates seamlessly with various devices, providing a robust solution for managing sales, tracking inventory, and analysing business performance. With its intuitive interface and versatile functionality, Square is ideal for businesses looking to streamline their operations and embrace modern payment technologies.

Square Features

Payments: Enables acceptance of cash, card, and mobile payments in any location with mobile connectivity.

Inventory Management: Advanced tracking of stock levels, item categorisation (e.g., by color), sales analysis, and low stock alerts.

Employee Management: Allows the creation of employee user accounts with varying access levels and the ability to record hours and generate timesheets.

Offline Payments: Facilitates cash payments even when offline, with data sync upon reconnecting online.

Refunds: Offers flexible refund options for entire bills, individual items, or custom amounts.

Tips: Gives customers the option to add tips during card transactions.

Accounting: Daily sales reports are generated and can be exported to Excel or Xero for easy accounting.

Invoicing: Provides the capability to create and send invoices at no extra cost, along with reminders for pending payments.

Analytics: Delivers valuable sales data and reports for better understanding of business performance.

Loyalty Schemes: Allows businesses to set up special offers for rewarding loyal customers.

Square Prices And Plans

4. Zettle For Retail

The Zettle Till System, from Zettle by PayPal, is an innovative point-of-sale solution tailored to the bustling needs of small to medium-sized businesses across the UK. It stands out in the market for its emphasis on user-friendly operations and efficient transaction processing, making it a preferred choice for retailers and hospitality business owners. The system is designed to streamline the day-to-day sales activities, ensuring businesses can focus on customer service and growth rather than getting bogged down by complex technicalities.

Features

Payments: Enables acceptance of cash, card, and mobile payments in any location with a mobile connection.

Table Management: Offers the capability to create digital table layouts and monitor orders for each table, ideal for hospitality settings.

Split Bill and Open Tab: Provides options for customers to split their bill or keep a tab open, enhancing customer convenience.

Mobile Orders: Supports order taking directly at customer tables using mobile devices, streamlining the dining experience.

Inventory Management: Advanced system for tracking stock levels, categorising items (e.g., by colour), analysing sales, and receiving alerts for low stock.

Employee Management: Allows the creation of employee accounts with varying access levels and the ability to record work hours and generate timesheets.

Offline Payments: Facilitates the ability to continue accepting cash payments even offline, with data sync upon reconnecting online.

Tips: Gives customers the option to add tips during card transactions.
Accounting Integration: Zettle Pro seamlessly integrates with Xero for simplified accounting processes.

Pricing

5. Shopify POS For Retail

The system’s user-friendly interface is key to its appeal, making it accessible for businesses regardless of their technical expertise. The system offers robust inventory management, allowing real-time tracking and synchronisation across multiple locations and online platforms.

Additionally, it caters to customer relationship management by maintaining detailed customer profiles, which is essential for personalised service and targeted marketing strategies.

Designed with the modern retailer in mind, Shopify’s Till System stands out for its adaptability, supporting a range of businesses from small local shops to expansive retail chains. It integrates effortlessly with the broader Shopify ecosystem, providing retailers with a powerful tool to manage their operations, understand their customers, and grow their business in today’s competitive market.

Shopify Features

Multi-Channel Sales Integration: Seamlessly integrates online and in-store sales. 

Flexible Payment Options: Supports various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, cash, and mobile payments.

Inventory Management: Real-time tracking and synchronisation of inventory across all channels.

Customer Profiles: Create and manage customer information for personalised service and marketing.

Reporting and Analytics: Access detailed reports on sales, customers, and inventory for informed decision-making.

Loyalty Programs: Implement and manage loyalty schemes to enhance customer retention.

Customisable Receipts: Option to tailor receipts with branding and essential information.

Offline Mode: Process transactions even without internet connectivity.

Employee Management: Assign roles and track employee performance.

App and Hardware Compatibility: Works with various devices and peripherals for a versatile POS setup.New List ItemNew List Item

Shopify Pricing For Retail

Comparing Till Systems For Retail: From Traditional Tills to Advanced EPOS Solutions

Choosing a till system is pivotal to business operations in the evolving retail and hospitality landscape. From the traditional cash registers to the sophisticated Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) solutions, each type of till system offers unique functionalities suited to different business needs. Understanding these variations is crucial for businesses to select a system that streamlines transactions and supports wider operational goals.

This comparison will explore the journey from basic cash tills, through Electronic Cash Registers (ECR), to the more complex Point of Sale (POS) and EPOS systems, highlighting how each has been designed to meet the changing demands of modern commerce. Whether you’re running a small boutique, a bustling café, or a large retail chain, grasping the nuances of these systems can transform how you manage sales, inventory, customer data, and overall business efficiency.

Traditional Cash Registers (Basic Till Systems): These are the original till systems, focusing primarily on cash transactions. They typically include a cash drawer, a basic calculator for totalling purchases, and a printer for receipts. Their functionality is limited to processing sales and providing a secure place to store cash. They lack advanced features like inventory tracking or data analytics.

Electronic Cash Registers (ECR): A step up from traditional cash registers, ECRs incorporate some electronic features. They can handle more complex transactions than basic tills and often include basic digital displays and the ability to connect to simple peripherals like barcode scanners. However, they still lack comprehensive data tracking and inventory management capabilities.

Point of Sale (POS) Systems significantly advance traditional and electronic cash registers. POS systems integrate hardware and software to manage sales transactions and other business operations. They can process various payment types (cash, credit/debit cards, mobile payments), manage real-time inventory, track customer data, and provide detailed sales analytics. POS systems are often part of a larger network, connecting in-store operations with back-office management and e-commerce platforms.

EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) Systems: EPOS systems are essentially advanced POS systems with more sophisticated software capabilities. They offer extensive features like advanced inventory management, detailed analytics and reporting, CRM functionalities, and seamless integration with various business tools and platforms. EPOS systems are designed for efficiency and accuracy, providing comprehensive business management solutions.

Each type of till system offers different levels of functionality, with traditional cash registers being the most basic and EPOS systems being the most advanced, catering to the complex needs of modern businesses. The choice between these systems depends on a business’s specific requirements, size, and scope.

What Makes a Good Till System For Retail Businesses?

A good till system is essential for the smooth functioning of any retail or hospitality business. It should be easy to use, allowing staff to handle transactions efficiently with little training. The reliability and speed of the system are crucial to avoid customer delays and frustration. In today’s diverse payment landscape, the ability to process various forms of payment, including cash, credit/debit cards, contactless, and mobile payments, is a must.

Effective inventory management is another critical feature, enabling real-time tracking and analysis, which assists in maintaining optimal stock levels. Integration capabilities are equally important, as a good till system should seamlessly connect with other business software like accounting, CRM tools, and e-commerce platforms.

Moreover, comprehensive reporting and analytics are vital for understanding sales trends, inventory needs, and customer preferences, aiding in informed decision-making. Managing customer relationships through features like customer profiles and loyalty programs can significantly enhance the customer experience. Security is also paramount, with the system needing to safeguard financial data and personal customer information, adhering to data protection standards.

Scalability is a key aspect, as the system should be able to grow with the business, accommodating new locations, products, and services. Lastly, dependable customer support and thorough training resources are essential for any till system to ensure issues are promptly addressed and staff can use the system effectively. A good till system is more than a transactional tool; it’s a comprehensive solution that boosts operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall business management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Key Challenges Faced by Retail Businesses with Outdated Till Systems?

Retail businesses with outdated till systems often face issues like long queues, customer dissatisfaction, and inefficiencies in sales processing. Such systems are typically slow, error-prone, and lack the necessary features for today’s retail environment, leading to inventory mismatches and poor data integration.

How Do Modern Till Systems Transform the Retail Landscape?

Modern till systems are comprehensive retail management solutions that go beyond basic cash registers. They offer features like fast processing, advanced scanning for error reduction, real-time inventory tracking, and data analytics. These systems enhance the customer experience by reducing checkout times and improving transaction accuracy.

What Makes the Lightspeed Till System Suitable for Retail?

The Lightspeed Till System is designed for modern retail needs, offering robust inventory management, seamless eCommerce integration, and an omnichannel approach. It provides valuable insights through advanced reporting tools, enhances customer engagement with marketing features, and simplifies transactions with various payment options.

How Does Vend Stand Out as a POS System for Retail?

Vend is versatile and comprehensive, ideal for various retail business sizes. It excels in managing both in-store and online payments, offers efficient inventory control, and enhances customer engagement through an advanced management system and loyalty programs. It’s also flexible, supporting hardware setups for multiple locations.

Why is Square POS a Popular Choice for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses?

Square POS is renowned for its user-friendly system and is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. It supports a range of hardware options and is suitable for businesses with low to medium card transaction volumes. Its fixed transaction fees benefit businesses just starting out or managing costs.

What Unique Features Does Zettle Offer for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses?

Zettle is known for its user-friendly operations and efficient transaction processing. It is adaptable to various business models and requires minimal training for setup and operation. Zettle’s integration with PayPal’s payment technology also adds a layer of trust and security for transactions.

How Does Shopify POS Enhance Retail Operations?

Shopify POS integrates in-store and online sales, providing a unified retail experience. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, robust inventory management, and customer relationship management capabilities. It supports a range of businesses and integrates smoothly with the Shopify ecosystem.

What Are the Differences Between Traditional Cash Registers, ECR, POS, and EPOS Systems?

Traditional cash registers are basic systems focusing on cash transactions, while Electronic Cash Registers (ECR) offer some electronic features. Point of Sale (POS) systems integrate hardware and software for managing sales and operations. Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems are advanced POS systems with sophisticated software capabilities, offering extensive features like inventory management and analytics.

What Constitutes a Good Till System for Retail Businesses?

A good till system should be user-friendly, reliable, and fast. It must process various payment forms and offer effective inventory management. Integration with other business software, comprehensive reporting, customer relationship management, security, scalability, and dependable customer support are crucial features.

Final Words

In the fast-paced world of retail, choosing the right till system is not just a necessity but a game-changer. The journey from outdated systems to modern solutions like Lightspeed, Vend, Square, Zettle, and Shopify POS highlights a significant evolution in retail technology. These systems are no longer cash registers but comprehensive tools that transform how businesses manage sales, inventory, customer relationships, and overall retail operations. With functionalities ranging from advanced inventory management to seamless eCommerce integration, these till systems are revolutionising retail environments, catering to the needs of businesses of all sizes.

The leap from traditional and electronic cash registers to sophisticated POS and EPOS systems marks a pivotal shift in retail management. Each type of system brings unique strengths to the table, addressing specific challenges retailers face in a constantly evolving market. Whether enhancing customer experience, streamlining operations, or gaining insightful analytics, the right-to-turn system can make all the difference.

As we explore the nuances of these diverse systems, we invite you to share your experiences and thoughts. Have you transitioned from a basic cash register to an advanced EPOS system? What impacts have you observed in your business operations? Join the conversation in the comments below and tell us how these modern till systems have transformed your retail journey. Your insights and experiences are valuable, helping others in the retail community make informed decisions in their quest for the perfect till system.