Managing a liquor store is no simple task. There are a lot of moving pieces.
But successfully running your bottle shop simply boils down to using the right business tools — and that begins with a solid point of sale (POS) system designed for your industry.
But high-quality resources come with a price tag, and you need to know how much you’re going to spend for the right fit.
Let’s break down what goes into the average liquor store POS system price in 2023, and what you can expect to pay.
The price of your liquor store point of sale system is determined by several factors, ranging from the cost of high-quality hardware to industry-specific software to the size of your store. And because your business is unique, your checklist of POS requirements may look different than others.
A point of sale system designed for your industry is one of the most powerful tools you can leverage to improve your business and boost your bottom line — so if you’re in the market for a best-in-class solution, consider these costs when making your decision.
To keep up with modern business trends, you need the most up-to-date POS system — and that includes hardware that’s a step up from the traditional cash register setup (though you still need a cash drawer to take advantage of dual pricing, formerly known as cash discounting!).
Here the hardware basics that any retail store needs, and their general price ranges:
But there are some pieces of hardware that are especially useful for liquor stores, including:
These are wide ranges, so it’s important to consider the needs of your specific business. As a liquor store owner that sells age-restricted items, you might spend more money on a barcode scanner that also scans IDs to verify customers’ ages — but you might not need the top-of-the-line pinpad. Decide what suits your store best, and go from there.
Possibly the biggest factor when it comes to the price of a liquor store point of sale system is its software — this is where quality is especially key. Look for a system with features designed for the liquor industry, including:
POS software prices differ depending on whether you pay a one-time upfront fee included with your hardware, or pay a smaller monthly fee — monthly prices often include ongoing technical support. Pricing may also vary depending on whether your point of sale is a traditional on-premise system or a cloud-based system, and if your provider requires extra fees for add-on features.
The monthly price of POS software typically ranges from $0-$400. Systems that don’t require a monthly fee often come with high payment processing charges, and higher prices usually include more sophisticated integrated and add-on features.
Make sure to thoroughly research what goes into your potential point of sale system’s pricing. You don’t want to overspend on features you don’t need, but you also don’t want to underestimate what you do need. Choosing the wrong POS up front can end up costing you more money in the long run, especially if you have to buy an entirely new system to suit your needs.
In addition to hardware and software, there are a few other factors to consider when it comes to a liquor store POS system price.
How big is your business? You might have fewer lanes than the average bottle shop, or maybe you have multiple locations. Is your team lean, or do you employ more people to efficiently run operations? How many customers do you serve on a monthly basis? These are important points to consider.
Another huge factor? Your budget.
You know how much you’re able to spend on your point of sale, so be sure to stick within that range — but don’t surrender much-needed features and support for the sake of saving a few bucks. Invest in a quality POS that will serve you for years to come, and you’ll ultimately save yourself a pretty penny.
Remember: When it comes to business tools, you get what you pay for. Invest in your liquor store by choosing the right point of sale system for your business — one made by liquor store owners, for liquor store owners.
To get started and learn more about Bottle POS’ pricing, schedule a demo with one of our specialists, or use our build and price tool to create your custom quote.