As a liquor store owner, your moments of free time are rare. Between keeping underage shoppers away from your checkout counter and ensuring that your shelves are always stocked with your customers’ favorite spirits, your hands are full.
That’s where liquor management software comes in. This powerful tool automates your operations, saves you time, and sets your liquor store up for a new level of success.
In this blog, we’ll explore what liquor management software can do for your business, the key features to look for in a software solution, and our favorite liquor management software providers.
What Is Liquor Management Software?
Liquor management software is designed to help liquor store owners run their businesses more efficiently and profitably. It processes your sales transactions, monitors your stock levels, and gives you insights into your customers’ shopping habits and your store’s overall performance.
Along with handling these day-to-day retail operations, liquor management software helps you navigate the challenges of the liquor industry with features like built-in age verification and case breaking.
Let’s take a closer look at the core features you need in a liquor management software solution.
1. Liquor Inventory Management
Your liquor store is a temporary home to hundreds — if not thousands — of liquor bottles. Without the right tools, these bottles are nearly impossible to track.
That’s why your liquor management software should include robust features that allow you to monitor your inventory levels, simplify your restocking process, and ensure your shelves are perfectly stocked.
These three inventory management features will make the biggest difference when it comes to accomplishing these goals:
- Real-time inventory monitoring gives you an overview of everything you have in stock from anywhere, at any time.
- Case breaking lets you see your inventory numbers by full and partial cases or individual bottles.
- Automated invoicing and receiving streamline your restocking process by automatically generating purchase orders when stock gets low and adding new inventory to your records when it arrives at your store.
Choosing a liquor management software option with these industry-specific features will make stocking your store and maximizing your profits effortless.
2. Age Verification
Selling liquor to an underage customer can be disastrous for your business. In the best-case scenario, you’ll have to pay a hefty fine. At worst, you’ll lose your liquor license and be forced to shut down.
Fortunately, your liquor management software can prevent this catastrophe if it’s equipped with an age verification system.
During checkout, this feature prompts your cashier to ask for customers’ IDs, input their birthdates, and verify they’re of legal drinking age.
For an even speedier checkout process, look for liquor management software compatible with an ID scanner.
3. Customer Loyalty Program
A built-in customer loyalty program is a must-have liquor management software feature.
This tool allows you to create a custom rewards system that encourages customers to choose your store for all their liquor needs. For example, you can allow them to earn points, unlock exclusive discounts, or enjoy special perks when they spend a certain amount.
Along with generating repeat business, your software’s program helps you learn about your most devoted shoppers’ preferences and habits and reveals new ways to surprise and delight them.
4. Reporting and Analytics
What are your bestselling liquors? When are your peak sales hours? How much do your shoppers typically spend when they stop by your store?
If you aren’t completely confident in your answers to these questions, you need liquor management software with an advanced reporting and analytics suite.
Your software’s reports rank your bestselling products, highlight your busiest and slowest sales times, and show how your customers’ liquor preferences and shopping habits change with the seasons.
These insights can help you make informed decisions about editing your store’s spirits selection, shifting your open hours, or launching strategic promotions.
5. E-Commerce Integration
With liquor stores on seemingly every corner, success depends on standing out from the competition.
Launching an online liquor store can give your business an edge by allowing customers to browse your aisles from the comfort of their homes, place an easy order, and opt for a convenient pickup or delivery option.
To get into the e-commerce game, choose a liquor management software solution that integrates with an online liquor sales platform. This integration should allow you to manage your in-store and online sales seamlessly, ensuring a consistent experience for your customers regardless of how they shop.
6. Employee Management
As a liquor store owner, another essential role you play is managing your team. Luckily, your liquor management software can make time tracking and payroll a breeze.
Your software solution should have a built-in time clock that allows your employees to clock in and out at the start and end of their shifts. At the end of the pay period, you’ll have an accurate overview of your team members’ time worked — eliminating payroll problems.
Our Favorite Liquor Management Software Options
Now that we’ve explored everything liquor management software can do, let’s talk about how you can put this powerful tool to work for your business.
Here are four liquor management software solutions to evaluate.
1. ECRS Catapult
ECRS is a point of sale provider catering to small grocery, pharmacy, and liquor stores. Catapult, their software solution, offers useful features for liquor stores like age verification, inventory tracking, and simple promotions.
You can learn more about Catapult and get pricing information by reaching out to ECRS’ sales team.
2. POS Nation
POS Nation is a trusted provider offering point of sale software to retailers in all industries. Their system includes a comprehensive suite of features while remaining user-friendly.
POS Nation’s liquor store users enjoy robust inventory management features, a built-in customer loyalty program, and helpful reports.
You can get an instant quote for your liquor store using POS Nation’s pricing tool.
3. mPower Beverage POS
mPower Beverage POS is a software solution designed for retailers in the liquor industry. One of this provider’s best offerings is its powerful customer management feature, which allows you to track shoppers’ purchases, group customers by their shopping behaviors, and set up personalized promotions.
A software subscription for mPower Beverage POS starts at $120 monthly after a $1000 upfront fee.
4. Bottle POS
The final liquor management software option on our list is Bottle POS.
Created specifically to meet the unique needs of liquor store owners, Bottle POS includes tailored inventory tools, insightful reporting, and sales-boosting features like a customizable loyalty program.
Alongside these features, Bottle POS includes 24/7 support from a team of liquor industry experts.
Use our build and price tool to create a personalized package and get a quote for your liquor management software.
Transform Your Business With the Best Liquor Management Software
If you’re searching for a liquor management software solution that checks all the right boxes, you’re in the right place.
Bottle POS is equipped to meet all your liquor store management needs — from monitoring your stock to helping you nurture a loyal customer base. Our dedicated support team will be beside you every step of the way as you learn about Bottle POS’ powerful tools and put them to work for your liquor store.
Ready to get started on your Bottle POS journey? Schedule your personalized demo today.
