When customers visit your liquor store, they know exactly what they want — whether it’s their go-to tequila or a six-pack of their favorite brew.
Unfortunately, shopping for a liquor store point of sale (POS) system isn’t as simple.
That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide on how to find the perfect POS solution for your liquor store’s unique needs. We’ll walk through a step-by-step process for evaluating providers and share our shortlist of the best liquor store POS systems.
Liquor Store POS System Basics
Whether you’re opening a new liquor store or upgrading your decades-old cash register, investing in a POS system is a huge decision. From processing sales transactions to managing marketing promotions, this tool shapes nearly every aspect of your operations and customers’ shopping experience.
But have no fear: We’re here to help you make the right choice for your liquor store. Let’s explore four must-follow steps to find a liquor store POS system that matches your needs and budget.
1. Identify Your Current Pain Points
Let’s start with the most important question: Why are you looking for a new POS system?
Your answer to this question should guide your search, ensuring the new system solves your problems and simplifies your operations.
For example, if your bestselling spirits are often out of stock, look for a liquor store POS system with powerful inventory management features. If you’re tired of constant technical issues, you need a provider that offers high-quality, 24/7 technical support.
2. Determine Your Budget
Next, you need to decide how much you’re willing to spend on a new liquor store POS system.
Most POS providers offer tiered pricing plans for their software subscriptions. The most affordable tiers include basic features like simple inventory counts and sales reporting, while more expensive tiers let you use advanced features like customer loyalty and automated inventory management.
You may also have to budget for POS hardware. If your current hardware isn’t compatible with the new system, you can purchase a new setup outright or pay a monthly hardware subscription fee.
The other cost to look out for is support. Ideally, your provider will offer 24/7 support at no additional cost. However, some companies charge additional monthly fees for access to their technical support team.
As you set a budget and get quotes from different providers, make sure the final number includes the cost of software, hardware, and support.
3. Look for Liquor-Specific Features
Just like a delicious cocktail depends on the right ingredients, your new liquor store POS system should have all the right features. Here’s a checklist to guide your search.
- Age verification: To protect your liquor store from fines and legal trouble, invest in a POS system with built-in age verification. For even more security, opt for an ID scanner.
- Liquor inventory tracking: Maintain the perfect balance of inventory with features like case breaking, real-time stock monitoring, and automated purchase orders and receiving.
- Promotions: Your POS system should make it easy to schedule and monitor liquor store promotions like mix and match, bundle, and percentage-based deals.
- Customer loyalty: Launch a loyalty program to generate repeat sales. Your POS system should let you customize the program's structure, manage membership, and learn more about your most valuable customers.
- Reporting and analytics: Your POS system should help you understand your customers by revealing their favorite products, shopping behaviors, and changing sales trends.
- E-commerce integration: Expand your reach and make more sales by offering convenient pickup and delivery services. Your POS system should integrate seamlessly with an e-commerce platform like BottleZoo to help you build a website and manage online orders.
Our number one tip is to look for a POS system built for liquor stores. That way, you’ll have access to industry-specific features and support as your business grows.
4. Schedule a Demo
The final step on your journey is to see each potential POS option in action.
Scheduling a live demo lets you experience the system firsthand, determine how user-friendly it is, and decide whether it meets your unique feature requirements. It also lets you connect with a representative from the company and ask questions in real time.
This demo also provides an opportunity to clarify any confusion about pricing or support, giving you peace of mind before you invest in a new liquor store POS system.
4 Liquor Store POS Systems To Consider
You have a roadmap for finding the right liquor store POS system; now, it’s time to evaluate your options.
To help you get started, we’ve curated this list of our four favorite liquor store POS providers.
1. Square
Square is a POS provider popular among retailers in all industries. They offer simple, affordable software to help you process transactions and do basic inventory management.
While Square isn’t liquor-specific and doesn’t offer many advanced features, we’ve included them because they’re a solid option for new and budget-conscious liquor store owners.
Square offers a free startup option, but their most popular pricing plan starts at $29/month.
2. Lightspeed
Lightspeed offers high-tech, feature-rich POS software to all types of retailers.
Lightspeed focuses on omnichannel selling, which makes it a good fit if you’re hoping to open multiple locations or sell liquor online.
Lightspeed is the most expensive option on our list, with costs ranging from $109 to $339/month for one location and one register.
3. Spirits POS
Spirits POS is a longstanding POS provider with an over 40-year track record of supporting liquor stores.
Along with the standard liquor retail features, Spirits POS has continued innovating and now offers a convenient mobile app and unique self-checkout option.
Reach out to the Spirits POS team for pricing information.
4. Bottle POS
Bottle POS is a POS system designed with liquor stores like yours in mind.
Our powerful software includes all the features you need to keep your shelves well-stocked, customers happy, and profits high — including liquor-specific inventory tracking, a built-in customer loyalty program, and in-depth reporting and analytics.
Plus, our team of liquor industry experts is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you make the most of the system.
We offer custom pricing options to meet every liquor store’s needs and budget. Use our build and price tool to generate an instant quote.
Stir Up Liquor Store Success With Bottle POS
Searching for a liquor store POS system that checks all the right boxes? You don’t have to look far!
Bottle POS is an all-in-one solution designed by and for liquor store owners. With our software, you can improve your inventory management process, increase customer loyalty, and boost your profits.
Discover how Bottle POS can help you become your neighborhood’s favorite liquor store by scheduling your personalized demo today.
