14 POS Integrations to Make Running a Retail Store a Breeze (2024)

POS integrations help make selling across multiple channels easier by sharing product, inventory, sales, and customer information between both systems. This ensures your data is reliable, whether you’re checking store inventory or reviewing your sales for the week.

If you want to run your entire business from one place, a POS integration may be the ideal solution.

In this post, you’ll learn everything about how POS systems integrate, alternatives to POS integrations, and how to bring online and store sales together with Shopify.

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What is a POS integration?

A POS integration links your point-of-sale system with another platform and shares data between the two systems. When these platforms integrate, they share products, pricing, inventory, sales, and other data, which helps you get a unified view of your business.

For many retailers, the POS system is the system of record—meaning that’s the main system you use to run your business. This can lead to inefficiencies where data isn’t shared between systems quickly or at all, resulting in a fragmented, inaccurate view of your business. To solve this, you may find yourself manually reconciling inventory and sales at the end of each day.

If you want to manage your business from one place and keep manual reconciliations to a minimum, an integrated POS system is best. Integrations may include other platforms built by the same company—like Shopify’s online store builder and Shopify POS—or connections with third-party platforms—like Shopify POS and QuickBooks. With an integrated POS system, you have one system of record, and both online and store data flow to the same place and update in real time.

For example, if you use Shopify POS and have a Shopify site, Shopify's back office is your system of record for your online and physical stores. From there, you can add products, set prices, fulfill orders, manage inventory, view customer purchase history, and more.

How does a POS integration work?

You connect your online store to your POS system using an API, which is short for “application program interface.” APIs are usually built and updated by a third party and are charged monthly.

To install a POS integration, you’ll need to install it as an add-on in your system of record and import your product catalog either manually with a CSV file or automatically. The more products you have, the longer this process will take.

1. Accounting software

Syncing POS data with accounting software allows you to automate financial tasks like tracking sales, expenses, and taxes. This ensures accurate bookkeeping and simplifies the reconciliation process. For example, a retailer might integrate its POS system with accounting software to be able to generate detailed reports and simplify tax filings.

2. Payroll

Integrating POS with payroll software automates employee wage calculations based on sales data, reducing manual errors and saving time on payroll processing. For example, a restaurant chain could integrate its POS system with payroll software to accurately calculate staff wages, including tips and bonuses, based on sales performance.

For Shopify POS, EasyTeam POS Staff Management supports all types of payroll and includes features for sales performance and commissions. Gusto ‑ Payroll & HR is another great option as a compatible comprehensive human resources (HR) software.

3. Team scheduling

Integrating POS with team scheduling software helps retailers in a number of ways. You can use these integrations to optimize staffing levels based on sales trends and peak hours, ensuring efficient labor management, for example.

A retail store could integrate its POS system with scheduling software to create employee schedules that align with anticipated sales volumes, reducing overstaffing during slow periods.

Check out the following team scheduling POS integrations:

4. Ecommerce

The best retail POS systems don’t just connect to your online store, they work in perfect harmony with it and have built-in omnichannel selling and order fulfillment features. Store staff can follow up with indecisive in-store shoppers by sending them email carts that include products they are interested in. Think of it like an abandoned cart email but for in-person selling.

Connecting POS with ecommerce platforms enables retailers to synchronize inventory, streamline order processing, and provide a seamless omnichannel shopping experience for customers. Choosing a POS system that speaks to your ecommerce platform helps unify all your sales channels and lets shoppers buy and receive products however is most convenient for them.

You can also use ecommerce POS integrations to create more offerings and features on your site for online shoppers. Gift Card Hero, for example, enables the sale of gift cards, and Ordersify: Restocked Alerts creates urgency by showing how many units are left and giving the shoppers a chance to subscribe to low-stock and restock alerts.

5. Inventory management

Inventory management integrations can help you save time and increase accuracy since you’re not updating stock levels manually. POS integration with inventory management software enables real-time inventory tracking, automatic stock replenishment, and better control over stock levels to prevent stockouts or overstocking.

A retailer could integrate its POS system with inventory management software to track inventory levels accurately, automate purchase orders, and optimize stock rotation.

Some inventory management POS integrations to try include:

6. Order fulfillment

Integrating POS with order fulfillment systems streamlines the fulfillment process, from order receipt to delivery, ensuring timely and accurate order processing for online and offline sales channels.

A restaurant with both dine-in and delivery services could integrate its POS system with order fulfillment platforms to receive and fulfill delivery orders seamlessly alongside in-house orders.

If you’re looking for an order fulfillment POS integration, look into the following:

7. Receipt printing

POS integration with receipt printing solutions enables retailers to customize receipts with branding, promotions, and personalized messages, enhancing the customer experience and promoting brand loyalty.

A retailer might integrate its POS system with a receipt printer to print branded receipts that include a discount code for the customer’s next visit, encouraging repeat business.

If you’re in need of a receipt printing POS integration, check out the following options:

8. Product discounts and bundling

Integrating POS with discount and bundling tools allows retailers to create and apply promotions easily, boosting sales, clearing excess inventory, and driving customer engagement.

A supermarket could integrate its POS system with discount and bundling software to offer buy-one-get-one-free deals on perishable items approaching their expiration date, reducing food waste and increasing sales.

Look into the following product discount and bundling POS integrations for your store:

9. Email marketing

POS integration with email marketing platforms enables retailers to connect with customers on a deeper level. The integrated systems can segment customers based on purchase history, send targeted promotional campaigns, and nurture customer relationships to drive repeat sales.

A beauty salon could send personalized follow-up emails after appointments, offering product recommendations or special discounts, for example.

Some email marketing POS integrations to try include:

10. Customer loyalty programs

Integrating POS with customer loyalty programs allows retailers to reward repeat purchases, encourage brand advocacy, and gather valuable customer data for personalized marketing initiatives.

You can integrate your POS system with a loyalty program app to offer points for every purchase. Allow customers to redeem points for discounts or free products, helping to foster loyalty and increase customer lifetime value.

Customer loyalty program POS integrations to check out include:

11. Post-purchase feedback

POS integration with post-purchase feedback platforms enables retailers to collect customer feedback and reviews, identify areas for improvement, and enhance the overall shopping experience.

A POS integration can send post-purchase emails. This feedback tool can automatically send review requests to customers after they receive their orders, gathering valuable insights to improve service quality and product offerings.

Check out these post-purchase feedback POS integrations:

12. Returns

Integrating POS with a returns management system like Narvar Return and Exchange can streamline the returns process. The integration can ensure consistency in refund policies and create a hassle-free return and exchange experience for customers.

You can use these integrations to process returns in-store or online, issue refunds or store credits, and update inventory levels automatically.

13. Reporting and analytics

POS integrations can unlock seriously sophisticated data. You can get actionable insights into sales performance, customer behavior, and inventory trends, enabling data-driven decision-making and business growth. For example, a bookstore could integrate its POS system with analytics software to track bestselling titles, identify customer demographics, and optimize marketing strategies based on sales data.

Women’s jewelry brand PDPAOLA leverages this type of POS integration in its business. “We use Shopify on a daily basis to monitor sales and key performance indicators, both in-store and online,” explains Miquel Cardona, Chief Business Development Officer at PDPAOLA. “The user-friendly way that this information is presented is so important and it makes it easy to see what is working.”

Shopify POS users should check out the following report and analytics integrations:

14. POS hardware

In many cases, you need to integrate POS software with compatible hardware devices. These could include barcode scanners, card readers, and cash registers. These integrations ensure seamless functionality and enable quick transactions.

As an example, many grocery stores integrate their POS systems with a whole tech stack of hardware, allowing them to accommodate both traditional and self-checkout. Integrated hardware often includes barcode scanners and receipt printers. These integrations expedite checkout processes, reduce wait times, and create a positive customer experience.

Benefits of using a POS integration

There are many advantages of using a POS integration for your store, including:

Spend less time on manual processes: When your POS system is integrated with other platforms, inventory quantities automatically update whenever you make a sale online or in person. This saves you time that would otherwise be spent counting and reconciling inventory and mitigates mistakes.
Prevent stockouts and overselling: Integrating systems reduces the risk of overselling inventory online that you don’t have in stock. If you’re out of the size or color an in-store shopper wants, you can use integration features like ship-to-customer to close sales in-store and ship purchases to customers from your warehouse or another store location with inventory.
More comprehensive reporting: If you’re a multichannel seller, the last thing you want is data that’s siloed by the sales channel. That will cause you to spend countless hours in spreadsheets to find the data points you want. POS integrations can provide a unified view of your online and brand’s performance. This will help you understand the big picture or get as granular as you need to—track inventory across each store location, see revenue per sales channel, discover which products are selling or languishing on shelves, and more.
Offer flexible fulfillment options: Modern consumers want the flexibility to shop however they want. Retailers need to build a buyer's journey that puts customers in control if they want to meet customer expectations and build brand loyalty. If you choose a POS system that doesn’t integrate well with your ecommerce platform, though, it can be difficult to show store product availability online and offer flexible delivery options like in-store pickup.
Increase repeat purchases: When all sales are unified, you can learn more about your customers, their shopping habits, and their preferences without exporting transaction data from two systems. Use that data to create impactful retention marketing campaigns. With quick access to their order history, you can offer more personalized service when they shop in-store and easily create tailored email campaigns to increase repeat purchases and boost lifetime value.

Shopify merchant tokyobike has tapped into a number of these advantages by integrating Shopify POS with its ecommerce site and other business tools.

“There were things we wanted to do that we couldn’t, mostly around how we wanted to blend online and store experiences, show in-store stock availability online and offer order fulfillment like in-store pickup,” explains Juliana Di Simone, tokyobike’s Partner and Director. “The interaction between physical and digital should feel like a natural part of your customer experience. To do that, you need your systems to speak the same language. That’s why we use Shopify POS.”

👉Read: Tokyobike Doubles its In-Store Pickup Sales by Switching From Lightspeed to Shopify POS

Bring online and in-person selling together with Shopify

Modern consumers expect a convenient shopping experience that lets them use whatever mix of online and in-store shopping they want. While bridging another POS system with your Shopify online store with an integration can work, it isn’t ideal—especially if you want to offer customers the best experience possible.

The best way to bring your sales channels together is by using one powerful platform to run them both. With Shopify POS, you get everything you need to sell in person, accept payments, and manage your store’s day-to-day—backed by the most powerful ecommerce platform available.

Start selling in-person with Shopify POS

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Retail POS integration FAQ

What does integrated POS mean?

Integrated POS, or point-of-sale, refers to the connection between a retailer’s POS system and other software or hardware solutions. It allows for seamless communication and data exchange between various business tools, streamlining processes such as inventory management, sales tracking, and customer relationship management.

What is a POS connection?

A POS connection is the link between a point-of-sale system and other software, devices, or platforms. This connection enables data to flow between the POS system and these external solutions, facilitating functions like inventory synchronization, financial reporting, and customer loyalty programs.

Why do we integrate POS?

Spend less time on manual processes
Prevent stockouts and overselling
More comprehensive reporting
Prevent manual error
Offer flexible fulfillment options
Increase repeat purchases

What is a POS system example?

An example of a POS system is Shopify POS. Shopify POS has everything you need for your retail business, from taking payments to managing inventory. It has a fast setup, secure payments, and transparent pricing for online and in-person purchases.

14 POS Integrations to Make Running a Retail Store a Breeze