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Contactless POS System: A Complete Guide
We’ve witnessed the evolution of payment systems from cash to cards and now to contactless…
Read More >>New vape shops open all the time. According to an industry estimate, the number of shops in the U.S. grows 20% every year. It’s a highly competitive industry.
To stay ahead, vape stores need technology. And one critical piece of tech is a vape shop POS system.
A point of sale isn’t just a fancy cash register. The best vape shop POS systems can transform your entire operation.
Top POS platforms include tools for inventory management, marketing, loyalty programs, payment processing, and ecommerce. Plus, they help new shops build a foundation to expand their operation and add locations more profitably and efficiently.
What do the best vape shop POS systems have in common? And what systems should be on every vape store’s short list?
Keep reading for a deep dive into how to choose the right vape store POS system for your shop (along with recommendations for the best POS systems for vape shops).
As a new store, affordability and basic features will be most important to you. So, look at a POS system’s basic software and hardware packages and look for these five features.
However, you’ll also want a platform that offers advanced functions (which your business will need as it grows). You can upgrade to these features as you scale and expand.
The 5 must-have POS features for vape shops include:
Vape shops carry dozens of SKUs for various flavors, nicotine levels, sizes, etc. This can create some inventory challenges. To address them, you need these basic features:
Advanced Features. As you grow, your business may need features like replenishment automation (auto ordering), vendor management, handheld scanning, and warehouse/receiving functionalities.
Every vape shop needs a payment processor, and generally, vape shops are considered high-risk. Therefore, at a minimum, you need a POS that works with high-risk payment processors.
A POS platform with integrated payment processing, however, is a better option.
Integrated processing means the POS company also handles credit card processing. Therefore, your card data syncs automatically with your POS. This simplifies register reconciliation processes and eliminates the need to work with a third-party company.
Reduce Card Processing Costs. Most vape shops pay a 2.6% fee on credit card transactions but may face high-risk fees and limitations. For a high-volume shop, that can be a huge cost! Get a rate quote before you commit to a processor or POS system.
Ecommerce software is a must if you plan to sell online. A POS and ecommerce integration allows you to:
Generally, this is an advanced add-on in vape POS software, so you only pay for it if you use it. But even if you don’t plan to sell online right now, make sure the platform includes this (so you can scale ecommerce in the future).
As mentioned, vape shops manage hundreds of SKUs, and products tend to move quickly. This can create issues at the register if you aren’t prepared, (e.g., having to look up prices or inventory inaccuracy).
Barcode scanners are a vape shop’s best friend.
Say you scan a disposable vape. With a POS barcode scanner, the correct price would be charged at the register, correct taxation (if tax rates vary by category), and the item would be subtracted from inventory.
Compliance is so important for vape shops. The industry is heavily regulated, and failing to adhere could result in fines or you could lose your license.
Choose a POS with ID scanning and/or age verification software. If you sell online, POS age verification software is better. This feature allows you to do in-store ID checks, as well as check IDs in ecommerce flows.
Another compliance feature is tax reporting. The best POS systems come with pre-configured tax reports, as well as let you customize.
As your operation grows, you’ll want a platform that offers advanced functionalities. Some features you may need include:
Research options. The best POS systems offer these as basic or advanced features. You can upgrade and pay for them, when you’re ready to use them.
Looking for vape shop POS system recommendations? These are some of the industry’s best solutions.
FTx POS caters specifically to businesses that sell age-restricted products, making it a strong contender for vape shops. Plus, we have extensive experience in the industry. As such, our POS platform offers industry-specific features that help vape shops grow.
FTx POS plans start at $89 / month. Our basic plan includes inventory, product management, and reporting tools.
We also offer POS hardware bundles or you can build-your-own terminal. Hardware costs vary with discounts available for our POS + card processing customers.
FTx POS offers a strong feature set focused on age verification and compliance, making it one of the best POS systems for vape shops. Our platform helps brands launch and scale with ease, with numerous core and advanced features for retailers.
Lightspeed POS is a huge company and provides POS for various industries. Some features for vape shops include:
Lightspeed offers tiered pricing plans that start at $89 / month. The Basic plan includes inventory and integrated payments. Hardware costs vary.
Lightspeed is a solid POS system, and it offers numerous functionalities for vape shops. Overall, it can be a bit expensive, with many advanced features available in only advanced plans. The platform does require integrated payments too, which limits retailers’ processing options.
Here are some reasons why Korona POS might be a good fit for vape shops:
Korona POS offers tiered pricing plans with varying features. Explore the plans and ensure they align with your specific needs and budget.
Korona POS is another contender that offers some robust features. However, some users report that Korona POS can have a steeper learning curve compared to other POS systems.
Clover POS is a popular POS system, especially for new businesses. It offers features that can simplify operations and enhance customer service. Some features for vape shops include:
Clover offers payment plans for hardware and software. It’s basic plan for retailers starts at $60 / month for 36 months (with card processing costs of 2.6% + 10 cents). However, the basic plan only includes a touchscreen with receipt printer.
Clover offers a fast solution to get operations off the ground. But there are some limitations as you scale or your operation and add locations. Similarly, its basic inventory system isn’t the most in-depth, and may not be best for vape shops with numerous product variants.
Shopify POS can be a good fit for vape shops, but it’s generally best for smaller stores or those already using Shopify Online. Some features include:
Basic plans (recommended for sole-proprietor businesses) start at $89 / month. Shopify does offer integrated payments. However, if you use a third-party payment processor, they do charge a 2% fee (which can significantly add to processing costs).
Shopify POS works well for an ecommerce-focused business and may be useful for an online shop that’s opening a brick-and-mortar. However, Shopify may not be the best choice for processing high-risk payments. Check compatibility with payment processors before committing. Plus, there are limitations in inventory management, which might not be best suited for large or growing vape retailers.
Square for Retail has its benefits for vape shops, but it’s essential to know its limits. Here are some features for vape shops:
Square’s basic retail plan is free. However, this includes just basic features + ecommerce and a POS app. A tiered option is available at $89 / month.
Square’s affordability makes it an attractive option for small vape shops, but this does introduce some limitations. For example, Square isn’t great for high-risk payments, and only offers basic age verification. You may need to upgrade your plan for detailed reports and marketing tools too.
This really comes down to the needs of your business. A single store has widely different needs than a multi-store outlet.
Therefore, the POS systems they choose might change. Here are some suggestions based on the size of the business:
What About FTx POS? FTx POS serves retailers of all sizes. For new shops, we offer budget-friendly pricing and must-have features in our basic plan. However, we have extensive multi-store experience. The largest smoke shops in the U.S. use FTx POS.
For vape stores, a POS system is one of the most important choices you can make. Your entire business – from checkout, to inventory – runs through your point of sale. Therefore, it needs the features to help you grow.
Specifically, the best vape shop POS systems include age verification, barcode scanning, inventory management, and payment processing options (with ecommerce being an optional upgrade).
But beyond that, your POS provider should have industry experience. And that’s something FTx POS offers.
Contact FTx POS today to learn more about our POS systems for vape shops. We help independent stores and multi-store chains grow.
Prices vary based on features, plans, and number of stores. However, most systems include two fees 1) a monthly software subscription and 2) POS hardware (like a touchscreen, barcode scanner, etc.).
FTx POS offers free and discounted hardware packages for POS + payments subscribers. (Note: Minimum processing volume required.)
The best ways a POS helps a vape shop streamline include:
Yes, the best vape POS systems have numerous integrations. FTx POS offers manual and automated integrations with third-party tools like QuickBooks and payroll software. Plus, we offer a full line of first-party retail integrations:
Yes. Many systems offer this functionality. Specifically look for a variant management feature. This will allow you to create a parent product, and then manage “child” products as related to the parent.
A POS tracks every sale. Using this data, vape shops can identify fast- and slow-sellers and develop re-ordering algorithms to automate their replenishment. For example, a vape shop:
Learn more about this topic. See these related posts on the FTx POS blog.
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