6 Proven Ways to Improve Checkout Speed with a POS

Are long lines cutting into your profits?

Consider this: 4 out of 5 shoppers say they are unwilling to wait more than 5 minutes at checkout, according to Retail Week. If you have long lines and a slow checkout point of sale. you’re leaving money on the table.

POS transaction speed is important. The average POS transaction processing takes about 45 seconds, and individual item scans take about 3 seconds. Therefore, if your average customer has 5 items, that’s 1 minute per transaction.

If there are more than 5 customers in line… you will miss sales.

Fortunately, retailers can speed up checkouts with some user-friendly technology. And a POS system is one of the best tools to help you do it. From optimizing POS checkout screens for speed to using integrated credit card processing, you can speed up POS transactions (and make checkout efficiency a differentiator for your business).

Slow POS Transaction Speed? Try These Strategies

These are tried-and-true strategies you can use to improve retail checkout speeds with POS software:

1. Screen Layout and Design

One of the fastest ways to speed up POS checkouts: redesign your retail checkout POS with screen layouts. Here are some key tips:

• Simplify the checkout screen layout for a clear and logical flow.
• Minimize and reduce clutter.
• Highlight product images, names, and prices prominently for quick verification.
• Use large, easy-to-tap buttons for common actions.
• Organize items and discounts based on customer preferences and top-selling products.

Your POS checkout screen should be clean and well organized. This can help to shave seconds off checkout times, which adds up when you are dealing with a high volume of customers.

A POS Built for Speed. Choose a cloud-based POS system that’s fast! FTx POS is built for speed and performance and includes integrated payment processing.

2. Use a POS with integrated credit card processing

Integrated credit card processing means your credit card processing communicates with your POS. This means transactions are recorded automatically, eliminating the need for manual entry. Not only will this help you increase POS transaction speed, but it also provides you with richer data and updates your inventory in real-time.

Some key benefits of an integrated credit card processing solution include:

• Uninterrupted communication – Using a third-party processor means your POS and card reader aren’t integrated. This increases the risk of one of your payment processing systems being offline or having communication issues with your retail checkout POS software. The result: Longer checkouts and incomplete data.
• Reduced costs – An integrated payment provider means you don’t need an additional third-party app. Similarly, many integrated solutions offer better rates.
• Better data – Using an integrated system improves data collection and reporting, helping to streamline accounting and inventory processes.

3. Utilize Bar Code Scanning

Modern POS systems include barcode scanners. Obviously, scanning items rather than manually looking up prices can quickly improve checkout times.

However, another added benefit is that you can often print custom barcodes with the same system. This is extremely useful if you sell individually wrapped products or if products you sell don’t have barcodes on the packaging.

4. Integrate Your Loyalty Program

When you have a number of customers in line, many businesses avoid enrolling new loyalty program customers. This slows growth and results in missed opportunities to connect with customers. Therefore, you need a retail checkout POS that seamlessly integrates and offers:

• Quick, easy onboarding – Create an account with just a name and email or phone number.
• Fast lookup – Use phone or email to look up at the register to help customers redeem and collect rewards fast.
• Automated discounts – Your POS loyalty program must automate discounts at the register. Getting customers to sign up at the register is necessary for growing loyalty programs. However, you have to get onboarding right. You should be able to enroll a customer in 30 seconds or faster and then use email or push notification automation to follow-up and establish a connection.

Watch: How You Can Sign Up New Customers to Loyal-n-Save in Under 30 Seconds

5. Offer Buy Online, Pick-Up In Store

One way to improve POS transaction speed is to reduce the number of customers checking out in the store. A POS can help you instantly introduce a store pickup program. This allows customers to preorder and prepay, and it can be done easily with the right technology.

When implemented correctly, the entire process is automated:

• Order confirmations
• Order is ready notification
• Pickup instructions

The key, however, is having a strategy in place in-store to make it easy for customers to pick up their order. For example, a one-time QR code or barcode can help cashiers pick the right order, do it quickly, and minimize the risk of picking the wrong order.

6. Use Customer-Facing Displays

Integrating a display into checkout does a few things:

• Allows customers to review the order in real-time (minimizing errors and reducing the time needed to verify purchase details).
• Can help your store display useful information like accepted payment types and checkout process details.
• Allow you to integrate loyalty program information at POS checkout, without the need for manual entry.

Related Read: Content for Digital Signage: What works in 2025

Additionally, you can use digital signage to display limits for contactless payments, provide instructions for tap payments, or communicate any convenience fees or cash discounting policies.

Which Factors Influence POS Transaction Speed?

Before diving into solutions, let’s break down what affects POS speed. Not all POS transactions are the same – different transaction types (POS) have varying processing times.

Here’s what plays a role:

Payment Processor Efficiency

Not all payment processors work at the same speed. Some take longer to authorize transactions, especially with certain card types and payment methods. Choosing a fast, reliable processor (like FTx Card Payments) can shave seconds off each sale.

Internet Connection & Hardware

A sluggish internet connection or outdated hardware (like slow barcode scanners or printers) can delay POS checkout. Upgrading to modern devices and ensuring a stable network keeps things moving.

Software Optimization

A bloated or outdated POS system slows everything down. Efficient software – like FTx POS – handles transaction type POS smoothly, reducing lag during sales, returns, or loyalty redemptions.

Card Type & Payment Method

Contactless payments (like tap-to-pay) process faster than chip inserts. Similarly, mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) speed up self-checkout point of sale compared to cash transactions.

How to Improve POS Transaction Speed

Now we know for sure what slows things down during POS system transactions, but here’s how to make every POS transaction lightning fast.

1. Choose a High-Speed Payment Processor

Not all processors are created equal. Some add unnecessary delays in POS system transaction approvals. Look for one with:

• Instant payment authorization
• Low decline rates
• Support for fast payment methods (like near-field communication (NFC))

FTx Card Payments helps retailers cut processing time while saving on fees.

2. Upgrade POS Hardware & Internet

Old scanners, slow printers, and weak Wi-Fi kill POS speed. Modernize with:

• Fast barcode scanners (no more waiting for beeps!)
• Thermal receipt printers (instant printing)
• A dedicated, high-speed internet connection

Bonus: FTx POS includes optimized hardware like the SMARTtill unit for seamless retail checkout POS performance.

Related Read: POS with Barcode Reader: Here’s What You Need to Know

3. Enable Contactless & Mobile Payments

Forbes reports that contactless payments can be up to 10 times faster than traditional payment methods. Plus, customers love convenience.

4. Optimize Software & Reduce Bloat

Too many unnecessary apps or outdated POS software slow things down. Keep your system lean by:

• Removing unused plugins
• Updating to the latest software version
• Using a cloud-based POS system (like FTx POS) for automatic optimizations

5. Monitor & Analyze Transaction Times

Track your average POS checkout speed. If certain transaction types (POS) take longer (like returns or loyalty redemptions), streamline those processes.

FTx BI Analytics helps identify bottlenecks, so you can fix them fast.

6. Offer Multiple Payment Methods

The more options customers have, the smoother the POS transaction flow. Accept:

• Cash
• Cards (chip, swipe, tap)
• Mobile payments
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

7. Speed Up Bagging Techniques

Train staff to bag items while scanning.

8. Organize the Checkout Area

Keep bags, pens, and receipt paper within easy reach.

9. Integrate Weigh Scales

For groceries or bulk items, built-in scales prevent manual weight entry delays.

Faster Checkouts = Happier Customers

Slow POS checkout drives customers away. But with the right POS system, hardware, and optimizations, you can cut wait times and boost sales.

FTx POS is built for speed – helping retailers process POS transactions faster while offering loyalty programs, inventory control, and seamless payments.

The Final Step: Employee Training for Faster POS Transaction Speed

Your employees play a critical role in a smooth checkout process. Even the best checkout process can’t replace good customer service.

Specifically, you should provide training on common questions, as well as quick troubleshooting tips for POS checkouts. Provide training to help cashiers:

• Answer common customer questions quickly to minimize delays.
• Troubleshoot checkout issues like a receipt printer out of tape or manual card entry (if the reader isn’t working properly).
• Understand how to operate in offline mode and respond to potential downtime issues.
• Use scripts to upsell and walk customers through checkout.

Wrapping Up

Improving POS transaction speed isn’t often a high-priority task for retailers. But it should be, especially considering you have just five minutes to serve everyone in your line.

Beyond these strategies there are others you can look at: Including mobile checkouts, handheld checkouts to process orders in line, or even placing self-checkout points of sale. However, the fastest (and most affordable solution) is leveraging your POS to shave time off each checkout.

Need some help? Contact FTx POS today to learn more about our integrated payment solutions and advanced retail software.