Shopify POS

Shopify POS is a powerful point-of-sale system that connects your physical retail operations with your online store, creating seamless customer experiences across all channels. Whether you're running a brick-and-mortar location, managing pop-up shops, or offering local pickup and delivery, Shopify POS provides the tools you need to unify your business.

What is Shopify POS?

Shopify POS is a mobile application (available on iOS and Android) that unifies your in-person and online sales in one platform. Every transaction automatically syncs inventory across all locations, preventing overselling and creating a cohesive brand experience wherever customers shop.

The real power of Shopify POS lies in its omnichannel capabilities. When a customer makes a purchase online or in-store, your inventory updates in real-time across every channel. This synchronization eliminates the need for separate systems and reduces the operational complexity that often plagues multi-channel retailers.

Who Should Use Shopify POS?

Shopify POS is particularly well-suited for several types of businesses:

E-commerce Stores Expanding to Retail If you already run a Shopify online store and want to test physical retail through pop-ups or a permanent location, Shopify POS is the natural choice. Your existing product catalog, customer data, and inventory seamlessly extend to in-person selling.

Omnichannel Retailers Businesses selling both online and in physical stores benefit from Shopify POS's unified approach. Start sales in-store and complete them online, accept returns from any channel, and offer flexible fulfillment options like BOPIS and same-day local delivery.

Multi-Location Businesses Managing multiple retail locations becomes easier with Shopify POS Pro. Track inventory by location, transfer stock between stores, and view performance from a centralized dashboard.

Stores Offering Local Pickup and Delivery Shopify POS integrates seamlessly with local delivery and pickup operations. Apps like Bird Pickup & Delivery enhance Shopify POS with advanced scheduling, time slots, delivery zones, and automated customer notifications.

Shopify POS Pricing

Understanding Shopify POS pricing requires looking at two components: your base Shopify plan and the optional POS Pro upgrade.

Base Plans (Include POS Lite)

All paid Shopify plans include basic POS functionality at no additional cost:

• Starter - $5/month (social selling and occasional events)

• Basic - $39/month (standard e-commerce with POS Lite)

• Shopify - $105/month (growing businesses)

• Advanced - $399/month (scaling operations)

• Plus - Starting at $2,000/month (enterprise level)

  
  

POS Pro Upgrade

For permanent retail locations, POS Pro costs $89/month per location and unlocks:

• Unlimited staff accounts with custom permissions

• Smart inventory management and forecasting

• Advanced analytics and staff performance tracking

• Full omnichannel capabilities (BOPIS, returns, exchanges)

• Rich customer data and loyalty insights

Note: The Retail Plan ($89/month) includes POS Pro for one location.

Transaction Fees and Hardware

With Shopify Payments, fees range from 2.4% to 2.6% + $0.10 depending on your plan. Third-party processors add 0.5-2% extra fees. Hardware costs: free card readers, $399 POS Go device, $219-$999 countertop kits, and $199-$289 barcode scanners.

Key Shopify POS Features

Payment Processing Accept credit and debit cards, mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, cash with automated change calculations, gift cards redeemable online and in-store, and custom payment types. Split payments across multiple methods in a single transaction.

Checkout Experience Shopify POS features a customizable smart grid interface for fast checkout. Process transactions on smartphones and tablets anywhere in your store. Apply discounts, save carts for later, and email digital receipts. POS Pro adds custom branded receipts with your logo and store policies.

Inventory Management Real-time synchronization across all locations prevents overselling. Use barcode scanning for fast counts, set low-stock alerts, manage purchase orders, and transfer inventory between locations. POS Pro adds forecasting based on sales trends.

Customer Management Track purchase history, preferences, and lifetime value across all channels. Build loyalty with detailed profiles including notes, tags, and email opt-ins. POS Pro provides deeper insights into your best customers.

Staff Management (POS Pro) Unlimited staff accounts with custom permissions. Track individual performance, set different access levels for managers versus associates, and monitor transactions for accountability.

Omnichannel Features

• BOPIS: Online orders automatically appear in POS. Staff mark orders ready, customers get automated pickup notifications.

• Local Delivery: Set delivery zones, configure rates, and schedule delivery windows.

• Omnichannel Returns: Process returns from any channel at any location with automatic inventory adjustments.

For advanced features like time slot scheduling, capacity limits, smart routing, and automated SMS notifications, consider Bird Pickup & Delivery.

Reporting & Analytics POS Lite includes basic sales reports. POS Pro adds real-time dashboards, staff performance metrics, inventory forecasting, customer lifetime value reports, and custom data exports.

Setting Up Local Pickup and Delivery

Local fulfillment has evolved from a pandemic necessity to a permanent customer expectation. Here's how to enable it:

Enable Local Pickup Navigate to Settings > Shipping and delivery > Local pickup. Select locations offering pickup, set expected pickup times (2-4 hours for same-day recommended), and add clear pickup instructions including parking, entrance, and ID requirements.

Configure Local Delivery Define delivery zones by postal code or radius, set delivery rates (free, flat rate, or tiered), and configure delivery dates with time windows.

Sync with POS Update your POS app, enable order notifications, and create designated pickup staging areas.

Enhance with Specialized Apps While Shopify's built-in features cover basics, specialized apps add time slot scheduling with capacity limits, smart routing, blackout dates, advanced zone mapping, and automated SMS/email notifications. Bird Pickup & Delivery provides these features out-of-the-box for exceptional local fulfillment experiences.

Should You Upgrade to POS Pro?

Upgrade to POS Pro if you:

• Have a permanent retail location

• Employ multiple staff needing different permissions

• Manage inventory across multiple locations

• Offer BOPIS, returns, or exchanges

• Process 50+ weekly in-person transactions

Stick with POS Lite if you:

• Only sell occasionally at events

• Have 1-2 team members

• Primarily sell online with minimal in-person sales

If POS Pro saves you 2-3 hours weekly, the $89/month investment pays for itself.

Getting Started

1. Choose your Shopify plan based on your needs

2. Order essential hardware (card reader minimum)

3. Configure locations in Shopify admin

4. Import inventory with accurate quantities

5. Enable local pickup and delivery

6. Train your team on fulfillment workflows

7. Test everything before going live

   
   

Final Thoughts

Shopify POS provides a comprehensive solution for unifying online and in-person sales. Its seamless integration with Shopify's e-commerce platform, robust feature set, and scalable pricing make it suitable for businesses ranging from weekend vendors to enterprise retailers.

Whether you're just starting with in-person sales or optimizing an existing retail operation, Shopify POS creates exceptional customer experiences across all channels. The key is choosing the right plan level and enhancing with specialized apps for features like advanced local fulfillment.

Ready to enhance your local pickup and delivery? Explore Bird Pickup & Delivery for advanced scheduling, time slots, delivery zones, and automated notifications that turn local fulfillment into a competitive advantage.