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With over 150 hours of testing and comparing 10 leading POS systems specifically for convenience stores, I’ve narrowed down the top five that stand out for usability, pricing, features, and reliability.

Whether you're running a neighborhood shop or managing multiple locations, the right POS system can seriously improve your checkout process, inventory control, and profit margins.

Our Top 5 POS Systems Square for Retail – Best overall POS Nation – Best for age-restricted items Clover – Best for design and ease of use Lightspeed Retail – Best for growing multi-location stores Toast POS – Best for C-stores with hot food

Continue reading “Best POS Systems for Convenience Stores (2025)”

One of the first questions I had when starting a retail business was how much I’d need to invest in a cash register or POS system.

It’s a simple question, but the answer depends on a lot of moving parts—type of business, budget, volume of transactions, and how much you want your register to do.

Whether you're opening your first store or upgrading your current setup, understanding the real cost of a cash register is key.

Below, I break down the different types of registers, pricing ranges, and what influences those costs—from hardware to software and everything in between.

Continue reading “How Much Does a Cash Register Cost?”

When I first made the jump from running a brick-and-mortar store to selling online, I had no idea how complicated ecommerce could get. I thought setting up a store on Shopify or WooCommerce was the hard part. I was wrong.

Syncing inventory between online and in-store sales, getting paid correctly, running promotions, managing returns, setting up shipping—every piece had to work together.

And unless you’ve got a strong handle on how ecommerce actually works, it’s easy to waste money on tools you don’t need or make decisions that create problems down the line.

Certifications helped me cut through all of that. They showed me what mattered, what didn’t, and how to set up a system that works for my type of retail business.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best ecommerce certifications for retailers, how they work, how much they cost, and which ones are actually worth your time.

Continue reading “Best Ecommerce Certifications for Retail: Learn What Actually Works”

As someone who’s worked in retail for years and is constantly keeping an eye on trends, I can tell you this: podcasts have become one of the best tools for staying informed without needing to carve out hours for reading or research.

Whether I’m unpacking boxes, managing POS software updates, or doing end-of-day reporting, I’ve always got a podcast running in the background.

Over time, I’ve curated a list of the best retail business podcasts that are worth listening to—especially if you’re serious about running a tight, profitable retail operation.

In this post, I’m breaking down the ones I actually listen to.

Continue reading “Best Retail Business Podcasts: My Go-To List for Staying Sharp in Retail”

Opening a retail store is exciting, but it’s also complex.

I’ve worked with retailers who had everything lined up—great branding, a product people wanted, even funding—but they still failed because they skipped the basics or underestimated the role of technology.

If you’re thinking about starting your own shop, whether it’s clothing, electronics, books, or specialty foods, this guide breaks everything down step-by-step.

We’ll also focus heavily on your point-of-sale (POS) system and how it fits into the bigger picture.

Here’s what you need to know before you open your doors.

Continue reading “How to Open a Retail Store: A Step-by-Step Guide with POS in Mind”

If you run a small retail business and accept card payments, PCI compliance probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. I get it. You’re focused on sales, customers, inventory, and keeping your point-of-sale (POS) systems running smoothly.

But here’s the truth — if you're processing credit card payments, PCI DSS compliance is not optional.

It’s a mandatory requirement that could cost you thousands of dollars in fines, legal headaches, and lost customer trust if ignored.

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned about PCI compliance, how it affects small businesses in retail, and what steps you actually need to take to stay protected.

Continue reading “PCI Compliance for Small Business Retailers”

Quick Verdict: Shopify’s new WordPress plugin gives retailers the ability to sell online using Shopify’s POS-grade checkout while keeping their existing WordPress website.

If you’re a brick-and-mortar store that wants to add ecommerce without rebuilding your site or overhauling your tech stack, this plugin offers a practical bridge between content and commerce.

It won’t replace a full omnichannel POS setup, but it’s a low-lift way to add online selling and connect it with your existing Shopify backend.

Continue reading “How Shopify’s WordPress Plugin Bridges Online Content and In-Store Retail”

Shopify POS and SpotOn POS are two of the most recognized systems for handling in-person sales, but which one is right for your business?

I've tested and analyzed both platforms, looking at everything from pricing and hardware to features and industry use cases.

The verdict?

Shopify POS is the stronger choice if you're a retailer or ecommerce brand looking for omnichannel growth, while SpotOn POS is a better fit for food service businesses like restaurants, bars, and cafes.

In this detailed review, I’ll walk you through how each system performs in the areas that matter most to small and mid-sized businesses.

Continue reading “Shopify POS vs SpotOn POS: Which POS System Should You Choose?”