In the bustling tobacco industry, managing your business can feel like trying to light a cigar in a windstorm — but that's where a top-notch point of sale (POS) system comes in.
A POS system specifically tailored to tobacco shops can be a game-changer, by helping you streamline operations, manage inventory, and boost sales.
But how do you choose the right one?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about tobacco POS systems — so you can find the best bet for your business.
What Is a Tobacco POS System?
A tobacco POS system is a retail management solution designed specifically for tobacco retailers. It's more than just a cash register; it's a complete business management tool. It helps you manage inventory, track sales, process transactions, and even run marketing campaigns.
Why Do You Need a Tobacco POS System?
The tobacco industry is tightly-regulated, and has its own unique set of challenges. From managing a vast inventory of different cigar brands, pipe tobaccos, and accessories to staying compliant with age verification laws, running a tobacco shop isn't easy. A tobacco POS system is designed to handle these challenges, making your life easier and your business more profitable.
Key Software Features of a Tobacco POS System
Your business is unique, which means you need a point of sale solution with software features tailored to the tobacco industry. But what do those include?
Here are some key features we recommend for your tobacco POS software:
- Inventory Management: A good tobacco POS system helps you keep track of your inventory in real time. It should allow you to add, edit, and remove products easily, and offer smart search features to find any product in your inventory quickly.
- Case Breaking: This feature is essential for tracking inventory, especially if you sell cigars or cigarettes and need to break cases into individual units for sale. A powerful case break feature can save you from unnecessary confusion and errors.
- Age Verification: Selling age-restricted products requires verifying customers' birth dates. Modern POS systems can scan or swipe a customer's driver's license to confirm they're of legal age, reducing the risk of underage sales.
- Label Creation and Printing: This feature allows you to create and print custom barcode labels for individual products, making inventory tracking easier.
- Scan Data Reporting with Mix and Match Pricing: This feature helps increase sales by grouping products into attractive deals. It also simplifies tracking manufacturer discounts and producing tobacco reports.
- Dual Pricing: Dual pricing can reduce your payment processing costs by passing credit card fees onto customers, while offering discounts to those who pay with cash.
- Kit Building: If you sell vape products, offering kits with a variety of options can build loyal customers and increase sales.
- Customer Loyalty: A loyalty program feature allows you to keep in touch with customers, customize their experience, and track their purchase history.
- Sales Reporting and Analytics: Detailed reports and analytics can give you insights into your sales, inventory, and customer behavior. This can help you make informed decisions to grow your business.
Remember: Talk to your employees about the features they'd like to see. Small workflow issues can build up over time and go unnoticed by management, so collaborate with those who use your system regularly to ensure it meets everyone's needs.
Key Hardware Features of a Tobacco POS System
Setting up a point of sale system for a tobacco store also requires a few essential pieces of hardware. These not only streamline your checkout process, but also enhance the customer experience.
Here's a quick rundown of what you might need for your tobacco POS system:
- All-in-One Computer: This is the heart of your POS system, where all transactions are processed and recorded.
- Receipt Printers: Using direct thermal technology, these fast and quiet printers generate receipts without needing ink ribbon refills.
- Barcode and ID Scanners: These devices read barcodes and IDs. Opt for omnidirectional scanners for hassle-free scanning from any angle.
- Cash Drawers: A secure metal box for storing cash is a must-have for every transaction station.
- Barcode Printer: If you sell non-barcoded items like individual cigars, a barcode printer will allow you to print custom labels, speeding up the checkout process.
- Customer Displays: These screens allow customers to see the items and prices as they're being rung up. Touchscreen displays can also make it easier for customers to join or access your loyalty program.
- Pinpads: To accept chip cards, debit cards, and mobile payments, you need a pinpad. This could potentially lower your credit card processing fees for transactions over $20.
Remember: It's important to know exactly what you need for your tobacco store before discussing options with POS vendors. This can help you avoid unnecessary add-ons and keep your setup cost-effective and efficient.
Get Started With the Best Tobacco POS System in the Business
Choosing the right POS system for your tobacco shop is one of the most important decisions you can make for your business — and it can seem like an overwhelming task. But it doesn’t have to be!
Now that you know the key software and hardware features to search for, ask the following questions:
- What are the upfront and monthly costs? Do these fit into my budget?
- Is support available 24/7?
- Is this a complete solution, or will I need to pay extra for additional features?
These questions will ensure that you’re choosing the right POS for your business. And remember: Every POS system has its strengths and weaknesses. So, take your time to compare providers, consider the pros and cons, and identify what's most important for your store.
Ready to dig a little deeper? For an even more detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about tobacco POS systems, download our Tobacco Point of Sale Buyers’ Guide.
And if you have more questions about how an industry-specific point of sale solution can help take your business to the next level, schedule a demo with one of our Cigars POS specialists today!