Did you know that only 68% of small businesses use a point of sale (POS) system?
Even more surprising, some of those systems don’t even accept electronic payments.
Since the first POS system was created in 1973, thousands of providers have entered the market — so if you're unsure whether you need a POS system, the answer is a resounding yes. Every business needs one, but we understand that choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
As a pet store owner, you need a POS system that fits your unique needs. The right POS can help streamline sales, track inventory, and enhance your customers’ shopping experience (and their furry friends’ too!).
So, if you're ready to find the perfect fit, you're in the right place. We've rounded up the top five pet store POS providers that can help you run your store and grow your business smoothly.
Why You Should Choose a POS System Designed for Pet Stores
Not all POS systems are created equal. A POS system built specifically for pet stores offers features tailored to the needs of pet retailers, unlike generic POS systems that work across various industries. Here are the key benefits of choosing a specialized pet store POS system:
- Pet-specific inventory management: A pet store POS system helps you manage a wide range of products, including pet food, toys, grooming supplies, and accessories. It has features that allow you to track inventory by pet type, size, or brand, as well as handle fractional inventory like partial pet feed.
- Breed-specific customization: Some systems allow you to organize your inventory by pet breed or specific customer needs, making it easier to recommend products for different animals and provide personalized service.
- Pet services integration: Specialized POS systems can seamlessly integrate with training schedules and grooming services, making it easy to book appointments, manage customer records, and track service history.
- Loyalty programs for pet owners: These systems are often equipped with loyalty programs that cater to the pet community, rewarding repeat customers and encouraging referrals, which is essential for building customer relationships.
- Adoption and rescue tracking: If your store is involved with pet adoption or works with rescue organizations, a pet store POS system can track adoption records, making it easier to follow up with new pet owners and maintain detailed pet histories.
- Pet-specific reporting and analytics: Get insights tailored to your business, like tracking the bestselling pet food brands, popular toys, or grooming services, which helps with stock management and promotions.
- Easier customer management: From pet owners’ preferences to purchase history, a specialized POS lets you manage customer data more efficiently, offering personalized recommendations and building long-term customer loyalty.
A pet store POS system can streamline your operations and ultimately increase revenue. With the right system in place, you'll save time and offer a level of service that keeps your customers coming back.
Related Read: Pet Shop Payment Processing With a POS System: 10 Benefits
Top 5 Pet Store POS Providers
Now, it’s time to fetch the right POS system for your store! Let’s take a look at some of the top pet store POS providers that can help take your pet store to the next level.
1. eTailPet – A Tailored Solution for Pet Stores
When it comes to pet store POS systems, eTailPet is always best in show. This comprehensive system focuses on the unique needs of pet stores, offering features like pet food inventory tracking, a customer loyalty program, and the ability to schedule grooming services. It’s also cloud-based, so you can access your data from anywhere — whether you’re on the shop floor or at a pet show.
eTailPet offers an easy-to-use interface that helps you quickly manage transactions and track your stock. You can even set alerts for low inventory levels and automatically create purchase orders, so you never run out of popular pet food brands or toys. Plus, it has other pet store-specific tools, like integrated grooming scheduling and an integrated website builder where customers can book their grooming services online.
Key features:
- Designed specifically for pet stores with industry-specific features
- Pet food and accessory inventory management
- Cloud-based for flexibility
- Customer loyalty and rewards programs
- Grooming service scheduling
- Integrated website builder for online customer bookings
Pricing: eTailPet offers customized pricing based on your store’s size and needs, ensuring you get the right solution at a price that works for you.
Related Read: A Guide To Loyalty Rewards For Pet Stores
2. Square – Simple and Affordable
Square is one of the most popular POS systems for small businesses, and for good reason. Square makes it easy for pet store owners to manage sales, track inventory, and build a loyal customer base without a huge upfront cost. Whether you’re selling pet food, toys, or grooming services, Square helps you keep things running smoothly.
Its POS system allows you to track inventory in real time, so you know when it's time to restock those favorite chew toys or specialty pet food brands. Square also offers detailed reporting so you can get an overview of sales trends, helping you stock up on the most popular items and adjust your offerings.
Key features:
- Affordable pricing for small businesses
- Inventory tracking in real time
- Detailed sales and reporting features
- Easy to set up and use
Pricing: Square offers a free plan with basic features, ideal for smaller pet stores or those just starting out. For more advanced features, Square charges a monthly fee starting at $60 per month, plus a small transaction fee per sale.
3. Lightspeed – All-in-One POS With Pet Store Features
Lightspeed is a powerful POS solution that’s perfect for growing pet stores. It’s ideal for businesses that need a more in-depth system for managing a large inventory of pet supplies. Lightspeed allows you to track inventory, run promotions, and manage customer data all in one place.
One standout feature for pet stores is Lightspeed's ability to create custom product categories, which is helpful for businesses that carry many types of pet supplies. Whether you’re selling fish tanks or dog collars, you can easily keep everything organized. Lightspeed also integrates with various e-commerce platforms, so you can sell online as well as in your brick-and-mortar store.
Key features:
- Customizable product categories for pet supplies
- Detailed inventory tracking
- E-commerce integration
- Customer management tools
Pricing: Lightspeed offers tiered pricing plans to accommodate businesses of all sizes. The basic plan starts at $69 per month. Additional fees may apply for add-ons and extra features.
4. Pawfinity – A Newcomer to Pet Store POS
Pawfinity is a relatively new POS system designed for pet stores, offering a variety of features to help streamline operations. It includes inventory management, customer loyalty programs, and integrated payment processing. While Pawfinity shows promise in addressing key operational challenges, as with any new system, it may take some time to fine-tune and resolve initial software kinks.
This system is well-suited for businesses that offer a range of pet products, from pet food to grooming services. Pawfinity also includes options for special pricing tailored to different customer types, such as bulk discounts for breeders. With a user-friendly interface, it simplifies transaction management, though users may need to allow time for any system updates or enhancements.
Key features:
- Designed specifically for pet stores
- Loyalty programs and special pricing options
- Easy-to-use inventory management
- Integrated payment processing
Pricing: Pawfinity offers flexible pricing starting at $50 per month, which includes basic inventory management and transaction processing.
5. ePOS Now – Flexible POS for Pet Retailers
ePOS Now is a versatile POS system catering to a wide range of retail industries, including pet stores. Known for its flexibility, ePOS Now helps pet retailers manage inventory, track sales, and offer loyalty programs with ease. The system is designed to be user-friendly, so you don't need to be a tech expert to get started.
One of ePOS Now's standout features is its ability to support multiple locations, making it a great choice for pet store chains or franchises. You can manage inventory across various locations, track customer purchases, and transfer stock between stores with ease. It also integrates with e-commerce platforms, helping you sync your in-store and online sales data seamlessly.
Key Features:
- Multi-location support for pet store chains
- Loyalty and reward program integration
- User-friendly interface
- E-commerce integration
Pricing: ePOS Now offers customizable pricing, and you’ll need to contact them directly for a quote based on your business needs. The POS hardware is available for a flat fee of $1,099, with occasional sales offering discounts.
Why Choose eTailPet for Your Pet Store POS
When it comes to pet store POS systems, eTailPet is always best in show. It has every feature you need to streamline your operations and provide top-notch service for both your customers and their furry friends. Whether it's managing your inventory, tracking sales, or offering customer loyalty programs, eTailPet has it covered with pet store-specific tools designed to make your day-to-day operations run smoothly.
If you need help making your final decision, take a look at eTailPet's testimonials from satisfied customers, or schedule a free demo today to see how the right POS system can simplify your pet store’s day-to-day operations.
