It’s easy to live by the mantra of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” in the retail world – particularly when you’re looking to save money. Most business owners assume that as long as their tech is getting the job done, they should continue using it – since switching to something new generally costs time and money.
But if you’re still using a clunky old POS system, the chances are you’re wasting cash.
Only about 19% of businesses are using POS systems that are less than two years old – the rest are relying on inefficient solutions that are actually causing lost revenue, and increased labor costs.
The good news? Switching to a new, innovative solution, like Shopify POS, could do more than just save you money – it could give you the boost you need to grow your business.
What’s Wrong With Outdated POS Systems?
I know it’s hard to abandon a system that still technically “does the job”, but old POS systems cause a range of problems. Let’s break them down:
Slow Transactions = Lost Sales
Customers don’t have a lot of patience these days. They’re in a rush – and they want to process transactions quickly. In fact, a study found that 86% of customers have left a store due to long lines – leaving billions of dollars on the table (around $38 billion to be exact).
Older POS systems often lag or crash, causing delays that prompt buyers to abandon purchases. Even manual processes can slow down transaction times significantly.
Limited Payment Options = Fewer Customers
Today’s shoppers have a lot of payment methods to choose from, and they want to be able to pick the one that works for them – think contactless payments, mobile wallets, even Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options. Outdated POS systems typically lack integration with these newer payment methods, leading to missed sales opportunities.
No Real-Time Inventory Sync = Overstock & Stockouts
If your POS system is disconnected from your inventory software, it can’t sync information in real-time across online stores, warehouses, and multiple locations. That means businesses risk overstocking or running out of popular items.
This inefficiency not only ties up capital in unsold goods but also disappoints customers seeking bestsellers. A significant number of shoppers expect real-time stock updates, and if your system can’t keep up, they’ll purchase elsewhere.
High Maintenance Costs = Less Cash
Maintaining an outdated POS system can be costly. Older systems often require manual updates, expensive hardware replacements, and constant IT support. A survey found that 60% of retailers using legacy POS systems experience frequent technical issues that impact daily sales.
These ongoing maintenance challenges not only drain financial resources but also divert attention from core business activities.
Why Migrate to Shopify POS?
You might be thinking “Ok, so I should probably upgrade – but there are tons of POS systems out there – why pick Shopify POS?”
Simply put, I’ve tried dozens of POS platforms in the past, and Shopify stands out as one of the best all-around options for scalability, efficiency, performance, and convenience. It actively helps retailers save money.
A study conducted by Shopify found that companies using Shopify POS saw a 30% increase in repeat customers, simply as a result of a faster checkout and better integrations.
Here’s why migrating to Shopify POS is a game changer.
Faster Checkout: Happier Customers
Customers expect speed, and nothing kills a sale faster than a slow checkout. Studies show that 74% of shoppers actively search for stores with smaller checkout lines.
With Shopify POS, transactions are lightning-fast thanks to its cloud-based and mobile-friendly design. Whether you’re ringing up sales on a countertop register or checking out customers from anywhere in your store with a mobile POS, the system is built to keep things moving.
Speed matters because it directly impacts revenue. The longer customers wait, the more likely they are to abandon their purchase. And in today’s retail world, where convenience reigns supreme, making the checkout process seamless can turn casual shoppers into loyal, repeat customers.
Omnichannel Selling: Seamlessly Connect Online & In-Store Sales
These days, it’s pretty rare for in-person sellers to not have an online presence too. Running a physical store alongside an ecommerce store gives you a brilliant opportunity to increase revenue.
But keeping everything in sync can be challenging. Inventory mismatches between online and in-store stock can frustrate customers and lead to lost sales.
Shopify POS solves this by offering seamless omnichannel integration. Every sale, whether it happens in-store or online, automatically updates in real time, ensuring accurate stock levels across all platforms.
If an item is running low at one location, you can instantly check stock at another or suggest online ordering for home delivery.
Research from EY even found that retailers that unify their POS and ecommerce systems see higher operational and growth rates than their competitors.
Flexible Payment Options: Meeting Customer Expectations
The last thing you want as a retailer is to lose a sale just because you can’t accept your customer’s preferred payment method. Today’s tech-savvy shoppers want to use contactless payments, digital wallets, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options.
With Shopify POS, you never have to turn a customer away because of payment restrictions. It accepts a wide variety of payment options, including:
- Apple Pay & Google Pay: For fast, contactless transactions.
- Shop Pay: A secure, Shopify-exclusive payment method that makes checkout seamless.
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Increasingly popular among younger shoppers, this option allows customers to split payments, leading to higher average order values.
Having flexible payment methods removes friction at checkout, improving customer satisfaction and even increasing your chances of impulse purchases.
Automatic Inventory Updates: No More Stock Discrepancies
Nothing frustrates customers more than finding the perfect item online, only to arrive at the store and learn it’s out of stock. Similarly, overstocking leads to unnecessary expenses and wasted space.
With Shopify POS, inventory is updated in real time, so you’ll always know exactly what’s available. This eliminates:
- Stockouts – No more disappointed customers walking out empty-handed.
- Overstocking – Save money and storage space by ordering only what you need.
- Manual tracking – Spend less time counting inventory and more time growing your business.
By ensuring inventory accuracy across all locations, Shopify POS prevents lost sales and enhances customer trust.
Low Maintenance: Reduce Costs & Eliminate IT Headaches
Older POS systems cost more than you think—not just in terms of hardware but also in IT support, maintenance, and system failures. 60% of retailers using legacy POS systems experience frequent technical issues that disrupt sales.
Every system crash, slow update, or security vulnerability isn’t just frustrating, it’s losing you money.
Shopify POS is designed to eliminate these pain points:
- Automatic software updates: No more costly manual updates or outdated software vulnerabilities.
- Cloud-based storage: No need for expensive on-site servers.
- Minimal IT support required: The system is intuitive and easy to manage without a tech team.
By switching to Shopify POS, businesses typically reduce costs by around 37% – cutting down on the cost of maintenance, middleware, and more. Even a third-party analysts found that Shopify POS lowers total ownership costs by around 22%.
Boosting Customer Loyalty: Why Experience Matters
Retail success isn’t just about making one sale: it’s about creating a shopping experience that brings customers back. Shopify POS includes built-in tools to personalize customer interactions:
- Complete customer profiles: See past purchases and preferences at a glance.
- Loyalty program integrations: Reward returning customers with seamless discounts and offers.
- Easy returns & exchanges: A smooth, hassle-free process keeps customers happy.
Loyal customers spend more and shop more often, and by using Shopify POS to deliver a better experience, you’ll naturally boost repeat business and long-term customer value.
Scalability: Future-Proofing Your Business
As your business grows, your POS system should grow with you. Many outdated systems struggle to handle multiple store locations, increased sales volume, or expanding product lines. Plus, they lack integration options with crucial apps and tools.
Shopify POS is built for scalability, allowing businesses to:
- Open new locations effortlessly: Manage multiple stores under one system.
- Expand product offerings: Easily add new products and categories.
- Handle high transaction volumes: No lag or slowdowns, even on the busiest shopping days.
According to Shopify’s own research, their robust app marketplace, APIs, and developer tools even reduce the costs of third-party solutions by around 89%.
The Additional Benefits of Switching to Shopify
All of the advantages mentioned above really just scratch the surface. According to Shopify’s latest research into the benefits of transitioning to their point of sale system, switching to Shopify POS can save companies moneys and enhance growth in various other ways too. For instance:
- Reduced implementation costs: Not only are maintenance costs lower for Shopify POS, but implementation costs are around 11% lower, leading to a faster return on investment.
- Lower staff training and onboarding costs: With fewer manual workloads and complex systems to navigate, Shopify POS streamlines the process of getting new team members up to speed, reducing onboarding costs by around 21% per retail location.
- Lower middleware expenses: With Shopify, companies can reduce middleware expenses by around 27%, minimizing technical debt over time, and allowing teams to spend less time maintaining technology, and more time focusing on sales.
- Rapid innovation: With intuitive tools and capabilities, Shopify POS speed up development cycles by 40-60%, helping companies to innovate quickly, and facilitate growth.
Stop Wasting Money on Old POS Systems
Migrating to Shopify POS isn’t just about “upgrading” your point of sale technology – it’s about setting your business up for long-term growth.
Countless companies have already discovered the benefits. For instance, Frank and Oak lowered its retail operating costs by 47% after switching to Shopify POS, and AllBirds boosted conversions and reduced costs with Ship to Store on Shopify POS.
If you’re still sticking with your old-fashioned POS, you’re wasting time and money. In today’s competitive space, migrating to Shopify POS helps companies eliminate inefficiencies, and exceed customer expectations, so they can rapidly scale.
Make the switch to Shopify POS, and future-proof your business today.