If you own or manage a clothing store, you know the pain of mismatched inventory, slow checkouts, and scattered customer data all too well.
But what if there was a solution that could streamline your operations, improve customer experience, and boost your sales and profits? That’s exactly what a Point of Sale (POS) system can do. A POS system is a software and hardware solution that allows businesses to complete purchasing transactions, accept payments, manage inventory, and track sales data – all in one place.
In this article, we’ll compare some of the top POS systems on the market to help you choose the perfect fit for your store’s needs. We’ll also introduce you to Jovvie by BizSwoop, our top recommendation for a POS solution. Let’s get started!
Choosing the right POS system for your boutique
When choosing a POS system for your boutique, it’s essential to consider these factors:
Inventory management
A good POS system should provide real-time visibility into your stock levels, so you can make informed decisions about purchasing and merchandising.
Look for features such as low-stock alerts, which notify you when specific items are running low, and the ability to set reorder points to trigger automatic purchase orders. By always having a clear picture of your inventory, you can optimize your product range, reduce overstocking, and minimize the risk of stockouts.
Payment processing
Your POS system should be able to accept various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay, and even gift cards or store credit.
If you have international customers or plan to expand your boutique’s reach in the future, be sure to consider the system’s ability to handle multiple currencies and languages.
Integration
As your boutique grows, you’ll likely invest in various software solutions to manage different aspects of your business, such as accounting, eCommerce, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Your POS system should be able to integrate with these tools so you can reduce the need for manual data entry.
For instance, by integrating your POS system with your accounting software, you can automate financial reporting, streamline invoicing, and ensure accurate record-keeping.
Reporting
Data is important for making smart decisions, so your POS system should provide detailed reporting features. These include generating sales reports, tracking inventory turnover, and analyzing customer purchasing behavior.
Real-time reporting is also essential, as it allows you to make timely decisions based on the most up-to-date information. Additionally, consider the POS system’s ability to generate visual representations of data, such as charts and graphs, which can make it easier to interpret and communicate insights to stakeholders.
Comparing top POS systems for clothing stores
| Feature | Jovvie | LightSpeed | Square | Shopify | ConnectPOS | Clover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory Management | Real-time updates; barcode scanning using camera, in-store payment, and ship-to-home. | Real-time updates; advanced filtering. | Low stock alerts; in-store pickup and ship-to-home. | Real-time updates; demand forecasting. | Real-time updates; automated restock updates. | Variant tracking; low stock notifications. |
| Payment Processing | All major cards, PayPal, Quick Response (QR) codes, Apple Pay, Google Pay, WooCommerce Payment Gateway, Bitcoin, buy-now-pay-later, checks, gift cards, and multi-device support. | All major cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay. | All major cards, square loyalty cards, buy-now-pay-later, bank transfers. | All major cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay. | All major cards, Apple Pay, supports self-checkout. | All major cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay. Also works offline. |
| Integration | Full WooCommerce; broad plugin compatibility; integration with Google Pointy for product visibility, selling on social media, multilingual support. | Social media sales integration; full access to Lightspeed’s B2B catalog. | Direct earnings access via Square account; QuickBooks, Xero support. | Omnichannel selling across online and social media. | Omnichannel selling across online and social media. | Google Pointy integration for product visibility. |
| Reporting | Detailed real-time financial and stock reports; automatic shipping calculations. | Customizable sales reports. | Detailed performance analysis reports. | Detailed financial and sales reports. | Detailed customer preference analysis reports. | Basic operational and sales reports. |
| Price | 30-day free trial; starts at $19/month thereafter. | No free trial; starts at $89/month. | No free trial; $89/location/month. | 3-day free trial; starts from $38.65/month. | 14-day free trial; price varies by business needs. | No free trial; $60/month. |
1. Jovvie
Jovvie’s real-time inventory synchronization, integration with WooCommerce, and wide range of payment processing options make it an ideal all-in-one POS solution for your boutique.
Features:
- Omnichannel inventory management: Jovvie offers real-time synchronization between your in-store and online stock levels. Thanks to the live updates, you can ensure you stay ahead and prevent overselling or stockouts. Plus, you can simplify product searches by using your mobile device as a barcode scanner to access inventory status quickly.
- Flexible payment options: As an official Stripe Partner, Jovvie supports various payment methods, from cash and major cards to Apple Pay and Google Pay. With integration with all WooCommerce-supported payment gateways, you can also offer buy-now-pay-later and accept cryptocurrency. Easily process payments on phones, computers, and tablets, with local tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) support, tip options, and order notes.
- Multiple integrations: Jovvie natively integrates with WooCommerce, which means your products, customers, and settings are harmonized across platforms. You can also expand your reach by accessing multiple WooCommerce extensions that help add extra functionality. For instance, if you need automated receipt printing, you can integrate Jovvie with BizPrint, which lets you automatically print receipts the moment a new order is placed. Another great example is Flow Notify, which provides automatic stock and order notifications. Even if you don’t use WooCommerce, you can still integrate Jovvie with your preferred eCommerce platform using Jovvie One. This flexibility allows you to leverage Jovvie’s features regardless of your platform of choice.
- Integrated reporting tools: With detailed sales, profit, and expense reports at your fingertips, you’ll have the data you need to make informed decisions about your business. And the best part? Jovvie automatically calculates shipping costs, taking the guesswork out of order fulfillment.
Other perks:
Jovvie’s customer management capabilities allow you to recognize returning customers, track their journey on your domain, and offer personalized sales and coupons. Customizable permissions grant tailored access to your staff, while the kiosk mode enables self-checkout for customers.
Jovvie also provides flexibility with both self-hosting and cloud-based solutions, and its automatic tax and VAT calculations ensure hassle-free compliance.
Trial and pricing:
Trying before buying is essential, which is why Jovvie offers a 30-day free trial. After the trial period, Jovvie’s self-hosted plan costs $19 per month, while its cloud-based solution is available for $29 per month.
The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce
Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!
Cons:
While Jovvie excels in many aspects, there are some features that it currently lacks compared to other POS services. These include functionalities such as sending marketing emails, creating gift cards, and determining peak business hours. However, thanks to Jovvie’s full integration with WooCommerce, users can install plugins and easily outsource the features they want.
2. Lightspeed
Lightspeed offers a POS and inventory management software solution specifically designed for apparel and clothing stores.
Features:
- Automated purchase orders: Automate your buying and receiving process with Lightspeed’s Business-to-Business (B2B) feature. This allows you to add thousands of products from popular fashion suppliers directly to your POS system with just a click.
- Multilingual SEO fields: Always dreamt of expanding your boutique globally? You can can optimize your site rankings in new markets by using Lightspeed’s multilingual SEO fields. This helps to boost site visibility and attract more international customers.
- Advanced customer segmentation: Gain a deeper understanding of your customers’ preferences, shopping habits, and demographics to tailor your marketing strategies and improve customer experiences.
Other perks:
Since Lightspeed is a cloud-based solution, it offers the flexibility to manage your business from anywhere. You can collect customer information at checkout and create tailored shopping experiences by offering personalized products and promotions.
Trial and pricing:
Lightspeed doesn’t offer a free trial. Its pricing starts at $89 per month, with a 12-month contract.
Cons:
Some Lightspeed users have reported issues with customer service, citing difficulties in resolving technical problems. Additionally, users have complained that some functions don’t work as advertised.
3. Square
Square is a financial services platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a POS system, online store capabilities, payment processing, and a suite of business management tools to reach more customers.
Features:
- Product categories and variation: Square allows you to create unique variations for each product, defining attributes like cost, price, and Stock Keeping Units (SKU). With option sets, options, and display names, you can efficiently organize and present products with detailed variations, making it easier for customers to find and purchase the specific item they want.
- Integration with Square checking account and card: Thanks to this integration, you can access and spend your earnings immediately without needing to transfer funds to a separate bank account. Square also integrates with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero, so you can easily manage your financial records.
- Automatic tax and savings: Square lets you set aside a percentage of every sale for taxes or for a rainy day. This feature helps you stay on top of your financial obligations and build an emergency fund.
Other perks:
With Square, you can contact customers via email or text and have the option to implement loyalty programs. The system also makes it easy to assign roles and permissions to your team members, ensuring a smooth onboarding process.
Trial and pricing:
While Square doesn’t offer a free trial, it does provide a free version with limited features. The full-access plan is priced at $89 per location per month.
Cons:
One potential concern with Square is the reported issues around difficulty of use, limited customization options, and security precautions. This contrasts with POS systems like Jovvie, which is embedded in the open-source WooCommerce platform and thus provides a more secure solution than many competitors, including Square.
4. Shopify POS
By integrating with the Shopify eCommerce platform, Shopify POS provides a range of features to streamline operations, including inventory management, staff management, reporting and analytics, and the ability to create customized storefronts that align with the business’s brand identity.
Features:
- Syncs with Shopify online store plan: Shopify POS integrates with your Shopify online store plan, allowing for unified management of sales, inventory, and customer data.
- Unlimited staff and registers: You can manage multiple staff members and registers without any limitations, making Shopify POS perfect for growing boutiques with multiple locations.
- Google Merchant Center integration: Automatically sync your products with Google Merchant Center to promote your store and products, and capture customer emails at checkout to stay in touch with marketing emails and promotions.
Other perks:
With Shopify POS, you can create gift cards, track customer profiles, and automatically calculate taxes based on your store’s location.
Trial and pricing:
Shopify POS offers a three-day free trial. Its pricing starts at €5 per month for in-person sales and €36 per month for in-person and online stores.
Cons:
While Shopify POS offers advanced features, user reviews highlight challenges with usability, customization, and implementation.
5. ConnectPOS
ConnectPOS helps retailers manage their sales across different channels, including online and in-store. It’s one of the few POS systems, alongside Jovvie, that offers self-checkout options for in-store purchases.
Features:
- Customizable branding: Tailor the look and feel of your POS system to match your brand’s unique identity by adding your company logo, changing fonts, and using colorful templates.
- Self-checkout during busy hours: ConnectPOS’s Progressive Web App (PWA) lets customers checkout by themselves during busy hours, avoiding long waiting queues. Buyers can also explore items by scanning QR codes to gain access to full product features on their phones.
- No additional fees for third-party payments: ConnectPOS does not charge extra fees for using third-party payment gateways, such as PayPal or Moneris, making it an affordable option.
Other perks:
With ConnectPOS, you can provide personalized product suggestions based on customers’ purchase histories, wishlists, and shopping carts. This feature improves customer experience and encourages repeat business by showcasing items that are most relevant to each individual shopper.
Trial and pricing:
ConnectPOS offers a 14-day free trial. Pricing is tailored to each business’s specific needs and size, so you will need to request a quote.
Cons:
Some users have reported difficulties with the user interface, encountered occasional errors, and expressed frustration about the lack of integration with WooCommerce.
6. Clover
Clover is a powerful POS system designed to help small businesses manage their operations efficiently.
Features:
- Customize your product catalog: This feature is particularly useful for boutiques with frequently changing inventory or seasonal promotions. You can add, remove, or update products with just a few clicks, ensuring that your customers always see the most accurate and up-to-date selection.
- Efficient employee management: Manage employee schedules, track hours worked, and calculate payroll with Clover’s employee management features. You can also assign different access levels to employees based on their roles and responsibilities.
- Google Pointy integration: Clover offers integration with Pointy, a tool that makes your products accessible to shoppers on Google. This integration helps increase your online visibility and drive more traffic to your store, both in-person and online.
Other perks:
One of Clover’s main advantages is its ease of setup and use, making it an attractive option for non-technical users. Thanks to the system’s intuitive interface and straightforward features, you can start using Clover with minimal training.
Trial and pricing:
While Clover does not offer a free trial, its pricing starts from $60 monthly for a three-year commitment.
Cons:
Some users have reported high prices and occasional connection problems when receiving payments from credit cards.
Take your boutique to the next level with Jovvie POS
We’ve compared various POS options, but there are a few reasons why Jovvie is the perfect solution for boutique owners looking to streamline operations and improve customer experience. With real-time inventory management, WooCommerce integration, and multi-device accessibility, Jovvie provides all the tools you need to succeed.
Its real-time inventory tracking and low-stock alerts help you avoid stockouts and overselling, while the WooCommerce integration allows you to effortlessly manage your online and in-store sales. This provides a consistent and convenient shopping experience for your customers across all channels.
Switching to Jovvie POS is also easy and minimizes disruption to your business. The user-friendly system offers a quick return on investment, and with multilingual support, you can cater to a diverse customer base.
So, what are you waiting for? Download Jovvie now to experience its potential for yourself!
The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce
Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!
