Pos technology influenced the retail industry far and wide from its debut at the age of 70. Before the modern POS system, manual transactions, cash -based and tangible. With the advent of technology, however, Pos changed the way the retailers trade and how consumers buy.
Although the first POS aimed at processing cash payments in a clean and traceable way, it has quickly developed to facilitate credit and debit card transactions. And now? Pos systems can do much more than just process payments. They turned into a small control center for business management!
So what are the latest trends in Pos Systems? Below I will discuss retail trends in 2024, which affect this industry now and in the future.
Cloud
Business has moved to most cloud solutions – including POS. Cloud Pos systems are increasingly becoming standard and replacing the old traditional terminal at the point of sale, which makes it difficult to access data and manage it.
According to Straits Research, the size of the global cloud Pos market in 2022 was worth $ 3,987 million, and it is assumed that by 2031 more than $ 305 million – this is a composite annual growth rate (Cagr) 24.7 %.
Cloud POS is a significant innovation at the point of sale because it has made data, agility and mobility to businesses of all sizes. Especially in a world where retail is no longer a single channel, POS cloud technology allows businesses to synchronize data and ensure smooth operations regardless of their size or location.
A retailer with 100 physical branches, its own websites, and a prosperous presence on Amazon can benefit from cloud POs as well as a small mum store that manages a single retail place and online channels.
You are no longer attached to a specific location or a fixed connection with cloud technology. You can access your business technology from anywhere and anytime.
AI and automation
Practically every aspect of the business environment also changes artificial intelligence and automation. I bet there are ways of using these technologies that you don’t even realize!
This trend also affects Pos – in a good way. 100 % of retail retail owners who have participated in the Square Future of Retail report that automation has somehow improved their business.
The same survey found that monitoring is the main area of automation for 43 % of businesses and the biggest advantage is a better customer experience for 47 % of businesses. Another 45 % recorded better maintenance of employees and profitability thanks to automation.
What role does AI play in modern PO systems?
As regards POS, AI and automation technology, there are many possible uses:
- Automatic reserves regrouping
- Detecting and prevention of fraud
- Editing prices based on artificial intelligence
- Loyalty and reward programs
- E-mail marketing
Square reports say they would support the automation of the retailers:
- Cash register: 31 %
- Product Search: 22 %
- Product descriptions generated by AI: 22 %
- Dynamic prices: 21 %
- Product Recommendation: 18 %
- Product Review: 15 %
The possibilities seem to be indeed endless. I am excited to see how this trend is manifested every year and develops with innovative systems at the point of sale.
Payment options
Today’s consumers like comfort and possibilities. And this applies to payments at POS terminal. I remember when it was just a world of cash or credits – now customers can choose how to pay for their purchases in many ways.
According to Square, this is divided as far as the payment methods are concerned with the dealers accept:
- Cash: 58 %
- Mobile Wallet App Pay or Google Pay: 57 %
- Payments using QR code: 52 %
- Traditional card payments: 47 %
- Cardless Payment Payments: 44 %
- Purchase options now, pay later (BNPL) like Clearpay: 43 %
The reinforcement technology is in a way that suits these constantly changing payment preferences. In fact, modern trends show that platforms have incorporated new features and functions for processing various payment methods and offer options such as subscriptions, cryptocurrencies, saved payments, account distribution and gift cards.
Mobile Pos
Mobile POS, or MPOS, is another hot trend. It is estimated that the global MPOS market is around $ 3.78 trillion. More than 2 billion MPOS users are expected by 2028. And almost a quarter of shoppers want to use the possibilities of the mobile cash register.
Why is it trends? Just as consumers are more mobile, they are mobile and partners. Now, collaborators can meet shoppers where they are on the sales area and process the transaction on the spot. Customers do not have to wait in the queue at POS terminal – they can unsubscribe wherever they are.
However, this expands past transactions. MPOS makes it easier for employees to carry out various tasks such as barcode scanning, stock counting, etc.
Customer self -service
Self -service cash registers are another trend in retail, and although it originally succeeded in grocery stores, this trend is also exploring other verticals. This is largely controlled by the consumer – the Square Future of Retail states that two -thirds of shoppers prefer to do tasks independently, such as checking or finding out whether the product is in stock.
Consumers feel more and more entitled to do things independently, which affects the future of POS.
When asked what tasks they would like to do with the help of technology and not with a living employee, they answered as follows:
- Checking stock: 29 %
- Ordering products that are not in stock: 26 %
- Collection of Product Information: 26 %
- Picking up the goods ordered online: 24 %
- Using mobile cash registers or terminals in the store: 24 %
- Ensuring home delivery: 23 %
Why? They love efficiency and comfort when they can do things themselves. “Customers are looking for speed,” writes Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor. Self -control can ensure this efficiency.
These consumer preferences continue to affect the market trends at the point of sale.
Biometric security
Safety should be the main interest for businesses – to protect yourself and your customers. POS technology is often equipped with security for the protection of all parties. Match with PCI, data encryption and two -factor authentication are just some examples.
Biometric safety features are one of the trends of security that will affect POS technology in 2025 and beyond. This includes things as identifying fingerprints and facial recognition.
Biometric payments are experiencing a sharp increase, while the Juniper Research research predicts the Cagr 113.6 % from 2024 to 2028. Some even expect it to become the norm in the next decade.
Businesses are increasingly implementing these safety measures into their POS systems. This can be for employees or administrators who log in to the POS system and authenticate for customer payments.
And not only biometric verification helps to increase security, but also makes login and connection more efficient. And remember that customers love efficiency and comfort.
7 best Pos systems to try in 2025
These are our tips for the best POS systems available to small businesses that want to use these trends:
- The best overall system of sales points for small businesses: Square
- Best POS for retail and e-commerce: Shopify
- Best Pos Restaurant: Toast
- Best for desktop compatibility: Retail with the speed of light
- Best iPad Restaurant POS: Touchbistro
- Best for the compatibility of the universal payment processor: Clover
- Best for high -risk businesses: Corona