Configuring Shopify POS for Retail Sales
Shopify POS is a point of sale application that synchronizes offline retail with the online store in a single system. One catalog, one inventory, one customer purchase history — regardless of where the sale was made.
POS editions
Shopify POS Lite — included in basic Shopify plans. Supports payment acceptance, basic order management, receipts. Does not support multi-user mode, offline exchange rates, advanced location reports.
Shopify POS Pro — paid add-on ($89/month per location). Adds: exchange/return without order binding, unlimited staff roles, custom print templates, shift analytics.
The choice between versions depends on the number of registers and shift management requirements.
Physical equipment
Shopify supports its own hardware (Shopify Hardware) and certified third-party devices:
Terminals and readers:
- Shopify POS Terminal — touchscreen, built-in reader
- Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader — for connection to iPad/iPhone
- Shopify Retail Stand — iPad stand with built-in reader
Peripherals:
- Receipt printer: Star Micronics TSP143III (LAN/WiFi), Star mPOP
- Barcode scanner: Honeywell 1900, Socket Mobile CHS 7Ci
- Cash drawer: APG VB320
In Russia and CIS countries, using Shopify hardware readers is difficult — Shopify Payments payment infrastructure is unavailable. Payment is accepted via connected ATOL, Ingenico, or Verifone terminal with manual amount entry in POS.
Location and workplace configuration
Admin > Settings > Locations → Add location
Each sales point is a separate location. Inventory is tied to a location. When selling through POS — automatic deduction from the location to which the register is assigned.
Staff assignment:
Admin > Point of Sale > Staff → Assign to location
Roles: Owner, Manager, Staff. Pro version allows customizing permissions: e.g., forbid Staff to make returns without Manager approval.
POS app configuration
Catalog and collections — only collections marked as "Sold in retail" are displayed in POS. Configured via:
POS App → Catalog → Collections → select visible collections
Payment methods — for each location, available methods are configured:
- Card (via terminal, manually marked in POS)
- Cash (with automatic change calculation)
- Custom method (transfer, installment, corporate account)
Custom payment method:
POS App → Settings → Payment types → Add custom payment type
Name: "Invoice payment"
Allow partial payment: Yes
Discounts — staff can apply:
- Percentage discount on entire order or individual item
- Fixed amount discount
- Promo code from online store
Discount restriction by role (Pro only): Manager can give up to 30% discount, Staff — up to 10%.
Inventory synchronization
Key point — unified inventory management via Admin > Products > [Product] > Inventory:
| Location | Available | Incoming transfer | Outgoing transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online warehouse | 45 | — | — |
| Arbat store | 12 | 20 → (pending) | — |
| Mega mall store | 7 | — | — |
Moving between locations — Admin > Products > Transfers. Create transfer with quantity, inventory auto-adjusts on send and receive.
When inventory is zero in a location, POS still allows sale (if oversell enabled), creating order with "awaiting fulfillment" status.
Working with offline orders
POS saves cart on network loss and syncs on reconnection. In offline mode:
- Cash acceptance works
- Card acceptance — no (requires internet for authorization)
- New products and catalog updates don't load
Order parking — saving incomplete cart to return later (when customer went for wallet). In Pro — no limit on parked orders.
Receipts and documents
Receipt template configuration via POS app settings.