Running a retail shop in 2026 means you're juggling a million things at once, stock management, customer service, marketing, and somehow keeping the books straight. Your EPOS system should make your life easier, not add to the chaos. But with so many options out there, choosing the right retail POS system can feel overwhelming.
If you've been researching, you've probably come across Toast, SumUp, and EPOS Now. They're all popular choices, but they're quite different when you dig into the details. Let's break down what each system offers and help you figure out which one's right for your retail business.
What Should You Look for in a Retail EPOS System?
Before we dive into the specifics, it's worth thinking about what actually matters for your shop. You'll want to consider:
- Ease of use – Can your staff pick it up quickly without hours of training?
- Inventory management – Does it help you track stock levels and reorder efficiently?
- Hardware costs – What's the upfront investment, and is it worth it?
- Monthly fees – What's the ongoing cost, and what do you get for your money?
- Customer support – Can you get help when you need it?
- Integration options – Does it work with your accounting software, eCommerce platform, or other tools?
With that framework in mind, let's look at our three contenders.
Toast POS: Great for Restaurants, Not So Much for Retail
Here's the thing about Toast, it's brilliant if you're running a restaurant, café, or bar. It was purpose-built for hospitality businesses, with features like table management, menu customisation, and kitchen display systems. But for a retail shop? It's not really designed with you in mind.
Toast focuses heavily on food service operations. While it technically can handle retail transactions, you'd be paying for a bunch of features you'll never use. The pricing isn't publicly listed, but it's generally on the pricier side, especially when you factor in the hardware costs and monthly subscription fees.
If you're running a pure retail operation, whether that's fashion, homeware, electronics, or any other product-based business, Toast probably isn't your best bet. You'd be better off with a system actually designed for retail environments.
SumUp: Budget-Friendly but Basic
SumUp has made a name for itself as an affordable, straightforward option for small businesses. It's perfect if you're just starting out, running a market stall, or need something simple for occasional sales.
What we like about SumUp:
- No monthly fees on the basic plan, you just pay transaction fees (around 1.69% per transaction)
- Affordable card readers starting from under £30
- Quick and easy setup
- Decent mobile app for sales on the go
Where SumUp falls short:
- Limited inventory management, it's pretty basic and won't scale well as you grow
- Fewer reporting features compared to more robust systems
- Limited integration options with other business tools
- No dedicated customer support phone line on basic plans
SumUp is great if you're a sole trader or very small shop with straightforward needs. But if you're managing significant stock, multiple staff members, or planning to grow, you'll likely outgrow it fairly quickly. It's a bit like buying shoes for a growing teenager, they'll do the job for now, but you'll be shopping again soon.
EPOS Now: The Retail-Focused Powerhouse
Right, let's talk about EPOS Now. This is where things get interesting for retail shop owners. Unlike Toast (which focuses on hospitality) or SumUp (which keeps things simple but limited), EPOS Now has been built specifically with retailers in mind.
Why retail owners love EPOS Now:
The system comes with genuinely robust inventory management that actually helps you run your business better. You can track stock across multiple locations, set up automatic reorder points, manage product variants (different sizes, colours, etc.), and get detailed reports on what's selling and what's gathering dust.
The interface is intuitive enough that new staff members can learn it during a single shift. That's massive when you're dealing with part-time workers or seasonal staff: you don't want to spend hours training people on a complicated system.
Customer support is another big win. You get access to UK-based support teams who actually understand retail operations. When your till system goes down on a busy Saturday afternoon, you need help fast, not a generic email response three days later.
Hardware and pricing:
EPOS Now bundles hardware with software packages, which means you're not cobbling together different bits of kit and hoping they work together. You'll get a proper till terminal, cash drawer, receipt printer, and barcode scanner: everything you need to run a professional operation.
The pricing isn't published online, which can be a bit annoying (you'll need to contact their sales team for a quote), but it's generally competitive when you consider what you're getting. Plus, they often have offers on hardware bundles.
Integration capabilities:
This is where EPOS Now really shines. It integrates with major accounting software like Xero and Sage, connects with eCommerce platforms if you're selling online, and works with various payment processors. If you're using Shopify POS for online sales, you might want to consider how different systems integrate with your existing setup.
The trade-offs:
It's only fair to mention where EPOS Now isn't perfect. If you're heavily focused on eCommerce with a sophisticated online presence, the web builder they offer is pretty basic. You can't migrate an existing website, and the eCommerce features aren't as advanced as dedicated platforms. So if you're running a major online operation alongside your physical shop, you might need a different solution for that side of things.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Let's be practical about this. Here's how we'd break it down:
Choose SumUp if:
- You're a sole trader or very small operation
- You have minimal inventory to manage
- You're on a tight budget and just need basic transaction processing
- You primarily take card payments at markets or pop-up events
Choose Toast if:
- You're actually running a restaurant or café (because it's not really for retail)
- You need hospitality-specific features like table management
- You've got the wrong guide: this one's about retail shops!
Choose EPOS Now if:
- You're running a proper retail shop with decent inventory levels
- You need robust stock management and reporting
- You have multiple staff members using the system
- You want room to grow without switching systems in a year
- You value good customer support and reliable hardware
- You're serious about running an efficient, professional operation
For most retail shop owners reading this, EPOS Now is going to be your best bet. It's the sweet spot between functionality, reliability, and cost. It's not the cheapest option out there, but it's not trying to be: it's trying to be the best option for serious retailers who want a system that actually helps them run their business better.
Making Your Decision
Here's what we'd recommend: get demos of any system you're seriously considering. EPOS Now offers free demonstrations where they'll show you exactly how the system works for your specific type of retail business. There's no substitute for seeing it in action and asking questions about your particular needs.
Think about where your business will be in two or three years, not just where it is today. That market stall might become a permanent shop. That single location might expand to multiple sites. Your dozen product lines might grow to hundreds. Choose a system that can grow with you rather than one you'll need to replace.
Don't just focus on the upfront cost: think about the total cost of ownership. A cheaper system that can't do what you need will cost you more in the long run through inefficiency, errors, and eventually having to switch systems.
According to research from the British Retail Consortium, effective retail technology can improve operational efficiency by up to 30%. That's a significant impact on your bottom line, so it's worth investing in the right system from the start.
Your EPOS system is the backbone of your retail operation. It touches every sale, every piece of stock, and ultimately your profitability. Take the time to choose wisely, and you'll thank yourself every day when you're running a smoother, more efficient business.
Ready to see what EPOS Now can do for your retail shop? Check out our detailed review or get in touch with their team for a personalised demo. Your future self will appreciate the upgrade.