Shopify POS bridges your online and physical stores under one inventory and customer record. Whether you run a permanent retail outlet, a seasonal pop-up, or a market stall, the right POS setup eliminates the stock discrepancy and double-entry that plague merchants running separate systems.
POS Lite vs POS Pro: Which Do You Need?
| Feature | POS Lite (included) | POS Pro (£79/location/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Accept payments | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited staff PINs | No (limited) | Yes |
| Staff roles and permissions | Basic | Advanced |
| In-store pickup management | Basic | Full |
| Buy in-store, ship to customer | No | Yes |
| Exchanges | No | Yes |
| Daily sale reporting per location | No | Yes |
| Smart inventory management | No | Yes |
For most single-location retailers, POS Lite covers the basics. Upgrade to Pro once you need staff permissions, exchanges, or ship-from-store functionality.
Hardware Options
Shopify’s hardware range covers every setup size. The Shopify Card Reader (chip and contactless) is the entry-level device — it connects via Bluetooth to your phone or tablet and costs under £50. For a full counter setup, the Shopify POS Terminal has a built-in screen and receipt printer connectivity. A barcode scanner (Shopify stocks several compatible models) speeds up checkout dramatically for product-heavy stores.
For markets and pop-ups, the card reader paired with an iPhone or iPad is sufficient. Tap to Pay on iPhone, available in the UK since 2023, means you can accept contactless payments without any hardware at all — just a supported iPhone.
Inventory Sync: Online and In-Store
Shopify POS draws from the same inventory as your online store by default. Each location (warehouse, retail outlet, pop-up) has its own stock level. When a product sells in-store, online inventory updates in real time, preventing overselling. You can restrict online sales to only fulfil from specific locations, keeping physical stock ring-fenced if needed.
India UPI QR Codes
For merchants selling in India, Shopify POS supports UPI QR code payments through select payment providers. The customer scans the QR, pays via any UPI app (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm), and the transaction confirms on the POS screen within seconds. This removes the need for a card terminal entirely in markets where UPI penetration is near-universal. Check Shopify’s approved payment providers for India to confirm current availability.
Pop-Up Store Use Cases
Pop-up retail is one of the strongest use cases for Shopify POS. You can add a temporary location in your admin, allocate stock to it, run the sale, then remove the location and return unsold inventory — all without touching your main store configuration. Customer data captured at the pop-up (email, purchase history) feeds straight into your Shopify CRM for post-event follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Shopify POS without an online store?
Yes. You can use Shopify POS on the Retail plan, which is designed for businesses that sell exclusively in person. You still get a Shopify online store URL but can keep it password-protected if you do not want online sales.
Does Shopify POS work offline?
Shopify POS requires an internet connection to process card payments. However, you can continue browsing your product catalogue and building orders offline — they sync when connectivity returns. Cash payments can technically be recorded offline, but card processing always requires a live connection.
Is Shopify POS available in the UK?
Yes. Shopify POS is fully supported in the UK, including Shopify Payments for card processing and Tap to Pay on iPhone. Hardware ships directly from Shopify’s UK-localised store.
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