Regardless of whether you operate a high-street fashion shop in Manchester or a high-food-footfall café in London, your point-of-sale solution is the key to success in providing an outstanding customer experience. In today’s fast-moving, digitally interconnected marketplace, the ideal EPOS solution for retail and hospitality is no longer an option—it’s a requirement.
From managing stock right through to observing customer action and taking payments seamlessly, your UK hospitality EPOS system or retail EPOS system must be smart, scalable, and robust.
Here we discuss how to discover the most suitable EPOS solutions, explain how features contrast across sectors, and highlight some of the best EPOS hardware for retail and hospitality out there.
Why the Right EPOS System Matters
An Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) system is more than just an electronic till. It’s the hub of your business brains. The correct EPOS configuration can:
- Process transactions and decrease queues
- Monitor stock in real-time
- Create sales reports and analysis
- Staff management and scheduling
- Enhance customer experience
- Connect with eCommerce and accounting software
In retail, these qualities maximize sophisticated product management and multi-store operations. In restaurants, they facilitate rapid service, menu engineering, table management, and efficient kitchen vs. front-of-house communication.
Best EPOS System for Retail: You Should Not Accept Any Less
An excellent retail EPOS system must help you get your stock under control while constructing an efficient, frictionless shopping experience.
Key Things of an Effective Retail EPOS System
- Inventory & Stock Management
Real-time tracking of stock levels, automated low stock warnings, and syncing across multiple locations.
- Product Variants & Barcoding
Easily manage numerous sizes, colours, and SKUs with barcode scanning.
- Customer Loyalty & CRM
Gather customer details and offer promotions or points-based schemes.
- Multi-Payment Processing
Accept card, contactless, mobile wallets, and even store credit.
- Detailed Reporting
Daily sales, best sellers, margin analysis, and staff performance insights.
Recommended Retail Use Cases
- Fashion & apparel stores
- Electronics retailers
- Health & beauty stores
- Grocer and convenience stores
- Pet stores
All these features in one place, the best EPOS system for retail places you completely in charge without being tied to the back office.
Best EPOS System for Hospitality: What to Look For
In busy restaurants, pubs, or cafes, speed and efficiency are crucial. A UK hospitality EPOS system must be capable of managing fast-paced environments while helping improve the quality of service and reduce waste.
Key Must-Have Features of Hospitality EPOS Systems
- Table Management
Visual layouts of tables, transferring orders, and splitting bills for full-service dining.
- Kitchen Display System (KDS) Integration
Automatic orders sent to kitchen or bar with modifiers and prep instructions.
- Menu Management
Real-time menu management, item inventory, and customization.
- Integrated Payments
Faster bill payments at counter or table, tips, and gratuity.
- Multi-location Control
Unified management of menus, prices, and employees’ shifts across locations.
- Offline Mode
Provide seamless services even without internet connectivity.
Compatible with All Hospitality Environments
- Restaurants & fine dining
- Pubs & bars
- Quick service restaurants (QSR)
- Coffee shops
- Food trucks & kiosks
The best EPOS system for hospitality should be a good fit for your business—two tables or two dozen waiters.
Top EPOS Hardware for Retail and Hospitality
Software alone won’t cut it. The right hardware setup maximizes your system to perform at its optimum level, especially during peak hours or peak trading months.
Essential Pieces You’ll Require
- Touchscreen Till/Terminal
A fast, easy-to-use screen that your personnel can use with minimal training.
- Receipt Printer
Robust thermal printers for immediate, legible receipts.
- Retail Barcode Scanner
Streamlines checkout and reduces human error.
- Cash Drawer
Secure and easy to use with automatic opening capabilities.
- Kitchen Display Screen or Printer (Hospitality)
Essential for effective kitchen operations.
- Customer Display
Allows customers to view items and subtotal in real time.
Leading EPOS Hardware for Retail and Hospitality in the UK
- Sunmi T2 / T3 Terminals – Android POS devices with built-in printers
- Epson or Star Micronics Printers – Performance and reliability make them most popular
- Honeywell / Zebra Barcode Scanners – They are most reliable brands for retail point of sale scanning applications
- Heckler Design Stands – Most suitable for mounted iPad-based POS solutions
- Socket Mobile Readers – Most suitable for mobile payments and on-the-go hospitality installations
The union of the most appropriate EPOS system with top-quality hardware reduces the breakdowns and gives customers and employees a smooth experience.
Integrations That Take Your EPOS System Further
The best EPOS installations don’t stand on their own—they integrate with the systems you’re currently operating. Look for systems that integrate seamlessly with:
- Accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks)
- E-commerce websites (Shopify, WooCommerce)
- Online ordering platforms (Uber Eats, Deliveroo)
- Loyalty & marketing software (Mailchimp, Marsello)
- Payroll & HR software
Cloud-based EPOS solutions make these integrations seamless, allowing you to share data and automate between your business.
FAQs – Retail & Hospitality EPOS Systems in the UK
Q1: Which is the best UK retail EPOS system?
The best retail EPOS system should feature inventory control, barcodes, customer tracking, and multi-channel capabilities. The best options are EPOS Direct, Vend, Lightspeed Retail, and Shopify POS.
Q2: What makes a good hospitality EPOS system?
Look for features like table management, kitchen integration, menu adjustment, and multi-device syncing. Examples of popular hospitality EPOS solutions in the UK include EPOS Direct for Restaurants, EPOS Now, and TouchBistro.
Q3: How much does an EPOS system normally cost?
Prices vary based on features and hardware. On average:
- Retail EPOS systems: £49–£89/month (software alone)
- Hospitality EPOS systems: £59–£99/month
- Hardware packs start at £249–£999+
There are some suppliers who offer single-box packages with no hidden fees, typically on flexible terms of finance.
Q4: Can I use the same EPOS system for retail and hospitality?
Some systems are designed to handle both, but ensure that software can adapt its method of operation to meet the unique processes of each sector.
Q5: How do I choose the best EPOS hardware for my business?
Consider your location, business type, and number of footfalls daily. Always invest in quality hardware that is backed by your chosen software and grows with your growing business.
Choosing the Right EPOS System in 2025
Whether you own a fashionable retail store or a busy restaurant, the investment in the top EPOS system for hospitality and retail is one of the best decisions you can possibly make. It saves time, reduces expenses, minimizes errors, and provides improved experiences for your customers and your staff.
At EPOS Advisor, we help UK businesses to the right fit by comparing systems, examining real-world opinion, and recommending hardware that’s right for you—not what’s new and flashy.
Want to discover the right EPOS system for your shop, café, or multi-site business? Read our expert reviews and guides now.
EPOS Advisor – Selling Smarter, Not Harder for UK Businesses.