Independent meat markets and butcher shops are more popular than ever. In 2023, over 8,600 businesses in the U.S. meat market industry generated more than $10.6 billion in revenue.
Independent butcher shops bring added value through their craft. Many offer in-house curing and smoking, ethically-sourced meat, and a wide selection of specialty sausages and cuts rarely found in grocery chains.
But operating a successful shop means managing inventory, keeping finances in order, and building strong customer relationships. You need an all-in-one point of sale (POS) system to help you behind the scenes.
Look for these six must-have features and explore today’s top butcher shop software.
6 Features To Look For in a Butcher Shop Point of Sale System
Modern POS software does more than process transactions. These systems offer user-friendly tools for real-time inventory tracking, customer management, and in-system loyalty programs.
Your butcher shop’s point of sale should let you:
-
Weigh products accurately: Connect a deli scale to handle random-weight items and send prices straight to your POS system. The scale reads the exact pounds and ounces, so staff can label packages or ring up bulk items in seconds.
-
Print labels on demand: Generate pricing, barcode, or inventory labels to keep products organized and shelf-ready. Print fresh labels after repackaging bulk cuts or updating shelf tags for daily specials.
-
Offer self-checkout: Set up customer-facing checkout kiosks to speed up lines and reduce pressure on counter staff. Shoppers scan, weigh, and pay on their own using a touchscreen and built-in scale.
-
Track inventory in real time: Monitor stock levels as you sell, transfer, or receive products to avoid shortages and overstock. When you scan a sale or check in a shipment, your system automatically updates stock counts.
-
Build customer loyalty: Create house accounts or loyalty programs that reward frequent shoppers and simplify repeat purchases. Let returning customers enter their phone numbers at checkout to earn points or charge to their account.
-
Manage staff schedules: Use an integrated time clock so employees can easily punch in for shifts and log breaks. Clock-ins appear in your system instantly, so you can review hours or approve payroll without chasing down paper logs.
The right software makes managing operations, serving customers, and staying organized behind the counter easier.
The 3 Best Butcher Shop Point of Sale Software Systems
Not sure which POS system to pick for your butcher store? We’ve compiled the top three software solutions today to help you make the right choice. Whether you’re opening your first location or upgrading from an outdated register, these systems help you run your shop with ease.
1. Markt POS: Best for Butcher Shops That Sell by Weight
Markt POS is a cloud-based butcher shop point of sale system made for meat markets and specialty butcher shops. Designed by grocery and meat industry veterans, it includes every tool you need to sell custom cuts, manage inventory, and serve repeat customers.
With Markt POS, you can:
-
Connect to your scales for accurate pricing: Sell any cut of meat by weight and print accurate price labels by linking your deli scale to the system. Markt POS works with both in-counter and standalone scales.
-
Keep serving customers during outages: Accept cash and credit card payments even when the internet goes down. The system saves your data and syncs it automatically once the connection returns.
-
Build a loyal customer base: Log tips at checkout, offer memberships, and set up loyalty programs that reward repeat business.
Markt POS offers three pricing tiers. Speak with a representative to compare plans and select the features that fit your shop.
2. Square for Retail: Best for Small Shops That Want Flexibility
Square for Retail is a widely used POS system designed for retail businesses, including specialty meat retailers. It’s ideal for shops that want a flexible, easy-to-use platform without a steep learning curve.
With Square, you can:
-
Set up with compatible hardware: Link barcode scanners, terminals, scales, and cash drawers to create a system that matches your workflow.
-
Integrate third-party tools: Sync financials with QuickBooks, connect your online store with Kosmos eSync, or automate tasks through Zapier.
-
Track performance in real time: View meat sales, stock levels, customer profiles, and loyalty activity from one central dashboard.
Square uses a pay-as-you-go pricing method that scales with your usage rate. Contact a sales representative for more information.
3. Clover: Best for Shops That Want Custom Hardware Options
Clover combines easy-to-use software with a wide range of compatible hardware and accessories. Many butcher shops enjoy Clover for its flexibility in setup and device options.
With Clover, you can::
-
Use a dedicated weight scale: Connect a compatible scale designed for the system to weigh up to 20 lb of meat and calculate prices instantly at checkout.
-
Choose the hardware setup that fits your shop: Run the system on countertop stations, compact terminals, or handheld devices depending on your workflow.
-
Add more functionality with apps: Browse Clover’s app marketplace to install marketing, reporting, or employee management tools.
Clover offers a 90-day trial. Monthly subscription costs vary depending on the hardware you select. Speak with a representative to explore pricing and setup options.
Find the Right Butcher Shop Point of Sale Software for Your Meat Market Business
While many POS options are on the market, few are designed specifically for butcher shops. You need butcher shop point of sale software with features that help you run your business effectively and meet customer demand.
Markt POS is built for meat markets, butcher shops, and specialty meat retailers. With tools for deli scale integration, label printing, offline sales, and loyalty tracking, it covers the functions that matter most behind the counter.
Schedule a demo today to see Markt POS in action and learn how it can support every part of your butcher shop as you scale your business.
![Quick Service Software for Grocery Stores: 8 Key Features [+ 3 Top Providers]](https://www.marktpos.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2191187949.webp?width=520&height=294&name=shutterstock_2191187949.webp)
by Joel
by Luke
