As an eCommerce entrepreneur, you might find yourself primarily focused on your online store. But what if you could increase your sales by tapping into an entirely new customer base—those who prefer to shop in person? Whether you're selling at pop-up shops, craft fairs, or through a physical brick-and-mortar store, integrating in-person sales with your Shopify store can provide a whole new revenue stream.
Selling in person doesn’t mean you need to manage your operations manually. With the right Shopify apps, you can seamlessly integrate your in-person sales with your online store, manage inventory, and track customer data all in one place. This is where Shopify’s POS (Point of Sale) system and third-party apps come into play.
In this article, we’ll explore the best Shopify apps for selling in person—tools that will help streamline your in-person sales process and improve efficiency. From managing your inventory to accepting payments and offering discounts, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to take your Shopify store offline successfully.
Why Should You Sell In Person with Shopify?
Expanding your business to include in-person sales is a natural progression for many Shopify store owners.
But why should you consider selling in person?
1. Reach a New Audience
Not all customers are comfortable shopping online. By selling in person, you can reach people who prefer to touch, feel, and see your products before buying. Whether you’re at a local market, pop-up shop, or festival, you can directly connect with potential customers who might not otherwise find your online store.
2. Omnichannel Selling
Selling in person allows you to create an omnichannel experience. By integrating both online and offline sales through Shopify apps, you can offer customers the flexibility to buy products in-store, pick up online, or even return items from your website at your physical location.
3. Boost Your Brand Visibility
Being physically present at events or locations helps build your brand presence. It provides an opportunity for face-to-face interaction, allowing you to build stronger customer relationships and foster loyalty.
4. Instant Payments
Unlike online purchases, where you might need to wait for processing or shipping, in-person sales let you accept payments instantly. This can help with cash flow, especially for small businesses.
5. Leverage Customer Insights
Selling in person also allows you to gather valuable feedback. Talking to customers directly gives you insights into what they love, what they’re looking for, and how you can improve your products or services.
Best Shopify Apps for Selling In-Person
Now that you know why selling in person can benefit your Shopify store, let’s dive into the best apps for managing your in-person sales.
1. Shopify POS (Point of Sale)
The Shopify POS app is Shopify’s own in-person selling solution. It integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store, allowing you to sync your inventory and customer data across both online and offline sales channels. Shopify POS is the easiest and most intuitive way to start selling in person.
Key Features:
- Integrated Payment Processing: Shopify POS supports a variety of payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
- Inventory Sync: Whether you sell online or in person, Shopify POS ensures your inventory is always up-to-date. No more worrying about overselling or stockouts.
- Customer Management: Track customer interactions and purchases, and offer loyalty rewards or personalized discounts based on their shopping behavior.
- Discounts and Promotions: Create discount codes and special promotions that work both online and in-person.
- Multi-Location Support: If you have more than one physical store or location, Shopify POS can sync inventory and sales across all locations.
Shopify POS is perfect for those who want a simple, all-in-one solution to handle in-person sales with little effort.
2. SumUp
If you're looking for a simple and portable option for selling in person, SumUp is a great choice. SumUp is a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) system that lets you accept payments on the go. It’s especially popular among small business owners who need to sell at events or pop-up shops.
Key Features:
- Card Reader: SumUp offers a compact, portable card reader that connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet.
- Inventory Sync: It integrates directly with Shopify, allowing you to manage your inventory and synchronize your stock in real-time.
- Multi-Payment Support: Accept credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Simple Setup: The app is easy to set up and use, making it ideal for businesses that don’t need complex solutions.
For businesses that are always on the go and need a simple solution, SumUp is an affordable and effective way to accept payments in person.
3. Lightspeed Retail
Lightspeed Retail is a powerful, cloud-based POS solution that’s ideal for businesses with physical locations. It offers robust features, especially for retailers who need more than just basic point-of-sale functionality.
Key Features:
- Advanced Reporting: Lightspeed provides detailed reports on sales, inventory, and customer behavior, which can help you optimize pricing and promotions.
- Multi-Store Management: Manage multiple locations from a single platform and keep your inventory synced across all stores.
- Customer Profiles: Collect customer data across in-person and online sales, allowing you to personalize marketing and build stronger relationships.
- Flexible Payments: Lightspeed supports a variety of payment methods and integrates with Shopify to sync transactions and inventory.
Lightspeed Retail is an excellent option for businesses that want to scale and need more advanced features for managing multiple locations and analyzing customer data.
4. Vend
Vend is another top-rated POS solution that integrates with Shopify, providing a full-service in-person selling platform. It’s perfect for retailers that need an easy-to-use, yet comprehensive system to track sales, inventory, and customers.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Inventory Sync: Vend automatically syncs your inventory with Shopify, ensuring your stock levels are updated in real time.
- Customer Insights: Gain insights into customer behavior with detailed purchase data, which can help you create better promotions and targeted marketing campaigns.
- Mobile POS: Vend offers mobile POS functionality, allowing you to process transactions anywhere, whether in-store or at events.
- Advanced Reporting: Get in-depth sales analytics and reports to track the performance of your in-person sales.
For businesses looking for an intuitive POS solution with powerful reporting and analytics, Vend is a strong contender.
5. PayPal Here
PayPal Here is an excellent option for small businesses that want to sell in person without the need for a dedicated POS system. It’s ideal for those who already use PayPal for online payments and want a simple solution for in-person sales.
Key Features:
- Mobile Payment Solutions: Accept payments via credit card, debit card, and PayPal directly from your phone or tablet.
- Inventory Sync: Sync your inventory between your Shopify store and PayPal Here to ensure consistency.
- Easy Setup: The app is simple to set up and perfect for pop-up shops or events.
- Sales Tracking: PayPal Here provides tracking tools that allow you to monitor sales and manage your transactions.
For businesses that are just starting or those who need a simple and budget-friendly solution, PayPal Here is a convenient and effective tool.
How to Choose the Right In-Person Selling App for Your Shopify Store
When deciding which app to use for selling in person, consider the following:
1. Business Size and Needs
- Small businesses or those with a mobile setup will benefit from simple apps like SumUp or PayPal Here.
- Growing businesses with multiple retail locations may prefer Lightspeed Retail or Vend for advanced features and scalability.
2. Payment Processing
Make sure the app you choose supports the payment methods your customers prefer. Most apps, like Shopify POS, SumUp, and PayPal Here, offer multiple payment options, including credit/debit cards and mobile payments.
3. Inventory Management
If you sell both online and offline, look for an app that syncs inventory between your online and in-person stores. Apps like Shopify POS and Vend offer seamless inventory management to ensure you don’t oversell.
4. Customer Engagement
If customer engagement is important to you, choose an app that allows you to create customer profiles, track purchasing behavior, and offer loyalty programs. Lightspeed and Vend offer powerful tools for managing customer data.
5. Ease of Use
If you’re new to in-person selling, choose an app with an intuitive interface and easy setup, like SumUp or PayPal Here.
Conclusion: Streamline Your In-Person Sales with Shopify Apps
Selling in person has never been easier with the right Shopify apps. Whether you’re running a local shop, selling at events, or managing multiple retail locations, there’s an app that fits your business needs. From managing inventory and accepting payments to tracking customer data, these apps make it possible to integrate your in-person and online sales into one seamless system.
Want to improve your inventory and expand your offerings? Spocket provides access to top-tier suppliers, with fast shipping from the U.S. and EU. By integrating Spocket with your in-person selling apps, you can streamline your operations and grow your Shopify store both online and offline.