A quick guide to till systems for shops

If you run a small business and you’re shifting from cash to card and setting up a new register, choosing the right till system can feel daunting. Research is key, and with so many options to choose from – from a simple shop till system to a full-featured EPOS till system – we're here to help you take all the nitty gritty factors into account and consider costs, compatibility, payment integrations, and more.

This guide will cover:

• What is a retail system?
• Benefits of an EPOS solution
• What to consider when choosing a till system
• Features and functionality
• Hardware and compatibility
• Payment processing and fees
• Reliability and offline mode
• Different types of till systems for shops
• Dojo and your retail till setup
• How a shop till system works
• How Dojo can help
• FAQs

Making the move: from cash to card

What is a retail till system?

A shop till system is simply how you take payments from customers in your store. That could mean a traditional cash register with POS functions – buttons, a pop-out drawer, and manual keying, or a modern touch screen till running EPOS software.

Traditional POS till system

A POS till system focuses on processing transactions at a fixed terminal. It’s straightforward and reliable, but usually lacks advanced tools like inventory management or analytics. It’s great for quick payments, but less suited for shops that need more control and insight.

Modern EPOS till system

An EPOS retail till system is the digital evolution of the traditional POS. It combines payments with stock control, reporting, product look-up, discounts, refunds, and customer management, all from one place. You can even connect your EPOS till system with accounting tools or loyalty programs for smoother operations.

Benefits of an EPOS solution

A modern retail till system does much more than process sales. It can help your business run efficiently and give you insights into what’s working. Here are some features to look for:

• Inventory management and stock alerts
• Customisable reports and analytics
• Discount and loyalty management
• Flexible payment options, including cards and mobile wallets
• Returns, refunds, and store credit tools
• Product look-up and barcode scanning
• Customer data and purchase history tracking

Whether you’re running a boutique, cafe, or charity shop, an EPOS solution can simplify your daily operations and save time for your team.

What to consider when choosing a till system

Choosing the right till system for small business isn’t just about hardware or cost, it’s about how it fits into your daily operations. A good setup should help your team work faster, make fewer mistakes, and give you data you can actually use. For example, a coffee shop till system might need order modifiers and loyalty tools to speed up service, while a till system for bar or till system for restaurant might focus more on split bills, tabs, or table management. Retailers and charity shops often need powerful reporting and stock control features, so an EPOS till system that syncs data in real time can make a big difference. It’s worth spending time upfront comparing how each option works for your specific business type before committing.

Features and functionality

Choose a till system that matches your business type. For example, a till system for cafe or till system for bar might prioritise speed, split bills, and table management.

Hardware and compatibility

Decide whether you need a touch screen till system, tablet-based setup, or traditional terminal. Check if your current hardware, like printers, barcode scanners, or drawers, works with the new software. If not, factor in the shop till system cost when budgeting.

Usability and support

Staff should be able to learn your new till system for small business quickly. Look for an intuitive interface, good customer support, and clear training materials.

Integration and scalability

If you’re expanding or already run multiple locations, your POS till system UK setup should sync sales and inventory across all sites. Integrations with accounting, loyalty, or eCommerce systems can also boost profit and customer satisfaction.

Payment processing and fees

Make sure your POS system integrates with a reliable payment provider. Here at Dojo, for example, we offer fast, secure card payments with next-day transfers and 4G backup, so you can keep trading even if your Wi-Fi drops.

Pricing and total cost

The shop till system price can vary. A basic setup might start from around £300 – £600, while a more advanced EPOS till system with hardware, software, and integrations can cost £1,000 – £2,000 or more.

Reliability and offline mode

Choose a till system that keeps running even when your connection doesn’t. Many till systems UK include offline functionality that stores transactions until you’re back online.

Integration isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s what makes your EPOS till system powerful. A well-integrated POS till system UK links sales, payments, accounting, and inventory automatically, saving you from manual data entry or mismatched records. If you’re using Dojo for payments, check that your chosen EPOS software supports it natively so transactions sync instantly with your reports.

Different types of till systems for shops

Not all till systems are built the same, and what works for a cafe won’t always suit a retail store. Understanding the different types helps narrow your choices and budget effectively.

• Till system for cafe or coffee shop: Prioritises speed, order modifiers, loyalty programs, and integrated card readers.
• Till system for bar or restaurant: Handles split bills, tabs, table numbers, and multiple terminals for front and back of house.
• Retail till system: Focuses on barcode scanning, inventory management, and customisable reporting.
• Charity shop till system: Tracks donations, integrates Gift Aid, and manages both sales and stock donations.
• Till systems for small businesses: Compact, affordable setups designed for flexibility and ease of use — perfect for pop-ups, salons, or boutiques.

Dojo and your retail till setup

We integrate seamlessly with over 400 POS till systems across the UK. Designed for speed and reliability, our card machines support contactless, chip and PIN, and mobile payments. They’re popular across retail, cafes, and hospitality settings for their ease of use and strong support.

If you’re upgrading your retail till system, make sure your EPOS software is compatible with Dojo. That way, you can handle payments, reconciliation, and reporting all in one smooth flow.

How a shop till system works

A modern shop till system does more than take payments, it connects every part of your sales process. From scanning products and tracking stock to generating reports and syncing with your POS till system UK or accounting software, it’s designed to make each transaction fast, accurate, and effortless. Whether you’re using a touch screen till system in a café or a retail till system in a clothing store, the goal is the same: to keep queues short, payments smooth, and records consistent across your business.

1. You ring up items or scan products.
2. The system applies any discounts or loyalty offers.
3. The total appears on the card reader.
4. The customer pays by card, contactless, or mobile wallet.
5. The system records the sale, updates your stock, and logs the data for reports.

That’s the key difference between a basic cash register and a smart EPOS till system – it does the heavy lifting behind the scenes so you can focus on your customers.

Once you’ve decided what features matter most, compare providers on reliability, support, and value, not just price. Look for transparent fees, responsive customer service, and proven integrations.