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How New Zealand businesses can set up Shopify POS so they sell in person

Written by Keinen | Feb 16, 2025 8:55:28 AM

Did you know Shopify POS is available in New Zealand for sellers who want to offer their products in person either through permanent retail setups or pop up stores at events and shows? Well now you can and it's so easy you can do it yourself. 

We've been designing Shopify websites and integrating them into existing businesses for ages, and we're excited to help businesses understand how this solution can streamline their operations

How Shopfy POS can get you selling in person

Shopify POS, or Point of Sale, is a powerful tool that allows retailers to sell their products in person while seamlessly integrating with their shopify store. This system lets you manage your sales, inventory, and customer data all in one place, providing a unified retail experience. It is a pretty powerful solution when you are using the e-commerce tools as well.

By using Shopify POS, you can accept various payment methods, track sales in real-time, and offer a smooth checkout process to your customers. This not only enhances the customer experience but also improves your business efficiency.

Essential Hardware and Software for Shopify POS

To get started with Shopify POS, you'll need some essential hardware and software. The primary components include an iPad or Android tablet, a card reader to process payments, a receipt printer, a barcode scanner, and a cash drawer.

Apart from a supported tablet device, all of the hardware you need must be purchased from the the Shopify POS store. 

It is advisable, you have a look at the specific hardware you are wanting to purchase and determine what Tablet you should buy. For Android and IOS setups, specific hardware will be compatible with specific components.

Check out the supported Shopify POS hardware here

In terms of software, you need to download the Shopify POS app, which is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Additionally, ensure that your Shopify plan supports POS functionalities, as some features like multiple retail outlets are exclusive to higher-tier plans for example.

Step-by-Step guide to setting up Shopify POS

Setting up Shopify POS is straightforward. First, download the Shopify POS app on your tablet. Open the app and log in using your Shopify credentials.

Unboxing is fun and exciting, but make sure you do this carefully as there are lots of components and cables. Particularly if you get a full bundle which will include a tablet stand, USB extender, Barcode Scanner, Printer, Cash Drawer and POS terminal. Did I mention you can expect lots of cables, you're going to need power connections, and Wifi. If you don't have Wifi you're going to need Ethernet cables and easy access to an ethernet port. 

The above is a full Android setup, which takes up about half of a square meter of space in total. So keep in mind how much space you are going to need to get everything laid out. 

Next, configure your hardware by connecting your card reader, receipt printer, barcode scanner, and cash drawer to your tablet. We've found the perfect guide to getting things setup, so rather than recreate it. We've linked the setup video here:

 

Customising the App on your tablet for a better selling experience

Customising your Shopify Sellng App can significantly enhance your experience selling in person we recommend setting tiles to make it easy for you to quickly find and process the items you are selling. This all starts by making sure all of the products you want to sell are setup in your shopify store, and the ones you want to sell via retail are configured to sell through retail.

There is also lots of personalisation you can add to make your customer experience better. You can personalise receipts by adding your store logo, contact information, and a thank you message. Additionally, consider setting up loyalty programs or special discounts that can be applied directly through the POS system to encourage repeat business.

What every businesses setting up Shopify POS in New Zealand needs to know

For businesses setting up Shopify POS in New Zealand, it's important to note that Eftpos is not supported. This means customers with a basic Eftpos card won't be able to transact through your POS solution.

Although it can be a bit of a hassle, you can set up a separate terminal to function alongside Shopify POS. This allows you to enter a custom sale for transactions that cannot be processed directly through the POS system.