Digital tools simplify business processes.
But with so many different digital business platforms on the market, it’s hard to know which ones can benefit your business and which ones overcomplicate things. There are many options, but the tool your business needs most is a point of sale (POS) system. These systems allow you to process sales transactions, order and organize inventory, market your business, and communicate with your customers.
For the owner of a textile store, a POS system makes it easier to run your business. In this blog, we’ll explain why you should be using one, what features you need to look for, and our picks for the top five providers, so you can find the best textile store POS system for your business.
Let’s get started.
A textile store POS includes general retail features and features designed specifically for working with textiles. Because of the unique nature of your business, some features are more useful than others. Here are some important features to look for as you search for a POS system.
Textile stores stock hundreds of different fabrics, including a variety of materials, styles, and colors. A POS system simplifies the process of purchasing inventory by giving you access to supplier catalogs — you can search for new inventory and place orders right from the system. Your system also keeps your inventory organized in store and digitally, tracks on-hand totals, and locates fabrics for customers.
To be most effective, you need the ability to quickly check how many units you have of a given item from a digital device. With cloud-based software, these totals automatically adjust when you order inventory or make sales. You can check these totals on any internet-connected device, so you always know how much fabric you have.
A POS system allows you to set automatic reorder points for your most popular products. For example, let’s say you stock a popular winter-themed fabric, and it starts to sell more around the holidays. When the stock falls below a preset threshold, the system automatically reorders a new supply, so you can maximize sales of this product throughout the season. This way, you never run out of your most popular products and you can avoid missed sales.
Related Read: 4 Inventory Management Best Practices for Quilt and Sewing Stores
Customers buy textiles in specific measurements so they can work on specific projects. Whether they’re making a quilt, a pillowcase, or clothing, they want to buy just the right amount of fabric. A textile-specific POS system allows you to sell fractional yards to create custom measurements — this way, you can rest assured you’re charging your customer the right amount.
These systems also let you manipulate what you charge for your products. For example, if you run a special sale or discount, or if you need to raise prices to stay afloat, you can easily make an adjustment in the system that updates across the entire business.
Hosting events in your textile store is a great way to promote a sense of community. It generates revenue and draws in new customers, too. A great POS system allows you to schedule events, manage registrations, take payments, and send reminders to customers.
Your goal should be to create a great experience — which includes both the event itself and the registration process. A POS system helps you create a seamless experience, so people can easily sign up, pay, receive reminders about the class, and attend. Whether you’re teaching a sewing-related skill or offering space and supplies for quilters to work on their own projects, a POS system helps you make each event a hit.
Related Read: How To Teach a Craft Class at Your Fabric Store: 6 Tips
Does your textile store have multiple locations? If so, you need a POS system that helps you manage each individual store — as well as the business as a whole. A solid POS system allows you to check sales data for individual locations, in addition to totals for your entire business. This feature lets you create an overall strategy and unique strategies for each location.
Each of your locations is different — they have different customers and different environments. Because of this, you may choose to offer distinct products. Depending on your business, it’s possible you host events or offer sewing machine repair at one location, but not another. You may also charge different prices based on location. A POS system allows you to customize prices in these instances.
With multiple locations, it’s likely for you to run out of a product at one location, while it’s overstocked at another. The obvious solution is to transfer some inventory between stores, but if your POS system can’t facilitate this, you’ll end up with errors and stress. Find a POS system that allows you to seamlessly transfer inventory from store to store, so you can sell as much fabric as possible.
Some textile stores offer sewing machine repair. If this is you, your POS needs to generate work orders to keep repair work organized.
You can use a POS work order module to record information like:
POS systems help you keep your customers informed throughout the repair process, too. You can send automated texts to let them know how long a repair is likely to take and when their machine is ready for pickup. Frequent communication keeps customers happy and avoids frustration and complaints.
Related Read: Work Order Management for Quilt and Sewing Stores
For your textile store to be successful, you need to get the word out to your ideal customers. POS systems offer marketing tools to keep your existing customers engaged and to find new ones. One of these useful tools is the ability to send email campaigns, including customized emails. You might send a customer an email with a discount after a big purchase or on their birthday, for example.
These systems also include tools to help you create content for social media. Posting images and videos of your fabric products to platforms like Instagram and Facebook help your textile store’s visibility. The algorithms for these platforms make your content more likely to be seen by those interested in textiles, fabric, and quilting — which helps you connect with your target audience.
Related Read: How To Market a Fabric Store: 7 Easy Steps
There are a variety of POS solutions on the market — these are our top five picks for textile stores. As you compare each one, consider the features you need to accomplish your most important tasks as a business owner.
Like Sew is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for fabric, quilt, and textile stores. Users have access to both general and industry-specific features to help them manage their entire business.
Standout features: Like Sew allows you to charge for fractional yards, gives you access to fabric suppliers, and has customer relationship management (CRM) and work order systems.
Pricing: Contact for custom pricing.
Review: “Like Sew is very helpful in running a very fast-paced business. They are easily accessible to help with any issue we have with our website.” — Debra, Google Reviews
Shopify is a general retail POS platform with a user-friendly interface that adapts to meet the needs of a variety of businesses. It’s well-known for its powerful e-commerce features.
Standout features: One of Shopify’s greatest strengths is an extensive app marketplace that allows users to access additional functionality. This platform also offers marketing tools.
Pricing:
Basic: $29 per month
Shopify: $79 per month
Advanced: $299 per month
Plus: $2,300 per month
Review: “We switched to Shopify and have found a world-class platform and customer service. Always someone to walk you through any issue...” — Blake, Trustpilot
Square is a POS platform designed for general retail with a customizable interface. This flexible system serves a variety of retail business needs.
Standout features: Square’s simple layout makes it easy to ring customers up quickly. Square also offers e-commerce features.
Pricing:
Free Plan
Plus: $29 per month
Premium: Custom pricing
Review: “The ability to track sales along with maintaining inventory counts makes for a perfect combination. The system is extremely easy to use, set up and maintain.” — RedSalon, Trustpilot
Rain is a general POS system designed for unique retail businesses, including textile stores. It offers payment processing, website tools, customer marketing, and inventory management.
Standout features: Rain’s serialized inventory tools and event management systems are helpful for textile stores.
Pricing: Contact for custom pricing.
Review: “Not only does the program integrate my point of sale with my website, but customer support is great . . .” — Pat, Trustpilot
POSIM is a POS system meant for small to mid-sized retailers. It offers inventory management, customer relationship management, and data reports.
Standout features: POSIM integrates with Shopify to offer e-commerce and integrates with accounting programs like QuickBooks. POSIM also offers email marketing campaigns to keep customers interested.
Pricing: Custom quotes are available for three different plans.
Review: “The experience with the company has been great. Customer support is prompt and well versed in how to get things going. They are also great on prioritizing issues so we are never left without a functioning means of doing business.” — Chris, Software Advice
Choosing the right POS system can be a game-changer for your textile store — don’t settle for a generic POS system. You need an all-in-one POS solution designed specifically for textile stores: Like Sew.
Like Sew’s textile-specific features like fractional yards, event management, and work orders help you create a great experience for your customers. Our software also offers general retail features like inventory management and e-commerce, so you have everything you need to run your business.
To see what Like Sew does for your textile store, schedule a demo today!