Top POS systems for farmers markets: streamline your sales in 2024

It's early morning, and the sun is just starting to rise over rows of colorful tents at the local farmers market. Vendors are busy setting up, carefully arranging fresh produce, homemade goods, and artisanal products, all while preparing for a steady stream of customers. As a vendor, you have to manage everything. From keeping track of stock, to handling transactions, and making sure customers have a great experience. Suddenly, it’s not just about selling. No, you’re also dealing with accurate cash flow, real-time inventory tracking, and trying to prevent long lines from forming. This is where having a good, specialized POS system makes all the difference.

Farmers markets are unlike traditional businesses. They’re remote, often pop-up events with unique needs. You can’t rely on a typical POS setup because these markets are on the go and rely heavily on mobile connections. You need a POS that’s easy to set up, handles mobile payments, tracks inventory instantly, and runs smoothly no matter where your market is.

And there’s a reason this investment matters. The farmers market industry has grown rapidly, with revenue expected to increase at a rate of 7.5% over the past five years, reaching $1.4 billion by 2024.

So this guide is going to give you the complete lowdown on point of sale systems for farmers markets.

What is a POS System and Why is it Important for Farmers Markets?

A POS solution is a must-have tool for farmers market vendors. It makes managing sales transactions, tracking inventory, and processing payments simple and straightforward, so vendors can focus on what they do best—connecting with customers and selling quality products.

For farmers market sellers, a POS system is all about streamlining. It keeps everything organized, cuts down on mistakes, and makes customers happier by speeding up checkout. Unlike regular stores that have fixed setups, farmers markets are outdoors and mobile, so vendors need a POS solution that’s portable.

With the right POS system, farmers market vendors can easily manage their stock and track sales data right on the spot. This helps them make smarter decisions about what to bring each week and how to grow their business over time. The best part is that it’s all in one place, making it easy to keep things running smoothly, even when the market is packed!

Key Features to Look for in POS Software

Here are some of the top farmers market POS software features you should be looking out for:

Inventory management

A good POS system should make tracking inventory simple. For farmers market vendors, having robust inventory management features means knowing exactly how much produce or handmade goods you have on hand and what needs restocking. Imagine selling out of your most popular product halfway through the day without realizing it. With a POS system that tracks inventory and gives automatic updates, you’ll know exactly when you’re running low on those organic tomatoes or homemade jams, so you can plan ahead and avoid disappointing customers.

Payment Processing

Farmers markets are bustling and fast-paced, so flexibility with payment options is a big deal. A good POS lets you accept credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, and, of course, cash. The right POS system means you can cater to all customers, keeping the line moving and the sales flowing smoothly, no matter what payment method they prefer.

Sales tracking

Sales tracking goes beyond just keeping tabs on what you’ve sold. For farmers market vendors, it means seeing what’s popular with customers, tracking which items sell out first, and even keeping a record of regular customers. For instance, maybe you notice that fresh herbs fly off the shelves early each Saturday. With clear sales data showing you all the potential of each product, you can bring extra stock next time or even introduce new items based on what’s selling well.

Reporting and analytics

A POS system with built-in reporting and analytics gives farmers market vendors insight into how every aspect of their business is really doing. Think of it as your personal business advisor, showing you which days are busiest or which staff are bringing in the most revenue. For example, if you see a spike in sales on sunny weekends, you might bring extra seasonal produce on those days. With regular reports on customer, staff, hour and date-based performance, you can spot trends, adjust your inventory, and make decisions that boost your profits and help grow your business.

Integration with other systems

Farmers market vendors need a simple, all-in-one POS solution—not an overload of separate sale systems. A POS system that integrates with other tools, like accounting software or online sales platforms, helps farmers market sellers streamline operations, save time, and keep everything in sync on a single system. Some of the most popular POS system integrations include:

• Accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero): Integrating with accounting software allows farmers market vendors to track income, expenses, and manage bank accounts efficiently.
• Ecommerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce): This feature syncs both your in-person and online stock, tracking sales across platforms and ensuring you never oversell your products. This flexibility lets small businesses reach repeat customers both locally and online.
• Customer management (CRM) tools: Integrating customer management tools lets farmers market businesses keep up with customer information, such as purchase history and loyalty program rewards. Many point of sale systems support CRM, helping market vendors build loyal followings, engage repeat customers, and increase customer satisfaction with targeted marketing strategies.

Having the right POS solution lets farmers market sellers manage sales tracking, track sales data, and process transactions efficiently. These point of sale systems connect to third-party apps and merchant accounts to help reduce costs, avoid additional fees, and even monitor employee performance if you manage a team.

Top 5 POS Systems for Farmers Market Vendors

Here's the top POS providers that offer a mobile POS solution for farmers market business owners:

Epos Now

Epos Now is a top pick if you want a flexible tablet POS system that fits easily in a farmers market setup. It works well for both on-the-go sales and countertop use, making it perfect for farmers markets, cafes, and retail pop ups. With Epos Now, you can handle sales, inventory, and customer data all from one, portable place—exactly what farmers market vendors need to keep things running smoothly.

Epos Now offers an all-in-one tablet bundle that includes POS hardware like a tablet, stand, receipt printer, and card reader—basically, everything you need to get going fast. Plus, it’s cloud-based, so you can manage your market stall from anywhere, which is ideal for busy farmers market sellers always on the move.

Fancy something smaller than a tablet? How about an all-in-one payments and POS system? The Pro+ puts your card machine and sales software on the same device you can carry with you in one hand; it’s even smaller than a tablet! 

Epos Now also connects with popular business tools like Sage, Xero, and QuickBooks to help automate your accounting and loyalty programs. It’s flexible too, so you can add more features and devices as your farmers market business grows.

For payments, Epos Now Payments offers flat-rate pricing for a straightforward experience, and with 24/7 support, you’ll always have help when you need it.

Plus, Epos Now offers retail POS systems and hospitality POS systems if you choose to set up shop somewhere in the future.

Pros:

• All-in-one tablet setup with stand, receipt printer, and card reader
• Quick and easy to set up
• Cloud-based, so you can manage sales remotely
• Integrates with top accounting tools
• Flexible and scalable with 100+ integrations
• Smooth payment processing with flat rates
• 24/7 support

Square POS

Square is a tablet POS system that offers different payment options for managing sales. It allows users to start for free, and the basic plan includes tools like built-in payment processing.

Pros

• No monthly fees on basic plans
• Works for various business types
• Accepts different payment methods
• Basic reporting tools
• Hardware available

Cons

• High transaction fees
• Limited support on the free plan
• Occasional fund holds

Shopkeep (Now Lightspeed Retail)

Lightspeed has been in the point-of-sale (POS) industry for over ten years, providing a cloud-based system that works in browsers and on iOS devices. It offers features like inventory management and customer support, but farmers market vendors might find it a bit complex to set up and use.

Pros:

• 24/7 customer support
• Users get assigned an account manager
• Provides tools for managing inventory tracking

Cons:

• Typically more expensive than other options available to farmers market sellers.
• Users may have to commit to long-term contracts, which can be a downside.
• Canceling the service can involve a complicated process, which isn't ideal for busy vendors.

Shopify POS

Shopify is a point-of-sale (POS) system designed to connect online and offline sales for businesses. It offers several features that can be useful for farmers market vendors, but there are some limitations to consider.

Pros:

• It connects online and offline sales
• Offers app integrations
• The interface is user-friendly

Cons:

• Monthly fees can be higher than some other options available to farmers market sellers.
• To access the POS system, you must use Shopify Payments, which might not be suitable for everyone.
• Offline functionality is limited, which could be an issue for vendors who rely on selling in outdoor settings.

Markt POS

Markt POS is a point-of-sale system designed specifically for farmers markets and grocery stores. It includes features like inventory management, customer loyalty programs, and employee management.

Pros:

• Tailored specifically for farmers markets and grocery stores
• Offers customer loyalty programs
• Includes inventory management features

Cons:

• Not scalable for larger operations or those looking to expand.
• Not as well-established as some competitors in the market.
• Limited support options compared to larger POS providers.
• The user interface may not be as intuitive, which could lead to a learning curve.

Choosing the Right POS System for Your Farmers Market

When it comes to picking the right POS system for your farmers market gig, there are a few key things to think about.

First up, consider the size and type of your farmers market business. Are you a solo seller with a small stand, or do you run a larger operation with multiple vendors? Understanding your specific needs will help you narrow down the options. If you’re just starting out, you might not need all the bells and whistles. But if you’re running a bustling booth with a crew, you’ll want something that can handle the hustle and bustle.

Next, it’s time to take a real good look at the features and pricing. Not all POS systems are created equal, so take the time to compare what’s out there. Look for essential features like inventory management, payment processing options, and customer tracking. And don’t forget to check the pricing as some systems have hidden fees or tricky monthly subscriptions.

Lastly, don’t just take the company's word for it—read reviews and ask around! Talk to other farmers market vendors to see what they’re using and what they like or don’t like about their systems. You’ll get real-life insights that can help you make a more informed decision.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your POS System

Want to make your farmers market experience even better? Here are some simple tips to get the most out of your POS system!

• Use your POS system to track sales data and make informed decisions.
• Use your POS system to manage your inventory and reduce waste.
• Use your POS system to process payments efficiently and reduce errors.
• Use your POS system to integrate with other systems and streamline your operations.