Retail Equipment for a Store: What to Choose

Retail equipment is the devices that help receive goods, read barcodes, print labels and receipts, weigh products, process payments, carry out inventory, and collect data about store operations. The equipment set should be selected according to the store’s specific operations, number of cash desks, product type, and payment methods.

For a checkout workstation for piece goods, the base is a computer or POS all-in-one and a barcode scanner. A label printer is needed if the store labels goods itself. A receipt printer is needed for paper checkout documents. Scales are added for weighed goods, and a data collection terminal is added for a large warehouse. RRO, PRRO, a bank terminal, and a cash drawer are selected with regard to payment methods and current requirements for settlement operations.

How to determine what retail equipment is needed

Start with the operations that employees perform every day. If the manufacturer already applies barcodes to the goods, the store only needs to read them during receiving, sales, and inventory. If some goods arrive without codes, printing your own labels is needed. A weighed assortment requires a separate weighing scenario. A large warehouse requires mobile data collection. Card payments add a bank terminal, and fiscalization requires an RRO or PRRO according to the business’s operating scheme.

Before buying each device, check the connection type, supported codes or print formats, drivers, operating conditions, availability of consumables, and compatibility with the accounting program. For scales, fiscal registrars, and bank terminals, compatibility of the specific model is especially important because data exchange depends on the device protocol and software.

Equipment for accounting, barcoding, and warehouse operations

Barcode scanner

A barcode scanner reads a code from a product, label, discount card, or another carrier and sends it to the program. In Torgsoft, a scanner is used for product operations and for recognizing customer cards. In a typical retail scenario, the barcode identifies the product, while the program takes the name, price, stock balance, and other accounting data from the product card.

For a stationary checkout, it is convenient to use a wired scanner. The photo shows the Cino F680 scanner. A wireless model is appropriate where an employee moves away from the checkout or works with bulky goods. The connection method depends on the model: Bluetooth, radio channel through a base station, or another interface. The presence of internal memory also depends on the specific scanner.

For ordinary linear EAN and Code 128 codes, a 1D scanner is sufficient. For QR codes, Data Matrix, and other two-dimensional codes, a 2D scanner is needed. If the cashier regularly scans codes from a smartphone screen, this should also be checked in the model specifications.

Label printer

A label printer prints price tags and self-adhesive labels with a barcode, product name, price, and other data from a template. Torgsoft can assign its own barcode to a product and print labels from the program. For a small volume, a regular printer can be used; for regular labeling, a specialized label printer is more suitable.

A thermal printer prints on thermal labels without an ink ribbon. A thermal transfer printer uses a ribbon and is suitable for labels that require greater resistance to abrasion, moisture, or long-term storage. Before purchasing, determine the label size, material, required print width, workload per shift, and connection method.

Data collection terminal

A data collection terminal, or DCT, has its own memory, scanning module, and, in modern models, an operating system. An employee takes the DCT to the sales floor or warehouse, scans goods, and works without constantly staying near the computer.

Torgsoft supports inventory with DCTs, including Android devices. The employee receives an inventory sheet, counts goods by scanning, and then transfers the actual quantity to Torgsoft. For the mobile inventory scenario, work without a constant connection to the server is provided: the inventory sheet is first downloaded to the device, and after counting, the device reconnects and uploads the result.

A wireless scanner and a DCT perform different tasks. A scanner mainly sends the code to the connected workstation. A DCT can independently accumulate and process data through an installed program. For a large warehouse, address storage, or a long inventory count, a DCT gives the employee an autonomous workstation for scanning and accumulating data.

Retail scales

Retail scales are needed by stores that sell goods by weight. At the checkout, scales can send the weight to the program, after which Torgsoft calculates the amount based on the price per unit of weight. This scenario requires a compatible scale model and the corresponding connection.

Scales with label printing are used for prepacking. Product data is loaded into the scales, the employee weighs a portion, and the device prints a label with a barcode. The code may contain information about weight or quantity, which Torgsoft recognizes during the sale according to configured rules. The exchange protocol, label format, and method of loading goods depend on the scale model.

Equipment for checkout and payments

Receipt printer

A receipt printer prints sales receipts, slips, and other documents generated by the checkout program. The photo shows the Gprinter 58MBIII receipt printer. The specific paper width, printing speed, availability of an auto-cutter, and interfaces depend on the model.

A sales receipt printed by an ordinary printer does not perform fiscal functions by itself. A fiscal document is generated by an RRO or PRRO. If the store works with a PRRO, a paper copy of the fiscal receipt can be printed on a compatible printer according to the workstation settings.

Fiscal registrar and software RRO

A fiscal registrar is a hardware RRO with fiscal functions. The checkout program sends sales data to a compatible registrar, the device registers the operation, and generates a fiscal receipt. In Torgsoft, working with a hardware fiscal registrar requires the corresponding connection and setup of the specific model.

PRRO performs fiscal functions programmatically through the fiscal server of the controlling authority. Torgsoft supports work with a software RRO: the cashier processes the sale in the program, and the configured PRRO generates the fiscal document. A paper printer for the fact of fiscalization itself is not a separate fiscal device; the settlement document may be provided in paper and/or electronic form according to the current procedure.

The need to use an RRO or PRRO is determined by current rules for the type of activity and payment method. When choosing equipment, separately check the fiscal scheme, registration data, qualified electronic signature, device compatibility, and workstation settings.

Bank POS terminal

A bank terminal accepts card and contactless payments. It can work separately from the program when the cashier manually enters the amount on the terminal. With a supported connection, Torgsoft sends the payment amount to the bank terminal and receives the operation result, which reduces manual entry of the amount at the checkout.

Before buying or replacing a terminal, check the protocol supported by the bank, drivers, connection method, and compatibility with your work scheme. The same external terminal model may run different software at different banks.

Cash drawer

A cash drawer has compartments for banknotes and coins and is used at checkouts where cash is accepted. Some models open with a key, while others receive a command from a receipt printer or checkout equipment.

When choosing, check the dimensions, number of compartments, lock type, voltage, and connection interface. If the store works mostly with cashless payments, the need for a large cash drawer may be minimal.

Equipment for the sales floor and additional operations

Visitor counter

A visitor counter records entries and exits of people in a retail point. These data are used to compare foot traffic with the number of receipts, analyze workload by time, and assess changes during promotions.

Torgsoft has the additional function “Visitor Accounting” for compatible devices. The program receives data from counters and shows the number of entries and exits for a period. Data loading occurs periodically, so this indicator is intended for analytics by time intervals. It does not show the instant presence of people in the sales floor.

Price checker

A price checker allows a customer to scan a barcode independently and see the current product price. In a supported mode, Torgsoft can show the price and product photo on the price checker screen if the photo is in the database.

A price checker is useful in stores with a large assortment, frequent price changes, and self-service. Before purchasing, check the network connection method, scanner support, and compatibility of the device’s software environment.

Tagging gun

A tagging gun attaches cardboard tags to clothing and textile products using plastic tag fasteners. It is used in clothing stores, second-hand stores, production, and during preparation of goods for sale.

Compatible needles and tag fasteners are needed for work. The needle thickness is selected according to the fabric to reduce the risk of damaging the item.

Currency detector

A currency detector helps the cashier check the security features of banknotes. Visual models may have ultraviolet, infrared, white, or other lighting. Automatic detectors independently analyze the set of features provided by the specific model.

Ultraviolet glow by itself is not sufficient grounds to determine whether a banknote is genuine. The cashier should check the required security elements, and the detector’s capabilities depend on its type.

Consumables

Consumables should be selected for the specific printer model and labeling method. An unsuitable roll size, core, label, or ribbon can cause feeding and printing problems.

• Label — a self-adhesive material for printing a barcode, name, price, and other product data. Thermal labels are used for direct thermal printing, while paper or synthetic labels can be used with thermal transfer printing.
• Receipt paper — a roll of thermal paper for receipt printers and some fiscal devices. The width and allowed roll diameter must match the printer.
• Ribbon — an ink ribbon for a thermal transfer printer. The ribbon type is selected according to the label material and required print durability.
• Tag — a cardboard or synthetic carrier of product information. On clothing, it is attached with a tagging gun or another compatible method.
• Textile tape — material for printing sewn-in labels with composition, size, care instructions, and other product information. Compatible thermal transfer printer and corresponding ribbon are used for such printing.

Typical equipment sets for different stores

Piece-goods store with one checkout

The basic set consists of a computer or POS all-in-one and a barcode scanner. A label printer is added if the store prints its own labeling. A receipt printer is added when a paper document is needed. A cash drawer is used for cash, and a bank terminal is used for card payment. The fiscal scenario determines whether a hardware RRO or PRRO is needed.

Clothing or footwear store

The checkout workstation is supplemented with a label printer for marking models, sizes, and colors. Clothing may require cardboard tags, a tagging gun, and tag fasteners. In a large sales floor or warehouse, a DCT simplifies mobile product counting during inventory.

Grocery store or weighed-goods shop

Scales are added to the checkout set. The scheme depends on the process: the cashier weighs the product directly at the checkout, or the employee prepackages products on scales with label printing. In the second scenario, the administrator sets weighed-product codes and checks compatibility of the specific scale model with Torgsoft.

Large store or warehouse

In addition to stationary checkouts, mobile data collection tools are needed: a DCT or wireless scanners for specific work scenarios. For labeling large batches of goods, the label printer’s resource and speed are important. Price checkers and visitor counters may be useful on the sales floor.

What to check before buying equipment

1. Operation. Determine exactly what the device will do: checkout scanning, mobile inventory, label printing, weighing, fiscalization, or card payment acceptance.
2. Compatibility. Check the model, driver, exchange protocol, operating system, and required Torgsoft settings. For scales, bank terminals, and fiscal registrars, the category name is not enough.
3. Workload. The number of receipts, labels, and scans per shift affects the equipment class and mechanism resource.
4. Operating conditions. For a warehouse, wireless range and protection against drops, dust, and moisture are important. For a checkout, compactness, speed, and convenient placement of devices are important.
5. Consumables. Before buying a printer, determine the label or paper size, print type, and availability of the required materials.
6. Power and network. Check USB, COM, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cash drawer voltage, and available ports at the workstation.
7. Fiscal scenario. For RRO or PRRO, separately check current requirements, registration, qualified electronic signature, and the procedure for generating settlement documents.

The retail equipment set must match the store’s real operations. A scanner reads the code, a printer prints a label or receipt, scales send the weight, a DCT collects data in the warehouse, a bank terminal processes card payment, and RRO or PRRO performs fiscal functions. Torgsoft connects these operations with product and cash accounting within a compatible and configured setup.