Here’s a date for you - October 21st 2015.
Any idea on the significance of this date? All the bonus points and a bag of swag if you know what it is.
We’ll give you a minute to think on it. Why would a random date in October ten years ago matter?
Alright, we’ll put you out of your misery. October 21st 2015 is Back to the Future day. The date Marty McFly and Doc Brown travel to in "Back to the Future Part II". They had hoverboards! But it was already ten years ago.
And here we are now in 2025, very much living in the future.
If we want to watch a movie, we fire up our favorite streaming service (sorry Blockbuster). If we want to listen to our favorite album, most of the time we’ll turn to Spotify (ok vinyl lovers, we see you. And yes, it does sound better). If we save a document, we save it to the cloud (RIP floppy disks).
So why, for the love of all things holy, are retailers in the UK still using POS systems, tills, and cash registers that look like they’re auditioning to be Daleks in the new series of Doctor Who?
More than just a cash register
Not only do legacy systems look like a throwback to the 90s, they’re no longer fit for purpose.
Today, POS solutions are so much more than a transactional hub. A modern POS system is more than just a cash register; it is a critical component in the broader retail ecosystem, capable of driving business growth through enhanced customer experiences and streamlined retail operations.
These systems, once simply tools for processing sales, have turned into comprehensive solutions that anchor unified commerce platforms - integrating stores and online sales channels to deliver best-in-class customer experiences. And because the very best POS systems on the market are built with MACH architecture, they offer unparalleled scalability and flexibility, allowing you to meet current demands and adapt to future changes with ease.
Each aspect of leading POS systems - cloud-native capabilities, seamless integration possibilities, robust security measures, modular designs, and tools that level up your store associates - plays a crucial role in optimizing retail operations and enhancing customer satisfaction.
The right POS system can also provide invaluable insights into your operations, help you manage inventory more effectively, and ultimately, increase sales through better customer engagement.
So what should the best POS systems in the UK do?
Let’s be blunt. A modern POS should do everything your clunky old till never could - and then some.
Here’s your checklist. If your POS can’t do all of these, it’s time for a rethink.
1. Be truly mobile
We live in a world of smartphones, tablets, and tap-to-pay. Your POS should fit into that world like a glove. Whether you’re running a flagship store on Oxford Street or a pop-up in the Cotswolds, your team should be able to serve customers, check stock, and process returns from anywhere on the shop floor. Or outside it. It’s retail, unplugged.
2. Stay connected, even when it’s not
No Wi-Fi? No worries. The best POS systems have an offline mode that means you can keep selling no matter what. Transactions are stored locally and synced when you're back online. Your customers won’t even notice the difference - and that’s the point.
3. Speak to every part of your business
Your POS should be the life of the (retail) party - chatting away with your inventory management, your ecomm platform, your CRM, your payments system... the lot. Integration is the name of the game. If your POS doesn’t connect to your other systems in real time, it’s holding you back.
4. Turn your store associates into superheroes
Empower your team with tools that make their job easier - and your customer’s experience better. We’re talking real-time stock visibility, endless aisle capability, customer order history, upsell recommendations, and one-tap returns. All in one intuitive app. When your team has everything they need at their fingertips, they shine.
5. Be as flexible as your customers want you to be
Your customers shop in-store, online, via social, through marketplaces, and probably even in their sleep. They want buy online, pick up in store. They want to return online orders in store. They want unified prices, promotions, and experiences. Your POS should make that all possible - effortlessly.
6. Be built for change
The future moves fast. Your POS should be built to keep up. That means MACH architecture: Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless. It’s not just tech-speak - it’s the foundation that gives you the power to scale fast, swap out what you don’t like, and always stay ahead.
Because here’s the truth: your POS is either powering your growth - or it’s getting in your way.
Key features for UK retailers to look for in a POS system
Alright, let’s break it down. When you’re choosing a POS system, these are the non-negotiables - the things that turn a system from “meh” to magic.
Cloud-native
No servers. No software updates that make you want to scream into a cushion. A cloud-native POS means you can scale, update, and access your system from anywhere, anytime. It’s fast, secure, and endlessly flexible.
Real-time integrations
Everything should talk to everything. Your POS, ERP, CRM, ecomm, payments, inventory systems - they all need to be singing from the same hymn sheet. No more delays. No more miscommunication. Just one beautiful, accurate version of the truth.
Unified inventory
See every single item you have across every store, warehouse, and channel. Fulfil from anywhere. Sell from anywhere. Never miss a sale because something was “out of stock” in one location when it was sitting in another.
Omnichannel selling & fulfilment
Buy online, pick up in store. Buy in store, ship to home. Return online purchases in store. Your customers don’t care about your channels - they just want it to work. And, in the words of Captain Picard, your POS should make it so.
Intuitive user experience
Your store associates shouldn’t need to be IT wizards. The best POS systems are intuitive, easy to use, and make training new team members a breeze. Think “as simple as your favorite app.”
Actionable insights
Data that doesn’t just sit there looking pretty. Real insights that help you spot trends, track performance, and make better decisions - fast.
Rock-solid security
From GDPR compliance to safe payments and secure logins, your POS should keep your business - and your customers - protected.
“Roads? Where we’re going, we don't need roads.”
So here’s the bottom line.
If your POS system looks like it belongs in a museum, it’s time to move on. The future of retail is already here - it’s mobile, cloud-native, unified, and built to flex with you.
Your Point of Sale is no longer just about making sales. It’s about unlocking potential. It’s about giving your team the tools to shine. It’s about delivering the kind of experiences your customers won’t stop talking about.
And the best bit? Getting there is simpler than you think – and you don’t need a DeLorean.
Ready to ditch the Dalek and power up your POS?
Let’s chat. We’ll show you how Sitoo makes it easy to modernize, unify, and future-proof your retail operations - with technology that’s as smart as it is simple.
Your future POS is calling. Time to pick up.
Dive deeper into the capabilities and benefits of advanced POS systems by downloading the 2024 Gartner Market Guide for Unified Commerce Platforms Anchored by POS for Tier 2 Retailers. This guide provides invaluable insights and a comprehensive look at the solutions that can transform your retail operations. Equip your business with the knowledge to make an informed decision about the future of your POS system.
Continue reading: Get the full Gartner guide
Download the guide now and take the first step towards transforming your retail experience.
Last updated: April 10, 2025