7 Best Workflow Automation Tools For Brick-And-Mortar Stores

For brick-and-mortar stores, managing inventory, sales, customer service, and other operations efficiently is crucial for success. Workflow automation tools can significantly streamline these processes, allowing store owners to focus more on strategy and customer engagement. Here are seven outstanding tools designed to enhance the workflow for brick-and-mortar store owners.

1. Square

   • What is it? A comprehensive point of sale (POS) system designed for businesses of all sizes, offering tools for sales, inventory, and customer management.
   • Key Features: Integrated payment processing, inventory management, customer directory, digital receipts, analytics, and reporting.
   • Pros: User-friendly interface, no monthly fees for basic features, portable hardware options.
   • Cons: Transaction fees on all payments, additional cost for premium features and hardware.
   • Pricing: Free basic plan with transaction fees; additional costs for hardware and premium features.
   • Best For: Small to medium-sized brick-and-mortar stores looking for a versatile POS system with integrated payment processing.

2. Shopify POS

   • What is it? A point of sale system that integrates with the Shopify ecommerce platform, enabling businesses to sell products both online and in-store seamlessly.
   • Key Features: Integrated ecommerce and POS, inventory synchronization, customer profiles, omnichannel selling features.
   • Pros: Seamless integration between online and in-store sales, robust inventory management, supports various payment options.
   • Cons: Requires a Shopify subscription, can be expensive for businesses with high transaction volumes.
   • Pricing: Requires Shopify plan starting at $29/month.
   • Best For: Retail businesses looking for a unified solution to manage both online and brick-and-mortar sales.

3. Vend

   • What is it? A cloud-based POS and retail management software designed for brick-and-mortar retailers to manage sales, inventory, and customers.
   • Key Features: Multi-outlet retail management, inventory control, customer loyalty program, reporting and insights.
   • Pros: Intuitive user interface, scalable for multi-store operations, comprehensive reporting tools.
   • Cons: Monthly subscription fee, additional costs for more registers and locations.
   • Pricing: Starts at $99/month for one register.
   • Best For: Retailers seeking a powerful POS system with advanced inventory and customer management capabilities.

4. Lightspeed Retail

   • What is it? A POS and e-commerce solution designed for retailers, offering tools for inventory management, sales, customer relationships, and analytics.
   • Key Features: Customizable POS, detailed inventory management, integrated e-commerce, powerful reporting, and analytics.
   • Pros: Robust features for retail management, supports a range of industries, excellent customer support.
   • Cons: Higher price point compared to competitors, complexity may overburden smaller operations.
   • Pricing: Starts at $69/month.
   • Best For: Mid to large retail stores needing comprehensive retail management and POS capabilities.

5. QuickBooks

   • What is it? An accounting software designed for small businesses to manage sales, expenses, payroll, and inventory.
   • Key Features: Invoicing, expense tracking, payroll processing, inventory management, financial reporting.
   • Pros: Wide array of accounting features, user-friendly, integrates with various POS systems.
   • Cons: Can be expensive with add-ons and payroll features, steep learning curve for advanced accounting functions.
   • Pricing: Starts at $25/month for the Simple Start plan.
   • Best For: Brick-and-mortar store owners in need of comprehensive financial management alongside their POS system.

6. Mailchimp

   • What is it? An all-in-one marketing platform that helps users manage and communicate with their clients, customers, and other interested parties.
   • Key Features: Email marketing campaigns, automation workflows, audience segmentation, landing pages, analytics.
   • Pros: User-friendly, versatile marketing tools, robust analytics, integrates with e-commerce platforms.
   • Cons: Limited automation features on the free plan, pricing based on the number of contacts.
   • Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $9.99/month.
   • Best For: Retail store owners looking to automate their marketing efforts and engage with customers effectively.

7. Zapier

   • What is it? An automation tool that connects various apps and services to automate repetitive tasks without coding.
   • Key Features: Easy workflow creation, integration with over 3,000 apps, customizable triggers, and actions.
   • Pros: Extensive app integration capabilities, versatile automation possibilities, user-friendly setup.
   • Cons: Advanced workflows can be complex to set up, higher-tier plans required for more extensive use.
   • Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $19.99/month.
   • Best For: Store owners seeking to streamline operations by connecting and automating tasks across various platforms and systems.

For brick-and-mortar store owners, streamlining operations can significantly enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. These seven tools offer solutions for sales and inventory management, financial tracking, marketing automation, and task integration, enabling retailers to operate more smoothly and focus on growth.