Taghelp for retailers

Bulk food and zero-waste retailing is built on precision and sustainability. Unlike a standard grocery store, your inventory is fluid, and your checkout process requires specific hardware integration to remain efficient. Our Tower Systems POS software is designed to handle the unique workflow of “bring-your-own-container” shopping.

Here are some ways we can help bulk food and zero-waste stores thrive:

• Integrated Scale Management. Our software integrates directly with retail scales, allowing for seamless “double-taring.” This means your team can easily weigh a customer’s empty container, label it, and have at POS deduct that weight at the final sale..
• Fractional Stock Control. Selling by the gram, milliliter, or scoop requires a system that handles infinite decimals. Our inventory management tools are built for bulk, ensuring your “Stock on Hand” remains accurate even when selling in tiny or irregular increments.
• Label Printing on Demand. If you pre-pack some bulk items, our system can generate barcodes and price labels that include weight, price per kilo, and “best before” dates, keeping your shelves organised and compliant with food labelling standards.
• Eco-Friendly Digital Receipts. In line with your zero-waste mission, our software prioritises digital receipts via email or SMS, reducing paper waste at the counter while still giving you a way to capture customer data for your loyalty program.
• Flexible Loyalty for Frequent Refillers. Bulk shoppers are often your most loyal advocates. Our tools allow you to reward them based on spend or visit frequency, encouraging them to return to your shop as their primary pantry source.
• Serving Product Knowledge. Using our POS software for bulk food and zero-waste retail you can include product use and care details on receipts, to ensure customers have the information vital to their healthy enjoyment.

This isn’t just a basic retail checkout; it’s a version of our high-performance produce and health food software, refined specifically for the workflows of a modern zero-waste business. It’s built to be fast, accurate, and supportive of the sustainable values your customers care about.

Bulk food and zero-waste retailing is specialty retailing. It benefits from specialty POS software that leans into the specialisation.

Generic POS systems struggle when things get complicated. Tower thrives on complexity, offering features that “basic” apps charge extra for (or don’t have).

We also we give you a path to e-commerce. Our Shopify integration is wonderful and direct, ensuring that a sale in the physical shop instantly updates the website. For a specialist retailer, this prevents the “out of stock” heartbreak and allows them to compete with the giants while maintaining their local charm.

If you are looking for a POS system for your bulk food and zero-waste shop, consider Tower Systems.

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The right POS system or website for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software and websites made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.  

Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au. 

Operating a chandlery involves managing a unique blend of traditional retail and specialized technical services. Whether you are supplying parts for a weekend sailor or managing equipment for a commercial fleet, the complexity of the inventory and the specific needs of the maritime community require a robust management system. At Tower Systems, we have engaged deeply with chandlery owners and staff to understand the practical challenges they face daily – in our chandlery business software.

Initially, we approached the specific needs of this niche with a degree of skepticism. We wanted to ensure that our Point of Sale (POS) software truly served the practical requirements of the industry rather than just offering a generic retail solution. After conducting a deep dive into the sector and demonstrating our capabilities, the feedback was clear: the software effectively addresses the diverse needs of modern chandlery businesses.

Comprehensive inventory and SKU management

A primary challenge for any chandlery is the sheer volume of stock. Managing tens of thousands of SKUs, ranging from fast-moving consumables to highly specialized maritime equipment, requires a system built for scale. Our software is designed to handle these large inventories with ease. It supports high-volume, quick transactions through barcoding and touchscreen interfaces, ensuring that counter sales remain fast and efficient even during peak seasonal periods.

To further streamline operations, the system includes electronic supplier invoice support. By importing invoices directly into the software, businesses can reduce manual data entry errors and save significant administrative time. This is complemented by automated replenishment features, which generate purchase orders based on minimum and maximum stock levels, ensuring you never run out of essential maritime supplies. You’re always in control tho.

Specialised tools for maritime services

Chandleries often function as more than just a shop; they are hubs for advice and technical support. Our chandlery business software supports this by allowing for the creation of product use notes that appear directly on customer receipts. This ensures that safety or maintenance instructions are provided at the point of purchase.

For businesses that provide custom solutions, the ability to create bundles or unique product packages is essential. You can group related items into a single product entry, making it easier for customers to purchase everything they need for a specific task. Furthermore, for items sold by length, weight, or fraction, the software provides the necessary flexibility to ensure accurate pricing and stock control.

Streamlining quotes and customer accounts

Professionalism in communication is vital when dealing with trade customers and vessel owners. Our quote and invoice management system is flexible and fit for purpose. It allows staff to rapidly convert requests for quotation into professional documents. For vessels operating on tight port schedules, the ability to manage special orders and pre-orders ensures that the right parts are available exactly when they are needed.

Customer profiles within the chandlery business software can maintain detailed histories of specific vessels, including past purchases and technical specifications. This data allows for trade pricing profiles, offering pricing flexibility based on the specific relationship or volume of business. Detailed customer account management ensures that invoicing is accurate, helping to improve cash flow and reduce the burden of manual bookkeeping.

Modern connectivity and mobility

The modern retail environment extends beyond the physical shop front. Our Shopify website integration allows you to sync your physical inventory with an online store seamlessly. This ensures that your stock levels are accurate across all channels, preventing overselling.

For staff who need to assist customers on the floor or at the dock, Retailer Roam provides the option to sell from anywhere at any time. This mobility is supported by weatherproof labels, ensuring that stock stored in outdoor or damp environments remains correctly identified and scannable.

A partnership for growth

Our chandlery business software continues to evolve based on the advice and guidance of our customer community. We offer a transparent rental model for $199.00 per month, which includes software licences for unlimited computers at your location, help desk support six days a week, and access to our comprehensive knowledge base.

If you are looking for a system that understands the nuances of the maritime retail sector, we invite you to see a demonstration tailored to your specific needs. We can also connect you with other chandlery businesses currently using our software so you can hear about their experiences firsthand. Together, we can find the right tools to help your business operate with greater efficiency and precision.

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The right POS system or website for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software and websites made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.  

Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au. 

Model & Hobby Shops are unique businesses, specialty retail shops catering to highly niche needs. From a big range of products to handling special orders to variable pricing if they service club members to managing repairs in some cases, the business management needs of these businesses can be complex.

Tower Systems is grateful to offer software for Model & Hobby Shops. This is the same software as we sell to sewing businesses as the needs cross-match. From efficient and accurate workflow to nurturing customer relationships, this software made for Model & Hobby Shops is a win for these businesses, helping them leverage their specialty knowledge for more valuable and repeatable business.

We have seen some Model & Hobby Shops sell by weight and length, which our software handles easily, as it does selling in fractions.

You can sell items by scanning a barcode, entering a SKU or easily looking up the description of the item. Plus, there is the benefit of being able to suspend the sale while the shopper searches out items to add to their purchase.

There is so much flexibility here, as you can imaging is needed for a modern Model & Hobby Shop today.

Model & Hobby Shops  are often the hub for local hobbyists and clubs. Our software includes tools to support these relationships, such as managing member discounts and facilitating fundraising efforts for community organisations.

Special orders are another common requirement in this sector. When a customer requires a specific piece not currently in stock, the system tracks the order from the initial request through to arrival. This ensures that staff are alerted immediately when the item is ready for collection, enhancing the customer experience.

We integrate with other software to help you save time and reduce mistakes: Xero, Shopify, Big Commerce, WooCommerce, Magento, Tyro, Linkly Cloud, Smart Pay, ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Anthropic.

Selling online is a breeze.

Beyond the front counter, our software provides analytical insights that help you see your business differently. Whether you are tracking the shelf-life of specialty paints or managing the turnover of high-ticket radio-controlled kits, our robust reporting tools help you identify what’s flying off the shelves and what’s taking up valuable real estate. By automating reorder points and streamlining stocktakes, we help you keep your cash flow healthy so you can continue to invest in the latest releases and rarest finds that keep your enthusiasts coming back.

We also understand that your expertise is your greatest asset. Our software for Model & Hobby Shops helps you focus on sharing your passion with your customers rather than wrestling with data entry.

With integrated marketing tools, you can easily reach out to your database with news on upcoming club nights, new arrivals, or workshop sessions. It’s about more than just a transaction; it’s about providing you with a platform to grow a vibrant, loyal community around your shop, ensuring your business remains a cherished local landmark for years to come.

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The right POS system or website for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software and websites made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.  

Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au. 

Selecting a point-of-sale system can be complex. The right decision can add thousands to your bottom line while the wrong decision can cost plenty.

Do your research,. Take your time. Choose based on the evidence, based on what you see for yourself.

At Tower Systems, we take a specific approach to comparisons with other POS software. We focus on developing our software and supporting our partners rather than monitoring the products of our competitors. We have not used Retail Express ourselves. To our knowledge, their staff has not used our software either. This is a deliberate choice. We believe the only comparison that truly matters is the one you make based on the specific requirements of your shop.

A Focus on Independent Specialty Retail

Our software is designed for a specific community. We serve over 3,000 independent specialty retailers across Australia and New Zealand. Our partners include garden centres, bike shops, jewellers, and newsagents. We also work closely with pet shops, toy stores, firearms dealers, and fashion boutiques.

Because we focus exclusively on local, small-to-medium businesses, we do not supply to large corporations or major franchises. This niche focus allows us to develop features that solve the real-world problems faced by independent owners. Our software is constantly evolving. The system we offer today is significantly different from the one we provided two years ago. This progress is driven almost entirely by suggestions from our retail community.

Transparency in Your Research

We believe that good business decisions are made in a calm, informed environment. Transparency is central to how we interact with potential partners. If you are curious about how our software functions, you can visit the Tower Systems YouTube channel at any time. We do not require sign-ups or email addresses for you to view these demonstrations. You can see the software in action at your own pace without any sales pressure.

If you want a deeper look, we offer personal demonstrations, where we focus on your specific needs and questions. During these sessions, we can walk through our system and focus on the areas most relevant to your operations. If you wish to conduct a function-by-function comparison with Retail Express, we are happy to sit with you and facilitate that process. This side-by-side review is the most effective way to see which platform aligns with your workflow.

Putting Your Needs First

A partnership with a software provider should be based on a genuine fit. From your first conversation with our sales team to your ongoing interactions with our help desk, our principle remains the same: your needs come first. We do not use hard sales pitches or high-pressure tactics.

Our goal is to support your success because that is the only way we succeed. If, during our discussions, we determine that Tower Systems is not the right fit for your specific business model, we will tell you so directly. We would rather see you find the correct tool for your shop than enter into a partnership that does not serve you well.

Finding an alternative to your current system is a process that deserves time and careful thought. We invite you to explore what we offer and see if our community-driven approach matches your vision for your business.

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The right POS system or website for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software and websites made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.  

Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au. 

Selecting the best point of sale software for your shop can be a huge win financially and personally. Get it wrong and the costs can be high. The right system acts as the engine of the business, while the wrong one can be an anchor that drags.

Tower Systems offers a an alternative to Epos Now. 

We are biased, we are Tower Systems. Our perspective, however, is shaped by the retailers we have welcomed from Epos Now to our own platform.

We are not a perfect fit for every business though. If our software does not suit your specific requirements, we will tell you. But for specialty retailers seeking deep functionality and a genuine partnership, we believe our offering stands apart.

A Local Approach to Software and Support

Retail in Australia and New Zealand has its own unique rhythms, terminology, and requirements. Tower Systems is locally developed and supported. Many on our team have local retail experience. The tools our customers use every day are built with a cultural and professional understanding of your specific market.

The difference is most noticeable when you need help. We do not operate offshore call centres or rely on rigid, scripted responses. Our help desk consists of skilled individuals with actual retail experience. They understand the pressure of a busy shop floor because they have been there themselves. They know our software intimately and do not need to read from a manual to solve your problems.

Transparency in Pricing and Contracts

A significant differences here at Tower Systems is our approach to contracts. We do not lock our customers into a long-term agreement. We back our software and service every month. If you decide the software is no longer right for you, you can cancel your rental with 30 days’ notice. This flexibility removes the financial risk often associated with rigid, multi-year commitments.

Our POS software pricing is transparent and simple:

• No terminal limits: You can run the software on as many computers as you need in a single location for one fixed price.
• Included features: Standard requirements like Xero and Shopify integrations, loyalty tools, and e-commerce links for platforms such as WooCommerce and Magento are included without surprise surcharges.
• Payment flexibility: We do not force you into a specific EFTPOS provider. You are free to choose the payments gateway and bank that offer the best rates for your business.
• No transaction clips: We do not take a percentage of your sales. You keep 100% of your revenue.

Specialist Tools for Growth

Our software is not a generalised, “one size fits all” solution. It is built for specialty retail. This means the functionality is deep, offering genuine pathways to increase your efficiency and profitability. Beyond the code itself, we provide the training and customer service necessary to help you actually leverage these money-making tools.

We invite you to put our software on the counter next to Epos Now and compare them function for function. We are confident that a detailed analysis will demonstrate the extensive benefits of a system tailored to local specialty retail.

If you are a happy Epos Now customer, we encourage you to stay with what works for you. However, if you are looking for an alternative that prioritises direct engagement, local expertise, and honest business terms, we would welcome the opportunity to chat.

Check us out, obligation free.

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The right POS system or website for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software and websites made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.  

Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au. 

A Lightspeed customer recently reached out to us frustrated by a contact from Lightspeed about a change in their plan. The price increase for them will be $130.00 a month including GST. This is a price increase they had not budgeted for, a price increase considerably outside of other operational cost price increases.

While the messaging frames this as a necessary infrastructure upgrade to support more powerful tools, the practical outcome for many small business owners is a mandatory price increase. Although initial discounts are often provided to soften the transition, the long-term reality is a higher fixed cost for the business.

Our Tower Systems POS software is a alternative for Lightspeed customers, one that may be worth considering if you have received notice of a price increase and are frustrated with it.

For a local independent retailer, every overhead cost matters. Cost increases can be okay if they unlock significant additional commercial value for the businesss.

Why Tower Systems is a good alternative

We develop and support our software in Australia and New Zealand.

If you are currently reconsidering your relationship with Lightspeed, here is how Tower Systems operates differently:

• You matter: The email from Lightspeed to the customer that we have seen  does not name any person at Lightspeed. It offers no phone number. There is no individual email address. It makes contact difficult. Here at Tower Systems, every customer has direct contact details – phone and email – for our leadership team. We make sure our customers can easily contact us.
• Your say matters: our customers can easily suggest software enhancements and vote on these and suggestions from others. Our Software Ideas platform is a service loved by the retailers in our community.
• Payment independence: Unlike some competitors who push specific payment gateways or add per-transaction fees, we believe you should choose the merchant services that work best for your bottom line.
• Local, human support: When you need help, you talk to someone here in Australia or New Zealand who understands your business type—whether you run a garden centre, a jeweller, or a toy store.
• No lock-in contracts: We earn your business every month. We don’t rely on long-term contracts to keep our customers.

The notice we have seen that was sent to a Lightspeed customers included a clause regarding termination. If you feel this mandatory change is not the right fit for your business, you generally have the option to exit your subscription without penalty if you act before the change takes effect.

Software should be an investment that yields a return, not an unpredictable expense. If you are looking for a stable, transparent, and locally-focused partner to power your retail shop, we invite you to see what Tower Systems can do.

We don’t know if our Tower Systems POS software is a good alternative to Lightspeed. Only you can decide that by looking at our software and comparing it to Lightspeed. We’d love to find out about your business needs and personally demonstrate our POS software to you.

From serial number tracking to selling by fractions to awesome loyalty tools to Shopify integration to easy supplier invoice import, Tower Systems offers software designed for many different specialty retail channels.

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The right POS system or website for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software and websites made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.  

Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au. 

Local independent retail is built on a foundation of genuine relationships, not merely the accumulation of transactions. This core truth is often overlooked by software companies, particularly those employing a percentage-based pricing model for their Point of Sale (POS) systems. Such an approach can feel less like a partnership and more like a regressive tax, revealing a significant disconnect with the operational realities and philosophical heart of indie retail.

Tower Systems does not charge a per transaction cost, a tax, for use of its POS software.

Consider the typical independent shop. It is often staffed by casual employees who might work only one or two shifts a week. These individuals are the frontline ambassadors for the brand. They are not technology specialists. Their priority is the customer standing directly in front of them. When a question arises, they need immediate, accurate answers. They require intuitive software that facilitates service, rather than hindering it. A delay caused by a cumbersome interface or a confusing error message directly impacts the customer experience. This is where the personal touch, the very essence of indie retail, can be eroded.

Large technology companies, in their pursuit of efficiency and scale, frequently focus on metrics such as “low cost per contact” for their support systems. This often translates into automated responses, lengthy wait times, or complex multi-tiered support structures. While these strategies might reduce operational costs for the tech provider, they exact a heavy toll on the independent retailer. A casual staff member, faced with a queue of customers and an unyielding automated system, experiences frustration that can quickly transfer to the customer. This impersonal approach clashes directly with the deeply personal nature of local retail.

The percentage-of-transaction pricing model exacerbates this issue. Every sale in an independent shop represents not just revenue, but the successful culmination of a relationship. It is the result of curated stock, personalised recommendations, and a welcoming atmosphere. When a software company takes a slice of each transaction, it implicitly claims a share in this relational success without contributing directly to its creation. This model can feel like a penalty for growth. As a business flourishes through its own hard work and community engagement, its core software costs increase disproportionately.

Furthermore, this pricing structure introduces unwelcome unpredictability into a sector that often operates on tight margins. Independent retailers require stable, forecastable overheads to manage their cash flow effectively. A fixed subscription fee allows for clearer financial planning. A variable cost tied to every sale, however, can turn software from a predictable utility into an erratic expense, making budgeting more challenging. It also creates a misaligned incentive, where the software provider benefits from increased volume regardless of the actual value or strain placed on their service by that volume.

Ultimately, the most effective POS software for independent retail should operate as a supportive, almost invisible, infrastructure. It should empower the person behind the counter, making their job easier and allowing them to focus on what truly matters: the customer. When pricing models become punitive or create friction, they cease to be tools for empowerment and instead become barriers to genuine connection. It is time for the technology supporting indie retail to truly understand and uphold the personal essence of the retail experience.

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The right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business. Tower offers POS software made specifically for local small business retailers in a selection of retail channels. To see if we might help you…, request a free, no-obligation demo today.  

Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au.