Talking about theft in local small business retail and ways we help
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Giving back: Empowering Community and Charity Shops with Tailored POS Software
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We are proud and grateful, here at Tower Systems, to serve a wonderful variety of local op shops, charity shops, and community-owned enterprises. We appreciate the vital role these organisations play in our communities. We are dedicated to supporting their success by providing Point of Sale (POS) software specifically tailored to their unique needs.
Designed for a Volunteer Workforce
A core challenge for many community enterprises is a workforce comprised of dedicated volunteers who may only work a few hours each month. Recognising the frequent turnover and varying levels of computer proficiency this entails, we have prioritised ease of use in our software. Our intuitive interface is straightforward to learn, ensuring that new team members can become confident and effective quickly.
To further support this, we have developed a curriculum of short-format training videos made specifically for charity enterprises. This design makes it easier for volunteers to learn the system at their own pace and supports the valuable work of their charity.
Features to Help Your Organisation Thrive
Our charity shop POS software is more than just a tool for processing sales; it’s a comprehensive system designed to help you manage, grow, and focus on your core mission.
- Flexible Inventory Management: You decide the level of detail you need. Track stock at a high level by product type, or drill down to size, colour, style, or even individual items. This flexibility provides valuable data-driven insights to optimise stock management and make better decisions.
- Effective Customer Loyalty: While our software offers various loyalty options, our cash-off loyalty program has proven particularly effective in a local retail setting. A simple receipt showing an amount a customer can save on their next visit is a powerful incentive, encouraging return visits and increased spending.
- Security and Control: Protect your organisation with robust security features. You can lock down specific parts of the software for management access only, while built-in checks and balances guide processes and provide hidden tracking for peace of mind.
- Community Engagement: Strengthen your local connections by leveraging our software to create targeted offers and special pricing for local clubs and community groups. You can even track purchases by members as a fund-raising tool for their organisation.
- Expand Your Reach: In today’s world, not every shopper will walk past your door. Our POS software offers seamless integration with professional website platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce, helping you connect with a wider audience.
Our Commitment to Giving Back
We believe in the important work that charity and community organisations do. As part of our own commitment to give back, Tower Systems offers these enterprises our POS software and any training at half price. This is a long-standing practice we are thankful to have been able to offer for decades, ensuring our solutions are as affordable as they are useful for these tight-budget businesses.
By providing the essential tools for inventory management, sales tracking, and customer engagement, we empower your organisation to operate efficiently and sustainably, allowing you to focus on what matters most—serving your community.
Let Tower Systems help you transform your charity shop into a thriving hub of community support.
To find out more, please visit www.towersystems.com.au/charity.
Call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand. Or, email sales@towersystems.com.au.
Small business retail advice: Surviving the Squeeze: Practical Strategies for Managing Cash Flow Amidst Rising Costs
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2025 is proving to be a tough year for some. If your retail business is finding it tough, the advice we share here may be of interest. We put it together following a discussion with a couple of our POS software customers a few days ago. They are doing it tough and wanted to discuss their business.
From supplier price increases and increased freight charges to rising wages and rent, the pressure on the bottom line is coming from every direction fort plenty of local small business retailers. While you can’t control the broader economy, you have direct control over the most critical element of your business’s survival: your cash flow.
Proactive cash flow management is the key to building resilience in a tough economic climate. It transforms you from a passenger to the pilot of your business’s finances. With the crucial Christmas trading period just around the corner, now is the perfect time to implement these practical strategies to strengthen your position.
1. Get Forensic with Your Finances
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. It’s a cliché, and it’s true. A vague sense of your finances is not enough when every dollar counts. True visibility is your first line of defence.
- Action: Create a 12-Week Cash Flow Forecast. This is non-negotiable. A simple spreadsheet that maps out your expected income against your fixed and variable expenses over the next three months will be your most powerful tool. It helps you anticipate shortfalls, identify opportunities to delay non-essential spending, and make informed decisions about stock purchases for the festive season. You don’t need accounting experience to do this. You know your income and your expenses.
- Action: Review Every Single Expense Line. Scrutinise your bank statements and profit and loss reports. Are you paying for software subscriptions you no longer use? Can you get a more competitive rate on your insurance, EFTPOS terminal, or internet plan? Small, recurring savings compound over the year into a significant sum.
2. Optimise Your Stock and Suppliers
For a retailer, inventory is cash sitting on your shelves, and your supplier relationships are your lifeline. Products not selling are dead cash-wise. Managing both effectively is critical.
- Action: Identify and Liquidate Slow-Moving Stock. Run a stock turn report in your POS software. Any item that hasn’t sold in over 90 days is tying up cash that could be used elsewhere. A strategic clearance sale now, before you’re flooded with Christmas stock, can provide a vital cash injection.
- Action: Renegotiate with Your Suppliers. Your suppliers are facing pressures too, and most will prefer a collaborative partner over losing a customer. Have an honest conversation. Ask if you can get a small discount for early payment or, conversely, if you can extend your payment terms from 30 to 45 days on core product lines to ease pressure. Consider placing smaller, more frequent orders to avoid large, upfront cash outlays.
3. Diversify Your Revenue Streams
Relying solely on traditional product sales can make your business vulnerable. Creating new, high-margin income sources can provide a valuable buffer.
- Action: Introduce a Service or Experience. Can you offer a paid workshop, a product repair service, or a personal styling session? These services often have low overheads and bring new customers through your door who may then purchase products. The question is: what else could you sell that you’re not selling today. Dopn’t bind yourself to only what is typically sold in your type of business.
- Action: Promote a Strong Gift Voucher Program. A gift voucher is essentially an interest-free loan from your customer. As we head into the gift-giving season, ensure your vouchers are well-promoted both in-store and online.
4. Make Getting Paid Faster
Closing the gap between making a sale and having the cash in your bank account is a simple but effective way to improve your cash position.
- Action: Review Your Payment Processing Fees. A fraction of a per cent difference in your EFTPOS or e-commerce gateway fees can add up to thousands of dollars over a year. Shop around to ensure you are on the most competitive rate available.
Managing cash flow is not a one-time task; it is an ongoing discipline. By taking these proactive steps today, you can navigate the current squeeze and build a more resilient, stable, and profitable business for the future.
We have served local small business retailers for decades, and we’ve run our own shops. The advice here is advice we have given ourselves.
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While the right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
2025 is different: retail, especially small business retail, is adapting at speed
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As we move through the later half of 2025, it’s clear that the landscape for Australian retail is changing at a pace that feels unprecedented. For years, we and others have talked about the evolution of retail, but the changes occurring now feel less like a gradual evolution and more like a rapid, necessary revolution.
In our work with local small business retailers in a bunch of different retail channels and in different settings in Australia and New Zealand, we are seeing an acceleration in strategic adaptation. The trends themselves: pivoting business models, driving efficiency, and automating tasks, are not new. What is new is the speed at which they are being implemented. Decisions that might have taken years to consider are now being executed in a matter of months.
Here are some of the areas where we are seeing this acceleration in action:
The strategic pivot from transaction to destination
Successful retailers are no longer waiting for the market to force their hand; they are proactively redefining their purpose. We are seeing a decisive shift away from being a simple point of transaction to becoming a true destination. Think immersive retail that nurtures a longer dwell time in-store and online.
This involves a fundamental pivot in focus. For example, a shop adjust their footprint to become a curated hub for premium products that are not necessarily products they have sold before. The old rules of what was traditional for your shingle appear to matter less today.
The key is a move towards both diversification and specialisation, and service. Retailers are analysing what makes them unique and doubling down on it, creating a compelling reason for customers to visit in person. This strategic narrowing of focus is happening faster than ever, as business owners recognise that trying to be everything to everyone is no longer a viable strategy.
The urgent pursuit of efficiency
Alongside the strategic pivot is an intense focus on operational efficiency. With rising business costs, eliminating friction and wasted time is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s a core survival strategy. Smart retailers are leveraging technology to streamline every possible process.
We are seeing a rapid move to eliminate previously manual tasks that consume valuable hours. This includes:
- Automated Inventory Management: Using modern POS software to sync stock levels between physical and online stores in real-time, eliminating manual stock-takes for web sales.
- Data-Driven Ordering: Moving away from guesswork and using sales data to automate purchase orders with suppliers, reducing both overstocking and missed sales opportunities.
- Integrated Digital Operations: Ensuring e-commerce, accounting, and marketing platforms talk to each other seamlessly, saving countless hours of manual data entry and reconciliation.
The goal is simple: automate the mundane so that the owner and their team can focus on high-value activities like customer engagement, marketing, and strategic planning.
The defining characteristic of retail in 2025 is not change itself, but the velocity of that change.
The local small retail businesses thriving today are those that have embraced this new pace, making bold decisions and implementing them with purpose and urgency. They understand that in this new era, standing still is the greatest risk of all.
2025 in local small business retail is different, faster, more tech-forward.
Father’s Day connects people with local retail
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Father’s Day is one of those retail seasons that reminds shoppers of local retail. It’s a season for which people tend to buy in the last few days and buying last-minute sends more people local.
The thing is, many local retailers have changed so much in recent years that a Father’s Day shopping visit can reveal local retail to a standard not expected by local shoppers. That’s why so many local retailers shine for seasons like Father’s Day, it’s an opportunity to showcase what’s fresh and innovative about their local retail businesses.
From data we see, local real gets a traffic spike of 20-% and more in the lead up to Father’s Day. This traffic spike is one reason we urge our local retail business customers to present week for the day, to shine.
The Father’s Day (and other season) opportunity extends far beyond the weekend. A positive and surprising shopping experience plants a seed for future business. When these last-minute shoppers leave with a gift the want to give and a fresh view of the local shop, they are more likely to return.
A single, well-executed seasonal rush, like for Father’s Day, can reset a customer’s shopping habits, converting a visit of convenience into a deliberate choice for future needs and fostering a loyal base that will support the business year-round.
We care about this here at Tower Systems since we only service local independent retailers. We are small business focussed, local retail focussed, and have been since the day we began. In our software and in the advice were provide, we encourage local retailers to lean into opportunities to thrive.
This is why we see today not as a single sales event, but as a vital opportunity for community connection. Every thoughtfully curated display, every helpful recommendation, and every friendly interaction during this rush strengthens the bond between a shopper and their local high street. These personal touches are the irreplaceable advantage that local retailers hold over online giants and big-box stores, turning a simple transaction into a memorable experience that reinforces the unique and essential value of shopping local.
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If you’re a local retailer and keen for software made for your type of business, check us out at www.towersystems.com.au. We’d love to find out more about your business.
Advice for small business Australian retailers on how to choose the best POS system for your business
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Choosing a POS system is something that you don’t do that often. If you do find yourself doing it often in your business something is wrong with your process. We have some advice specifically for small business retailers on how to choose the best POS software for a business. It is advice that will stand up to scrutiny, advice others will judge as fair and reasonable.
Yes, we are a POS software company. No, our advice is not to go with Tower Systems. While we love welcoming new customers, we only want customers for which our POS software is a good fit.
Here is our Advice for small business Australian retailers on how to choose the best POS system for your business.
It’s simple really. You don’t need to read a book about it or go to hours of seminars. This is easy and straightforward.
- Be sure of what matters operationally today to you and those who work in the business. For efficiency. For profitability. For enjoyment.
- Understand what will matter tomorrow and into the mid future. For efficiency. For profitability. For enjoyment.
- Reflect on what matters to you from a social responsibility persecutive. Like, does Australian made and supported matter? Does dealing with a business that pays fair tax in Australia matter? Or, does dealing with a business focussed on personal customer service matter?
- Now, do the work. Yes, you, do the work. Don’t outsource it. If you own the business and the final decision, do the work. That way, you’re responsible.
Okay, the four steps are more complex than we make them out. They are the headlines though. Focus on them. Flesh them out for your type of business. Own each step. Do the work. The result will be a decision that is right for the business today and tomorrow.
Don’t rush. Work at the pace you choose. Always be in control. Watch out for a pitch of a deal that seeks to get you to act sooner. Watch out for claims of functionality in the POS software they have not shown you. Actions speak louder than words. Anyone can say yes to a question or say the software has some facility. Only believe those who show you as showing is the truth.
Take notes, lots after notes. Record meetings (with permission).
Oh, and beware the companies that want to take you to lunch or who buy you gifts. The gift you want is profit from having made the right POS software choice for your business.
If you are not sure of something, go back over it again, and again – until you are sure you understand.
Choosing the right POS system can make you a lot of money. Conversely, choosing the wrong POS system can cost you a lot of money. Put in the work. Take your time. Only choose what feels best for your business.
That’s it, that’s our advice.
Now, why are we writing about this today, on a Saturday morning of all things. Well, this morning we heard from a business owner who looked us and ultimately went with another POS company. Now they are locked in paying for software that;’s not a good fit, software that is not helping them operate efficiently and happily. They asked if we could help them get out of their contract. We can’t Some contracts are like that. And that brings us to more advice: read the contract. In the small business space, a lock in contract if more likely to favour the software company than the retailer. You want a contract that lets you out at 30 days notice.
Anyway, that’s it, that’s our advice on how to choose the best POS system for your retail business.
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While the right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
We are grateful to serve local small business retailers
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We are grateful, thankful and appreciative to serve local small business retailers in many ways:
Tower Systems offers an alternative to the Univex POS system
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We have not used the Univex POS system and have not even seen the software. We do have customers who have switched from the Univex POS system to our Tower Systems POS software. From this we have gained experience we can leverage for any retailer looking for an alternative to the Univex POS system.
To see if our Tower Systems POS software and to customer support services we provide present as a good alternative to Univex, book a demonstration. We are happy to compare facilities side by side and to show, first-hand, what our customer service looks like.
Our Tower Systems POS software is made and supported by us. We have a comprehensive crew of software developers, training people, support people and retail business experienced advisers who can help retailers leverage our POS software for maximum value.
The depth of ur retail business support team is considerable, offering a variety of voices, experience and knowledge from which our retailers can benefit.
A modern retail business is a connected business. Our Tower Systems POS software is built to integrate seamlessly with a range of best-in-class platforms. We offer robust, tried and tested links to leading e-commerce websites like Shopify, Big Commerce and WooCommerce, popular accounting packages such as Xero and MYOB, and a variety of integrated EFTPOS providers. This ecosystem approach ensures your data flows effortlessly, reduces manual data entry, and provides a single source of truth, empowering you to run a more efficient and profitable retail operation.
Integrations are core to our offer as is support for vertical market communities like Just For Pets, AIRR, Indepet, Evergreen Connect, XchangeIT and plenty more across a range of retail verticals.
The AI tools embedded in our POS software are proving to be a winning differentiator for our customers and for us as well. The are helping retailers save time, make good quality business decisions faster and fun businesses moving at a pace hitherto unavailable for local small business retail. These Ai tools we have delivered are game-changing – that’s what Tower Systems customers tell us.
Like Univex, our POS software is made for specialty retailers. We are grateful to serve pet shops, garden centres, bike shops, jewellers, toy shops, bookshops, newsagents, fashion shops and more.
If you are a Univex POS system customer and are considering change, make a note of what you love about your current software and what you would like changed. Doing this o=homework first is key to you making the right decision for your business. The best move may be to keep using Univex. Our advice is to be open to what’s best for your retail business based on the evidence.
If you decide to switch from Univex, we’d love to learn about your needs and explore these in the context of what our Tower Systems POS software offers and our easy-to-access customer service.
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While the right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
Scale integration, serial num bar tracking and Repairs: specialty POS software tools for specialty retailers
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Many independent retail businesses are wonderfully complex. It’s what makes the unique and sought out. Specialty retail needs often go far beyond a simple transaction at the counter. You might sell bulk pet food by the kilo, track the unique serial number of a valuable item, or manage an intricate in-house repair service. In a specialist business, the details matter, and your Point of Sale software should be built to handle them with precision and ease.
Our specialty retail POS software is made to help specialty retailers lean into their specialisation, to transact efficiently in this space of specialisation. For decades we have delivered and fine-tuned the specialty retail facilities in our POS software.
Selling by weight
If your business sells products by weight, you know that speed and accuracy are crucial. Manually pre-packing items or double-typing prices at the counter wastes valuable time and increases the risk of mistakes that can affect your bottom line.
Our POS software offers automatic scales integration that meets government standards, ensuring compliance and efficiency. From bulk foods and animal feed to soil and confectionery, any store selling products by weight can rely on our integration for fast, accurate selling. This simple feature saves time, reduces errors, and improves customer satisfaction.
Serial numbers tracking
For businesses dealing in specialised goods like firearms, bicycles, or high-value jewellery, tracking individual items is essential. Our software allows you to easily and consistently track the serial numbers of your inventory. You control the process, choosing whether to track items from the moment they arrive in your business, at the point of sale, or both.
This provides a higher level of service that customers appreciate. Serial numbers are printed on receipts, creating a record they can use for warranty or insurance claims. It also sets your business up for longer-term tracking of an item’s service history, creating a valuable point of difference.
Streamlined repairs management
Made first for jewellers and now used in so many specialty retail business settings. Managing repairs can be a significant operational challenge.
Whether you’re managing a jewellery workshop, a bicycle service centre, gunsmithing jobs, or even landscaping projects, our software streamlines the entire process. The system provides:
- Detailed Job Tracking: Follow every job from initial receipt to completion, with real-time tracking of staff actions.
- Accurate Billing: Precisely track labour and parts used for accurate inventory control and billing.
- External Repairs Management: Efficiently manage items outsourced to contractors, including warranty claims.
- Integrated Customer Communication: Keep customers informed with automated SMS or email notifications when their repair is ready for collection.
By streamlining the repairs process from start to finish, our software helps you deliver a professional, efficient, and personalised service that builds customer trust and loyalty.
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While the right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
Retailer Roam: POS software helping you sell from anywhere, including Pop-ups
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Modern retail is not within four walls and a fixed counter. Sales can be conducted anywhere from the shop floor to a pop-up to off the back of a truck to a local market.
Retailers know the smart move is to sell where the customers are.
Our Retailer Roam POS software solution is a calm, capable, and cloud-based tool in our Tower Systems software suite, designed to give you the freedom to sell anywhere, anytime.
Portability, uninterrupted sales
As a tablet-based app for Apple iPads and Android devices, Retailer Roam acts as a powerful extension of the core Tower Systems Retailer POS software. It’s designed for small retail businesses on the move, allowing you to transact with confidence whether you’re connected to WiFi or working completely offline.
This is a key strength. We understand that internet access isn’t always guaranteed at an event or in a temporary location. Retailer Roam is built to work seamlessly even when a connection is not available. Sales and customer data are securely stored on the device in a queue and then automatically synchronised back to your main system as soon as you’re back online. This offers peace of mind, ensuring you never miss a sale due to a sketchy connection.
Retailer Roam has been built with retailers, for retailers. years in the field show the value. Customers love it.
Powerful retail features – in your hands.
Retailer Roam provides a comprehensive suite of tools, giving you the power of a full POS terminal in a portable format. You can:
- Transact with ease: Process Cash and EFTPOS sales, create invoices, set up a LayBy, and handle refunds. Integrated EFTPOS ensures smooth, professional payments.
- Manage stock: Sell items with serial numbers, conduct stocktakes, and manage re-ordering on the go.
- Engage customers: Accrue and redeem loyalty points, strengthening your customer relationships wherever you are.
- Customise workflow: Adapt the POS screen to suit your specific needs for faster, more intuitive service.
How Retailer Roam works.
Behind the scenes, a secure and reliable three-phase process keeps your data accurate and synchronised with your main business database.
- Initial Setup: On start-up, the app performs an initial transfer of your base stock information, setting you up to begin selling immediately.
- Live Updates: The app then receives ongoing product updates, such as changes to pricing or stock on hand levels, ensuring your data is always current.
- Sales Sync: Finally, all sales, customer, and inventory data from the Roam terminal is sent back to your main Retailer software, giving you a complete picture of your business performance across all locations.
Retailer Roam is a proven solution for any retail business that needs to be agile. It’s easy to use, secure, and built to serve the real-world needs of Australian small businesses.
The most recent release of Retailer Roam was released last month, August 2025. We continue to evolve Roam to ensure it is a viable and loved software solution for local small business retailers.
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While the right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
Be everywhere all at once: multi-store POS software for small business retail
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We are grateful here at Tower Systems to serve many local small business retailers with our multi-store POS software. It’s made for multi-store situations and settings, bringing network level visibility and management to small businesses with multiple retail outlets. We’ve been doing this for years across a range of specialty retailers: jewellers, bike shops, garden centres, newsagents, pet shops, gift shops and more.
Retail business owners with multiple retail outlets can’t be in two, three, or ten places at once. With our Tower Systems multi-store POS software, you gain the control and oversight to manage all your locations as if you were physically present in every single one.
If you’re running a small business with multiple retail sites, you need flexible, powerful software to manage each location with confidence. We know this from experience serving these businesses. We first built our multi-store functionality in 2007 out of necessity while running our own four gift shops. You can rest assured that we’ve faced your challenges and built the answers you’re looking for.
Imagine a customer asks for a product that’s out of stock. Instead of losing a sale, your staff can instantly check stock levels across all your other stores. In a moment, they can tell the customer exactly where to find it or arrange to have it transferred. This seamless connectivity empowers your team to provide exceptional service, turning a potential disappointment into a positive customer experience. This same functionality makes managing stock between a warehouse and your retail stores effortless.
The freedom of a multi-store setup is the ability to manage your business remotely. All you need is an internet connection to connect to your business from any device, at any time.
- Check out daily sales data for all your stores over your morning coffee.
- Process invoices for one location while grabbing lunch at a café.
- Handle stock maintenance for your entire business from home in the evening.
- Adjust staff rosters for each shop from the backseat of a taxi.
This is the level of control and flexibility our multi-store package delivers, giving you more time to focus on the big picture.
We believe in supporting local small business retail growth, which is why we offer a simple, transparent pricing model. While many other software platforms charge a monthly fee for every single terminal, we price our multi-store package per physical location. Whether your shop has one computer or three, the price for that location remains the same.
Our small business POS software is scalable. You can start with one store today and have complete confidence that when you’re ready to expand, we can seamlessly connect your new location. We do have a cap since we are focussed on small businesses. Let’s discuss that further with you.
Our POS software multi-store functionality has been built to link multiple stores and give you unparalleled control. Let us help you connect your locations and grow your business with confidence.
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While the right POS system for any retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
Your business, your POS, your way: flexible software for Aussie small business retailers
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In the diverse landscape of Australian local small business retail, a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. A boutique on a bustling city laneway has different needs and technical realities than a hardware store in a regional town, and different needs to a produce business in a rural setting. At Tower Systems, we understand this. That’s why our Point of Sale software offers genuine flexibility, putting you in complete control of how you run your business.
We believe your POS system should adapt to your business, not the other way around. Ask any of our thousands of local small business retail customers. They can speak to flexibility, the ability to conduct retail their way.
Love the Cloud? We’ve got you covered.
If you want the freedom to access your business data from anywhere, at any time, you can choose to run your Tower Systems POS software 100% in the cloud. This setup is perfect for the modern retailer on the move, allowing you to manage stock, run reports, and keep an eye on sales whether you’re at a trade show, at home, or on holiday.
Prefer to keep it local? No worries.
For many retailers, the top priority is rock-solid stability at the counter. If the internet goes down, you still need to serve your customers. We get it. That’s why you can run our POS software entirely on local computers in your shop. Your sales, stock management, and day-to-day operations continue seamlessly, completely independent of your internet connection.
Got sketchy Internet? We’ve built for it.
This is where our commitment to Australian small business shines. We know that internet reliability can be a challenge, especially outside of major metro areas. If your business operates with a less-than-perfect internet connection, our software provides the perfect solution.
You can run your core POS functions locally, ensuring the till is always operational, and have the software sync your data to the cloud, if thats’s what you want, whenever a stable connection is available. It’s the ultimate safety net, offering the resilience of a local system with the convenient backup and remote access benefits of the cloud. No more stressing when the internet drops out during a busy Saturday rush.
You choose.
Your business is unique, and your POS software should reflect that. Whether you want a pure cloud, strictly local, or a hybrid setup that gives you peace of mind, Tower Systems provides a flexible solution that is appropriate for your specific needs.
We empower you to run your business, your way.
Now, if all this sounds a bit shiny, let us show you. We love talking one-on-one with local small business retailers. We’d also love to connect you with some of our customers.
Your voice, our code: how our small business retail customers shape our POS software
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Having the right tools is crucial for success, especially in local small business retail. At Tower Systems, we believe that the best people to help us shape our Point of Sale (POS) software are the ones who use it every day: our customers. That’s why we’re proud to showcase our groundbreaking Software Ideas platform, a revolutionary tool that puts you in the driver’s seat of our software development.
Back in 2009, inspired by Jeff Jarvis’ book What Would Google Do?, we embarked on a mission to open up our software development process. The result was the launch of Software Ideas, a proprietary platform we created that empowers our Tower Systems POS software customers to suggest and vote on software changes. This world-first in the POS software space continues today in 2025 to be a cornerstone of our commitment to genuine and transparent cooperation with our small business retail customer community.
The Software Ideas platform is a simple yet powerful tool for collaboration. Here’s how it works:
- Suggest: Have an idea for a new feature, function, or report in our Retailer software? Submit it through the Software Ideas platform.
- Vote: Browse the ideas submitted by other users and vote for the ones you’d like to see implemented. Each customer has one vote, making every voice heard.
- Collaborate: Add your own notes and comments to existing ideas, fostering a community of innovation.
Our software development manager reviews every submission, combining similar ideas, contacting customers for further input, and putting them up for public voting. This transparent process allows us to prioritise the features and functions that are most requested by you, our valued customers.
We are proud to say that every update to our POS software includes enhancements suggested by our customers through the Software Ideas platform. In fact, our latest update, currently in the final stages of quality assurance, contains eight enhancements that originated from this very process. We make sure to identify these user-suggested enhancements in our update notes to demonstrate the power of your engagement.
Every idea is thoroughly costed and evaluated, and the list of live ideas is considered for each software update package we create. This is not just a suggestion box; it’s a dynamic and influential part of our development cycle.
The Software Ideas platform is more than just a feature; it’s a testament to our belief in a two-way partnership with our customers. It’s a unique service that encourages retailers to join our community, knowing that their voices will be heard and their needs will be met.
We are committed to acting on the will of our customer community, within the development budget funded from support fees and sales revenue. We are also committed to complete transparency. If a change request is not feasible for technical reasons, we will explain why.
Sixteen years on from its launch, we are proud to point to the valuable success of Software Ideas. It has not only enriched our POS software but has also strengthened our relationship with the retailers we serve. We want our customers to tell us what to do, to help us make our software better. The launch of Tower Systems Software Ideas is a direct result of trusting our customers to help us innovate and grow.
If you have an idea for how we can improve our software, we encourage you to visit our website and become a part of the conversation. Together, we can continue to build a POS system that is truly by retailers, for retailers.
Thank you to our customers for their ideas and encouragement – their engagement is the heart of Software Ideas.
We love helping local retailers bloom
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We help local Aussie newsagencies transform
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We are grateful to serve close to 70% of all Aussie newsagencies with our newsagency software.
Major POS software update delivers more AI tools to small business retailers
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We are proud to share the release of a major POS software update early last week that delivers even more embedded Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for small business retailers. These AI tools go further than the loved AI tools in our POS software already.
Now, to be clear, these are AI tools embedded in the POS software. There is no exporting a report or data and using an AI platform externally. We make it so easy for small business retailers to use AI to move faster, smarter and more profitably. We are leveraging AI for small business retailers in ways that provide terrific competitive advantage.
In this latest update, we have fine-tuned existing AI tools and added new AI tools in your POS software. We’r keeping the details of the new AI tools for our customers only. They are a competitive advantage after all. That said, we note that the new AI tools deliver in several ways:
- Time saved. We’ve delivered new AI tools that replace more manual processes. Every hour saved in small business retail can be a bottom line advantage. We’re also helping retailers make decisions on a faster timeline and, as they say, time is money.
- Better quality business decisions. We offer the ability to replace some decision making that was based on manual analysis of reports and other data with AI tools that bring that together and more. This is money in the bank.
- Reduced theft. This is so exciting. It’s like a knock on the door and being told it looks like you may be being stolen from. Oh, and here’s what leads us to this suspicion. Knowing about possible theft focusses your attention and that right there could save a small retail business thousands of dollars.
- Confidence building. Good decisions build confidence and our POS software AI tools nurture good business decisions. Retailers tell us that the AI tools are helping them grow more confident in their decisions and their business.
AI is a game-changer for engaged small business retailers. Big retail businesses are not moving as fast in the AI space as their tech stack is often more complex, harder to change and reliant on outsourcing, which can be expensive. Here at Towers Systems we are delivering as part of our regular software enhancement program without charging our customers to access these new tools.
Using AI in local small business retail is not new for us here at Tower Systems. We have been offering it to our customers for three years now. These latest enhancements launched earlier this month are a nice step forward though. We are grateful to our development team for helping us continue our leadership in this area.
We are not stopping here. We have more enhancements in the pipeline, so watch this space. Our focus is to help small business retailers be competitive and right now AI is a key piece of tech that enables us to pursue this goal.
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While the right POS system for an retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
Is changing your POS system worth the effort for a small business retailer?
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It is easy to feel handcuffed to a POS software, especially if the company you are using makes it hard for you to switch systems. Some software companies make it difficult to export your sales, product and other data. Some charge heavily for this and related services. Some even make talking about switching software difficult.
Here at Tower Systems we think the extent of difficulty in switching from a POS software solution could speak to the confidence that software company has in their product and service.
Some POS software companies actively make it hard, and expensive, to switch thinking that keeps you their customer for longer.
Recent experience tells us that the bigger the push-back from a company, the more motivated some small business retailers are in switching POS software.
Here at Tower Systems, we see your data as valuable asset, and it belongs to you. Our commitment is to provide easy access to your own information, without hidden fees or intentionally difficult processes. Our confidence lies not in providing a solution so valuable and a service so responsive that you won’t have a reason to. For us, the freedom to leave is the most compelling reason to stay.
Our belief in freedom is backed by our commitment to delivering tangible value every day. From specialist features designed for unique retail channels to our accessible, Australian-based help desk support, we focus on providing the tools that actually help you run a better business. We are confident that by empowering you, we build a partnership you will choose to be in for the long term.
Retailers should use the software that best serves the needs of their business, that helps the business succeed. Sticking with software because switching too hard could be a bad decision, encumbering the business with costs that hold the business back.
if you are using POS software that is hard to switch from, research the cost of staying with what you have versus the cost of switching. next, consider the benefits of making the search, and place a value on this. This simple exercise may show that short term cost has a longer term gain, or not. The key is that you do the research, so you can make an informed decision.
We will say it again: the extent of difficulty in switching from a POS software solution could speak to the confidence that software company has in their product and service.
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While the right POS system for an retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
What does a business intelligence (BI) platform offer a retail business and is it worth it today?
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Software is changing rapidly, especially POS software. What it does is evolving father than ever. This is evident in the area of business intelligence (BI) tools.
A business intelligence (BI) platform is a suite of software applications that enables businesses to analyse data from various sources to make more informed business decisions. Historically, these platforms have transformed data into actionable insights, presenting them in an easily digestible format such as reports, dashboards, and visualisations.
Today, in in 2025, BI tools are embedded in POS software. They certainly are in our Tower Systems POS software. There’s our insights dashboard offering actionable business insights for special business retailers. Then there are our AI insights tools that bring together broad data including business specific data to provide insights. In both of these situations the insights available in our software today for no extra cost and in a shorter timeframe go beyond what retailers have had access to via more expensive BI platforms.
The area of BI has fundamentally shifted this year and here at Tower Systems we are helping retailers be ahead of this change thanks to smart BI tools in our POS software, helping small business retailers more effectively compete.
Of course, here is a paragraph that provides concrete examples to strengthen your point. It’s designed to fit between your third and fourth paragraphs.
The seamless POS software integration empowers retailers to move beyond simple sales reports and take action sooner.
For instance, a gift shop owner could instantly identify which lines sell best alongside specific gift items, allowing for strategic product placement. A garden centre could use AI-powered forecasting to anticipate demand for seasonal products based on historical data and local event calendars, optimising stock levels to maximise profit and minimise waste. This is no longer about looking in the rearview mirror at past performance; it’s about using predictive, actionable intelligence at the counter to make smarter, more competitive decisions every single day.
The speed of business is quickening and POS software leveraging AI, especially in the area of business intelligence is a solution that benefits local small business retailers.
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While the right POS system for making a switch smooth and easy depends on the specific needs of your retail business, Tower Systems was built to solve these exact challenges for Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
POS software made for independent small retail businesses in New Zealand
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If you own and run an independent small retail business in New Zealand, Tower Systems may have a POS software solution ideal for you. With many customers in New Zealand, we have good local knowledge and experience relevant to New Zealand retailers.
Our focus is on the type of business. The ideal retail business for us is small 15 or less outlets, specialty in nature, locally run.
All of our customers are small business retailers and they span across sixteen vertical markets including: bookshops, garden centres, farm supply businesses, toy shops, jewellers, bike shops, gift shops, pet shops, firearms dealers, convenience stores and more.
Our specialty retail software is feature rich and well connected to Xero, Shopify, Big Commerce, Woo Commerce, Tanda, deputy and more.
We’re AI enabled too – helping local retailers save time and make better quality business decisions sooner.
New Zealand retailers using our POS software help us to continue to evolve our software in service for growth, enjoyment and profitability.
If your retail business is in New Zealand, reach out to us to see if we could help you run a more enjoyable business. Call us toll free on 0800 444 367 or email our sales team direct at sales@towersystems.com.au.
Tower Systems is more than a software provider; we aim to be a genuine partner in your retail journey. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing independent retailers in New Zealand. By providing a stable, intuitive platform that automates tasks and integrates with the tools you already use, we empower you to spend less time on administration and more time focusing on your customers, your products, and the growth of your business.
We’re easily contacted too – all of our customers have easy access to our leadership team as well as our operational and engaged help desk team members. Being easy to contact makes sense to us and we know it’s something our customers appreciate.
User meetings are another way we help our customers network with their fellow users and produce us with valuable feedback on their Tower Systems experience. All of these things – personal contact through to group setting opportunities – help inform the service we provide our small business retailer community.
New Zealand is an important marketplace for us. We are grateful for the support we receive.
Expert advice for small business retailers on how to cut employee theft
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Employee theft can kill a small retail business. For decades, Tower Systems has helped retailers detect and stop employee theft.
Our POS software has robust and proven tools for detecting employee theft.
We have helped police and prosecutors. Some of our people have given expert evidence in court in cases related to employee theft.
Our knowledge about employee theft is comprehensive, across a range of specialty retail channels.
We didn’t set out to be employee theft experts. Making and supporting POS software is our thing. Along the way, we developed expertise, which were leveraged to further enhance our POS software, so it could help even more to detect and reduce employee theft.
The most recent release of our software goes even further by leveraging leading -edge AI tools to even more efficiently and insightfully shine a light on possible employee theft situations.
There are several steps a retailer can take to help reduce employee theft in any shop. Some strategies you may want to consider include:
- Establish clear policies and procedures: Create clear policies and procedures that outline expectations for employee behaviour, including rules around handling money, merchandise, and customer information. Make sure all employees understand and agree to these policies and know what to do if they witness or suspect theft.
- Implement a system for tracking inventory and sales: Use a system that allows you to track inventory and sales accurately and regularly. This will make it easier to identify any discrepancies or unusual patterns that may indicate theft.
- Conduct regular audits: Regularly conduct audits of your inventory, sales, and financial records to identify any potential issues or irregularities. This can help you to identify any potential issues early and take action to address them.
- Use security cameras and other security measures: Install security cameras and other security measures, such as alarms or locked storage areas, to help prevent theft and make it easier to identify any potential thieves.
- Provide training and support: Provide employees with training and support to help them understand the importance of honesty and integrity in the workplace. This can help to create a positive work environment and reduce the likelihood of employee theft.
- Use your POS software. This is the most important advice for good POS software has terrific tools for detecting possible employee theft and early detection is key.
By implementing these strategies, you can help to reduce employee theft in your shop and create a more honest and trustworthy workplace.
Tower Systems helps retailers through its local small business retail POS software. This software offers structure for transacting business. It facilitates efficiency and accuracy. It also adds value to the business and to those who work in the business.
Behind the scenes, the tower Systems POS software tracks key data points that can indicate employee theft. this tracking has been used successfully in detecting theft, leaving to charges being laid, leading to expert witness evidence in court.
Employee theft can be debilitating financially and emotionally in any retail business. This is especially true in local small business retail.
We are grateful here at Tower Systems to have the skill and focus to stand with local retailers, to help them reduce the impact of employee theft through smart use of our POS software.
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While the right POS system for making a switch smooth and easy depends on the specific needs of your retail business, Tower Systems was built to solve these exact challenges for Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
What is the best POS to use with Shopify?
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What is the best POS to use with Shopify? While Shopify does offer a POS solution with it’s e-commerce platform, it may be that your specific retail business would be better served by using a POS system made for your type of retail business.
Shopify at its heart is an e-commerce platform. That’s what they do well.
Tower Systems is a POS software company. That’s what we do well. We make POS software for specialty retailers like jewellers, garden centres, bike shops, newsagents, bookshops, toy shops, pet shops, music shops, landscape businesses, repairs businesses and more. This is specialty retail POS software made for specialty retailers.
Our Tower Systems POS software connects with Shopify for a seamless e-commerce solution.
What is the best POS to use with Shopify? The answer to that question for your retail business will depend on the needs off your retail business. You need to be clear on your needs, the must-haves, and choose a POS system that serves your needs, and hope that it is integrated with Shopify.
A jeweller may need granular control over unique stock items, detailed repair tracking, and customer-specific pricing that a generic POS may not handle. A garden centre requires tools for managing non-barcoded stock like plants, selling items by weight or measure, and handling complex seasonal inventory. Similarly, a bike shop benefits from an integrated repairs module that tracks repairs, manages technician time and records specific bike’s serial number. These are the types of purpose-built features that define a specialty POS system, turning daily operational challenges into streamlined, efficient processes.
What is the best POS to use with Shopify? If yours is a specialty retail business the answer will be POS software made your your type of business.
We are grateful to have switched retailers from using the Shopify POS to using ours for the in-store retail management. They needed more, things we could provide.
Our Tower Systems POS solution does much more than transact sales, track inventory and link to Xero for accounting. We offer a fine-tuned solution for a range of specialty retail markets that is deep with functionality, business process management and terrific tools that can help these specialty retail businesses thrive.
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While the right POS system for making a switch smooth and easy depends on the specific needs of your retail business, Tower Systems was built to solve these exact challenges for Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
Our YouTube channel is made for local small business retailers
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For small business retailers, harnessing the full power of your Point of Sale (POS) system can be a game-changer.
Our Tower Systems YouTube channel offers easy and free access to resource we’ve created for small business retailers. It’s a valuable hub of information designed to help you streamline your operations, enhance your customer service, and grow your business. Whether you’re a seasoned retailer or just starting, you’ll find a wealth of content to support you on your journey.
We’ve organised our content, making it easy for you to find what you need, when you need it:
- Frequently asked questions: Have a burning question about POS systems? Our short, snappy videos provide clear and concise answers to the most common queries we receive. From understanding software capabilities to navigating specific features, we’ve got you covered.
- In-depth software demonstrations: See our POS software in action! We offer detailed demonstrations that showcase the power and versatility of our systems. Discover how our software can be tailored to your specific retail sector, whether you’re in a niche market or a more traditional setting.
- Expert business advice: Beyond the technical aspects of POS systems, we share valuable insights and practical tips to help you thrive. Our videos on topics like boosting sales with discount vouchers and inventory management are designed to give you a competitive edge.
- The latest in retail technology: Curious about how innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can benefit your business? We explore the cutting edge of retail technology, demonstrating how our AI-enabled software can automate tasks, analyse data, and save you time.
At Tower Systems, we are passionate about supporting local, independent retailers. We see ourselves as more than just a software provider; we’re your partner in success. Our YouTube channel is a reflection of this commitment, offering a free, accessible platform for you to learn, grow, and connect with a community of like-minded business owners.
We invite you to visit our channel, explore our content, and see for yourself how we can help you unlock the full potential of your retail business.
Thank you for stopping by and for reading about our YouTube channel.
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While the right POS system for an retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
AI helps local retailers price compare for advantage
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Transparent POS software pricing for a tricking and valuable partnership
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Choosing the right Point of Sale (POS) software is a significant decision for any retail business, especially a small locally owned business. It’s not just about the features; it’s about finding a solution that fits your budget and provides genuine, measurable value. We believe that transparency in pricing is crucial to building a strong and lasting partnership. That’s why we are open and upfront about the cost of our software, ensuring you know exactly what to expect from day one.
Discovering our price is easy. You can do it without speaking with us or providing any of your details. This shows we rust our software and our customer service.
Our pricing structure serves the diverse needs of independent retailers We offer a range of plans, allowing you to select the level of functionality that best suits your business, from essential POS operations to advanced, feature-rich management tools. This flexibility ensures that you only pay for what you need, with the ability to scale up as your business grows.
We understand that managing cash flow is a concern for any business owner. To accommodate this, we offer the choice of either monthly or annual billing cycles. Opting for an annual plan provides a cost-saving benefit, reducing the overall monthly investment. Alternatively, a monthly subscription offers greater flexibility, allowing you to manage your expenses on a shorter-term basis.
Our pricing is straightforward, with no hidden fees or unexpected charges. The monthly or annual price includes not only the software itself but also the comprehensive, local support that we are known for. When you invest in our system, you are investing in a partnership with a team that is dedicated to your success.
The plans we offer as at today, in August 2025, are:
- Standard Plan: Ideal for retailers seeking robust, essential POS functionality.
- $220 per month (including GST) when billed annually.
- $235 per month (including GST) when billed monthly.
- Advanced Plan: For businesses looking for more advanced features to streamline operations.
- $246 per month (including GST) when billed annually.
- $265 per month (including GST) when billed monthly.
- Ultimate Plan: Our most comprehensive package, offering the full suite of powerful tools for complete business management.
- $275 per month (including GST) when billed annually.
- $295 per month (including GST) when billed monthly.
We encourage you to visit our pricing page to review the details of each plan and determine which is the best fit for your business. Making an informed decision is the first step towards a more efficient, profitable, and enjoyable retail journey. We are here to answer any questions you may have and to help you find the perfect solution for your needs.
Pricing noted is subject to change
What is good POS software to connect to Xero?
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Our Tower Systems POS software connected to Xero. For many years we have been a partner of Xero, listed on their website, with a direct to Xero POS software integration that meets the Xero requirements as well as the requirements of the small business retailers we serve.
We are grateful to Xero for listing us as a POS software integration partner and for the opportunity to reach more local small business retailers through this.
What’s the best POS software to connect with Xero? That depends on your needs. We think our Tower Systems POS software is worthy of consideration for jewellers, garden centres, bike shops, pet shops, newsagents,. toy shops, games shops, fashion shops, fabric shops, haberdashery businesses, landscape businesses, music shops, firearms dealers, bookshops, health food shops, organic goods shops and plenty more.
Our POS software is made for local, independent specialty retail shops. Our POS software Xero link saves time, reduces mistakes and helps local retailers run more efficient and successful retail businesses.
Our powerful Tower Advantage Link platform allows Tower Systems’ specialist retail software to connect directly to Xero, one of Australia’s most popular and streamlined accounting services. Linking Retailer to Xero saves you precious time by completing the majority of your day-to-day accounting for you. We are experts at bringing independent retail businesses and Xero together and pride ourselves on connecting business owners with such an innovative, useful service.
If you are in Australia or New Zealand, select a POS software solution that is equally local like Xero. Our Tower Systems POS software is made in Australia and supported in Australia and New Zealand.
Save time, eliminate bookkeeping costs, cut mistakes and make better business decisions sooner with the Tower Systems POS software Xero integration.
The direct connection between your Tower Systems POS and Xero provides a live, accurate snapshot of your business’s financial health. Sales data, inventory adjustments, and customer payments flow seamlessly, eliminating delays and giving you the clarity needed to make informed, strategic decisions on the fly. This real-time visibility is crucial for agile specialty retailers, and our local support team is on hand to ensure your connection is set up smoothly, so you can leverage these powerful insights from day one.
So, to the question What is good POS software to connect to Xero? we think our Tower Systems POS software solution is good POS software to connect to Xero.
While the right POS system for an retail business depends on the specific needs of the retail business, Tower Systems was built to serve Australian and New Zealand local small business specialty retailers. To see how we can 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.
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