Point of Sale Software Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Hardware, Software, Services), By Type (Fixed Point of Sale Terminals, Mobile Point of Sale Terminals), By End-User Industry (Entertainment, Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global point-of-sale software market size was valued at USD 12.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 15.6 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 2.8% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Carrying out cashless transactions, keeping track of sales and inventory data, and improving sales strategy using analytics are key drivers driving the Point of Sale Software market growth across retail chains, restaurants, hospitality, drug stores, and auto shops.

Point of Sale (POS) software refers to computer programs or applications that support transactions at the point of sale in retail stores, restaurants, and other companies where customers purchase goods or services. Inventory management, sales reporting, customer relationship management (CRM), employee administration, and payment processing are all typical aspects of POS software. It allows businesses to execute transactions more efficiently, track sales and inventory in real time, manage customer data, and generate reports to get insights into their operations. POS software can be placed on specific hardware terminals or incorporated into existing computer systems, and it can be on-premises or cloud-based.

However, Security concerns may limit point-of-sale software market share. The Point-of-sale software is susceptible to software and network difficulties, device failures, phishing, and skimming. Due to these open networks, hackers can swiftly access the infrastructure and steal sensitive information such as customer credit card numbers and corporate account information. Even small firms are already utilizing POS, which is expected to grow the point-of-sale software market in the future.

Highlights

• Service generates the highest revenue share by components.
• Fixed Point of Sale Terminals accounts for the largest market share by type.
• Hospitality influenced the market by end-users.

Market Dynamics

Global point of sale software market drivers:

Digital transformation

Retailers worldwide are experiencing digital transformation to remain competitive in the age of e-commerce and shifting consumer preferences. As part of this change, they are expanding their investment in point-of-sale software to improve the in-store shopping experience, optimize operations, and seamlessly combine online and offline channels. Over 390,000 new POS installations were completed in 2023, including Hy-Vee and Aldi Nord rollouts.

Additionally, retailers use POS software to create personalized shopping experiences, streamline checkout operations, and provide convenient payment choices. According to a Forbes survey, 70% of retail decision-makers believe digital transformation is vital to match customer expectations. According to one study, firms that use advanced POS systems boost sales by 20%, customer satisfaction by 15%, and customer retention by 25% compared to those that do not. This shows a high need for POS software solutions that enable the seamless integration of online and offline channels, resulting in a unified shopping experience for customers.

Furthermore, POS software allows retailers to collect and analyze information about consumer preferences, purchasing history, and sales trends. A McKinsey poll discovered that data-driven firms are 23 times more likely to attract customers, six times more likely to retain customers, and 19 times more likely to be profitable. As a result of the retail sector's digital revolution, POS software use is increasing, allowing merchants to improve customer experiences, harness data-driven insights, combine omnichannel sales channels, and embrace cloud-based solutions for scalability and agility. 

Global point of sale software market restraints:

Security concerns

The growing number of cyber threats and data breaches creates substantial security challenges for POS software suppliers and customers. POS systems are excellent targets for cyber attacks because they handle sensitive financial and personal information. Malware, ransomware, and payment card skimming are all examples of security flaws in POS software that can cause economic losses, reputational damage, and regulatory noncompliance. According to Verizon's 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report, 98% of the 629 occurrences in the retail sector had a financial purpose. Unsurprisingly, many involved financial data, with one out of every four attacks compromising personal information. Cybercriminals have also concentrated on credentials, with 45% of occurrences containing such data.

In addition, in 2023, a prominent retail chain experienced a network breach that allowed unauthorized access to their point-of-sale systems. This event shows the importance of strong cybersecurity measures and network segmentation. In April 2023, ransomware targeted NCR's Aloha POS system, and the attackers demanded substantial money from Western Digital. Similarly, attackers utilized at least 70 POS malware kits to target POS systems in the Hilton data breach. Also, in November 2023, a ransomware attack struck Infosys Mccamish Systems, a Bank of America service provider, exposing thousands of clients' data. 

Furthermore, payment card industry regulations, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), specify security criteria for POS systems to protect cardholder data. Noncompliance with the PCI DSS can result in fines, penalties, and reputational damage to enterprises. PCI DSS compliance requires secure setups, encryption techniques, and access restrictions to protect POS software and hardware. 

Global point of sale software market opportunity:

Rising demand for contactless payment

The growing use of contactless payment systems, driven by convenience, security, and hygiene concerns, represents considerable potential for POS software providers. There is an increasing demand for POS solutions that accept NFC (Near Field Communication) payments, mobile wallets, and QR code payments to provide seamless and secure contactless transactions. Consumers increasingly prefer contactless payment methods because of their quickness, convenience, and lack of physical contact, especially given hygiene concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similarly, according to a Mastercard survey, 79% of respondents globally now use contactless payments, with 74% planning to continue using them after the pandemic. According to Mastercard research, 51% of US consumers use contactless cards and mobile wallets. Tap-to-pay at point of sale (POS) is becoming more popular in the United States as mobile devices and payment terminals incorporate NFC technology. Analysts expect that the value of tap-to-pay transactions will rise by more than 150% by 2028.

Furthermore, governments and industry associations encourage contactless payments to increase financial inclusion, improve payment security, and promote digitization. India and France have decided to deploy UPI in France. In the coming days, it will begin at the Eiffel Tower, allowing Indian tourists to pay in rupees. In January 2023, the Centre announced that non-resident Indians (NRIs) from ten countries can use UPI to send and receive money if their domestic bank accounts are linked to overseas phone numbers.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

The global point-of-sale software market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America is the most significant global point-of-sale software market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% over the forecast period. The North American market is mainly driven by the increasing adoption of POS terminals across various industries, as well as the presence of major software vendors. The United States is leading the North American POS software market, followed by Canada and Mexico. North America was early in adopting mobile point of sale and advanced technology infrastructure. Many organizations in the region are focusing on POS systems and services. In 2023, US Bank launched an embedded, multi-channel point-of-sale lending platform that allows businesses to offer finance to customers at the checkout. Avvance, a bank-backed solution, promises a rapid application process and immediate decision for tailored loans. According to US Bank, Avvance offers buyers convenience and flexibility while providing companies with a new payment option from a reputable partner, eliminating the headache of managing payments after the transaction.

In addition, increased acceptance of cashless payments and expansion in North America's retail, healthcare, restaurant, and other industries are expected to drive regional market growth.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 3.4% over the forecast period. The usage of POS terminals in the region will likely increase as the electronic payment industry grows rapidly. The desire for cashless payment in retail, restaurants, entertainment, and other businesses is driving the proliferation of POS software in developing nations such as China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. 

Furthermore, the ever-increasing demand for advanced POS systems from quickly rising companies, such as e-commerce retail, the food service industry, and entertainment, will likely drive market expansion throughout the forecast period. For example, In May 2023, Axis Bank introduced Sarathi, a digital onboarding solution that enables retailers to utilize EDC or POS services. The technology uses real-time database checks and live video verification to speed the application process and enable paperless onboarding for retailers, allowing for quick installation of POS devices. The solutions seek to finish application processing and installation within 45 minutes. 

Europe holds a significant market share. Cloud Point of Sale (POS) is in high demand in Europe due to the increased acceptance of contactless payments and a shift in consumer preferences for online payments for retail purchases. The Royal Society's Physical Sciences Research Journal reports a 15.5% annual increase in adopting cloud-based point-of-sale systems in Europe. The region's market growth is fueled by adopting PoS systems in the retail and restaurant sectors. Leading European banks are implementing digital transformation initiatives to improve payment acceptance and customer service.

Segmental Analysis

Global Point of Sale Software Market Drivers:

Digital Transformation

Retailers worldwide are experiencing digital transformation to remain competitive in the age of e-commerce and shifting consumer preferences. As part of this change, they are expanding their investment in point-of-sale software to improve the in-store shopping experience, optimize operations, and seamlessly combine online and offline channels. Over 390,000 new POS installations were completed in 2023, including Hy-Vee and Aldi Nord rollouts.

Additionally, retailers use POS software to create personalized shopping experiences, streamline checkout operations, and provide convenient payment choices. According to a Forbes survey, 70% of retail decision-makers believe digital transformation is vital to match customer expectations. According to one study, firms that use advanced POS systems boost sales by 20%, customer satisfaction by 15%, and customer retention by 25% compared to those that do not. This shows a high need for POS software solutions that enable the seamless integration of online and offline channels, resulting in a unified shopping experience for customers.

Furthermore, POS software allows retailers to collect and analyze information about consumer preferences, purchasing history, and sales trends. A McKinsey poll discovered that data-driven firms are 23 times more likely to attract customers, six times more likely to retain customers, and 19 times more likely to be profitable. As a result of the retail sector's digital revolution, POS software use is increasing, allowing merchants to improve customer experiences, harness data-driven insights, combine omnichannel sales channels, and embrace cloud-based solutions for scalability and agility. 

Global Point of Sale Software Market Restraints:

Security Concerns

The growing number of cyber threats and data breaches creates substantial security challenges for POS software suppliers and customers. POS systems are excellent targets for cyber attacks because they handle sensitive financial and personal information. Malware, ransomware, and payment card skimming are all examples of security flaws in POS software that can cause economic losses, reputational damage, and regulatory noncompliance. According to Verizon's 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report, 98% of the 629 occurrences in the retail sector had a financial purpose. Unsurprisingly, many involved financial data, with one out of every four attacks compromising personal information. Cybercriminals have also concentrated on credentials, with 45% of occurrences containing such data.

In addition, in 2023, a prominent retail chain experienced a network breach that allowed unauthorized access to their point-of-sale systems. This event shows the importance of strong cybersecurity measures and network segmentation. In April 2023, ransomware targeted NCR's Aloha POS system, and the attackers demanded substantial money from Western Digital. Similarly, attackers utilized at least 70 POS malware kits to target POS systems in the Hilton data breach. Also, in November 2023, a ransomware attack struck Infosys Mccamish Systems, a Bank of America service provider, exposing thousands of clients' data. 

Furthermore, payment card industry regulations, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), specify security criteria for POS systems to protect cardholder data. Noncompliance with the PCI DSS can result in fines, penalties, and reputational damage to enterprises. PCI DSS compliance requires secure setups, encryption techniques, and access restrictions to protect POS software and hardware. 

Global Point of Sale Software Market Opportunity:

Rising Demand for Contactless Payment

The growing use of contactless payment systems, driven by convenience, security, and hygiene concerns, represents considerable potential for POS software providers. There is an increasing demand for POS solutions that accept NFC (Near Field Communication) payments, mobile wallets, and QR code payments to provide seamless and secure contactless transactions. Consumers increasingly prefer contactless payment methods because of their quickness, convenience, and lack of physical contact, especially given hygiene concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similarly, according to a Mastercard survey, 79% of respondents globally now use contactless payments, with 74% planning to continue using them after the pandemic. According to Mastercard research, 51% of US consumers use contactless cards and mobile wallets. Tap-to-pay at point of sale (POS) is becoming more popular in the United States as mobile devices and payment terminals incorporate NFC technology. Analysts expect that the value of tap-to-pay transactions will rise by more than 150% by 2028.

Furthermore, governments and industry associations encourage contactless payments to increase financial inclusion, improve payment security, and promote digitization. India and France have decided to deploy UPI in France. In the coming days, it will begin at the Eiffel Tower, allowing Indian tourists to pay in rupees. In January 2023, the Centre announced that non-resident Indians (NRIs) from ten countries can use UPI to send and receive money if their domestic bank accounts are linked to overseas phone numbers.

Impact of covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on the global SME’s, specifically the retail sector, in terms of profitability, liquidity, inefficiencies, and visibility. It has strongly disrupted the sophisticated and automated digital backbone of the industry. Therefore, key vendors are allocating funds to restore the digital back-end of all core functions, such as billing, banking, accounting, tax, payments, expenses, and cash management, by the use of POS software.

The pandemic has reshaped business dynamics to a significant extent, introducing new complexities. Small business is dealing with much larger product categories, different types of customers, and platforms than before. Managing all these without a single app is challenging. Hence, companies are shifting toward efficient POS to conduct the new hassle-free retails business.

Most of the android-based POS terminals are manufactured in China, which has significantly been impacted due to the pandemic. The shortage of swipe machines to process at retail outlets, as coronavirus can be transmitted via payment terminal buttons, is hampering the market growth. Par Tech Technology Corporation is advising restaurant owners to keep POS terminals clean to protect customers and employees from the coronavirus outbreak.

Recent Developments

• September 2023- POSaBIT Systems Corporation (the "Company" or "POSaBIT") (CSE: PBIT; OTC: POSAF), a leading provider of point-of-sale software and financial technology, announced the full launch of POSaBIT POS 2.0, the latest generation of the Company's groundbreaking point-of-sale system.
• March 2024- Follett Higher Education selected GK Software as their POS provider, improving the customer experience for over six million students.
• January 2024- Agilysys offered On-Site Premiere POS Service for exceptional fan experiences at the Australian Open Tennis Tournament.
• February 2024- Salling Group accelerated speed to market with Infor's cloud-based PLM.