Consignment stores tend to serve as an intermediary between the product owner and the buyer. These retail shops are known to stock and supervise products until they are sold and then pay the product owner. Owing to that, they always need flexible software systems with the capabilities to organize new item sales and inventory.
When making the choice of the right software system for your consignment store, it is imperative you take into account the needs of regular retail stores—fast checkout, return management, store credit, as well as the numerous payment methods that will help guarantee business success.
Don’t forget to look out for comprehensive inventory and vendor management because all items in stock will have different owners who will need to be paid at the time of sale. If you are looking for the best software for your consignment shop, below are valid choices to consider or to pick from.
Best Software for Consignment Shop
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Shopify
Even though this system is not particularly designed for consignment shops, it remains one of the best software systems, and this can be attributed to the excellent tools and ability it comes with.
If you also intend to market and sell your products online, this software comes with mind-blowing e-commerce and social selling tools and discounts on shipping.
It has one of the best tools for checkout, marketing, and e-commerce. In addition, it is easy to use, and you can purchase or rent the POS hardware or use the mobile app.
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Talech
This software is renowned for the top-of-the-class value it provides to smaller businesses that want a lot of features at a lower price point.
In terms of consignment shops, talech’s feature set is somewhat basic, especially since it makes it possible to track and report on consignment sales from the web dashboard but wouldn’t show real-time consignment info on your Talech register.
Owing to that, it is perfect for a business that only requires basic functionality and/or businesses where consignment sales represent just a fraction of their total sales.
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Square
Square is very popular as one of the best retail systems in the world today and has proven to be a valid option for a small consignment shop that doesn’t need a lot of consignor tools.
Just like Shopify, it is possible to register consignors as vendors or you can integrate Square into one of many consignment apps like Rose or Aravenda. Also, keep in mind that this software can seamlessly integrate with Ricochet.
It also offers competitive payment processing fees with a viable and free POS system, in addition to a vast range of services for when your business grows.
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Clover
This software is so easy to the point that you just have to plug it in and be up and selling within minutes. Accessing consignment selling tools on Clover is also simple and easy.
It is also possible to inculcate other additional functions to a basic Clover POS setup using apps. According to reviews, the Clover app ensures that you can add consignment features also known as Consignable.
To start doing business with this app, you just have to open your Clover web dashboard, install Consignable, start configuring settings (such as your margin value), and add your vendors. Once you are done with the initial setup, Consignable will sync your consignment sales data with all your Clover devices.
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Ricochet
This is a valid and specialized software that comes with a comprehensive set of industry-specific features, which include a consignor portal for accessing accounts, supplier tracking, payout management, as well as tools for coordinating consignor credit. In addition, it features inventory management and purchase ordering capabilities.
Even though its price, support hours, and limited number of integrations can prove to be a disadvantage, Ricochet remains one of the ideal choices if you require consignor-specific tools such as consignor portal, split payments, and more.
In addition, it can easily integrate with Square, and this entails that you can combine the two and get the best of both worlds.
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Lightspeed
Lightspeed Retail has become one of the few multichannel retail POS systems with built-in consignment functionality. It makes it easy to set up your shop for consignments by leveraging your Lightspeed dashboard, and once you do that, it becomes very easy to start adding consignment articles and noting what you owe consignors.
Truth be told, its consignment features may not be as advanced as you would get with dedicated consignment shop software, as such it might work well for hybrid stores that only sell some items on consignment.
If you require more advanced consignment features, such as consignor management and bulk consignment item import, then you can integrate your Lightspeed with third-party consignment software like Hyperspace Consignment App and Aravenda.
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SimpleConsign
SimpleConsign comes with consignment-specific tools such as numerous split payment choices, contracts, and consignor credit, as well as a terminal that makes it possible for consignors to view their contracts and account activity.
Also note that this particular software was developed to be able to handle multiple store locations, and boost the ability to view reports and inventory for any location with one click. One thing you will relish about this software is the fact that it comes with a full suite of consignment tools.
You will also appreciate its ability to handle multiple locations as well as the fact that you can also purchase consignments from the register, something Square and Shopify can’t do
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Rain POS
This software is a full-featured in-store and e-commerce POS system that works on a wide range of hardware types, as such you are not really tied to a proprietary machine.
Boasting specialty designs for different types of stores, it features a consignment module that is popular as being one of the most powerful in the industry.
You will also appreciate its work order function which has proven to be very helpful for businesses that take consignments and repair them before putting them up for sale, such as for antiques and high-end items.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that you will have to pay consignors manually as the software does not support this. You might as well need to integrate with e-commerce software to sell consignment items online.