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Best Payment Processors for Retail

Expert recommendations for brick-and-mortar retail stores

What Retail Stores Need

Retail stores have specific payment processing requirements:

  • In-person payment processing
  • Inventory management
  • Point of sale system
  • Low processing fees
  • Customer management

Top Payment Processors for Retail

Square

★★★★☆ 4.5/5

Perfect for retail stores. Free hardware, low in-person fees, and complete POS system with inventory management.

  • Free card reader
  • Low in-person fees
  • Inventory management
  • Customer database
  • Easy to use

Clover

★★★★☆ 4.3/5

Comprehensive retail POS system with advanced inventory management and business analytics.

  • Full POS system
  • Advanced inventory
  • Employee management
  • Business analytics
  • App marketplace

Stripe Terminal

★★★★☆ 4.2/5

Great for retail stores that also sell online. Unified reporting and flexible integration options.

  • Online + in-person
  • Unified reporting
  • Custom integrations
  • Developer-friendly
  • Flexible setup

Retail Payment Processing Tips

1. Choose Low In-Person Fees

In-person payments typically have lower fees than online. Look for processors with competitive in-person rates (2.3% - 2.7%).

2. Get Hardware Included

Many processors offer free or discounted hardware. This can save you hundreds of dollars in upfront costs.

3. Consider Inventory Management

If you need inventory tracking, choose a processor that includes inventory management or integrates with your existing system.