7 Reasons Why Retailers are Turning to iOS POS Systems

From the invention of the mail-order catalog in 1872 to Amazon’s $1 trillion valuation in 2020, alternatives to in-store retail have been around for centuries - yet more people than ever are doing their shopping in person. Physical retail continues to be a cornerstone of commerce, with in-person purchases accounting for around 85% of all retail sales in the US. In such a demanding industry, it’s essential for retail establishments to keep pace with the latest innovations and deliver a modern checkout process. One of the more significant retail developments of recent years has been the shift from fixed Point of Sale (POS) systems to portable, iOS-based alternatives, connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or a local cellular network.

As the computing power and connectivity options of portable consumer electronics like tablets and smartphones begin to outstrip their fixed-terminal counterparts, they’re becoming an increasingly common sight in checkout lines. SafeRetail POS connectivity is a new service for the retail industry that ensures uninterrupted connectivity across any Apple POS system, eliminating network outages and service interruptions.  

In this article, we explore the hidden costs of traditional POS terminals, the seven reasons why vendors are turning towards iOS and tablet-based alternatives, and how SafeRetail can protect your revenue and deliver an enhanced customer experience.  

The 7 key benefits of iOS-based POS systems

1. Lower installation costs

The first challenge many legacy POS systems present is their high installation cost. Mainly due to the extensive hardware, including local data storage, installing a single terminal can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000. This doesn't include the one-time licensing fee, which is usually even higher. In the days when these were the only viable POS option, these costs were a necessary burden for businesses to bear. Today, however, cloud-based POS alternatives are challenging legacy systems not just in price, but in efficiency and reliability too.

Aside from the reduced device cost, iOS systems rarely require a one-time licensing fee – most compatible softwares operate on a monthly basis. Not only does this keep the initial outlay down, it also provides more operational flexibility and billing predictability for the vendor.

2. Billing flexibility

Another effect of the high setup costs of fixed POS terminals is that they require long-term usage to become cost-effective. In the constantly evolving world of physical retail, adaptability is key. The rolling costs of cloud-based POS software provide greater flexibility than traditional systems: businesses can increase or decrease their number of POS terminals on a monthly basis, respond to market fluctuations and seasonal changes, and maximizing cash flow per device.

This lowered cost also means that it takes less time for an iOS system to become profitable when compared to a legacy POS terminal. This can encourage retailers to grow their business faster – less outlay equals less risk and a more manageable monthly budget.

3. Physical flexibility

Fixed terminals are, by definition, fixed in place and connected to a local network. The new portable generation of POS is shaping the way retailers do business. In the current physical retail climate, flexibility is key - retailers need to be able to operate outside of brick-and-mortar stores, taking their trade to events, pop-ups, and festivals. An iPad or iPhone POS can accompany the vendor wherever they need to be. This can transform the shopping experience for customers as well.

By making the POS a mobile service, traditional bottlenecks at the register queues can be minimized or avoided entirely, while delivering a more personalized service. Queue times are an important factor in a successful store: even a few minutes of waiting time is enough for customers to abandon their purchase.

4. Familiar interfaces

There are two major advantages to a visible iOS POS: the first is the inherent brand trust in Apple. The Californian giants are widely seen as the gold standard for consumer electronics. An instantly recognizable Apple POS signifies modernity and quality, contributing to a premium in-store experience. The second, and more measurable advantage, is the fact that the Apple UI will already be familiar to many employees – half of the smartphone owners in the US use an iPhone. This presents new joiners with a recognizable interface that cuts training time, reduces the error rate during checkout and ultimately creates a smoother experience for customers and employees.

A further benefit is that the cloud-based capabilities of iOS POS systems provide access to the thousands of third-party services in Apple’s App Store, as well as countless other retail software products optimized for iOS devices. These include everything from apps to control in-store lighting and music to specialized retail services like SafeRetail from 1GLOBAL

5. Detailed reporting and analytics

The cloud-based data storage of iOS retail systems allows for an unprecedented new level of analysis and insights into transaction data – companies can view and action hyper-local insights from each individual store, all on one central platform. This cloud-based capability is also the reason why iOS systems aren’t merely a fad, but a genuine long-term solution to in-store payments: connection to the cloud provides iOS POS systems with constant access to software and security upgrades, as well as the ability to integrate countless third-party apps and programs. This provides an element of future-proofing, allowing retail stores the ability to keep pace with the latest POS software developments for years to come.

6. Improved customer experiences

Aside from the aesthetic benefits, a portable POS allows for a truly attentive in-store experience – the customer is no longer required to venture to the checkout desk to complete their purchase, and in-store staff have the freedom to take payments wherever they are. In retail industries that require greater degrees of one-on-one customer attention, such as automotive dealerships or tailoring establishments, this is invaluable. Every aspect of the customer journey, including the transaction, can now take place during the same interaction.

How multinational retailers use iPhone POS systems

High-fashion retailers are renowned for cultivating an attentive and personalized in-store atmosphere, often involving one-on-one consultations. Fixed-place terminals and checkout lines interrupt this experience and add unnecessary wait times for both the staff and the customer. In 2024, one multinational clothing retailer partnered with 1GLOBAL to address this problem. They issued over 1,000 iPhone POS systems to their store employees, allowing them to personally accompany customers through every step of the shopping experience, up to and including the payment. Not only did this help to differentiate the brand from its competitors, it improved operational efficiency and reduced overheads. With stores worldwide now connected to one reliable mobile network, this case is a prime example of an established retail brand adopting new transaction solutions to deliver a heightened customer experience.

7. Heightened connectivity

Whether via Wi-Fi or local mobile data, all POS systems require an internet connection to function. Traditional terminals are connected to one network (usually Wi-Fi). If this network fails, so does the POS. These outages can have serious repercussions for the business – even a few minutes of downtime in a retail chain can result in thousands of dollars in lost revenue, increased customer wait times, queue abandonments and eroded brand trust over time. Longer outages may even incur compensatory charges for affected customers. As legacy POS hardware continues to age and degrade, the likelihood of outages only increases.

Modern iOS devices (including most iPads and iPhones built after 2018) include eSIM connectivity, meaning they can download a SIM profile and connect to the internet via a mobile data connection. As well as providing a wide range of networks to connect to, it enables iOS POS devices to get online and function even without a Wi-Fi connection. For retailers, this opens up a world of possibilities: POS systems can now be used anywhere with a mobile signal. Retailers can process transactions out in the field, no longer limited to brick-and-mortar stores.

Crucially, this eSIM-compatibility enables Apple POS devices to connect to more than one mobile network at once. The SafeRetail POS connectivity service by 1GLOBAL is specifically designed for multinational retailers with iOS POS systems. SafeRetail enables iOS POS devices to re-connect to a mobile network if their primary internet connection fails – effectively eliminating system downtime. In the hyper-competitive world of physical retail, a backup POS connection is no longer an advantage – it's a necessity. A survey of Forbes 2000-listed companies found that payment system downtime resulted in an average 2.5% drop in share value for each company affected.

SafeRetail by 1GLOBAL

SafeRetail is a connectivity solution for physical retail stores that delivers uninterrupted connectivity for Point of Sale systems.  

SafeRetail ensures that iOS POS systems never lose network connection, even during a Wi-Fi or local mobile network failure. SafeRetail connects every POS system in all stores worldwide to the 1GLOBAL mobile network. In the event of a signal outage, these systems will automatically reconnect to the best available local mobile network, avoiding network downtime and allowing business to continue as usual. Crucially, SafeRetail provides coverage in 190+ countries on one single contract, making it and ideal solution for multinational retail companies and global enterprises.

• Reliable: A global connection to over 600 networks means that SafeRetail-enabled POS systems aren’t simply connected to a fallback connection in the event of a network failure: they’re connected to the best available network, ensuring reliable signal and negating any drop-off in processing time.

• Scalable: Whether it’s a 1000+ employee multinational or a single store, SafeRetail offers instant and reliable POS connections that grow with your business. This simplifies the billing process too: even in multinational organizations, all eSIMs are managed on one single contract. 

• Secure: A cloud-based connection ensures access to regular security and software upgrades, while eSIMs that integrate into existing MDM systems make it easy to manage all devices company-wide: A cloud-based connection ensures access to regular security and software upgrades, while eSIMs that integrate into existing MDM systems make it easy to manage all devices company-wide

To explore how SafeRetail can benefit your business, contact our team today.