Expert’s Guide to Selecting The Best POS for Wholesale

Running a wholesale business comes with its share of challenges, including managing bulk orders, handling complex pricing, and keeping track of a vast inventory, which can quickly become overwhelming. A Wholesale POS system is designed specifically to tackle these demands, streamlining operations and simplifying daily tasks. Imagine hassle-free order processing, real-time inventory updates, and automated pricing adjustments that eliminate guesswork. This isn’t just another cash register – it’s a powerful tool built to support the unique needs of wholesalers. If you’re looking for a way to improve efficiency, boost profitability, and regain control of your business, let’s explore how the best POS for wholesale​ can make a difference.

Highlights:

• When examining a wholesale POS, focus on how it handles inventory complexity, multi-location operations, and supplier interactions.
• The best wholesale POS fits your business size, supports industry-specific workflows, and scales without disrupting daily operations.

What is the A POS for Wholesale​?

POS for Wholesale – Overview

The wholesale industry plays a significant role in global commerce. According to Statista, total wholesaler sales in the United States alone reached approximately $670.88 billion in December 2023, marking a $10 billion year-on-year increase. This growth highlights the expanding opportunities and the increasing need for efficient wholesale management.

The best POS for wholesale​ is specifically designed to address the unique requirements of wholesale businesses. Unlike standard retail POS solutions focusing on individual consumer transactions, a Wholesale POS supports business-to-business (B2B) sales, so companies can manage bulk orders, streamline invoicing, and handle complex pricing structures effectively. 

As the industry continues to expand, having the right POS system can help businesses stay competitive and scale efficiently.

Differences Between B2B and B2C POS Systems

Running a wholesale business requires understanding that POS systems for B2B and B2C serve different functions. Both handle sales, but their approach varies.

• A B2B POS system deals with more complex operations, especially in wholesale distribution and manufacturing. It must support processes such as dropshipping, purchase orders, supplier coordination, and fulfillment tracking to keep bulk transactions running smoothly. These capabilities help manage large orders without disruption.
• In comparison, a B2C POS system focuses on fast, individual transactions. It simplifies checkout, refunds, personalized promotions, and loyalty programs to create a smooth shopping experience for retail customers.
• Some wholesale businesses serve both B2B and B2C clients, requiring a POS system that handles both transaction types. Running separate promotions and loyalty programs for large B2B buyers and frequent retail shoppers without slowing down operations is key to meeting diverse customer needs.

How Wholesale POS Meets Your Business’s Unique Needs

Keeping Inventory Organized

Wholesale businesses handle large quantities of stock across multiple locations, making inventory management a challenge. The best POS for wholesale​ guarantees accurate tracking, reducing stock discrepancies, and improving order fulfillment.

• Multi-Location Tracking: Monitor inventory across warehouses or retail outlets in one system to simplify stock control.
• Batch and Serial Number Tracking: Track products by lot or serial number to simplify recalls, warranty handling, and quality checks. FIFO and LIFO options support better stock rotation.
• Bin Location Management: Assign designated bin locations to products for organized warehousing, making order fulfillment faster and more efficient.
• Cash and Carry Inventory Management: Quickly process on-the-spot purchases for customers who pay and collect items immediately.

Improving Warehouse Operations

Reliable warehouse operations are key to delivering bulk orders on time. Automating core tasks – picking, packing, and shipping – reduces human error and shortens delivery windows.

• Pick-pack-ship automation: Generate optimized picking lists, manage packing slips, and print shipping labels. Integration with shipping carriers simplifies logistics.
• 3PL fulfillment integration: Connect with third-party logistics providers to manage outsourced storage and delivery. A synced POS keeps inventory and order status up to date.
• Real-time stock updates: Sync inventory across sales channels, automate restocking alerts, and maintain accurate stock records.

Managing Supplier Relationships

Strong supplier relationships help maintain steady stock levels and prevent delays. The best POS for wholesale simplifies purchase order management and supplier tracking, making procurement more efficient.

• Purchase order automation: Generate and send POs based on sales data and stock levels. Track order status and match received goods with POs to maintain accurate inventory.
• Supplier performance tracking: Evaluate supplier reliability, delivery times, and pricing. Compare vendors and manage contract terms efficiently.

Supporting B2B Transactions

Wholesale orders often involve complex pricing, partial deliveries, and custom terms. A system designed for B2B simplifies the entire process.

• Dropshipping capabilities: Automate shipment notifications, track dropship orders, and reconcile supplier invoices to reduce manual follow-up.
• Fulfillment process management: Handle partial shipments, backorders, and multi-location processing, which is ideal for manufacturers and distributors meeting B2B demands.

Key Considerations for Selecting the Best POS for Wholesale

Selecting the best POS for wholesale requires careful thought. The right choice depends on several factors, including business size, industry requirements, and budget constraints.

Business Size and Growth Potential

The scale of operations influences the best POS system for a wholesale business. Growth plans should also factor into the decision.

• Small businesses (annual revenue under $5 million): Look for software with inventory tracking and reporting. Cloud-based systems can lower upfront expenses and simplify maintenance. A user-friendly design is essential, as business owners often manage operations themselves.
  Medium-sized businesses (annual revenue between $5–50 million): Consider systems with analytics, multi-location management, and integration with ERP or CRM POS tools. A system capable of processing thousands of orders each month will handle growing demand.
• Large enterprises (annual revenue over $50 million): Choose a solution with advanced customization, AI-based forecasting, and support for large catalogs and layered pricing structures.

Industry-Specific Requirements

Each wholesale sector has different priorities when choosing a POS system.

• Food and beverage businesses need lot tracking, expiration date monitoring, and FSMA compliance features.
• Electronics and technology wholesalers rely on serial number tracking for warranty management and need tools that adjust pricing based on market shifts.
• Apparel and textiles operations require inventory tracking that accounts for variations in size, color, and style, along with seasonal forecasting.
  Industrial and construction supply businesses often need bulk pricing support and integration with project management tools.

Budget Planning

Cost plays a major role in selecting the best POS for wholesale. Wholesale businesses typically allocate 5–10% of annual revenue to these systems.

• Upfront vs. ongoing costs – Some POS solutions have a lower initial price but higher long-term expenses due to subscriptions, maintenance, or add-ons. Total ownership costs should include software, hardware, and support.
• Cloud vs. on-premise – Cloud systems usually cost less at the start and scale more easily, while on-premise options require a larger investment but allow better control over future expenses.
• Hidden charges – Transaction fees, payment processing costs, and third-party integration expenses can add up. Reviewing all potential costs helps avoid surprises later.

ConnectPOS – The Ideal POS Solution for the Best POS for Wholesale

Managing wholesale operations requires accuracy and flexibility. ConnectPOS supports bulk transactions, inventory tracking, and multi-location management, helping businesses handle large-scale processes with ease.

• Technology for Bulk Transactions: Cloud-based systems and Multi-Source Inventory (MSI) allow businesses to keep stock levels updated across warehouses and retail locations. Accurate data improves planning and prevents shortages or overstocking.
• Smoother Order Processing: Inventory, sales, and shipping data stay connected to prevent errors and delays. Automated workflows help businesses speed up deliveries and manage fulfillment more effectively.
• Custom Pricing and Terms: Each wholesale client has unique needs. Wholesale POS ConnectPOS allows businesses to set up tailored pricing, contract terms, and service levels, strengthening long-term partnerships.
• Inventory and Order Tracking: It includes tracking inventory across warehouses, processing bulk orders with minimal manual effort, and keeping stock data accurate with real-time updates for better order management.
• Pricing and Sales Tools: Set pricing tiers, contract agreements, and discounts with automated adjustments for smooth transactions. Connect POS with wholesale eCommerce platforms to unify sales channels. Process bulk orders efficiently with inventory tracking and automated workflows.
• Customer and Supplier Management: Group customers and suppliers by purchasing behavior and agreements for better organization. Offer exclusive pricing and discounts to strengthen long-term relationships. Support various payment options, including deposits, installments, net terms, refunds, and layaway, to meet diverse financial needs.
• Stronger Business Systems with Integrations: POS systems work better when connected to existing business tools. ConnectPOS links with ERP systems, accounting software, CRMs, and payment gateways. Businesses can run wholesale operations with greater control and accuracy by removing manual processes.

ConnectPOS gives wholesalers the structure they need to handle growth, manage large-scale transactions, and strengthen client relationships.

FAQs: Best POS for Wholesale

How does a wholesale POS handle bulk orders?
It automates order processing, applies tiered pricing, tracks inventory in real time, and reduces manual workload for faster fulfillment.

Can the best POS for wholesale integrate with other business systems?
Yes, most systems connect with ERP, accounting software, CRMs, and eCommerce platforms for streamlined operations.

What payment options should a wholesale POS support?
It should include deposits, installments, net terms, refunds, and layaway to accommodate different financial arrangements.

Conclusion

Choosing the best POS for wholesale depends on how well the system handles your daily operations—inventory, warehouse tasks, supplier coordination, and B2B transactions. Each point covered in this guide helps narrow down the right fit based on business size, industry needs, and budget. Also consider the level of customer support, onboarding time, and how often the software is updated. A strong POS should be reliable during high-volume periods, adapt to new workflows, and work well with the rest of your tech stack. Taking time to evaluate these areas upfront helps avoid slowdowns and costly changes later.

ConnectPOS delivers complete solutions for B2B eCommerce, providing pricing tools, bulk order management, and inventory tracking to keep everything running smoothly. Get in touch with us today!