19 Essential In-Store Checkout Accessories for Retailers

Your store’s checkout is one of the most important parts of your customer’s journey with your business. Long queues, delays when making payments, limited payment options or a lack of payment options other than cash – all these can affect your customer’s experience.

This guide looks beyond the core hardware and covers checkout accessories by the job they do.

What Are Checkout Accessories for Retailers?

Checkout accessories are the supporting tools and add-ons retailers use around the till area to keep transactions fast, organised, secure, and easy for customers. 

They sit alongside, but are distinct from, your core POS software and your primary checkout hardware.

It helps to separate the three layers:

• POS software manages sales, stock, and reporting in the background.
  
• Core checkout hardware is the equipment that physically processes a sale – the register, the card machine, the cash drawer.
  
• Checkout accessories are everything else that makes the checkout process work smoothly day to day – stands, cable organisers, signage, till trays, security tags, backup supplies, and more.

Together, these accessories shape speed, organisation, cash handling, scanning accuracy, receipts, customer visibility, and security. The right combination depends on your store size, product type, checkout volume, and the mix of cash versus card payments you see at the till. 

A small jewellery boutique with a handful of high-value sales a day has very different checkout needs from a busy fashion outlet processing hundreds of transactions during a Saturday rush.

How to Think About Checkout Accessories

Rather than buying equipment piece by piece, it pays to group checkout accessories by the function they perform. This keeps your counter focused and avoids the trap of accumulating disconnected gadgets that clutter the space without improving shopping efficiency.

When planning your checkout area, think about:

• How staff move around the counter during a typical transaction;
• What customers need to see and do at each stage of the checkout process;
• How cash is handled, secured, and reconciled;
• What happens after the sale – receipts, returns, and exchanges;
• What backup plans exist if a device, printer, or network connection fails.

With that structure in mind, here are the checkout accessories worth stocking, organised by function.

Core Transaction Accessories

There are a few essential in-store checkout accessories for retailers that can make a huge difference for your business.

Here are the tools directly involved in completing a sale – the heart of your checkout system.

POS Register or Checkout Screen

Traditionally, a cash register was a machine used in shops that had a drawer for money and totals, and which displayed and recorded the amount of each sale.

Over time, this “machine” or piece of hardware has evolved into cash register software or apps that help manage inventory, sync products, apply discounts, accept and administer different payment options, and many other functions.

The modern cash register has evolved well beyond a drawer and a till roll. Today, it’s typically a POS register, tablet, or touchscreen checkout screen running software that handles product lookup, sales entry, discounts, returns, and staff permissions.

This screen is the control point of your checkout system. It connects to your barcode scanner, receipt printer, card machine, and cash drawer, syncing every sale across your inventory in real time. 

A well-chosen checkout screen combines the register function with built-in payment acceptance. This helps cut down on the number of separate devices cluttering your dedicated checkout area.

Barcode Scanner

Retail stores with multiple products in their inventory need to be prepared to have each product marked with a barcode to ease inventory operations, stock taking, and reduce theft.

This can be done with a barcode printer, after which the printed barcodes are read by a (wireless) barcode reader, which inputs information into your cash register. This enables you to manage stock simply, easily and quickly.

A barcode scanner speeds up how staff scan items, cuts manual entry errors, and improves stock accuracy across your inventory. Wired scanners suit a fixed checkout area with high transaction volumes, while wireless handheld scanners give staff the flexibility to scan larger items away from the counter. This is especially useful for furniture, appliances, or bulky stock.

Positioning matters too. Place the scanner where staff can comfortably reach it without twisting or leaning, which keeps the checkout process quick even during busy periods.

Card Machine or Payment Terminal

Known by several names – POS device, card reader, payment terminal, PDQ machine – this piece of retail technology accepts contactless, chip & PIN, and magstripe card payments, alongside mobile payment and digital wallet options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Cashless payment has become the default in UK retail. According to UK Finance, contactless now accounts for 76% of all debit card transactions and 67% of credit card transactions nationally, with 19.2 billion contactless payments made in the UK in 2025 alone. 

From March 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority is also giving banks and payment providers more flexibility to set their own contactless limits above the long-standing £100 cap. However, most providers are expected to keep existing limits in place for now. 

What this means practically for retailers is that your checkout system needs to be ready for a wider range of transaction values processed via a single tap, whether from a physical card or a digital wallet.

A portable or countertop terminal gives you the flexibility to take payment at the counter or bring the terminal to the customer, which suits fitting rooms, market stalls, and pop-up checkout areas equally well. 

Match your terminal choice to how your customers actually want to pay, rather than assuming cash and chip & PIN alone will cover it.

Customer-Facing Display

As a merchant and retail store business owner, you have an obligation to clearly display your prices. This includes a price display at the checkout. 

The customer-facing display is a piece of hardware that enables your customers to see each item being scanned through the checkout and also visualise the final price of all the items added together.

Some card machines have a customer-facing display in addition to being a POS terminal that prints paper receipts. They are usually connected to the Internet and have access to cash register apps that help you manage your inventory.

Counter Organisation and Staff Workflow Accessories

A cluttered counter slows every transaction down. These accessories keep the physical checkout area tidy and staff-friendly.

Device Stands, Mounts, and Docks

POS screen stands, payment terminal docks, scanner holders, and tablet mounts keep devices stable, at the right height, and within easy reach. 

Good ergonomics here isn’t cosmetic. It directly affects how quickly staff can move a customer through the checkout process, especially during a fast-track checkout lane at peak times.

Cable Management and Counter Organisers

Cable clips, trays, and under-counter routing keep wiring out of the way and safe underfoot. Pair this with small organisers for pens, receipt rolls, labels, gift cards, and loyalty cards, so staff always know where supplies are. 

A tidy and well-organised counter reduces the small delays that add up across a busy shift and looks more professional to customers browsing your shopping list of impulse items nearby.

Bagging and Packing Station

A dedicated bagging area – separate from the scanning and payment steps – keeps queues moving. 

Stock shopping bags, tissue paper or protective packaging, tape, stickers, and scissors within reach, and give staff enough space to pack without congesting the till. 

For stores selling fragile or gift-wrapped items, such as jewellery or homeware, this separation is especially important for both speed and presentation.

Customer Flow and Queue Management Accessories

Getting people through checkout smoothly is as much about direction as it is about equipment.

Queue Signage and Lane Guidance

Clear queue direction signs, open/closed till indicators, and floor markers reduce confusion during busy periods. 

This is particularly useful if you run a mix of staffed tills and self-service checkout lanes. Label pickup points and returns counters separately so customers aren’t guessing where to go.

Checkout Policy and Payment Signs

Signage showing accepted payment methods, your returns and exchange policy, and loyalty programme prompts helps customers plan their shopping experience before they even reach the till. 

Keep this signage clear and minimal. It should support the checkout process, not clutter it. 

If your store runs exclusive discounts or personalised offers through a loyalty scheme, a small, well-placed sign is often enough to boost sign-ups without slowing the queue.

Impulse Purchase Displays

Small, low-cost, quick-decision products near the till can lift average basket value, but only if they’re placed carefully. 

Keep these displays away from the payment step and bagging area so they don’t create bottlenecks, and resist the temptation to overcrowd the counter. A cramped checkout area frustrates customers more than it sells extra stock.

Cash Management and Security Accessories

Even as digital wallet and mobile payment use grows, cash hasn’t disappeared from UK retail, and it still needs careful handling.

Cash Drawer

A secure cash drawer, sized and compartmentalised to suit your typical basket of notes and coins, remains a checkout essential. Look for drawers that integrate directly with your POS system and have a reliable locking mechanism, so only authorised staff can access takings.

Available in different sizes and with different storage arrangements, you also need to consider the issue of safety and security and make sure that this cash register will not be easy to break into by thieves or other undesirable entities.

Cash Tray, Till Insert, and Change Organisers

Coin and note compartments inside the drawer speed up change handling and make the end-of-day cash-up far less error-prone. 

A well-organised till insert also makes handovers between staff quicker and more accountable during shift changes.

Counterfeit Detection and Cash Drop Tools

A counterfeit detection pen or UV light adds a simple layer of protection against fake notes, while a drop safe or lockable cash box reduces the amount of cash sitting at the counter at any one time. 

Both are inexpensive additions that support safer end-of-day cash handling, particularly for stores that see high cash volumes.

Receipt, Returns, and Post-Purchase Accessories

The checkout process doesn’t end when payment clears. Receipts and returns are part of the same customer journey.

Receipt Printer and Receipt Supplies

A receipt printer connects to your register and prints out items, prices, and totals for every sale. 

Providing a receipt can be a legal requirement in some cases and gives customers proof of purchase for returns or exchanges. It requires thermal paper and ink or ribbon, depending on the printer type, and can be branded to reinforce your store’s identity. 

Many modern POS devices also offer digital receipts via SMS or email as a paper-free alternative. These are worth offering, given how many shoppers now expect the option. 

Keep spare paper rolls close to the till. Running out mid-queue is a completely avoidable delay.

Returns and Exchange Supplies

Return slips, gift receipts, and a dedicated inspection area for returned goods keep this part of the shopping experience organised. 

Clear labelling helps staff separate sellable stock from items that need to go back to a supplier, which protects both your inventory accuracy and your customer’s experience if something needs exchanging.

Inventory and Product Labelling Accessories

Checkout speed depends on accurate, scannable stock, which starts before the item ever reaches the till.

Barcode Label Printer

For products without a manufacturer barcode (common in fashion, jewellery, handmade goods, and gifts), a barcode label printer lets you generate your own SKU and price labels. 

This keeps labelling consistent with your POS database, supports accurate stocktaking, and ensures every item can be scanned quickly at checkout rather than looked up manually.

Security Tags and Deactivation Tools

For theft-prone stock, security tags paired with a deactivation pad at the till add a practical layer of loss prevention. 

This setup is worth the investment where product type and shrinkage risk justify it – high-value electronics, designer clothing, and cosmetics are typical candidates – but isn’t necessary for every store.

Power, Connectivity, and Backup Accessories

A checkout system is only as reliable as its power and network connection.

Charging, Power, and Network Accessories

Chargers, docking stations, surge protectors, and router or network equipment keep your checkout devices running without interruption. 

This matters more than ever with cloud-based POS software and payment terminals, both of which depend on a stable connection to process transactions and sync sales data in real time.

Backup Checkout Supplies

Keep spare receipt paper, spare barcode labels, spare bags, and a manual fallback process on hand for high-volume periods. 

If a device, network connection, or printer fails during a busy trading day, having a clear backup process prevents a technical hiccup from turning into lost sales and frustrated customers.

How to Choose the Right Checkout Accessories

There’s no single “correct” checkout setup. The right combination depends on factors specific to your business:

• Store size and available counter space;
• Daily transaction volume;
• Product range and number of SKUs;
• Cash versus card payment mix;
• Queue length during peak trading times;
• Volume of returns and exchanges;
• Security and shrinkage risk;
• Compatibility with your existing POS system;
• Ongoing consumable, maintenance, and replacement costs.

A small independent boutique with a handful of daily transactions doesn’t need the same checkout kiosks and security tagging as a busy high-street fashion retailer. 

Map your actual checkout workflow first, then choose accessories that solve real bottlenecks rather than buying equipment because a competitor has it.

Common Checkout Accessory Mistakes to Avoid

A few recurring mistakes hold back otherwise well-run checkout areas:

• Buying accessories before mapping the actual checkout workflow;
• Overcrowding the counter with too many displays or gadgets;
• Ignoring cable management until it becomes a trip hazard;
• Placing customer-facing displays or payment terminals where customers can’t see or reach them comfortably;
• Forgetting cash security basics, even in mostly cashless stores;
• Running out of consumables – receipt paper, labels, bags – during busy periods;
• Choosing accessories that don’t integrate with the existing POS system;
• Adding advanced tools like self-service checkout kiosks before the basic checkout flow is working well.

The good news is that you don’t have to repeat these mistakes as a retail business. Take into account others’ experience and carefully consider your investment and the implementation process.

Using Checkout Accessories With POS and Retail Operations

The real value of checkout accessories lies in how well they integrate with your broader POS system. 

Scanners, customer-facing displays, receipt printers, cash drawers, and payment terminals should all feed the same sales, payment, and inventory records, rather than operating as isolated tools.

This connected approach is also where current retail trends are heading. 

UK supermarkets illustrate the direction well. Sainsbury’s SmartShop app lets shoppers scan as they go around the store, track spending in real time, and pay through their phone rather than queuing at a till. 

Loyalty and payment are increasingly linked too. 

SmartShop ties into Nectar points, so customers scan items, collect rewards, and unlock personalised offers and exclusive discounts in one connected shopping experience. 

Lidl has piloted a similar scan-and-go service, letting shoppers scan items as they shop and settle up via app, and self-checkout more broadly is now extremely familiar to UK shoppers. Recent research puts self-service checkout usage among UK consumers at around 87%.

Independent retailers don’t need supermarket-scale infrastructure to benefit from the same thinking. 

A connected checkout system that links your card machine, register, and inventory, such as the tools available through myPOS, lets you offer customers the convenience they now expect from in-store shopping, while giving you a clearer picture of sales performance, peak periods, and payment method trends across your business. 

Whether a customer wants a fully staffed till, a self-service checkout, or a fast-track checkout lane for a quick top-up shop, having the underlying data connected means you can plan staffing and stock around real demand rather than guesswork.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the key benefits of integrating contactless payment solutions in my retail store?

Contactless now accounts for 76% of UK debit transactions and 67% of credit transactions. Accepting it directly speeds up checkout, cuts abandoned sales, and reduces cash handling risk.

How can I optimise my checkout process to reduce wait times for customers?

Map where delays actually occur, like scanning, payment, bagging, or handovers, then fix the specific bottleneck – a fast-track checkout lane, a second scanner, a separated bagging area, or a self-service/scan-and-go option for smaller baskets.

What accessories enhance the customer experience during the checkout process?

Customer-facing displays, clear signage, a well-organised bagging area, and loyalty prompts that surface personalised offers without slowing the transaction.

Are there specific technologies that help reduce theft at the point of sale?

Yes, you can experiment with different technologies, like security tags with deactivation pads, weight checks at self-checkout, counterfeit detection tools, drop safes, and visible staff presence near self-service kiosks.

What role do mobile payment apps play in modern retail checkouts?

In short, they let customers scan, track spending, and pay via phone. Independent retailers can offer this convenience just by accepting mobile payments on their existing terminals.

How can I ensure my payment systems comply with PCI DSS requirements?

PCI DSS v4.0.1 is now fully mandatory (since March 2025), including continuous monitoring and MFA. Using PCI-compliant integrated hardware providers like myPOS narrows your own compliance burden considerably, but you still need to complete your annual SAQ and control access to payment devices.

What are the best practices for training staff on new checkout technologies?

Train on the whole system (not just the till), rehearse common failure points, refresh training after updates, and pair new staff with experienced colleagues for early live shifts.