What POS Software does for a general merchandise trader
A POS rings up each sale, takes M-Pesa and cash, prints a receipt and updates stock in one step. For a general merchandise trader, the value shows up exactly where the work is hardest.
A general merchant holds many product lines, so tracking by category and SKU prevents dead stock. General trade margins vary by category but average 18-25 percent.
Mixed goods traders benefit from eTIMS to track product categories separately. Veira handles that as part of the same sale, so compliance is not a separate evening job.
General Merchandise Traders run differently, and the software should too
A generic till misses the details that decide whether a general merchandise trader makes money. These are the ones that matter:
- 1
The daily reality
Diverse inventory requiring different handling. POS Software built for a general merchandise trader turns that into a number you can act on, and you also sell in seconds on a phone, tablet or the free Veira terminal.
- 2
Where the margin leaks
Seasonal demand for different categories. POS Software built for a general merchandise trader turns that into a number you can act on, and you also take Buy Goods, Paybill and Pochi la Biashara payments at the till.
- 3
What slows the counter
Fast changing prices on imported stock. POS Software built for a general merchandise trader turns that into a number you can act on, and you also keep selling offline and sync the moment the network returns.
- 4
What buyers expect
Customer layaway and installments. POS Software built for a general merchandise trader turns that into a number you can act on, and you also file a compliant eTIMS invoice on every sale automatically.
What to look for in POS Software for a general merchandise trader
- Offline mode that keeps the queue moving during outages. This matters for a general merchandise trader because of diverse inventory requiring different handling.
- M-Pesa built in so payments reconcile themselves. This matters for a general merchandise trader because of seasonal demand for different categories.
- eTIMS filing included, not a paid add on. This matters for a general merchandise trader because of fast changing prices on imported stock.
- Live reports you can open from your phone. This matters for a general merchandise trader because of customer layaway and installments.
A notebook and a basic till, or Veira
| Notebook or basic till | Veira | |
|---|---|---|
| Counting stock | By hand, rarely matches the shelf | Live by item, branch and value |
| M-Pesa at the counter | Checked on a separate phone | Matched to each sale automatically |
| eTIMS invoices | Typed in later, if at all | Filed on every sale, even offline |
| Knowing your numbers | A monthly guess | Live margin and takings on your phone |
A real general merchandise trader example
An Eldoret general merchandise trader with KES 2,500,000 stock cannot tell which categories sell or which are dead stock.
- Diverse inventory requiring different handling.
- Seasonal demand for different categories.
- Fast changing prices on imported stock.
- Sell in seconds on a phone, tablet or the free Veira terminal.
- Take Buy Goods, Paybill and Pochi la Biashara payments at the till.
- Keep selling offline and sync the moment the network returns.
Every sale on Veira files a compliant KRA eTIMS invoice, online or offline. Mixed goods traders benefit from eTIMS to track product categories separately.
A POS rings up each sale, takes M-Pesa and cash, prints a receipt and updates stock in one step. Here is what that looks like with Veira:
- Sell in seconds on a phone, tablet or the free Veira terminal
- Take Buy Goods, Paybill and Pochi la Biashara payments at the till
- Keep selling offline and sync the moment the network returns
- File a compliant eTIMS invoice on every sale automatically
Related questions
Frequently asked questions
Is POS Software hard to set up for a general merchandise trader?
Does it keep working offline?
Does it handle M-Pesa for a general merchandise trader?
Is it KRA eTIMS compliant?
How much does POS Software cost for a general merchandise trader in Kenya?
Can it run more than one general merchandise trader?
Based on KRA eTIMS regulations and interviews with 5,000+ Kenyan businesses
Whether you run one general merchandise trader or several across Kenya, Veira gives you point of sale that fits the trade instead of fighting it. Book a free demo and see it work with your own mixed imported goods and supplies.