Retail Card Machines: Best Payment Terminals for Shops
Compare card machines for retail businesses. Countertop, portable, and EPOS-integrated solutions. Save up to 30% on transaction fees.
Get Retail Terminal QuoteCard Machines for Different Retail Types
Convenience Stores
High volume, need speed
Recommended: Dojo countertop or Worldpay iCT250
Fast chip reading, contactless, Ethernet
Boutique/Clothing
Medium volume, need portability
Recommended: Square Terminal or Zettle
Wireless, customer-facing, inventory sync
High-Volume Retail
£50k+/month sales
Recommended: Worldpay or negotiate Dojo custom rates
Custom fees under 1%, dedicated support
What is the best card machine for retail shops UK?▼
For most retail shops, Dojo countertop terminals offer best value (lowest fees from 0.79%, EPOS integration). Small retailers (under £5k/month) do well with Square or SumUp (no monthly fees). Chain stores need Worldpay or Barclaycard for multi-site management.
Do I need a countertop or portable terminal?▼
Countertop for fixed point-of-sale (faster, more reliable, Ethernet connection). Portable/wireless for: large stores where customers can't easily reach counter, roaming staff sales, or businesses doing deliveries/events.
Can my card machine integrate with my till system?▼
Yes - Dojo, Square, and Zettle integrate with major retail EPOS/till systems. This syncs your card payments with inventory, sales reports, and stock control. Essential for multi-product retailers.
What about contactless payment limits?▼
All modern terminals support £100 contactless limit (increased from £45 in 2021). Transactions over £100 require chip & PIN. This covers 95%+ of retail purchases.
How do retail card machine fees work?▼
Two types: Flat rate (1.5-1.75% regardless of card type) or interchange+ (cost varies by card type: 0.3% debit, 0.8% consumer credit, 1.5% business cards). High volume retailers save with interchange+ pricing.
Can I accept payments online and in-store with one provider?▼
Yes - Square, SumUp, Dojo, and Zettle offer both. Your online and in-store sales appear in one dashboard, simplifying accounting and VAT reporting. Ideal for omnichannel retailers.
What terminals work for convenience stores?▼
Convenience stores typically need: Fast chip reading (2-3 seconds), Contactless for speed, Ethernet connection (more reliable than WiFi), Small footprint (limited counter space). Dojo and Worldpay iCT250 work well.
Do I need separate terminals for multiple checkouts?▼
Yes - each checkout needs its own terminal. However, all terminals report to one account. Multi-terminal businesses often negotiate volume discounts (10-20% off standard rates).
Can customers use Apple Pay and Google Pay?▼
Yes - all modern retail terminals accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay via contactless. Under £100 = tap to pay, over £100 = customer authenticates on their phone then taps.
What about refunds and returns?▼
All terminals process refunds to the original card. Refunds appear on customer statement in 3-5 days. Your account is debited immediately. Track refunds in your provider app/dashboard.