Best Grocery & Supermarket Credit Card Processing Services

Grocery stores are some of the most challenging point-of-sale environments in the credit card processing industry. From national supermarket chains to corner stores, all grocery locations need to keep lines moving quickly, accept every form of payment, encourage shopper loyalty, minimize fraud, track inventory, and manage employee hours. It's also ideal to obtain a system that can do all of these things for the lowest possible cost.

To make it easier for you to find the right payment processor for your supermarket, we've put together the following list of the best merchant account providers for grocery stores. These processors offer countertop and mobile processing as well as a wide range of useful products and features for all sizes and types of grocers. More importantly, though, they all receive positive ratings from CPO, other third-party review sites, and merchants. The best way to secure the right services for the lowest cost is to contact multiple companies from this list and compare rates and products.

Top Choices For Supermarket & Grocery Store Merchant Accounts

#1 Host Merchant Services

Host Merchant Services is a Newark, Delaware-based merchant account provider that is well-suited for most general retailers including grocery stores. The company's products and services include point-of-sale solutions, online marketing tools, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, mobile credit card processing, gift and loyalty programs, and merchant cash advance. Host Merchant Services specializes in e-commerce businesses but is able to serve physical locations just as well.

Host Merchant Services has received only positive feedback on public forums, with most reviewers singling out the company's customer service for praise. The company offers interchange-plus pricing with no early termination fees to all of its merchants, meaning that users will enjoy the most transparent pricing model and can cancel service without penalty. The BBB gives Host an “A+” rating, and CPO also gives the company an “A+.”

For more information, visit the Host Merchant Services website or call (888) 727-4538.

#2 PaymentCloud

Based in Woodland Hills, California, PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider that specializes in serving standard to high risk business types. The company's products and services include point-of-sale solutions, mobile phone swipers, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, EMV-compatible terminals, and merchant cash advances. The POS systems that power PaymentCloud's comprehensive inventory management tools are essential for grocery store merchants. Those tools allow merchants to ensure items are in stock as well as track sales. For these reasons, PaymentCloud is a great option for grocery stores.

PaymentCloud provides a dedicated account rep to all new merchants for the life of the account. The company has not received any negative complaints on consumer forums, and it customizes its pricing according to each merchant's business type and processing history. The BBB does not maintain a profile for PaymentCloud at this time, but CPO gives the company an “A.”

For more information, visit the PaymentCloud website or call (888) 506-7859.

#3 eMerchantBroker

EMB offers a comprehensive range of payment processing options, including traditional point-of-sale (POS) terminals, virtual terminals for online payments, mobile processing solutions, and more. This versatility allows grocery store owners to choose the payment methods that best suit their business model and customer preferences. EMB's payment solutions are compatible with major credit card brands, ensuring seamless transactions and increased convenience for both the store and its customers.

EMB scores highly in customer support which helps to set them apart from larger processing companies. Their experienced and knowledgeable support team is available round-the-clock to address concerns or issues that may arise.

Another advantage of choosing EMB for grocery store credit card processing is their transparent fee structure. EMB offers competitive rates and avoids hidden charges, allowing store owners to accurately budget their payment processing expenses.

For more information, visit the eMerchantBroker website or call (877) 301-3442.

#4 Square Point-of-Sale

Square is a trusted payment processing option for grocery stores and supermarkets, offering user-friendly features, affordability, and comprehensive functionality.

Square's simplicity is a key advantage. Its hardware, like the Square Reader and Square POS simplify credit card transactions for cashiers and customers.

Additionally, Square provides specialized features for grocery stores. Inventory management tools allow real-time tracking of stock levels, particularly valuable for perishable items. Analytics and reporting features offer insights into sales trends and customer behavior, facilitating data-driven decision-making.

Affordability is another strength of Square. Unlike traditional processors that often market complex pricing structures, Square offers transparent rates without hidden charges. This transparency enables accurate forecasting of payment processing costs, albeit at slightly higher processing fees as compared to a well-negotiated merchant account.

Square is an excellent choice for grocery stores and supermarkets due to its user-friendly interface, specialized features, and affordability. By utilizing Square's payment processing solutions, grocery store owners can streamline operations, effectively manage inventory, and provide a convenient and efficient payment experience for customers.

Learn more by visiting Square's website here.

Bottom Line

In selecting a credit card processing company, a supermarket should prioritize factors such as competitive transaction fees, reliable customer service, robust security measures, and integration capabilities with existing systems. The company should offer flexible and advanced solutions such as mobile and contactless payments to meet evolving customer demands. Speed of processing transactions and the provider's reputation are also critical considerations. Thus, choosing a card processing company demands a comprehensive evaluation of their service features and alignment with the supermarket's operational needs. The above choices have demonstrated that they meet all the requirements for such needs in our expert opinion.

Reader Comments

Tell Us What You Think

1 User Reviews

  • Stephan

    Springfield Grocer

    Thank you for providing some guidance on grocery store merchant accounts. I just took over our local supermarket and the last owner is paying almost 5% in fees! Some of our products barely have a 5% margin. Host Merchant Services quoted me under 2% so it looks like the last owner was getting a terrible deal. Keep up the great work, Phillip!

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