Finding the Right Retail Scale

Retail scales, also called price computing scales, or point of sale scales (POS), are common tools used in commercial settings. You've probably seen them at grocery stores, in the produce section, in delis or in sweet shops. Not all retail scales are the same, and we're going to explore their different features and applications in this post.

What makes a retail scale different from other scales?

Retail scales are specialist weighing devices that calculate price based on an item's weight. They have price computing software that allows users to put an item on the scale and have the LCD show weight, unit price and total price. Once the user inputs the unit price, the scale can calculate the total price from the weight.

In many countries, retail scales must be trade approved as a way to ensure that consumers who are purchasing goods based on their weight, are actually getting what they pay for. There are approvals for legal for trade applications from various organisations depending on the country of origin. If you're shopping for a retail scale, make sure the approval is recognised in the country you will be using it in! A scale with EC type approval is legal in Europe, but is not recognised in South Africa, for example. Feel free to read our blog post on trade approved scales to learn more about the different types of approval necessary for commercial applications.

Which features should you look for in a retail scale?

Aside from price computing abilities and legal-for-trade approval, there are a few features that are important for retail scales to have.

• Product Look-Ups, or PLUs, are very handy, especially if you work in a large store. They allow users to store products and their associated information, and bring it up without having to re-enter all the information. It's not a necessity for small stores or places that sell a single item, but it's handy if you have a wide selection.
• A full, color-coded keyboard is quite handy whether it's to enter the unit price or to look up PLUs. It also allows a faster configuration and easy operation since the keys are labeled and you don't have a single key for multiple functions.

• A dual display, meaning an LCD on both the back and front, is a very important feature. Showing the user and the customer the same information at the same time eliminates confusion or potential discrepancies, and streamlines the transaction.

• The ability to calculate prices and display them in multiple currencies is useful if a shop is close to a border or in a tourist town, as is a multilingual display.

• Being portable is a bonus, and a rechargeable battery allows the scale to be used it in different parts of the store and in settings when power isn't available, such as at a farmer's market.
• A 304 grade stainless steel pan ensures swift and easy cleaning between customers and that frequent washings and products don't leave stains or damage the scale.

• Solid ABS housing ensures the load cells are protected and the scale lasts a long time.

Other features

• Robust feet to ensure the scale remains stable, whether it's on a table, a countertop or unsteady surfaces. In order to ensure precision, a scale needs to be stationary and level. Some scales allow users to adjust the feet for more control.
• Some features, like data communication with printers and computers, aren't unique to retail scales, and aren't a necessity, but can be useful for inventory management or printing labels.
• An IP66 rating is also not a necessity, but it makes cleaning much easier and allows retail scales to be used in wet or humid places, or in stores where raw product is placed directly on the scale, or can drip from the packaging, like fresh fish or ice cream.
• A zero tracking feature is quite practical, especially if the scale is used for a high volume of different objects in a grocery store or a chocolate shop.

These aren't all the features offered by retail scales, merely the ones that are most useful at a glance. Some retail scales, like the Swift, offer additonal features like overload protection, an optional USB interface for data communication and drip channels to make spills easier to clean.

Remember to check the approval when buying a retail scale! For more information on retail scales, don't hesitate to contact us.

How would you rate this article?
54321