Set Up Your Cash Wrap to Drive Sales in 5 Steps

Cost: Depending on the materials and dimensions, the average cost of a single-counter cash wrap can range from $400–$3,000. Most average around $600.

This salon’s single-counter cash wrap saves space and gives enough room for employees to work. (Source: Etsy)

The single-counter cash wrap has one counter that generally runs parallel to a wall. Of the cash wrap options, this one takes up the least space, making it ideal for smaller storefronts and those that don’t need much space behind their counter. With its smaller size, there’s also less storage and workspace behind the single counter configuration, making it best suited for limited activities.

Single-counter cash wraps can also be handy for large retailers needing a long checkout with multiple registers and for busy retailers needing multiple standalone checkout stations.

For example, grocery stores use single-counter cash wraps because scanning and packing groceries are the only tasks the counters need to host. Additionally, the single counter’s size allows grocers to fit more checkout stations in smaller square footage.

Related: Best Grocery POS Systems

Cost: L-shaped cash wraps can range anywhere from $1,000–$5,000, with most options coming in at around $1,700.

An L-shaped cash wrap gives this bike shop’s roomy space a spot for ringing orders up and working on gear. (Source: Raymond James Design)

The L-shaped or dual cash wrap has two separate counters: one typically used for displaying products or tasking and the other for checking out customers. For stores with heavier customer flow, you can also use both counters as checkout stations to move people out faster.

These counters are best suited for stores with more square footage, those with higher customer flow, and those requiring tasks at the register.

For example, you’ll find dual cash wraps at many coffee shops, as this gives one side of the counter for taking orders and the other for distributing them to customers. Or you might find this arrangement at a fabric store, where one side is used for ringing up orders and the other for cutting down samples to size.

Cost: Besides being the largest, U-shaped cash wraps are the most expensive, ranging from $1,200 to $10,000. Most counters come in at around $2,500.

This shop uses a U-shaped cash wrap in its whimsical space. (Source: Pinterest)

The U-shaped cash wrap has three counters for tasks or multiple cashiers. This is ideal for stores that need multiple people behind the register either to check people out or perform other duties. It’s also great if you need to store a lot of items behind your register, as it provides the most space.

For example, jewelers will often have U-shaped counters, allowing multiple clerks to be behind the counter to help people look at jewelry. It also gives them maximum space to display pieces and store supplies.

You’ll also find U-shaped cash wraps in stores offering gift wrapping or shops needing space for tasks performed as part of the checkout process. These are the largest cash wrap option, so businesses will sometimes even use this type of checkout counter as an element of store design.

Cost: Custom-built cash wraps are usually quoted individually by a regional or local contractor.

This boutique uses mosaic wood in a stunning custom cash wrap. (Source: Lee and Birch)

For some retailers, a custom cash wrap is the best option—whether because of an irregularly shaped space, specific tasking criteria that need to be accommodated, or a unique design desire.

When looking for a contractor, keep these things in mind:

• Fabrication can take three to 10 weeks.
• Total delivery and installation can take one to two months.
• Portability is a consideration in case you ever move the business.

Some retailers specialize in making custom cash wraps, so you can work with them if you’re not in the market for a contractor.

The first activity your checkout counter needs to support is the actual checkout. Generally, POS systems are placed to a side of a counter, which includes space for a salesperson, a card reader, necessary signage (like return policies or loyalty program information), customer-facing displays, and receipt printers. You should also keep change refills and extra printer paper close to your POS system for ease of use.

You can use contactless card readers, Square Register, Square Terminal, or Square Stand at your checkout counter. (Source: Square)

POS systems can be a huge asset for business. The best POS systems, like Square POS, track inventory, sales, customer engagement, and so much more. There’s an overwhelming number of POS systems on the market, and choosing the right one plays a huge role in starting your business. Square POS is affordable, easy to use, and works with a variety of payment types and integrations.

Learn more about using Square POS for your retail business.

Each business needs to accommodate different activities at their cash wrap. For example, at my boutique, we offered gift wrapping, so we needed space for folding, bagging, and storing different-sized jewelry boxes. We didn’t require a ton of tools, so we had simple shelving and organizational bins under our counter filled with bags, scissors, ribbons, jewelry boxes, etc.

A florist, on the other hand, might need supplies at its cash wrap to cut and arrange flowers. Or, a butcher might need tools to trim and measure meats. When stocking your cash wrap, consider which activities will be done behind the counter, the tools those activities require, and how you’ll store or display those tools.

In addition to tools for checkout tasks, you should also equip your cash wrap with things employees need to quickly grab without having to leave the floor and go to storage/backstock. Items they can offer to customers or need frequently for customer service are often stored behind the cash register for easy access.

For example, my cash wrap contained things like sewing scissors, lint rollers, and static spray—all things we could offer to customers if they needed them in their fittings.

A well-equipped and organized cash wrap puts everything an employee could need at their fingertips. (Source: Pinterest)

It’s important to train your staff on how to operate, stock, and maintain your cash wrap.

Use binders for documents and bins for your supplies, make sure everything has a designated spot, and label like crazy. This will help employees use all the tools at the cash wrap and make their jobs easier and more efficient. This will also help associates keep track of supplies inventory—and you should have a system in place for them to request additional supplies.

Consumers spend $3,312 a year on impulse purchases, so you want to capitalize on them whenever you can. Your cash wrap is one of the best places to do exactly that. Place small, inexpensive items—like snacks, jewelry, and cards—around the counter, so shoppers are surrounded by enticing merchandise while they’re waiting to check out.

When determining which items to place around your counter, remember impulse-buy items should do at least one of these things:

• Complement merchandise people already have. My boutique placed jewelry at the counter to put the perfect accessories for customers’ outfits right at their noses.
• Offer a great price. A local brewery might place clearance T-shirts around its kiosk so that customers see a great deal and are more likely to add it to their carts.
• Remind a customer of need. A liquor store might place bottle openers at the checkout counter to remind customers they need one after they have selected their bottles.
• Be inexpensive. A grocery store might place $3 lip balm packs in its checkout aisle, making it easy for customers to mindlessly toss one in their cart.

Impulse purchases are more frequent depending on the type of product.

You want to keep customers stimulated by merchandise while they wait. But don’t overcrowd your cash wrap with products. Give plenty of space for people to wait—you want them to be able to take in the items you have on display. A good rule of thumb: The more expensive your impulse buy items are, the fewer you should have around the counter.

You’ll also want to plan to switch out these products frequently. You don’t want to fatigue shoppers with the same items repeatedly. Keep it fresh and exciting to encourage regular purchases. Consider seasonal products as well.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Small items shoppers have trouble finding in the store
• Inexpensive gifts
• Cards, stickers, keychains, and similar branded items
• Small or sample-sized products
• Items priced under $10
• Hand sanitizer, lip balm, and other small wellness or personal care supplies
• Chocolate, candy, and small packaged snacks
• Special deals or promotional items
• Bundles
• Small accessories for other products in your store
• Seasonal or timely products
• Items you have too much of or which are expiring soon

Your cash wrap will be one of the first and last impressions your business will leave on customers, so you want merchandising to be in line with your brand. The materials, language, and decor you use are all tools to strengthen your brand.

For example, this funky coffee shop uses recycled materials, colorful task lighting, and fun shapes to turn its cash wrap into a design element that strengthens its brand image as a whimsical and “hipster” spot.

A very on-brand coffee shop cash wrap. (Source: Pinterest)

Had it used a slick, modern design, its cash wrap would not only have lost its power as a design element but would also have been a distraction from this business’s brand. Consider how you can use your cash wrap as a branding element. Use decor in line with your aesthetic and consider what impression you’re leaving on customers.

Karibe Kombucha sells its kombucha and other plant-based products at its storefront/cafe, as well as at local markets and in select grocery stores. It created a cash wrap that doubles as a wellness bar—and an appropriate extension of the visual brand.

A rewards and loyalty program is a great way to build brand loyalty and create a consistent customer base, and your cash wrap is a great place to promote them. At this point, customers have already decided that they like your business enough to make a purchase. This, plus the natural excitement of buying something, makes customers at the checkout counter poised for a loyalty program pitch.

Use signage around your cash wrap to advertise your rewards program, offer sign-up deals that people can use on their purchases, and (on top of an associate signing them up at checkout) leave a physical sign-up sheet that people can fill out as they wait. Make signing up as easy as possible and offer an incentive to get people on your list.

Like everywhere in your store, lighting creates the backdrop where all purchases are made and can enhance your cash wrap. Ensure you have enough—and the right kind of—lighting to perform all the activities at your checkout counter.

Generally, cash wraps have their own light sources, known as task lights, that create extra brightness in the checkout area. This area tends to need bright lighting to facilitate the reading of tags and other checkout activities.

The cash wrap also presents a great opportunity to use more creative light fixtures to create a focal point at your counter and further define your brand. That’s the approach fashion boutique LEMLOREN takes with its cash wrap. Prominently placed as customers enter the small store, it reinforces the brand using creative lighting that matches its overall aesthetic.

A cash wrap is an area in a retail store where customers check out and employees process transactions via POS system or cash register.

• Single-counter cash wrap
• L-shaped cash wrap
• U-shaped cash wrap
• Custom cash wrap

A cash wrap should be about counter height and under 36 inches high.