Mobile point of sale (POS) refers to the use of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices to process payments, manage inventory, and perform other essential business functions. Mobile POS solutions are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to streamline their operations and offer their customers a more convenient and efficient payment option.
The global mobile POS market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, driven by factors such as the increasing adoption of mobile devices, the growing demand for contactless payment solutions, and the need for businesses to offer a more personalized customer experience.
In this article, we will provide an in-depth analysis of the mobile POS market, including its meaning, executive summary, key market insights, market drivers, market restraints, market opportunities, market dynamics, regional analysis, competitive landscape, segmentation, category-wise insights, key benefits for industry participants and stakeholders, SWOT analysis, market key trends, Covid-19 impact, key industry developments, analyst suggestions, future outlook, and conclusion.
Executive Summary
The global mobile POS market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, driven by factors such as the increasing adoption of mobile devices, the growing demand for contactless payment solutions, and the need for businesses to offer a more personalized customer experience.
In terms of market size, the global mobile POS market was valued at USD 15.13 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.1% from 2021 to 2028, reaching a market size of USD 58.42 billion by 2028.
Important Note:ย The companies listed in the image above are for reference only. The final study will cover 18โ20 key players in this market, and the list can be adjusted based on our clientโs requirements.
Key Market Insights
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Shift to Contactless Payments: Growing consumer preference for tap-to-pay and mobile wallets drives mobile POS adoption.
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Hardware-Software Bundling: Integrated solutions (card reader + cloud POS app) simplify setup for small merchants.
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SME Empowerment: Portable, low-cost systems enable micro and pop-up retailers to accept digital payments.
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Omnichannel Integration: Mobile POS seamlessly connects in-store, online, and on-the-go sales channels.
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Security & Compliance: EMV, PCI-DSS, and end-to-end encryption requirements shape solution design.
Market Drivers
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E-commerce Growth Spillover: Brick-and-mortar retailers adopt mobile POS to provide digital-style flexibility.
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Gig Economy Expansion: Food trucks, ride-share drivers, and home-service providers leverage portable POS for on-site check-out.
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Fintech Partnerships: Banks and payment processors offer turnkey mobile POS to drive transaction volume.
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Lower Entry Costs: Subscription and pay-as-you-go pricing reduce barriers for new merchants.
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Regulatory Push for Financial Inclusion: Governments support digital payments to bring unbanked SMEs into the formal economy.
Market Restraints
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Network Dependence: Unreliable connectivity can disrupt transactions in remote or high-traffic areas.
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Device Fragmentation: Compatibility issues across various smartphones and tablet models complicate deployments.
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Data Security Concerns: Small merchants may lack the expertise to manage encryption updates and compliance.
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Transaction Fees: Per-transaction charges can deter price-sensitive businesses.
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Integration Complexity: Linking mobile POS with existing ERP, inventory, or loyalty systems may require custom development.
Market Opportunities
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5G Enablement: Low-latency, high-bandwidth networks will improve transaction speeds and reliability.
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Value-Added Services: Lending, inventory management, and analytics bundled into mobile POS platforms.
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Cross-Border Acceptance: Multi-currency and dynamic currency conversion features for traveling merchants.
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AI-Driven Upselling: Embedded recommendation engines to boost average ticket size at checkout.
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Ecosystem Partnerships: Alliances with delivery, CRM, and marketing platforms to create unified merchant solutions.
Market Dynamics
The mobile POS market is characterized by intense competition among vendors, with players vying for market share by offering innovative features and functionalities. In addition, the market is also seeing significant consolidation, with larger players acquiring smaller ones to expand their product portfolios and geographic reach.
The market is also seeing significant investment in research and development, with vendors investing in technologies such as biometrics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to enhance the functionality and security of their mobile POS solutions.
Regional Analysis
In terms of regional analysis, North America dominated the global mobile POS market in 2020, accounting for a significant share of the market. This can be attributed to factors such as the high penetration of mobile devices and contactless payment solutions in the region, as well as the presence of a large number of key players in the market.
However, the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the coming years, driven by factors such as the increasing adoption of mobile devices and growing demand for contactless payment solutions in countries such as China and India.
Competitive Landscape
Leading companies in the Mobile Point of Sale (POS) Market:
- Square, Inc.
- Verifone Systems, Inc.
- Ingenico Group
- PAX Technology Limited
- NCR Corporation
- Oracle Corporation
- Fujitsu Limited
- Intuit Inc.
- Shopify Inc.
- Toshiba Corporation
Please note: This is a preliminary list; the final study will feature 18โ20 leading companies in this market. The selection of companies in the final report can be customized based on our client’s specific requirements.
Segmentation
The global mobile POS market can be segmented on the basis of component, technology, deployment, application, and region.
By component, the market can be segmented into hardware, software, and services.
By technology, the market can be segmented into NFC, Bluetooth, and others.
By deployment, the market can be segmented into on-premise and cloud-based.
By application, the market can be segmented into retail, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment, and others.
Category-wise Insights
In terms of category-wise insights, the hardware segment is expected to dominate the global mobile POS market in the coming years, driven by factors such as the increasing adoption of mobile devices and growing demand for contactless payment solutions.
The retail segment is expected to hold the largest share of the market in terms of application, driven by factors such as the growing need for businesses to offer a more personalized customer experience and the increasing adoption of mobile POS solutions by small and medium-sized retailers.
Key Benefits for Industry Participants and Stakeholders
- Improved efficiency and productivity
- Increased sales and revenue
- Improved customer experience and loyalty
- Reduced costs compared to traditional POS systems
- Greater flexibility and mobility
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
- Flexibility and mobility
- Reduced costs compared to traditional POS systems
- Greater convenience for customers and employees
Weaknesses:
- Security concerns around mobile payments
- Limited functionality compared to traditional POS systems
Opportunities:
- Growing demand for mobile POS solutions in emerging markets
- Integration with other business applications
Threats:
- Intense competition among vendors
- Dependence on internet connectivity
Market Key Trends
- Growing adoption of biometrics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
- Increasing use of mobile POS solutions in non-traditional industries such as healthcare and entertainment
- Integration with other business applications such as inventory management and accounting software
Covid-19 Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mobile POS market, driving increased demand for contactless payment solutions as consumers looked to minimize their risk of exposure to the virus. In addition, the pandemic also accelerated the adoption of mobile POS solutions, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses that were forced to adapt to changing consumer behavior and social distancing guidelines.
Key Industry Developments
- In 2020, Square Inc. launched a new mobile POS solution called Square Online Store, which allows businesses to sell their products online and manage their inventory from a single platform.
- In 2019, Shopify Inc. acquired 6 River Systems Inc., a provider of warehouse automation solutions, to enhance its capabilities in the e-commerce space.
- In 2018, PayPal Holdings Inc. acquired iZettle AB, a leading provider of mobile POS solutions in Europe, to expand its presence in the mobile POS market.
Analyst Suggestions
Analysts suggest that vendors in the mobile POS market should focus on developing solutions that offer advanced security features, such as biometric authentication and encryption, to address concerns around mobile payments. In addition, vendors should also focus on integrating their solutions with other business applications such as inventory management and accounting software to offer a more comprehensive solution to customers.
Future Outlook
The global mobile POS market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by factors such as the increasing adoption of mobile devices, the growing demand for contactless payment solutions, and the need for businesses to offer a more personalized customer experience. In addition, the market is also expected to see significant consolidation, with larger players acquiring smaller ones to expand their product portfolios and geographic reach.
Conclusion
The mobile POS market is a rapidly growing industry, driven by factors such as the increasing adoption of mobile devices, the growing demand for contactless payment solutions, and the need for businesses to offer a more personalized customer experience. While the market faces challenges such as security concerns and limited functionality compared to traditional POS systems, it also offers significant opportunities for vendors who can offer innovative solutions that meet the needs of businesses and consumers. With the market expected to continue to grow in the coming years, the mobile POS industry presents significant opportunities for investors, businesses, and other stakeholders.