China Point of Sale Terminal Market Overview, 2030

The POS terminal market in China is expanding rapidly, driven by several key factors such as the country’s strong digital payment adoption, the increasing use of mobile phones for transactions, and advancements in both hardware and software solutions. As one of the world’s largest economies, China has witnessed a remarkable shift from traditional cash transactions to digital payments, which has led to the widespread use of point-of-sale (POS) systems across various industries. Mobile payments have become deeply embedded in Chinese society, with platforms like Alipay, WeChat Pay, and other local solutions providing consumers with seamless, contactless transaction options. This shift in consumer behavior is further supported by the government's push for a cashless economy, which is evident in its efforts to promote digital currencies and enhance e-payment infrastructure. Additionally, businesses, from large retailers to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have increasingly turned to POS terminals to improve customer service, streamline transaction processes, and gather valuable business data. The demand for flexible, user-friendly, and secure POS systems has led to the development of terminals that support a variety of payment methods, including QR codes, chip cards, NFC-enabled devices, and contactless payments, which in turn foster a more inclusive and accessible payment environment for consumers. The combination of technological advancements and a shift in consumer preferences has created a dynamic landscape for POS terminal providers to innovate and cater to the growing demand for more versatile, efficient, and cost-effective payment solutions.

According to the research report ""China Point of Sale (POS) Terminal Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the China POS Terminal market is anticipated to grow at more than 8.86% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. Beyond mobile and contactless payments, other technological advancements, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, have played a significant role in reshaping the POS terminal market in China. The integration of IoT into POS systems has enabled businesses to enhance operational efficiency through real-time inventory tracking, automated stock replenishment, and optimized data analytics. These systems also provide business owners with detailed insights into consumer behavior, sales trends, and transaction patterns, helping them make data-driven decisions. Additionally, cloud-based POS terminals are increasingly favored by businesses due to their scalability, flexibility, and ease of integration with other business management systems. These terminals allow businesses to access real-time sales data from any location, making them ideal for enterprises with multiple branches or those involved in e-commerce. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies in the POS sector has also contributed to enhanced security features, such as fraud detection and prevention, as well as predictive analytics, which can help businesses anticipate customer needs and improve customer retention strategies. As China's retail landscape continues to evolve, the demand for innovative, integrated, and smart POS solutions is expected to grow, with businesses seeking terminals that not only facilitate transactions but also provide valuable business intelligence and streamline operations. This ongoing transformation in payment technology is likely to further accelerate the adoption of POS terminals in various sectors, positioning China as a global leader in the digital payment space.

The POS terminal market in China is highly dynamic, characterized by a wide variety of systems designed to cater to the distinct needs of numerous industries. Traditional fixed POS terminals remain a fundamental part of established retail environments, including large department stores, supermarkets, and high-end restaurant chains. These systems are strategically positioned at checkout counters, integrated with peripherals like barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers, optimizing transaction efficiency and minimizing errors. Fixed POS terminals play a crucial role in maintaining comprehensive records of inventory, sales data, and customer information, helping businesses streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. The increasing adoption of digital payment methods, especially through platforms like Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay, has prompted businesses to upgrade their traditional POS systems to accommodate diverse payment options. Advanced fixed POS systems with features like customer relationship management (CRM) integration, data analytics, and inventory tracking are increasingly sought after by businesses aiming to remain competitive and technologically advanced. On the other hand, mobile POS (mPOS) terminals have rapidly gained popularity due to their portability, affordability, and ease of integration with mobile devices. mPOS solutions empower small businesses, food trucks, pop-up shops, and temporary retail locations to conduct transactions swiftly without the need for bulky hardware. These systems are particularly beneficial for businesses that prioritize mobility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. In rural areas and emerging markets within China, where access to traditional banking services may be limited, mPOS systems enable merchants to expand their customer base by accepting digital payments. The ability of mPOS terminals to handle contactless payments and integrate with mobile wallets has further accelerated their adoption, aligning with the government's push toward a cashless society.

The Chinese POS terminal market is sustained by various components, each playing a critical role in ensuring smooth transaction processes, operational efficiency, and data management. Hardware components like card readers, barcode scanners, receipt printers, cash drawers, and touchscreens form the backbone of traditional and advanced POS systems. These components are essential for physical interactions between businesses and customers, facilitating secure and efficient transactions. The growing demand for durable and technologically advanced hardware has led to innovations such as biometric authentication, facial recognition, and AI-enabled devices that enhance security and user experience. Software, both cloud-based and on-premise, is integral to the efficient functioning of POS systems, offering features like sales monitoring, inventory tracking, customer data management, and detailed analytics. Cloud-based solutions are becoming more prevalent due to their scalability, remote accessibility, and real-time data synchronization capabilities. Businesses benefit from the ability to analyze consumer behavior, monitor inventory levels, and streamline business operations remotely. Cloud-based software also supports seamless integration with e-commerce platforms, enabling businesses to offer a unified shopping experience across online and offline channels. On-premise software, while still in use, is gradually declining in popularity due to its limitations in remote access and higher maintenance costs. Services, including installation, training, system integration, and technical support, play a pivotal role in the successful implementation and maintenance of POS systems. These services are particularly crucial for businesses transitioning from manual or outdated systems to modern POS solutions, ensuring minimal disruptions and maximizing system efficiency. Training programs help employees adapt to new technology, improving customer service and reducing transaction errors. Technical support services are essential for addressing technical issues promptly, minimizing downtime, and maintaining data security.

POS terminals in China serve a wide range of applications, reflecting the adaptability and versatility of these systems across various industries. In the retail sector, POS terminals are extensively used in supermarkets, convenience stores, hypermarkets, department stores, and specialty retail outlets. These systems assist in managing customer billing, tracking inventory, monitoring sales performance, and analyzing consumer behavior. The integration of POS systems with customer loyalty programs and promotional campaigns further enhances customer engagement, encouraging repeat purchases and boosting revenue. In the hospitality industry, including restaurants, cafes, hotels, and fast-food chains, POS systems help streamline order management, handle billing and payment processes, track reservations, and support customer loyalty initiatives. These systems enable faster order processing, reduce waiting times, and minimize errors, improving overall customer satisfaction. The healthcare sector utilizes POS terminals in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and diagnostic centers for patient billing, insurance claim processing, and maintaining patient records. The integration of POS systems with healthcare management software improves administrative efficiency, reduces paperwork, and enhances patient experience. In the entertainment and gaming sector, POS terminals facilitate ticketing, food and beverage sales, and membership transactions in amusement parks, theaters, gaming centers, and casinos. These systems contribute to a seamless customer experience, reducing long queues and enhancing service efficiency. Other industries like education, government institutions, and non-profit organizations use POS terminals for transaction processing, service payments, fee collection, and event management. Educational institutions use POS systems for managing student payments and canteen transactions, while government offices leverage them for service fees, licensing, and permits. The ability of POS systems to integrate with digital payment platforms and provide multi-currency transaction capabilities has further expanded their application scope, making them essential tools for businesses across various industries.

Large enterprises, including multinational retail chains, hotel networks, healthcare institutions, and entertainment corporations, require sophisticated POS solutions capable of handling high transaction volumes, multi-location operations, and comprehensive data analytics. These businesses often invest in cloud-based POS systems with integrated customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities, enabling them to analyze customer behavior, develop targeted marketing strategies, and optimize inventory management. The integration of POS systems with enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions further enhances operational efficiency, allowing for real-time monitoring and analysis of sales data. Large enterprises often seek POS solutions that support omnichannel retailing, enabling seamless integration between online and offline sales channels to provide a unified and consistent customer experience. On the other hand, SMEs, including local retailers, boutique shops, cafes, food stalls, and small-scale service providers, prioritize cost-effective, flexible, and user-friendly POS systems. mPOS solutions are particularly popular among SMEs due to their portability, affordability, and ability to accommodate various digital payment methods, including QR code payments, contactless payments, and mobile wallets. SMEs benefit from POS systems that help streamline daily transactions, monitor inventory, manage customer interactions, and generate sales reports. The growing number of start-ups, entrepreneurial ventures, and the government's support for small businesses have contributed to the increased adoption of POS terminals among SMEs.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Point of Sales Terminal Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type
• Fixed POS Terminals
• Mobile POS (mPOS) Terminals

By Component
• Hardware
• Software
• Services

By Application
• Retail
• Hospitality
• Healthcare
• Entertainment & Gaming
• Others

By End-User
• Large Enterprises
• Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.