How Tomlinson’s Cut Checkout Time by 56% with Shopify POS

Tomlinson’s: Facing Slow Checkouts and Fragmented Data

Tomlinson’s, a family-owned pet supplies store founded in 1946, grew to 18 locations and an online shop. Their point-of-sale system hadn’t kept pace: each transaction meant tapping through multiple screens, manual discount steps, then typing totals into a separate card terminal.

On busy weekends, lines grew out the door. Staff would tap two or three times more than needed just to apply a Pet Club discount. Without unified profiles, employees typed totals into readers and handed devices back and forth, adding friction for shoppers and stress for the team.

Choosing Shopify POS and Seamless Integration

In 2018 Tomlinson’s launched its online store on Shopify. The next step was unifying in-store and online channels. They decided to switch to Shopify POS, knowing it would sync inventory, customer data, and promotions across every location and online storefront.

Integration with their ERP and legacy software was critical. They used Shopify’s sandbox mode for six weeks to train staff, then performed a soft launch one week before go-live. That ensured zero downtime during major promotional periods.

Automating Discounts with Shopify Functions

A core need was support for the Pet Club Annual Membership program. Manual discount entry had been a headache. With Shopify Functions, a custom discount app now applies membership and promotional pricing automatically whenever qualifying items enter a cart.

This meant no extra taps. The right discount tags on each customer profile ensure every transaction reflects accurate pricing, whether online or in store. Staff feedback was immediate: “It’s a thing of beauty,” said Kate Knecht.

Measurable Gains and a Happier Team

Results came fast. Tomlinson’s saw a 56% drop in average checkout time. The number of taps required at checkout fell by 46%. Training new hires on POS operations now takes 32% less time. Staff reported swift, intuitive transactions that kept lines moving.

Unified online and in-store data also unlocked new marketing insights. Promotions planned months ahead could be toggled on or off instantly. Customers log into their portal to view past purchases and membership benefits, boosting transparency and trust.

Setting the Stage for Future Growth

By moving both online and physical stores onto Shopify’s platform, Tomlinson’s reduced complexity and scaled operations. They now run strategic, 60-day promotional campaigns without fearing downtime or manual errors. The partnership with Shopify opened up extensibility, from custom discount logic to ERP connections, preparing them to add more channels as they grow.