What is POS Abbreviations ?
POS abbreviations are short forms of commonly used "point of sale" terms. They are used across POS systems, reports, receipts, and dashboards to save space and create a standard way of communicating. These abbreviations appear in both front-of-house and back-office settings and are commonly used by business owners, managers, and staff.
Knowing how to read and understand the POS abbreviation allows users to better read the data provided by the POS System, reduce confusion, and work more effectively with the software.
Why are POS abbreviations used?
POS systems manage large quantities of transactional and operational data. Therefore, many POS systems rely on abbreviated terms rather than fully spelled out terms to keep displays on screens, receipts, and reports legible and readable.
Abbreviations also ensure consistency across reports and make it easier for teams to communicate quickly, particularly in fast-paced environments. Without a basic understanding of these abbreviations, important information can be misinterpreted or overlooked.
Most Used POS Abbreviations
Although there are minor differences in the way that they are used between systems, many of the same abbreviations are used throughout the industry.
- POS – Point of Sale
- SKU – Stock Keeping Unit
- PLU – Price Look-Up
- COGS – Cost of Goods Sold
- EOD – End of Day
- Z-Report – End-of-day sales summary
- X-Report – Mid-shift or interim sales report
- GST/VAT – Goods and Services Tax or Value Added Tax
- Tx – Transaction
Commonly found in sales summary records, receipts, inventory records, and report documents, these abbreviations appear for the purpose of a quick financial summary of performance.
Financial and Reporting Abbreviations
Financial abbreviations are mostly included in POS reports that help to summarise performance.
- GRS- Gross Sales
- NET- Net Sales
- DISC- Discount
- REF- Refund
- TAX- Tax applied to a transaction
Understanding these abbreviations will enable the business owner to quickly read their reports and check for either trends or problems without any detailed explanations.
System and Operational Abbreviations
POS systems also use abbreviations related to hardware, software, and workflows.
- KDS- Kitchen Display System
- API- Application Programming Interface
- UI- User Interface
- UID- User Identification
- EMV- Europay, Mastercard, and Visa chip standard
These abbreviations are often used in system settings, integrations, and technical documentation.
POS abbreviations can sometimes be confusing, especially for new users. A basic understanding of these terms helps improve clarity and accuracy during daily operations.