Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What payment processors and card readers do members recommend for UK drinks businesses selling online and offline?
Members recommend several options depending on your transaction volume and setup needs: **Zettle** is a popular choice for card readers. It offers tiered transaction fees that decrease with volume, integrates easily with accounting platforms (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage), fast delivery, and quick payment settlement. The reporting is solid. **Square** is recommended for businesses with low monthly transaction volume and no monthly fees. Transaction fees are around 1.75%, with a card reader available for around £20. You can accept card payments over the phone, online, and via their free website option. **Stripe** works well linked to invoicing and accounting software. Standard UK online charge is 1.4% when using Shopify Payments. **Tyl from NatWest** has very low fees and has saved members money compared to previous solutions, though you may need a NatWest business account. **WorldPay** offers much lower transaction fees than Square but charges monthly fees, so it's better suited to higher-volume traders. Members also mention **SumUp** as a working option. For event/POS sales, Square is noted as particularly easy to set up quickly. One member mentioned using both Stripe and Square together works well.
What payment solutions work well for face-to-face events and activations?
Members recommend several contactless payment options that work reliably at events without requiring dedicated card readers. **Apple Tap to Pay on iPhone** — simple to set up and use directly on your phone. **Square App** — members use this on their phones with no additional readers needed, making it straightforward for event payments. **DOJO** — praised for reliable connection and noted for having good personal customer service support available. **Revolut Tap and Pay on iPhone** — low-fee option that works via your phone. **Shopify POS** — another low-fee alternative mentioned by members. A key practical note: you can take payments without signal for up to 1 hour, which is valuable at events where connectivity may be spotty, though signal loss beyond that window becomes problematic.
What payment processing systems are reliable for point-of-sale operations in drinks businesses?
Members recommend evaluating payment processors based on both functionality and uptime reliability, as system downtime directly impacts sales. **Square** — Currently in use by at least one member; supports card payments and point-of-sale functions. **Zettle** — Long-established option (used reliably by members for years) with built-in EPOS system integration, though recent reports indicate reliability issues in some cases; consider this if stability becomes a concern. **Dojo** — Emerging alternative with reportedly excellent coverage, though members note it lacks built-in EPOS functionality like Zettle, which may require separate systems integration. Key consideration: Members emphasise that payment system downtime is critical—there is nothing worse than being unable to complete a sale. If switching from an established provider like Zettle due to recent unreliability, ensure the alternative has proven uptime before committing.
What tools and platforms can we use to run scan-to-enter competitions at point of sale?
Members have taken a range of approaches, from DIY to more structured solutions. Most have kept things simple rather than investing in dedicated competition platforms: - **Google Forms + QR code** — The most common approach members use. Link a QR code at POS directly to a Google Form for entry. Simple, free, and works for basic scan-to-enter mechanics. - **Shopify landing pages** — Create a dedicated Shopify page accessible only via QR code, then close it after the event ends. Useful if you already have Shopify infrastructure. - **Newsletter signup + competition hybrid** — Combine the QR scan with a newsletter subscription and competition entry on the same landing page (e.g. "Scan to enter to win a free bottle"). Members note they've been "quite scrappy" with these approaches rather than seeking out dedicated competition platform software. No member mentioned using paid competition management tools, suggesting the group defaults to low-cost, improvised solutions using tools they already have (Google, Shopify).
Where can UK drinks brands source branded illuminated signage and POS materials?
Members recommend these suppliers for illuminated signs and point-of-sale marketing materials: - **Zest Product Solutions** — recommended for POS marketing materials - **Visual Architects** (Manchester) — specialises in replicating illuminated signs and can handle complex designs like light-up letters These suppliers have been used by community members for branded signage projects including replica Campari-style illuminated lettering. When sourcing, clarify your volume requirements upfront as costs scale with production size.
Who are good graphic designers for table-top and point-of-sale design work?
Members recommend **Marguerite Boyle** (margueritecboyle@gmail.com) for table-top design work. She has been praised by community members for the quality of her work on this type of project.