# Liquor store and bottle shop setup guide

> Set up a liquor store or bottle shop on SmartPOS Hub - bottles and cases, beer packs, age checks, trade and club prices, lots and deposits.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/overview/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

This guide sets up a **liquor store, wine shop or bottle shop** on SmartPOS Hub. You finish with bottles and cases, beer packs, age checks at the till and online, trade and wine club prices, case discounts, lot and date tracking, and a daily routine that keeps the cash and stock right.

## Who this guide is for

- **Liquor stores and off-licences** selling spirits, wine, beer and mixers.
- **Wine shops** with cases, a wine club and tastings.
- **Beer stores** with singles, packs and cases.

![POS cart with Albariño sold as Case (6) for 101.95 with a Lot & Expiry selector and a unit dropdown](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pos-sell-by-case.CuUwjGh7.png) (web app page: `/pos/create`)
*A case of six bottles: the unit dropdown switches between Bottle and Case, and the lot can be picked on the line.*

## What you will set up

1. [Settings and locations](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/step-1-settings-and-locations/): stores, expiry and lots, sub-units and modules.
2. [Bottles, cases and packs](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/step-2-bottles-cases-and-packs/): units, sub-units and beer pack variations.
3. [Age-restricted sales](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/step-3-age-restricted-sales/): ID checks at the till, online and in Scan & Go.
4. [Trade prices, clubs and deposits](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/step-4-trade-prices-clubs-and-deposits/): price groups, discounts and container deposits.
5. [Purchases, lots and stock](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/step-5-purchases-lots-and-stock/): distributor deliveries, lots, dates and stock reports.
6. [Daily operations](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/daily-operations/) and the [go-live checklist](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/checklist/).

## How the pieces fit together

| You want to… | Where it happens | Module or setting |
|---|---|---|
| Sell by the bottle or the case | **Products › Units**, product **Related Sub Units** | **Enable Sub Units** |
| Sell beer in 4-packs and cases | Variable product | Core |
| Check ID at the till | **Products › Order options** form **Age-restricted sale** | Order options & personalisation |
| Check age online | Product **Online store** tab › **Age restricted** | Website / Shopper app |
| Trade and club prices | **Selling Price Group** + **Customer Groups** | Core |
| Case discounts and offers | **Sell › Discounts** | Core |
| Lot numbers and dates | Purchase lines | **Enable Lot number**, **Enable Product Expiry** |

![POS V2 of a bottle shop with tabs for bar and gifts, beer and cider, gift sets, spirits, tastings and club and wine, and bottles with prices and stock](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pos-v2.Cxo_xf-F.png) (web app page: `/pos-v2/create`)
*POS V2 in a bottle shop: one tab per department, stock in bottles and packs.*

## Related guides

  - [Order options](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/order-options/) — Age checks and other details on sale lines.
  - [Selling price groups](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/price-groups/) — Trade and club prices.
  - [Expiry and batches](https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/expiry-and-batches/) — Lots and best-before dates.
  - [Convenience store guide](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/convenience-store/overview/) — If you also sell snacks and groceries.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I sell wine by the bottle and by the case?

Yes. Use Bottle as the base unit and Case (6) and Case (12) as sub-units. The cashier picks Bottle or Case on the sale line and stock is counted in bottles.

### How do I sell beer in 4-packs, 6-packs and cases?

Make the beer a variable product with one variation per pack (Single, 4-Pack, 12-Pack, Case (24)), each with its own price and barcode. Packs can be cheaper per can than singles.

### Does the POS check the customer's age?

Not by itself. With the Order options module you attach a ready-made Age-restricted sale form to alcohol categories; the till then asks for the date of birth, refuses anyone under the minimum age and needs the cashier to confirm the photo ID was checked.

### Do online orders and Scan & Go check age?

Yes, for products marked Age restricted on the product's Online store tab. The website asks customers to confirm their age, and Scan & Go carts with such items show a check-ID note to the cashier.

### Can I charge a bottle or can deposit?

There is no built-in container deposit. Add a product such as Bottle deposit without stock and add it to the sale, or include the deposit in the shelf price.

### Can restaurants and wine club members get their own prices?

Yes. Create selling price groups such as Trade and Wine Club and link them to customer groups. Members get their prices as soon as you pick them on the sale.

### Can I track lot numbers and best-before dates?

Yes. Turn on Enable Product Expiry and Enable Lot number. Purchases record the lot and dates, and Reports › Lot Report and Stock Expiry Report show them.

### Is there a ready-made liquor catalog?

No. The Product Library has Mart, Pharmacy and Electronics catalogs, with no wine and spirits catalog. Most bottle shops import their distributor's list with Products › Import Products.

### Can I run case discounts and seasonal offers?

Yes. Sell › Discounts applies automatic discounts by brand, category or product, per location and date range.

### Which plan do I need?

The POS, units, price groups, discounts and lots are in every plan. Order options, the website and the Shopper app depend on your plan. Settings › Package Subscription shows what is included.