# Daily operations in a hardware store

> The daily routine for a hardware store on SmartPOS Hub - open the register, sell walk-in and trade, receive trucks, transfer stock and close the day.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/daily-operations/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

Once the setup is done, a hardware day follows the same rhythm: contractors early, DIY customers through the day, a supplier truck, a shuttle run between the yard and the store, and a cash-up at night. This page lists what to do at each point and where it happens in SmartPOS Hub.

## Opening

1. Open **Sell › POS** at each till. The first time in a shift, enter the **Cash in hand** and press **Open Register**.
2. Check the dashboard on **Home** for **Sales Payment Due** (house accounts) and **Purchase Payment Due**.
3. Look at the low-stock items (the POS also marks them **Low stock**) and add them to the next purchase order.

## At the counter

- **Walk-in DIY:** scan or search, pick the unit (Box or Pieces, Spool or Ft), take cash or card.
- **Contractors:** choose the customer first so their price group applies, then **Credit Sale** for the house account. The sale is refused if it would go over their credit limit.
- **Quotes:** press **Quotation** for anyone who wants a price first ([step 5](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/step-5-quotes-to-invoices/)).
- **Services:** key cutting, glass cutting or delivery are products without stock; add them like any item.

![POS V2 with category tabs such as Cleaning & Safety, Electrical, Fasteners, Hand Tools and Lumber & Building, products with prices and stock in pieces, boards and pounds, and Card, Cash and Pay buttons](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pos-v2.BKC7aGnz.png) (web app page: `/pos-v2/create`)
*POS V2 in a hardware store: category tabs, stock per unit and a Low stock badge.*

## Through the day

- **Truck arrives:** record the purchase against the purchase order ([step 6](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/step-6-purchase-orders-and-receiving/)).
- **Shuttle run:** create a stock transfer from the yard to the store; mark it **Completed** when it is unloaded.
- **Damaged or mis-tinted stock:** **Stock Adjustment › Add Stock Adjustment** with a reason.
- **Payments from contractors:** **Receive Payment** next to the customer in the POS, or **Add payment** on the customer page.

## Closing

1. Close each register from the POS (close register button): count cash, check card slips, and add a note.
2. Open **Reports › Z Report** for the day's sales, returns, expenses and total in hand.
3. Check **Sell › All sales** filtered to today for any sale left **Due** that should have been paid.

## Weekly and monthly

| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | Chase overdue house accounts | **Reports › Payment by Age** |
| Weekly | Reorder from suppliers | **Reports › Stock Report**, **Purchases › Purchase Order** |
| Monthly | Statements to contractors | Customer page › ledger, or the [customer portal](https://docs.smartposhub.com/customers/customer-portal/) |
| Monthly | Profit by store | **Reports › Profit / Loss Report** filtered by location |
| Season change | Count a department | [Stock counts](https://docs.smartposhub.com/inventory/stock-counts/) |

![Customers list with contact ID, name, credit limit, pay term, opening balance and advance balance columns](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/customers-list.BtHx9Q5H.png) (web app page: `/contacts?type=customer`)
*Customers › Customers: credit limit and pay term at a glance.*

## Related pages

  - [Cash register and closing](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/cash-register-and-closing/)
  - [Returns and refunds](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/returns-and-refunds/)
  - [Reports overview](https://docs.smartposhub.com/reports/reports-overview/)
  - [Go-live checklist](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/hardware/checklist/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Which POS screen is best for a busy hardware counter?

Either works. POS V2 is built for fast scanning and keyboard shortcuts; POS V1 shows the unit dropdown directly on each cart line. Sell › POS opens whichever version is set as the default.

### How do I look up an item a customer describes?

Type part of the name, size or SKU in the POS search, or filter by category tab. On the shop floor, staff can search and check stock in the SmartPOS Business app.

### What do I check at the end of the day?

Close each register and count cash, then look at the Z Report, Sell › All sales for any unpaid house-account sales, and the dashboard's low-stock list.

### A customer returns a box of screws. How?

Use Sell › All sales › Actions › Sell Return on the original sale, or the return button in the POS. Choose the quantity and unit returned; stock comes back.

### How do I record damaged lumber?

Stock Adjustment › Add Stock Adjustment with the reason. Web adjustments remove stock only.