Pop-up shops are exciting but can be chaotic without the correct systems in place. With FooSales, your WooCommerce store transforms into a mobile point of sale (POS) that works online or offline. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the planning, setup, and operations of running a successful pop-up shop using FooSales, from prepping inventory to reconciling sales afterward.
Introduction
Pop-up shops are a smart way to reach new customers, test locations, or make a splash at an event. But they’re also high-pressure—short timelines, limited staff, and unpredictable foot traffic. If your checkout process stumbles, you lose sales.
That’s where FooSales for WooCommerce POS steps in. It gives you a WooCommerce-native POS on iPad, Android, or web, fully synced with your online store. This article breaks down exactly how to prepare and run a pop-up shop with FooSales, even if your Wi-Fi isn’t perfect.
Step 1: Plan Your Products and Pricing
Before you roll into the venue, tidy up your WooCommerce catalog.
- Simplify product offerings. Highlight best-sellers or create bundled items (e.g., “Festival Pack”).
- Check taxes. Configure sales tax properly in WooCommerce → Settings → Tax to avoid awkward calculations at checkout.
- Assign SKUs and barcodes. If you plan to scan items, ensure SKUs match the barcodes you’ll print or apply.
👉 See the FooSales products page and Barcodes help doc for setup assistance
Step 2: Configure FooSales for Pop-Up Use
With products ready, now it’s time to get FooSales setup.
- Install FooSales plugin and apps. Choose iPad, Android, or web depending on your device and hardware requirements.
- Connect your store. Log in with your WooCommerce credentials; FooSales syncs your catalog and stock automatically.
- Create staff accounts. Add cashier users in WooCommerce → Users and limit permissions to only what’s necessary.
👉 Refer to FooSales getting started guide for further details
Step 3: Set Up Payments and Hardware
Fast checkout is critical at a pop-up shop.
- Card readers. FooSales integrates with various supported hardware but we recommend that you always test in advance!
- Fallback plan. Keep at least one device ready for manual entry in case readers fail.
- Cash handling. If you’ll be accepting cash, prep float money and a secure lockbox.
👉 Reference: FooSales payments doc
Step 4: Test Offline Mode
Pop-up shop locations rarely have perfect Wi-Fi. FooSales includes offline mode to keep sales flowing.
- Enable offline mode. Transactions are queued until you reconnect to the internet.
- Test sync. Place a small offline order and verify it appears correctly once connected.
- Plan backups. Carry a mobile hotspot in case venue internet fails completely.
- Export offline changes. If all else fails, FooSales allows you to export your offline changes to a custom XML file which can be manually imported through the FooSales import tool.
👉 Learn more in the FooSales offline mode help doc
Step 5: Train Your Team
Even if FooSales is intuitive, staff training pays off when every minute counts.
- Practice sales. Have staff simulate checkout until they can complete an order within a certain timeframe (e.g. under a minute).
- Role-specific logins. Use separate accounts for cashiers vs. managers.
- Lost connection drills. Teach staff how to switch to offline mode smoothly.
👉 Browse the FooSales help centre for guides and training material
Step 6: Deliver a Customer-Friendly Experience
Checkout is the final impression your pop-up makes.
- Receipts. Offer email receipts (automatic via WooCommerce) or print if hardware supports it.
- Discounts. Set up simple coupon codes or promotions—avoid complex rules.
- Queue management. Assign one staffer to handle lines and answer questions while others process sales.
👉 See the FooSales checkout help doc for further information
Step 7: Reconcile and Report After the Event
Once the dust settles, it’s time to tally results.
- Reconcile. Count cash, verify card payments, and match totals against FooSales and WooCommerce reports.
- Check stock. Confirm inventory counts against what was sold online during the event.
- Review performance. Use FooSales and WooCommerce reports to see top products, sales by time, and staff efficiency.
👉 See FooSales Reports guide
Conclusion
Running a pop-up shop doesn’t have to be stressful. With FooSales tied into WooCommerce, you’re selling with the same system you already know, whether online or face-to-face. Prep your catalog, test your hardware, and trust that FooSales will keep inventory and sales data aligned.
👉 Ready to try it? Start your 7-day free trial
FAQ
Q: Can I run multiple registers at once?
Yes. Install FooSales on multiple devices and assign staff accounts.
Q: What happens if my device battery dies at my pop-up shop?
Transactions remain synced with WooCommerce so you can either charge the existing device or log in to FooSales on another device.
Q: Do customers see online and in-person stock together?
Yes. FooSales syncs inventory in real-time (or after reconnecting from offline).
Q: Which payment readers does FooSales integrate with?
FooSales securely integrates with Stripe and Square readers. You can also use FooSales to receive manual and over-the-phone payments.
