Strategic Systems Blog

Why Deploy a Mobile POS System in Your Stadium

Written by Editorial Team | Sep 11, 2023 3:58:00 PM

Today’s stadiums are built on a legacy of adaptable systems. From ticketing to concessions, technology systems have become foundational in creating a positive fan experience by meeting demands without overwhelming associates. Coming in many shapes and forms, mobile technology is strengthening stadium experiences by enabling:

  • Contactless payments
  • Facial recognition for admittance
  • Ticket and merchandise pre-sales 
  • Interactive polls and quizzes
  • Real-time visibility into rosters and player performance 
  • Mobile ordering

In the modern digital age, customers expect quick and easy transactions. After the 2020 health crisis, contactless processes and crowd-conscious payment systems rose to prominence. A mobile POS system is key to enhancing the overall fan experience and increasing revenue for both the stadium and its vendors. Unlike static payment terminals, mobile POS systems empower concessions with:

1. Reduced Wait Time - First and foremost, implementing a mobile POS system in a stadium can greatly lower wait times for customers. Studies show that customers are not willing to wait more than 10 minutes in a concession line, yet the average stadium line may take up to 30 minutes. Simply put, traditional POS systems contribute to long lines, which is frustrating to fans wishing to get to their seats as quickly as possible. 

On the other hand, modern mobile POS systems have been shown to minimize wait times by 23%, preserving customer satisfaction and giving them a chance to make additional purchases with the extra time given. Simplistic systems with an enterprise tablet and card scanner help associates take orders and process payments on the spot, allowing customers to quickly make purchases without missing their event. This not only improves the customer experience but also allows vendors to serve more customers in less time, increasing overall revenue.

2. Collected Data for Future Personalization – Thanks to automated data capture, a mobile POS system offers a more personalized and efficient experience for customers. Collected data from your POS system gives you insight into purchase patterns, in-demand stock, and customer preferences for future recommendations and forecasting. In tracking sales data in real-time, operators can identify trends and make data-driven decisions about pricing and inventory. Additionally, vendors may use this data to identify top-selling items and adjust their offerings accordingly.


By tracking outgoing inventory, vendors can collect data to analyze consumer preferences, allowing them to make tailored recommendations and suggest additional purchases. This increases the likelihood of additional sales while also enhancing the overall customer experience by ensuring stock levels are maintained with sought-after SKUs.

3. Update Inventory Counts in Real-Time - Another benefit of implementing a mobile POS system in a stadium is the ability to track available stock levels as products are purchased. Traditional POS systems often require vendors to manually track inventory, which generally takes a long time, removing them from the checkout and further prolonging wait times. With a mobile POS system connected to your inventory management system, stock levels are tracked automatically, allowing vendors to quickly restock items as needed and avoid running out of popular items. 


Touch computers take this a step further by also streamlining push-to-talk communication within your terminal, so your teams can notify each other of dwindling stock and/or incoming shipments. 

4. Prevent Product Shrinkage - Finally, a mobile POS system can enhance security and reduce the risk of fraud. With traditional POS systems, there is always a risk of fraudulent activity, such as stolen credit card information or counterfeit bills. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers already lose over $90 billion per year to product shrinkage. Whether sparked by fraud, theft, or improper storage, shrinkage impacts fan experiences by contributing to higher prices and low product availability.


Fortunately, when equipped with a mobile POS system, vendors can securely process payments and reduce the risk of fraudulent activity. Not only do SKUs get properly scanned before leaving the storefront but data security parameters such as PCI-compliant payment processing ensures safer credit card transactions. 


What to Include in Your Mobile POS System

Despite the benefits listed above, experienced solution providers still recommend assessing your point-of-sale workflows to identify potential roadblocks and opportunities within your current system. Although different spaces may call for unique technologies, most foundational mobile POS solutions often include:

  • A mobile device connected to your network – Zebra’s best-in-class line of touch computers exemplifies the necessary versatility and agility demanded from modern POS systems. Unlike consumer-grade devices, enterprise handhelds are designed to survive in high-demand environments for longer shifts to reduce downtime. Furthermore, modern devices also come with pre-installed Android for Enterprise, empowering teams with a familiar operating system for faster deployment and user adoption.   
  • A mobile printer for receipt printing – Next-generation devices like the ZQ630 and ZQ300 series mobile printers offer lightweight and fast printing power. In addition to a durable exterior, Zebra’s mobile printers also preserve battery power and minimize signal interference, so users can print from anywhere with dependable wireless connectivity.  
  • Reliable connectivity for greater movement – No mobility solution is complete without dependable wireless connections. To make sure peripherals remain connected as your team moves about the stadium, solution developers recommend surveying your space for hidden dead zones and potential interference. With a clear picture of their network’s capacity, businesses can assess how many devices may be deployed without overwhelming systems.   
  • A communication channel to unify moving teams – Last but not least, team communication is crucial to establishing greater inventory control and serving high-demand areas with available resources. Embedded push-to-talk systems and secured messaging services deliver alerts and notifications directly to your associate’s handheld device, ensuring teams are on the same page regarding stock levels, wait times, and unforeseen disruptions.  

Ready to start modernizing your concessions? Check out our 10-step guide for more assistance and milestones. 


As the digital age continues to evolve, stadiums need to adapt and implement new technologies to meet the changing needs of customers. Deploying a mobile POS system in your concession storefront enhances the overall fan experience and increases revenue for both the stadium and its vendors. Evaluate your point-of-sale system with our experienced automation team to see how you can integrate technologies dedicated to reducing wait times, enhancing forecasting, and tracking inventory in real-time for a better fan experience.