Important compatibility note: Compatibility depends on your POS software, operating system, connection type, drivers, accessories, and configuration. Confirm compatibility before ordering.

Best Barcode Scanner by Apparel Store Workflow

The scanner that works best at a boutique checkout counter may not be the right device for receiving cartons in a stockroom or counting inventory on the sales floor. Start with the workflow the scanner needs to support.

Why Apparel Stores Have Different Barcode Scanning Needs

A clothing store may carry thousands of products that differ only by style, size, color or season. The physical barcode can also appear on very different surfaces: a hanging paper tag, adhesive price label, shoe box, jewelry card, folded garment, plastic accessory package or printed return document.

A scanner may need to support several workflows during a single day:

• Scanning items at checkout
• Processing returns and exchanges
• Looking up style, color and size variants
• Receiving new merchandise
• Counting stock on racks and shelves
• Scanning markdown or clearance labels
• Moving inventory between locations
• Processing online order pickup or ship-from-store orders
• Reading customer loyalty barcodes and mobile coupons
• Scanning barcodes displayed on customer phones

That is why scanner selection should be based on the entire store workflow rather than simply choosing the least expensive scanner that can read a UPC.

Best Overall Choice for Most Clothing Stores: 2D Imaging

For most new apparel installations, Spartan POS recommends beginning the comparison with a 2D barcode scanner.

A modern 2D imager can support traditional 1D retail barcodes while also giving the retailer greater flexibility for QR codes, mobile loyalty cards, digital coupons, return labels and phone-screen barcodes.

2D imaging can also be useful when apparel tags are small, bent, lightly damaged or presented at an awkward angle.

A 1D-only scanner may still be appropriate when the retailer has a very simple environment using only traditional linear barcodes. However, retailers planning new equipment should consider whether their future checkout, customer-service and omnichannel workflows may require 2D scanning.

Learn more in our 1D vs. 2D Barcode Scanner Guide and complete Barcoding Guide.

Best Scanner for Boutique and Small Clothing Store Checkout

A wired USB 2D handheld scanner is often a strong choice for an independent boutique or single-register clothing store.

Employees can pick up the scanner to reach tags attached to:

• Shirts, pants and dresses
• Jackets and outerwear
• Handbags and accessories
• Shoe boxes
• Jewelry cards
• Hats and specialty merchandise

A stand can provide hands-free operation when desired while preserving handheld flexibility for difficult-to-position items.

Compare USB barcode scanners, general-purpose barcode scanners and 2D barcode scanners.

Best Scanner for Shoe Stores

Shoe stores often scan box labels rather than tags attached directly to the merchandise. The scanner should reliably read labels while the box is sitting on a counter, shelf, stockroom rack or cart.

Shoe retailers should also consider how the POS or inventory system handles different combinations of style, size, width and color. The scanner reads the barcode, but the software determines how that barcode maps to the correct inventory record.

For front-counter checkout, a USB or presentation 2D scanner can work well. For locating shoes, receiving inventory and counting stock in a back room, a wireless scanner or mobile computer may be more practical.

Best Scanner for iPad POS and Tablet-Based Apparel Checkout

Tablet POS systems are common in boutiques, pop-up stores, specialty fashion retailers and compact checkout environments. A Bluetooth scanner can reduce cable clutter and allow the checkout device to be positioned more flexibly.

However, Bluetooth alone does not guarantee compatibility. The specific scanner, tablet, operating system and POS application must support the intended pairing mode and workflow.

Before purchasing a scanner for an iPad or tablet POS system, verify:

• Exact POS software
• Tablet or iPad model
• Operating system version
• Approved scanner models
• Bluetooth pairing mode
• Charging cable or cradle requirements
• Barcode formats being scanned

If you specifically use Shopify POS, see our Best Barcode Scanner for Shopify POS and Shopify POS Compatible Barcode Scanner Guide.

Scanning Small, Glossy, Bent and Difficult Clothing Tags

Apparel barcodes can be more difficult to scan than labels printed on rigid product packaging. Tags may swing, bend, reflect overhead lighting or be printed very small.

When difficult tags are common, consider:

• 2D imaging technology
• Good close-range scanning performance
• Reliable reading of smaller barcodes
• Ability to tolerate moderate print damage or distortion
• A handheld form factor that lets employees reposition the scanner
• Properly designed and printed barcode labels

Scanner performance also depends on barcode dimensions, quiet zones, print contrast, label material, printer resolution and barcode design. If you produce your own tags or markdown labels, compare label printers and review our Barcoding Guide.

Receiving, Stock Counts and Inventory Control

The checkout scanner does not have to be the same scanner used for inventory operations.

For a small boutique, an employee may be able to use a wireless scanner connected to an inventory workstation. Larger apparel retailers may benefit from purpose-built mobile computers that allow employees to scan and interact with inventory software while moving through the store.

Returns, Exchanges, BOPIS and Omnichannel Apparel Retail

Modern apparel stores frequently combine physical-store transactions with ecommerce workflows. A scanner may be used for more than the barcode attached to the garment.

Depending on the software and retailer configuration, employees may need to scan:

• Printed receipts
• Return labels
• Packing slips
• Online order labels
• Customer pickup information
• QR codes
• Customer loyalty barcodes
• Barcodes displayed in customer emails or apps

If these workflows are important, a 2D scanner is generally more versatile than a traditional 1D-only scanner.

Software support still matters. A scanner can read a barcode successfully without the POS application knowing what action to take with the scanned data.

Barcode Scanners for Different Apparel Retailers

Common Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Buying 1D-only because the current tags are UPC barcodes

Your current tags may be 1D, but returns, mobile coupons, loyalty programs and future retail applications may introduce 2D codes.

Assuming any Bluetooth scanner works with an iPad POS system

Bluetooth describes the wireless connection. It does not guarantee that a particular POS application supports the scanner.

Ignoring the stockroom workflow

A scanner chosen only for checkout may be inconvenient for receiving, counting inventory or scanning merchandise away from the register.

Choosing based only on scan speed

Ergonomics, barcode quality, connection type, software compatibility, charging, range, mounting and serviceability can matter just as much.

Assuming every barcode problem is caused by the scanner

Poor label design, low print contrast, tiny barcodes, damaged labels, insufficient quiet zones and incorrect software configuration can also cause scanning problems.

Popular Barcode Scanner Brands for Apparel Retail

Spartan POS offers barcode scanning solutions from established manufacturers used throughout retail, inventory and commercial environments.

Popular brands include:

• Zebra barcode scanners
• Honeywell barcode scanners
• Datalogic barcode scanners
• Unitech barcode scanners
• All barcode scanners

The best brand and model depends on the POS platform, operating environment, barcode types, connectivity requirements, mobility needs and accessories required by the store.

Need Help Choosing Compatible Apparel POS Hardware?

Spartan POS can help you compare barcode scanners, mobile computers, label printers and related POS hardware based on your checkout and inventory workflow.

Tell us your POS software, computer or tablet, connection preference and what your employees need to scan. We can help narrow the options before you order.

Chat with a Spartan POS specialist using the chat button on this page. You can also browse our barcode scanner collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best barcode scanner for a clothing store?

For most clothing stores, a 2D barcode scanner is the best general-purpose choice because it can support traditional retail barcodes plus QR codes, mobile coupons, loyalty barcodes, return labels and many phone-screen barcodes. For a fixed checkout station, a USB 2D handheld scanner with a stand is a strong starting point.

Can barcode scanners read small clothing tags?

Many modern scanners can read small apparel barcodes, but performance depends on the exact scanner, barcode size, print resolution, contrast, label material, barcode design and scanning distance. Testing unusually small or difficult labels is recommended.

Is a 1D or 2D scanner better for apparel retail?

A 1D scanner can be sufficient for stores that only scan conventional linear product barcodes. A 2D scanner gives the retailer more flexibility for QR codes, mobile barcodes, loyalty programs, returns and other modern retail workflows.

Should a boutique use a wired or wireless scanner?

A wired USB scanner is often the simplest option for a fixed checkout counter. Wireless or Bluetooth scanning may be useful when employees need more mobility or when an approved tablet POS configuration requires it.

What barcode scanner should I use with Shopify POS?

Shopify POS compatibility depends on the Shopify hardware environment and currently supported scanner models. Review our Shopify POS barcode scanner guide and confirm current compatibility before ordering.

Can the same scanner be used for checkout and inventory?

Sometimes. A wireless scanner may work for both depending on software and workflow. Larger retailers often use stationary or handheld scanners at checkout and mobile devices for receiving, stock counts and inventory work.

Can scanners read barcodes from customer phones?

Many 2D imaging scanners can read supported barcodes from phone screens. Performance depends on the scanner, barcode format, screen brightness, display condition and software workflow.

Do apparel stores need barcode label printers too?

Stores that create their own product labels, markdown labels, shelf labels or replacement tags may benefit from a dedicated barcode label printer. Printer selection depends on label size, volume, material, software and required print resolution.

Does Spartan POS support the barcode scanners it sells?

Yes. Spartan POS is an authorized dealer for many of the brands it sells and supports the products it provides. If you are replacing an older scanner or are unsure about compatibility, contact Spartan POS before ordering.

Bottom Line

For most clothing stores, boutiques, shoe stores and apparel retailers, a 2D barcode scanner is the safest place to begin because it supports traditional merchandise labels while providing additional flexibility for QR codes, mobile barcodes, returns, loyalty and omnichannel retail workflows.

Choose a USB 2D handheld scanner for a straightforward fixed checkout station, a presentation scanner for higher-volume checkout, a compatible Bluetooth scanner for tablet-based retail, or a wireless scanner or mobile computer for receiving and inventory work.

Do not choose a scanner based only on price or connection type. Consider barcode size, label quality, POS software, inventory software, operating system, checkout layout, mobility requirements, accessories and future retail workflows.

Compatibility depends on your POS software, operating system, connection type, drivers, accessories, and configuration. Confirm compatibility before ordering.

Build the Right Apparel Barcode Scanning Setup

Shop barcode scanners for clothing stores, boutiques, shoe stores and apparel inventory workflows, or ask Spartan POS to help you compare compatible options.

Need help choosing compatible POS hardware? Chat with a Spartan POS specialist.