Running a retail business remotely? You’re not alone—many owners are now managing teams, inventory, and customer service from anywhere, thanks to hybrid models and distributed workforces.
The challenge? Keeping everything synced, productive, and secure without being in the store. I’ve helped a few retail friends transition to remote ops, and the right tools made all the difference—one even scaled their online sales while overseeing remote staff seamlessly.
A game-changer for visibility into remote employee performance is Controlio time tracking software. It provides automated monitoring and insights that help retail managers ensure accountability for tasks like order processing or customer support from home.
Here’s my curated list of 20 top software and services for 2025. These cover everything from POS to team management, based on current trends and real-world effectiveness.
Point of Sale and Payment Processing
1. Square
Square remains a favorite for its free POS app, hardware options, and seamless online/in-person sales. Remote inventory updates and analytics keep you in control.
Pros: No monthly fees, easy setup.
2. Shopify POS
Perfect for omnichannel retail. Sync your online store with in-store sales, and manage staff permissions remotely.
Pros: Beautiful dashboards, endless apps.
Inventory and Order Management
3. Cin7
Advanced inventory tracking across channels, with automation for reorders and multi-warehouse support.
A boutique owner I know uses it to prevent stockouts while working remotely—a huge time saver.
Pros: Real-time sync, integrations galore.
4. Zoho Inventory
Affordable for growing businesses, with order management, shipping labels, and reporting.
Pros: Part of the Zoho ecosystem.
5. Lightspeed Retail
Robust for multi-location setups, with detailed analytics and purchasing tools.
Pros: Strong reporting.
Employee Management and Scheduling
6. Controlio
Controlio is powerful Controlio software for monitoring remote retail teams. It tracks computer activity, app usage, productivity scores, and even records screens—ideal for overseeing remote customer service reps or admin staff handling orders.
In one retail chain I consulted, implementing Controlio revealed time leaks in non-core tasks, leading to better training and a 28% productivity increase. It’s discreet yet insightful, helping prevent issues like unauthorized browsing during shifts.
Key Features:
- Automated time tracking and attendance logging
- Real-time screenshots and video recordings
- App/website analytics with alerts
- Productivity trends and insider risk detection
- Custom reports for payroll and performance
Pros: Enhances accountability for remote workers without constant check-ins.
7. Homebase
Free scheduling, time clocks, and team communication—great for shift-based retail.
Pros: Mobile app for employees.
8. Deputy
Shift scheduling with demand forecasting and integrated time tracking.
Pros: AI-powered rostering.
9. When I Work
Simple employee scheduling and attendance for hourly teams.
Pros: Text reminders.
Communication and Collaboration
10. Slack
Channels for departments, quick file sharing, and integrations.
Keeps remote teams connected like they’re in the same store.
11. Microsoft Teams
Video calls, chat, and file storage in one.
Pros: Office integration.
12. Zoom
Reliable meetings and webinars for training remote staff.
Customer Relationship and Marketing
13. Klaviyo
Email and SMS marketing tailored for e-commerce retail.
Pros: Segmentation magic.
14. Mailchimp
Easy campaigns and automations for customer retention.
15. HubSpot CRM
Free CRM with sales pipelines and service tools.
Pros: Scales well.
Accounting and Finance
16. QuickBooks Online
Bookkeeping, invoicing, and payroll are synced with POS.
Pros: Retail-specific reports.
17. Xero
Beautiful interface for inventory accounting.
Security and Compliance
18. LastPass or 1Password
Password management for shared logins in remote setups.
19. NordVPN or ExpressVPN
Secure connections for handling sensitive data remotely.
Analytics and Reporting
20. Google Analytics + Looker Studio
Free insights into online traffic, paired with custom retail dashboards.
Final Thoughts
Managing a remote retail business in 2025 is totally doable with these tools—they automate the chaos and give you control from afar. Start with core needs like POS, inventory, and team oversight.
For remote staff productivity (a common pain point in retail admin roles), I can’t recommend Controlio time tracking software enough. It’s helped many owners maintain high standards without being on-site.
Test free trials, integrate gradually, and watch your operations thrive. Your remote retail dream is closer than you think!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I run a full retail business completely remotely? Yes! With cloud-based POS like Shopify or Square, inventory tools like Cin7, and monitoring like Controlio for remote teams, many owners manage everything from home or while traveling.
2. How does employee monitoring like Controlio work in retail? It automatically tracks activity on work devices, providing insights into time spent on tasks like order entry or customer emails. Used transparently, it ensures fair shifts and high service levels for remote or back-office staff.
3. What tools are essential for remote inventory management? Cin7 or Zoho Inventory for real-time tracking, paired with a POS that syncs sales. Add Controlio if your inventory team works remotely to verify active hours.4. Are these tools secure for handling customer data? Most are GDPR/PCI compliant with encryption. Always enable two-factor auth and use VPNs for remote access to protect sensitive retail info.
