Epos Now launches faster Countertop 2 POS for hospitality and retail

Epos Now has launched the Countertop 2, a next-generation point of sale system aimed at speeding up transactions and helping hospitality and retail businesses use counter space more efficiently. The new device adds more processing power, an optional customer-facing screen and AI-ready features designed for future software upgrades. Why it matters: - The Countertop 2 is designed to help merchants move customers through checkout faster during peak periods. - Epos Now says the system is also built to support loyalty, customer engagement and future AI-driven tools. - The launch targets hospitality and retail businesses that need a compact checkout system with room to scale. What happened: - Epos Now launched the Countertop 2 on June 18, 2026. - The point of sale system is available now. - The product is aimed at hospitality and retail businesses. - More information is available on Epos Now’s website . The details: - The Countertop 2 delivers 20% more processing power than its predecessor. - Epos Now says that added power should support quicker transactions, shorter queues and a smoother checkout experience. - An optional Customer Facing Screen adds live cart view, tipping, digital receipts, branded logo display and loyalty offers. - The customer-facing screen can be attached or removed depending on the business setup. - The Countertop 2 has a compact footprint and a premium aluminium finish. - The device is designed to maximize counter space while keeping the checkout area clean and uncluttered. - Jason Downing, SVP Product at Epos Now, said the Countertop 2 is a foundation for adding more AI intelligence, more processing power and richer data at the point of sale. - Downing said the platform is meant to support merchants running a single café or multiple locations. Between the lines: - The launch positions the Countertop 2 as more than a hardware refresh. - Epos Now is framing the product as a base layer for software features that can use transaction data in real time. - The emphasis on AI suggests the company sees checkout hardware as a data source, not just a payment terminal. What’s next: - Epos Now expects the Countertop 2 to work with AI-driven features already changing hospitality and retail. - The company points to smarter stock predictions and personalized loyalty offers served in real time as possible downstream uses. - Business owners using the system may be able to spot trends, reduce waste and make decisions without manual number crunching. The bottom line: - The Countertop 2 is Epos Now’s bid to turn a compact POS device into a faster checkout tool and a future-proof platform for data and AI.