# Convenience store step 3: shifts and cash registers

> Give each cashier their own register per shift - open with a float, hand over at shift change, close with a count and check the register report.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/convenience-store/step-3-shifts-and-cash-registers/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

Convenience stores run long hours with two or three shifts a day. The cash register in SmartPOS Hub follows the cashier: each shift has its own float, sales, refunds and payouts, and its own count at the end.

## Before you start

- Every cashier has their own user (**User Management › Users**) limited to their location.
- Agree the float (for example 150 in small notes and coins).

## Open the shift

1. The cashier signs in and opens **Sell › POS**.
2. The **Open Cash Register** screen asks for **Cash in hand** (the float) and the **Business Location**.
3. Press **Open Register**. The POS opens.

![Open Cash Register page with Cash in hand, Business Location and the Open Register button](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/open-cash-register.L3dyUpVU.png) (web app page: `/cash-register/create`)
*Opening a register with the float.*

## During the shift

- Cash payouts (a delivery driver, a small supplier): **Add Expense** in the POS top bar.
- Cash refunds reduce the expected cash automatically.
- Contractors or regulars paying their tab: **Receive Payment** next to the customer; it counts as **Cash Received (Due Payment)**.

## Close the shift

1. Press **Close Register** in the POS top bar.
2. The **Current Register** window shows the **Cash Drawer Summary** with **Expected Cash in Drawer**, the **Sales Summary** and **Payments Collected** by method.
3. Count the drawer and enter the cash, card slips and cheques, and a **Closing Note** (safe drops, shortages).
4. Press **Close Register** and print the summary for the shift envelope.

![Current Register window with opening balance, cash received, expected cash in drawer, sales summary, payments collected and outstanding receivables](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/close-register-window.xDhXS3c8.png) (web app page: `/pos/create`)
*Closing: expected cash against counted cash.*

## Check shifts and days

![Register Report with filters for user, status and date range and a list of register sessions with open and close time, location, user, card slips, cheques and cash](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/register-report.CJzFfXBC.png) (web app page: `/reports/register-report`)
*Reports › Register Report: one row per shift.*

![Z Report with business location and date range and totals for item sales, sell returns, purchases, purchase returns, delivery charge, expenses and total sales in hand](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/z-report.ZCdND66P.png) (web app page: `/reports/z-report`)
*Reports › Z Report: the day in one table.*

## Tips and mistakes to avoid

- Never let a cashier sell on someone else's login; the register and report follow the user.
- Close the register at every shift change, not only at night.
- Keep the float the same every shift; differences are easier to see.

Next: [step 4: Scan & Go and the Shopper app](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/convenience-store/step-4-scan-and-go-and-shopper-app/).

  - [Cash register and closing](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/cash-register-and-closing/)
  - [Expenses](https://docs.smartposhub.com/reports/expenses/)
  - [Users and roles](https://docs.smartposhub.com/start/users-and-roles/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How do shifts work?

Each cashier signs in with their own user and opens a register with the float in the drawer. At the end of the shift they close it with the counted cash. The next cashier opens a new register.

### What if two cashiers share one drawer?

Registers belong to a user. For clean accountability give each cashier their own drawer, or have one person own the register for the shift.

### How do I record cash taken out for a supplier or a safe drop?

Add Expense in the POS top bar records cash paid out and reduces the expected cash. For safe drops, agree a routine and note it in the closing note.

### Where do I see every shift?

Reports › Register Report lists every register with open and close time, location, user and totals by payment method. Filter by user, status and date.

### The drawer is short. How do I find out why?

Compare the counted cash with Expected Cash in Drawer in the closing window, then check the shift's sales, refunds and expenses in Sell › All sales and Expenses filtered by user and time.