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Cafés and bakeries have more to sell online than most people think: cake and bread pre-orders, celebration cakes, coffee beans, gift vouchers, hampers, merchandise and click-and-collect. An online shop turns quiet days into busy ones and lets regulars order without phoning. This guide explains how UK cafés and bakeries can use Shopify to take orders online and in person from one system.
Quick answer
Shopify works well for cafés and bakeries that want pre-orders, click-and-collect, local delivery, gift cards and retail products (beans, merch, hampers), with the option of using Shopify POS on the counter. If you only need table ordering, a dedicated hospitality app is a better fit.
What a café or bakery can sell online
- Celebration and custom cakes: with options for size, flavour and message, plus a collection date.
- Pre-orders and click-and-collect: weekend bread, pastries and boxes, ready at a set time.
- Local delivery: set your own delivery zones by postcode or distance.
- Coffee beans and subscriptions: roasted beans by post, with subscription apps for regular orders.
- Gift cards: popular at Christmas and for birthdays, with no stock to manage.
- Hampers, merch and gifts: mugs, tote bags, baking kits.
Features that matter for food businesses
Collection dates and times
Use a date-picker app so customers choose a collection or delivery slot, and cap how many orders you take per day so the kitchen isn’t overloaded.
Local pickup and local delivery
Shopify has built-in local pickup and local delivery settings, so customers see only the options that make sense for their postcode.
Allergens and food information
Show ingredients and the 14 major allergens clearly on every product page. Natasha’s Law also applies to food prepacked for direct sale, so check the Food Standards Agency guidance for what to label.
One till, one stock list
With Shopify POS on the counter, in-person sales, gift cards and online orders share the same stock and reports, which makes it easy to see what’s selling.
Getting found locally
People search “bakery near me” and “birthday cakes [town]”. Keep your Google Business Profile up to date, add photos weekly, and link to your order page from it. Read our guides to SEO for cafés and ranking higher in Google Maps.
Start with one product
Launch with your best seller, such as a celebration cake or a weekend pastry box, with click-and-collect. Add more once orders are flowing.
Need a hand?
Web Matter sets up Shopify shops for UK cafés, bakeries and food businesses, including collection slots, delivery zones and POS. See also how to sell online without a shop, or get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take cake pre-orders on Shopify?
Yes. Add cakes as products with options for size and flavour, and use a date-picker app for collection dates.
Does Shopify do click-and-collect?
Yes. Local pickup is built in, and you can set pickup instructions and times.
Can I use Shopify as a café till?
Shopify POS works well for counter service and retail. For table service and kitchen tickets, a hospitality-specific system is usually better.
Do I need to list allergens online?
You should show allergen information clearly for food sold online. Check the Food Standards Agency’s latest guidance for your products.