Barker Max Group's Seamless EFTPOS Upgrade

Upgrading payment systems across a nationwide retail network is a major undertaking. But it doesn’t need to be a stressful one. Just ask Julian Harrison, Group IT Manager at Barkers Max Group - the company behind two of Aotearoa’s most recognisable fashion brands, Barkers and MAX.

Shortly after stepping into the role, Julian learned that their existing EFTPOS terminals were approaching PCI end-of-life, meaning a full upgrade would be required across 60+ stores.

Recognising the need for a modern, future-ready solution

When Julian approached the group’s former payments provider to understand upgrade options, it became clear their technology wasn’t keeping pace with the needs of a large, fast-moving retail network. There was no clear path forward and no confidence the upgrade would be smooth.

Rather than settling for a like-for-like replacement, Julian set a higher bar.

He wanted a modern, future-ready solution that would work consistently across all stores, integrate with their existing POS without further development, and support a shared-staff model that depends on simplicity. Just as importantly, he needed a partner who could help deliver a smooth, coordinated rollout across the entire network, and stand behind the solution with fast, reliable local support. 

That’s where Eftpos NZ came in.

Smoothly upgrading 110 devices

Eftpos NZ managed the decommissioning of the old terminals and installation of the new Verifone Android M440 EFTPOS devices across all 110 lanes. A rollout of this scale usually involves hiring a third-party installer — an approach that would have cost the business hundreds of dollars per store. Instead, the group avoided those costs entirely.

“We saved literally tens of thousands of dollars.”

Julian Harrison, Barkers Max

The rollout was completed without major disruption, and staff needed minimal additional training because the new terminals were intuitive and consistent across every store.

Impact on day-to-day operations

Once the new terminals were in place, the benefits extended well beyond compliance and consistency:

Refunds are now seamless

The new setup removed the need for merchant cards, allowing teams to process refunds directly through their POS.

Marketing at the point of sale

The terminals now support in-store marketing and promotional screens to reinforce the brand and support customer engagement.

Real-time visibility for finance teams

With Verifone Central, Barkers Max gained hourly, daily, and instant reporting across all stores, plus the ability to access data via API. This gives their team a reliable first step for troubleshooting and strengthens their reconciliation workflow.

Local support

Julian also highlights the reliability of Eftpos NZ’s helpdesk and field services:

“On the rare occasions we have had issues… they’ve been able to answer the questions quickly and get new equipment to site next day, if not sooner.”

Julian Harrison, Barkers Max

A future-ready platform the team can build on

For Barkers Max Group, the upgrade wasn’t just an infrastructure project - it was a chance to modernise their payment experience and create consistency across their entire network. What could have been a stressful, high-risk undertaking instead became a smooth transition backed by advanced technology, operational support, and a nationwide field team. With a compliant, future-ready payment platform now in place, the group is set up for ongoing innovation while maintaining the simple, seamless experience their customers expect.

Hear from Julian himself

Check out the full Barkers Max case study here