Categories help maintain category-level inventory by grouping related departments
They allow tracking of department sales, purchases, dollar value inventory, and overall margin
Each category can have multiple departments mapped to it (e.g., Alcohol as a category with Wine, Beer, and Liquor as departments)
Step-by-Step Process
Creating a Category
Go to C-Store Essentials Web Account
You can access C-Store Essentials by clicking here or going to https://secure.cstorepro.com
Click the “Forgot Password” button if you need help resetting your password
2. Navigate to Category Settings
On the left side of the screen, click on Grocery
Next, click on Settings
3. Add a New Category
Click the funnel icon on the right side of the screen
Enter the following details:
Category Name (e.g., Alcohol)
Tax Type
Margin
Click Add Category to save your changes
✅ Note: After creating a category, total sales for that category will appear in daily reports
Mapping Departments to a Category
Go to POS Data Settings
On the top right-side of the screen, click on the Human Silhouette icon
Next click on POS Settings
Click on the Departments tab
Edit a department
Locate the department you want to map
Click the pencil icon next to the department name
Assign the Category
Under Day Report Mapping, select the appropriate category (e.g., Alcohol).
Then select Update
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of categories?
What is the purpose of categories?
Categories help organize inventory and track sales, purchases, and margins by department.
Can I change a category after assigning it to a department?
Can I change a category after assigning it to a department?
Yes, you can edit department settings and update the category mapping.
Where do category sales appear?
Where do category sales appear?
Category sales are reflected in daily reports within C-Store Essentials.
What happens if I don’t assign a department to a category?
What happens if I don’t assign a department to a category?
If a department is not mapped to a category, its sales and inventory data may not be properly tracked in reports.
Can I delete a category after creating it?
Can I delete a category after creating it?
Categories can be deleted, but any associated department mappings will need to be reassigned before removal.
Can a department be assigned to multiple categories?
Can a department be assigned to multiple categories?
No, each department can only be mapped to a single category to ensure accurate tracking.
Will changes to a category affect historical reports?
Will changes to a category affect historical reports?
No, category changes will only impact reports moving forward. Historical data will remain unchanged.