Tower Systems Retailer Licence Changes – What Newsagents Need to Know in 2026

Over the past few weeks, many Tower Systems Retailer users have contacted us after receiving emails advising that older versions of Retailer will stop working unless they upgrade to the latest subscription platform.

If you have received one of these emails, you are probably asking the same questions:

• Will my current Retailer software stop working?
• Do I really need to upgrade immediately?
• Can I continue using my existing POS?
• What are my options?

This article explains what we currently know.

What Has Changed?

Tower Systems has advised many customers that older Retailer licences relying on the legacy licensing infrastructure will eventually no longer validate.

Customers are being encouraged to:

• Upgrade to the latest Retailer version
• Move to the current subscription platform
• Replace older licensing methods

These changes affect many long-term Retailer users.

Is Your Retailer Software Going To Stop?

The answer depends on several factors.

Some customers have already received warning emails.

However, we have also seen customers whose Retailer software continues operating after the stated deadline.

This may occur because:

• Licence validation happens periodically rather than continuously.
• Different customers may be migrated at different times.
• Existing installations may continue working until the next licence verification.

Every installation can be different.

Should You Upgrade Immediately?

Not necessarily.

Before making any changes, we recommend checking:

• Your Retailer version
• Licence status
• Current hardware
• Backup strategy
• Windows compatibility

Many businesses can avoid unnecessary downtime simply by planning the migration correctly.

We Can Help

Microtrade Australia has over 20 years of experience supporting Australian retail businesses.

We provide:

✅ Tower Retailer computer replacement

✅ Server migration

✅ POS hardware upgrades

✅ Data backup

✅ Windows migration

✅ Receipt printer configuration

✅ Barcode scanner setup

✅ Remote and onsite support

If you are unsure about your Tower Retailer installation, contact us before making major changes.

A short health check today could prevent expensive downtime later.