The countdown to NRF 2026 is on, and leading retailers are redefining what’s possible at the Point of Sale. Today’s smart POS platforms are more than transaction engines; they’re the center of connected commerce, omnichannel engagement, and customer experience that grows revenue and loyalty.
Cloud, Mobile, and Omnichannel: Must-Have POS Upgrades
POS systems in 2025 have evolved dramatically. According to top industry research, 72% of retailers now run on cloud-based POS platforms that sync real-time sales and inventory across every location and device. This means less downtime, more agility, and fewer missed sales–not just during peak periods, but every single day.
Mobile POS is also booming, with market value projected to hit $55 billion this year and over 85% of mid-sized U.S. retailers poised to adopt mobile checkouts by the end of Q4. These devices deliver immediate, frictionless service wherever customers need to pay–at curbside, in aisles, and beyond.
Unified Commerce: Driving Real Revenue Growth
Modern POS is no longer siloed. When you unify your checkout, apps, and online storefronts, you unlock new possibilities:
- One customer record across every channel
- One loyalty program that rewards buyers wherever they shop
- Real-time stock views that give staff and shoppers instant answers
Retailers that deploy true unified commerce platforms are seeing a 9.5% spike in revenue, plus double-digit improvements in basket size and repeat business.
Personalized Experience at Checkout
According to recent findings, 83% of shoppers say that personalized rewards or exclusive offers at POS directly influence their likelihood to return. The best-in-class POS solutions sync with loyalty apps, surfacing custom deals and upselling opportunities at exactly the right moment.
Digital receipts are also up: 62% of customers now prefer them over paper, driving engagement post-sale and helping brands meet sustainability targets.
Flexible Fulfillment & Rapid Returns
The “old normal” of rigid checkout and returns is gone. Today, customers expect to buy online, pick up in store, or return items from any channel. Modern POS systems now make seamless BOPIS, endless aisle, and cross-channel returns essential, with self-service kiosks and mobile pay options being rapidly adopted for true convenience.
57% of shoppers now prefer self-checkout, and 35% of retail brands are prioritizing kiosk investments in 2025, according to ConnectPOS research.
Data-Driven Insights: The New Standard
Retailers are leveraging predictive analytics–often embedded right in their POS–to forecast demand, optimize inventory, and personalize offers. Over 50% of leading POS platforms now include built-in analytics, giving managers and associates better information to act fast and make smarter decisions.
Case Study Quick Stat: A major British retailer leveraged endpoint analytics across 1,450 sites and saw their device uptime improve from 92% to 98%, significantly reducing order delays and boosting customer reviews.
5 Quick Wins for Retailers Ahead of NRF
- Audit speed and flexibility at every checkout–how long is the full process?
- Integrate loyalty so every transaction can offer a reward or custom receipt.
- Unify inventory for every channel and empower staff with live stock data.
- Enable seamless returns and omni-fulfillment–no “that’s not our system” excuses.
- Flag the innovations you want to see at NRF: mobile-enabled POS, predictive analytics, and sustainability improvements.
Building For What’s Next
For retailers, upgrading POS is more than chasing the latest tech–it’s about transforming how every customer feels, shops, and comes back again. Modern platforms fuse digital experience, mobile convenience, and unified data to drive loyalty and results, not just transactions.
Want to see how it works in action?
Book a live demo with SkillNet Solutions and discover the tools and strategy to deliver seamless POS and digital experience retail-wide for 2026.
SkillNet’s Road to NRF 2026 Content Series
Want more insight? Our Road to NRF 2026 content series dives deeper into actionable trends and solution stories. For direct guidance or to see what’s new, meet the SkillNet team at Booth #2607 at NRF 2026, Javits Center, NYC, for a conversation that starts with your goals.
Check out the first blog in the series – How to Activate Customer-Centric Commerce Across Channels in 2026: Quick Guide
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