Last updated on April 16th, 2026 at 10:24 am

Retail CFOs are playing a bigger role in technology decisions than ever before. As brands focus on improving margins, reducing complexity, and scaling efficiently, finance leaders are stepping in to evaluate which platforms and partners can actually deliver measurable impact.

It’s no longer just about approving budgets. CFOs are helping shape the tech stack itself.

One area that often gets less scrutiny than it should? Payments infrastructure.

Payments are typically managed through standalone service providers, often selected for reliability, speed, or convenience rather than long-term financial efficiency. But these traditional setups come with trade-offs—rigid fee structures, limited support, and fragmented systems that slow down operations.

There’s a growing case for taking a different approach.

Embedded payments—a model where payments are built directly into a retailer’s commerce platform or point-of-sale—eliminate many of these inefficiencies. By centralizing payment processing alongside core retail functions, retailers gain tighter cost control, streamlined operations, and better visibility into performance.

Here’s why more retail CFOs should reevaluate how their brands handle payments.

1. Reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Traditional payment models often require multiple vendor relationships, processor-specific requirements, and custom integrations. These expenses quickly compound, especially when duplicated across regions and store formats.

Embedded payments help control these costs by integrating payment processing and commerce functionality in a single platform. This approach reduces implementation timelines, lowers ongoing maintenance needs, and minimizes the operational effort required to keep systems in sync.

The result is a more favorable TCO through:

• Competitive processing rates made possible by multi-processor support
  
• SaaS fee discounts when bundled with the commerce platform or point-of-sale contracts
  
• Lower integration and maintenance costs by removing the need for third-party bridges between point-of-sale and payment platforms

For CFOs focused on driving margin and operational efficiency, reducing TCO through an embedded model is a direct path to measurable financial impact.

2. Simplified Vendor Management 

Finance leaders know that more vendors often mean more complexity—separate contracts, different support processes, and competing SLAs that make it harder to pinpoint issues quickly.

With embedded payments, retail operations and payment processing are managed through a single partner, creating a unified source of accountability. That means:

• One vendor contract for both point-of-sale and payment processing
  
• A single point of contact for onboarding, support, and compliance
  
• Fewer systems to maintain and keep up to date

This consolidation streamlines problem resolution, minimizes administrative overhead, and ensures that critical systems work together seamlessly.

3. Real-Time Financial Visibility

Siloed payment systems create friction for retailers, making it difficult to get a clear, real-time view of financial performance. Slower reporting, longer reconciliation cycles, and inconsistent data can all undermine decision-making.

Unified commerce depends on seamless data integration, and embedded payments make that possible.

By capturing payment data within the same system used for sales, returns, and order management, finance teams can:

• Access unified reporting across all channels and locations
  
• Reconcile faster with fewer manual processes
  
• Monitor real-time performance trends to spot opportunities or issues quickly

This level of visibility enables faster, more informed financial decisions, helping CFOs act with confidence.

4. A Payments Strategy Built for Growth

Growth in retail—whether opening new stores, entering new markets, or increasing transaction volume—comes with added payments complexity. Regulations differ by country, consumer payment preferences evolve, and processor economics can vary widely.

An embedded payments model offers the flexibility to adapt without requiring system overhauls. It provides:

• Multi-country capabilities with built-in compliance and tax handling
  
• Localized payment options like Tap to Pay on iPhone and mobile wallets
  
• Multi-processor support to secure optimal pricing and flexibility by region

By embedding payments directly into the commerce platform or point-of-sale, retailers can scale confidently, knowing their payments infrastructure is built to support both today’s operations and tomorrow’s ambitions.

Final Thoughts

Retail CFOs are being asked to do more with less, and the right technology stack plays a crucial role in meeting this mandate. While most finance leaders already think strategically about how their brands handle transactions, many haven’t considered the benefits of working with a point-of-sale vendor that offers an embedded approach.

This model represents a smarter way to manage payments—one that improves total cost of ownership, simplifies operations, and gives finance teams the control and visibility they need.

For retailers using a unified commerce platform, it’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s a logical next step.

To learn more about how embedded payments can improve your bottom line, request a demo.

Last updated on July 30th, 2024 at 03:45 pm

In the rapidly evolving business of retail, unified commerce has become integral to the success of brands aiming to meet the ever-changing demands of consumers.

Unified commerce represents a paradigm shift, offering a holistic approach that seamlessly integrates all channels of a retail operation into a single, cohesive platform. This approach not only breaks down traditional channel silos but also provides a comprehensive view of customers and inventory in real-time. 

We cover how a unified commerce platform can help your brand enhance customer satisfaction, drive sales, and foster long-term loyalty in an increasingly interconnected retail environment.

Table of contents:

• What Is Unified Commerce?
• Omnichannel vs Unified Commerce
• Key Advantages of a Unified Commerce Platform
• Steps for Implementing a Unified Commerce Solution
• Elevate Your Omnichannel Experience with Unified Commerce

What Is Unified Commerce?

Unified commerce refers to a business approach where all channels and touchpoints of a retail operation are seamlessly integrated to provide customers with a consistent and personalized experience. This integration encompasses online stores, mobile apps, physical stores, social media platforms, and any other channels through which customers interact with the brand.

Unlike omnichannel or multichannel approaches, which may have separate platforms for each channel that don’t necessarily communicate with each other, unified commerce aims to break down these silos and create a single, holistic view of the customer and the business. This allows for smoother transactions, better customer service, and more efficient operations.

It’s important to keep in mind, not every retail solution is part of a unified commerce platform. However, if built with microservices-based, API-first, cloud-native and headless (MACH) standards, the platform can allow for easy integration with other best-in-breed applications. Having an open architecture with microservices will allow for this agility and flexibility.

With a unified commerce platform, inventory, sales, and customer data are all shared across channels, enabling features like multiple fulfillment options, real-time inventory visibility, endless aisle, clienteling, and seamless checkout. The goal is to provide customers with a cohesive and convenient shopping experience, regardless of how they choose to interact with the brand.

Omnichannel vs Unified Commerce

Omnichannel and unified commerce represent two distinct yet interconnected approaches to modern retail, each offering its own unique characteristics and benefits.

An omnichannel approach aims to provide customers with a seamless and consistent shopping experience across all channels, whether online, in-store, or through mobile devices. It emphasizes integration and coordination between various touchpoints, ensuring that customers can transition between channels effortlessly while receiving consistent service and messaging.

Unified commerce, while similar, takes integration to the next level by consolidating all channels and solutions into a single, native platform. Unlike omnichannel, which may involve separate platforms for different channels, a unified commerce platform offers a holistic view of the customer and the business by sharing data and processes across all touchpoints.

While both approaches aim to enhance the customer experience and drive sales, they differ in their implementation and scope. Omnichannel strategies may involve integrating platforms and processes to create a unified front-end experience for customers, but they also may still maintain separate back-end platforms for different channels. A unified commerce platform, on the other hand, creates a single, integrated ecosystem.

Unified commerce is often seen as the evolution of omnichannel, offering a more comprehensive solution to the challenges of modern retailing.

Key Advantages of a Unified Commerce Platform

By breaking down channel silos and providing a unified view of the customer journey, unified commerce solutions enable retail brands to deliver personalized experiences, optimize inventory management, and improve operational efficiency. Below, we break down these benefits of unified commerce. 

Seamless channel integration

A unified commerce platform consolidates all channels into a single platform. This eliminates silos and ensures a seamless integration of online, mobile, and physical stores. A unified commerce solution enables brands to provide a cohesive and frictionless shopping experience, regardless of the channel used, fostering customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Holistic customer view

Unified commerce provides brands with a comprehensive view of customer interactions and data. This includes purchase history, preferences, interactions, and any other relevant information. Armed with this holistic understanding, sales associates can engage in next-level clienteling efforts, offering personalized recommendations and tailored experiences to individual customers. 

Real-time inventory management

With unified commerce, brands have real-time visibility into inventory levels across all channels, reducing stockouts and improving inventory turnover.

Unified commerce platforms automatically update inventory levels with each transaction or movement, ensuring accuracy and consistency across the entire retail operation.

Real-time inventory management also facilitates features like buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) and ship-from-store, where customers can access inventory information and choose their preferred fulfillment method based on real-time availability. It also enables endless aisle.

Enhanced customer loyalty

Unified commerce drives customer loyalty by providing personalized experiences tailored to individual preferences, ensuring consistency across all channels, and offering convenient fulfillment options. By leveraging comprehensive customer data and targeted loyalty programs, brands can further enhance loyalty and retention. 

Improved analytics and insights

Consolidating data from all channels into a single platform and having a comprehensive view of customer behavior and trends allows for improved analytics and insights. 

Brands can gain deeper insights into customer preferences, purchasing patterns, and marketing effectiveness, allowing for more informed decision-making. The ability to track and measure performance across all touchpoints also enables brands to identify opportunities for optimization and continuously improve their strategies to better meet customer needs.

Flexibility and scalability

With a unified commerce solution in place, brands can easily add new channels, locations, or functionalities without the need for extensive integration efforts or platform overhauls. This agility enables brands to quickly respond to market demands, scale their operations, and expand their reach while maintaining efficiency and consistency across all touchpoints.

Unified commerce solutions, or applications that use MACH technology, take advantage of composable platforms and headless architecture, allowing them to remain agile, control the speed of innovation, and quickly push out new functions. 

Operational efficiency

Unified commerce allows for operational efficiency by centralizing key processes such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer service onto a single platform. 

With streamlined operations and real-time data sharing, brands can optimize inventory levels, reduce fulfillment times, and minimize errors. This efficiency not only improves the overall customer experience but also enables brands to lower costs, increase productivity, and adapt more quickly to market changes.

Simplified processes 

With unified commerce, brands streamline their systems, reducing the need for building and maintaining. This efficiency means less time spent troubleshooting and maintaining connections between different platforms. Consequently, resources can be redirected towards strategic efforts aimed at increasing sales and expanding market reach. Ultimately, this approach empowers brands to prioritize innovation and customer-centric initiatives, driving growth and profitability.

Additionally, instead of managing multiple platforms and integrations, brands can save on IT costs by using a single, unified platform. 

Steps for Implementing a Unified Commerce Solution

By following these steps and committing to continuous improvement, brands can successfully implement unified commerce and reap the benefits of a seamless, integrated retail experience for their customers.

1. Assessment and planning 

Evaluate current operations, technology infrastructure, and organizational readiness. Identify goals, objectives, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the unified commerce platform.

2. Selecting the right technology partner

Research and select an ideal technology partner that offers unified commerce platforms aligned with your business needs and objectives. Consider factors such as scalability, flexibility, integration capabilities, and support services.

3. Data integration and centralization

Consolidate customer, product, inventory, and transaction data from all channels into a centralized platform. Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and security across the unified platform.

4. Implement key features

To get the most out of your unified commerce platform, implement omnichannel features such as real-time inventory visibility, buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS), and seamless checkout experiences across all channels.

5. Integrate technology

Integrate various platforms and platforms, including e-commerce platforms, point-of-sale (POS) platforms, inventory management platforms, and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, to create a unified ecosystem.

6. Provide training

Provide training and support to employees to ensure they understand how to use the new unified commerce platform effectively. Communicate the benefits of unified commerce and facilitate organizational change management to align with new processes and workflows.

7. Test and optimize

Conduct thorough testing and validation of the unified commerce platform to identify and resolve any issues or inconsistencies. Continuously optimize and refine the platform based on feedback and performance metrics.

8. Monitor and adapt

Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales, customer satisfaction, conversion rates, and operational efficiency to measure the impact of unified commerce implementation. Use data analytics and insights to identify areas for improvement and optimization.

Elevate Your Omnichannel Experience with Unified Commerce

Embracing unified commerce is not just a strategic decision; it’s a transformative journey toward unlocking the full potential of your omnichannel retail business. By consolidating your operations, integrating your platforms, and providing seamless experiences across all channels, you can position your brand to truly deliver a top-notch seamless experience. 

NewStore empowers your brand to exceed customer expectations, drive growth, and stay ahead of the competition in today’s dynamic marketplace. Learn how NewStore can help your brand thrive in today’s ever-advancing digital age. 

Last updated on December 16th, 2024 at 09:04 pm

As retailers prime their omnichannel strategies for 2024 and beyond, three takeaways from NewStore’s annual Omnichannel Leadership Report should remain top of mind: brands must offer more omnichannel capabilities, invest in native mobile commerce apps, and embed more digital features into their stores.

While an increasing number of retailers have embraced omnichannel strategies over the last few years, they still face opportunities for improvement – especially when it comes to bridging the gap between their physical and digital shopping experiences. NewStore’s 2024 Omnichannel Leadership Report surveyed nearly 700 retail brands’ omnichannel capabilities across three unified shopping channels: mobile apps, online, and stores. The research found that brands must work on enhancing their in-store, online, and mobile offerings by connecting all three of these channels to create a cohesive, customer-centric shopping experience.

Read more about the top takeaways from the report below, and find out how your business can take actionable steps to develop a unified commerce strategy spanning all retail channels.

Takeaway #1: Brands Aren’t Maximizing Omnichannel Capabilities

While some retailers have fully leaned into omnichannel transformations, many are still not leveraging omnichannel strategies to their fullest potential. The report found that brands scored an average of 43 out of 100 when it came to taking advantage of available omnichannel solutions. This indicates that brands are missing opportunities in effectively linking their mobile, online, and physical shopping journeys.

If retailers want to undergo a true omnichannel transformation that results in customer-centric experiences – and builds long-term brand loyalty – they must start by considering several key strategic elements:

• Impact to the customer: The goal of undergoing a transformation is to improve the experience for the end user – in this case, the customer. Therefore, retailers should put themselves in their shoppers’ shoes and think, “What’s in it for me?” and “Which omnichannel features would I benefit from?”
• Changing teams’ mindsets: For a transformation to succeed, all parts of the organization must row in the same direction. Each department will play a critical role in rolling out new omnichannel features, which makes it imperative that everyone aligns on the vision and owns their part of it. 
• Focusing on in-store experiences: If a retailer has a brick-and-mortar footprint, the in-store experience may serve as the customer’s first touchpoint with the brand and set a lasting impression. For instance, if the retailer sells consumable goods, it can offer tastings in stores to entice customers and then later follow up with tailored product recommendations over email.
• Making technology invisible: Omnichannel technology should seem invisible to customers when they’re shopping in stores. Whether a sales associate with a mobile device is reviewing available inventory or a shopper is checking out via a self-service kiosk, the experience must appear seamless. And to build a deeply connected commerce ecosystem and develop better customer relationship management, it’s crucial to partner with the right technology vendors.

Creating a robust omnichannel strategy relies on many elements of organizational change. Read about how top retailers have mastered the art of omnichannel transformation and the lessons they’ve learned along their journeys.

Takeaway #2: Retailers Should Invest More in Mobile Commerce 

Although today’s consumers are more reliant on their phones than ever, many retailers’ mobile commerce capabilities haven’t evolved as much as shoppers would like. Brands with dedicated mobile shopping apps remain in the minority, and even those mobile-first shopping experiences often don’t boast the latest features to facilitate a smooth customer journey. 

The Omnichannel Leadership Report discovered that only one third of brands have a native mobile shopping app, with very few of them having invested in promoting the app. Additionally, most of these mobile apps don’t include interactive features, exclusive content, or built-in rewards programs. Even fewer apps contain capabilities like wishlists, inventory checkers, and live chat – all of which can help drive usage.

According to Statista, mobile commerce sales are expected to account for 62% of all ecommerce transactions by 2027. This makes it essential for brands to up their mobile commerce game – and their starting point should be a native shopping app.

Several outcomes of having a native mobile app include:

• Reaching customers where they are: Data.ai’s State of Mobile 2022 report found that many people spend one third of their time awake looking at their mobile device. Consumers also spent 100 billion hours in shopping apps, which underscores the unparalleled convenience of browsing and buying on mobile devices.
• Direct-to-consumer sales become easier: If a retailer wants to sell directly to consumers and bypass brick-and-mortar stores and wholesalers, a native app is the easiest option. Brands can leverage push notifications and personalized content to connect with their target customer – with minimal advertising needed.
• Increased conversions: Since mobile apps typically deliver less clunky experiences than a mobile site, consumers may spend longer amounts of time browsing, without encountering unnecessary pop-ups and ads. If they make an account for the app, it will also remember all of their information and provide a faster checkout experience. As a result, users may be less likely to abandon their carts.
• Customizable features: Retailers that build their apps from the ground up can choose from a slew of customizable features that will foster better connections with customers. These can include creating lookbooks for apparel and accessories, built-in loyalty programs with redeemable points for special perks, and free shipping just for app users.

To discover more ways your brand can boost mobile commerce sales, read all 7 Reasons Why You Need A Shopping App.

Takeaway #3: Stores Need Additional Digital Features

To stay competitive, retailers must embed more digital features into their brick-and-mortar stores. According to the report, buy now, pay later checkout options are only offered in a third of stores. The same statistic applies to stores that equip their sales associates with mobile devices to assist shoppers as they browse. If retailers want to increase foot traffic in their stores and appeal to time-strapped customers, they must find strategies to bridge the gap between their digital and physical experiences. 

If done right, the potential rewards – like increased sales, competitive differentiation, smoother customer experiences, and adaptability for shoppers to engage with brands on their preferred channels – are massive.

Several of NewStore’s top ways to create an omnichannel strategy include:

• Auditing current channels: Map out all your existing channels (including website, store, mobile app, email, and social media) and try to identify any gaps in communicating with customers, especially with those who prefer to toggle between online and physical shopping platforms. 

Afterward, brainstorm the ideal customer journey and consider adding new omnichannel features to connect online and brick-and-mortar shopping experiences, whether that’s offering ship-to-store pickup options or adding mobile checkout capabilities in stores.

• Combining digital and physical experiences: A strong omnichannel strategy ensures that shoppers can start their journey on one channel and end it on another. To better bridge the gap between physical and digital shopping experiences, retailers should offer features like BOPIS (buy online pick-up in store) and universal shopping carts that let consumers add to their carts from any channel. 

Other valuable omnichannel features include inventory visibility, which allows sales associates and customers to view real-time product availability across all retail locations, and clienteling, which gives staff access to valuable customer data that can help increase shoppers’ average basket size.

• Examining your retail ecosystem: To ensure brands are equipping sales associates with the best technology to drive sales and personalize customers’ experiences, they should consider investing in an order management system, mobile point-of-sale (POS) solutions, and customer relationship management platforms.

The best part about creating an omnichannel strategy? It’s completely customizable, which forms the basis for composable commerce: giving companies the opportunity to select from a variety of vendor and commerce options that work best for them.

More Takeaways: BOPIS, BORIS, and BNPL Gain Traction

The modern omnichannel experience now counts BOPIS and BORIS (buy online return in store) as key components. While many shoppers prefer the ease of making purchases online, the convenience of retrieving their items or returning them in a brick-and-mortar store is still important. According to the Omnichannel Leadership Report, 60% of retailers’ websites offer BOPIS options, while 68% offer BORIS capabilities. 

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) also experienced adoption growth – 69% of websites now offer this short-term financing option to customers. 

Other parts of the commerce ecosystem that continue gaining popularity include loyalty rewards and free shipping. Not only do loyalty programs foster longer-lasting relationships with consumers, but they also provide retailers with more personal data to improve shopping experiences – and drive higher sales. In fact, over 80% of consumers claim they would provide more personal data in exchange for a better customer experience.

One increasingly important factor of the customer experience is free shipping. With Amazon – and its one- and two-day shipping options – capturing a large portion of the ecommerce marketplace, retailers must stay competitive by also offering free shipping. However, even free orders should arrive within three business days to meet consumers’ expectations.

Research in the Omnichannel Leadership Report found that 87% of websites offer free shipping in North America and internationally, with two-thirds of brands requiring a minimum purchase threshold to receive the free shipping perk. 

For retailers breaking into new markets and working to retain existing customers, offering loyalty programs in addition to free and fast shipping options will become must-have omnichannel strategies. 

The Case for Unified Commerce

Ultimately, omnichannel shopping will continue its rapid growth trajectory, especially as brands attempt to reach untapped markets and compete with today’s ecommerce behemoths. The biggest indicator for omnichannel success is implementing a unified commerce system that reaches shoppers on all platforms and offers a seamless customer journey, regardless of the starting point.

Brick-and-mortar experiences are still a pillar of the retail ecosystem, and brands must work to bridge the  gap between their physical and digital channels. The good news? The options are vast – and retailers can cherry-pick the vendors and solutions that best fit their needs to create a robust omnichannel strategy that will cement their stake in the marketplace.

Download NewStore’s 2024 Omnichannel Leadership Report for a deeper dive into these takeaways, and speak with one of our experts about choosing the right omnichannel solutions for your business.