The Store Experience Starts Strong—Until It’s Time to Pay
While the industry races toward digital innovation, the 2025 RSR Benchmark Report brings the focus back to where it counts most: the in-store experience. For today’s customers, how a brand shows up in-store still plays a major role in how they shop, buy, and stay loyal. In fact, for 85% of high-performing specialty retailers surveyed, the store remains their primary growth strategy. But while optimism for the in-store experience runs high, a major roadblock stands in the way of transformation: outdated point-of-sale (POS) systems.
According to the report, 33% of retailers say their current POS is actively holding them back from offering the kind of innovative, differentiated experience that today’s shoppers expect. Another 20% believe the POS’s job is merely to process transactions—an outdated mindset in an era where the checkout counter is just one piece of a much larger omnichannel puzzle.
The data is clear. While many retailers give themselves passing grades on customer experience and technology, consumers aren’t buying it. Fewer than 25% of shoppers say their favorite retailer offers a great in-store experience. And when asked what happens after returning an item in-store, 43% say they simply walk out. In other words, returns may be flooding stores, but they’re not automatically turning into upsell opportunities.
This growing gap between perception and reality is a wake-up call. Consumers live in a mobile-first, tech-enabled world—and they expect retailers to keep up.
Retailers who recently updated their POS systems are far more optimistic about delivering differentiated experiences. Those with systems less than two years old are more than twice as likely to feel empowered to innovate. But investment alone isn’t the solution. It’s about choosing a POS platform that goes beyond basic transactions to deliver on customer expectations like:
- Endless aisle capabilities
- Mobile checkout and returns
- Associate tools for guided selling
- POS hardware that grows with the business
That’s where we come in.
At InVue, we believe your POS system should be more than a checkout tool—it should be a growth engine. Our mobile-first, POS hardware is designed to empower associates, elevate customer service, and enable real-time visibility across channels. Whether you’re fulfilling online orders in-store, enabling secure returns, or showcasing the latest devices and accessories, we can help ensure you’re not just keeping up—you’re staying ahead.
Key benefits include:
- Mobile-Optimized Experiences: Free associates from the counter with sleek, secure tablet POS stations that allow for assisted selling, mobile checkout, and personalized service anywhere in the store.
- Seamless Omnichannel Integration: Support BOPIS, endless aisle, and real-time inventory sync with hardware solutions that easily integrate with your current tech stack.
- Flexible Hardware Options: From locking tablet stands to mobile POS cradles, our hardware adapts to every use case—from luxury fashion to specialty retail.
The takeaway is clear: customers already expect a fast, flexible in-store experience—and they’re quick to notice when it’s missing. Retailers who invest in modern POS systems aren’t just keeping up; they’re creating smoother shopping journeys, more empowered associates, and real opportunities to drive sales on the floor.
Discover how InVue’s Point of Sale solutions can power your next chapter.