Retail Lessons That Remain Relevant Today
Choosing the best POS system for retail stores is critical for multi-store fashion and lifestyle retailers in Singapore. Insights from NRF APAC 2025, held in June, remain highly relevant today, offering practical lessons for retailers preparing for the rest of 2025. The event showcased how Asia-Pacific’s dynamic and fast-growing retail market offers limitless opportunities for brands ready to scale. At the same time, Integrated Retail highlighted the Reimagined Retail approach: Think AI. Do AI. Get ROI. Modern POS systems are no longer just transactional solutions. They are strategic platforms that unify operations, enable omnichannel experiences, and leverage AI to generate measurable business results.
Read More: Learn how FootfallCam turns foot traffic into insights.
Why the Best POS System Matters in 2025
NRF APAC 2025 emphasised that investing in a multi-store retail POS solution is no longer optional. It’s central to:
- Seamless omnichannel integration
- Personalised promotions and clienteling
- Faster checkouts and efficient store operations
Omnichannel as the New Baseline
Across NRF APAC 2025 sessions, the consensus was clear: omnichannel is expected, not optional. Shoppers move fluidly between online and physical stores, expecting seamless BOPIS, returns, and personalised experiences.
The best Singapore retail POS platforms act as a central nervous system, unifying inventory, orders, and customer data. Benefits include:
- Real-time stock visibility across multiple boutiques
- Personalised clienteling and loyalty integration
- Consistent branding and customer experience across all channels
Learn more about Cegid Retail’s omnichannel capabilities here.
AI in Multi-Store Retail: Think AI. Do AI. Get ROI
AI was a major highlight at NRF APAC. Solutions like Allegory AI showed how generative and conversational AI can:
- Enhance product storytelling
- Equip staff with instant recommendations
- Support integrations with existing retail systems
Key takeaways:
- AI accelerates decision-making across stores, identifying fast-selling SKUs and optimising replenishment
- Associates deliver personalised experiences, boosting conversion and loyalty
- Embedded AI in POS platforms supports measurable ROI, helping staff work smarter
Read how Allegory AI bridges digital and physical retail here.
Scaling Across Borders
Expanding across APAC presents complexity: multiple stores, tax regimes, currencies, and logistics. Cloud-native POS platforms like Cegid Retail provide:
- Seamless scalability for new store openings across Singapore and the region
- Unified workflows for inventory, CRM, and omnichannel operations
- Integrated dashboards and AI-assisted reporting for data-driven decisions
This ensures that retailers can grow without disruption while maintaining consistent customer experiences across all locations.
Defining the Best POS System for Retail Stores
From NRF APAC 2025, four strategic outcomes define a top-tier system:
- Seamless checkout and payments: Faster lines, multiple payment options, and offline resilience
- Inventory visibility across stores: Avoid lost sales and enable intelligent fulfilment
- Integrated CRM for personalisation: Leverage loyalty data and purchase history to power clienteling
- Data-driven insights and AI readiness: Real-time dashboards, predictive analytics, and AI-assisted forecasts
Vendor Highlights:
- Cegid Retail: Unified commerce platform for multi-store fashion and lifestyle brands
- Retail Pro Prism: Flexible POS for complex multi-format operations
- Allegory AI: AI-driven product storytelling, enhancing in-store engagement
- FootfallCam: Converts foot traffic into actionable data to optimize store layout and merchandising
Focus on scalability, omnichannel depth, AI integration, and multi-location inventory management rather than just feature checklists.
Read More: See how Retail Pro Prism delivers flexible POS for complex operations.
How to Choose the Best POS System for Your Retail Business
A pragmatic selection process reduces risk:
- Define strategic priorities: Expansion, clienteling, fulfilment speed
- Shortlist by use-case, not features: e.g., “personalise sales across 10+ stores”
- Pilot in real-world conditions: Test payments, returns, BOPIS, reporting
- Evaluate integration & TCO: ERP, e-commerce, accounting, and support
- Plan for AI: Ensure clean data, privacy compliance, and proven ROI
Integrated Retail helps multi-store fashion and lifestyle retailers evaluate fit, run pilots, and deploy platforms such as Cegid Retail.
Read More: Discover how Allegory AI brings product stories to life with AI.
Retail Unlimited: Turning POS into a Strategic Advantage
The best POS system for retail stores is not just about transactions; it empowers retailers to:
- Scale operations seamlessly across multiple locations
- Deliver personalised, omnichannel experiences
- Leverage AI insights to maximise ROI
Reflecting on these NRF APAC 2025 lessons in September is timely for retailers planning year-end cycles and 2026 expansion. The Retail Unlimited theme reminds multi-store brands of the limitless potential across APAC, while Reimagined Retail demonstrates how AI-driven POS platforms can turn operational excellence into tangible ROI. Partnering with an experienced POS provider can ensure smooth adoption, measurable ROI, and operational excellence.
For retailers looking to expand across the APAC region, choosing a partner who understands these dynamics is key. Integrated Retail can help transform POS into a competitive advantage. Contact us to discuss a tailored evaluation.