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How to Become a Top 1% Retailer in 2025—And the Retail POS Software That Gets You There

March 19, 2025 / 8 minute read / By Zoya Naeem

Learn how using the right Retail POS Software can REALLY change the game for you in 2025.

Most retailers are stuck playing defense—reacting to supply chain issues, struggling with inventory, and losing customers to competitors who just seem to “get it.”

But the top 1% of retailers?

They play offense—taking control.

What is it they do differently?

Well, they use real-time data, AI-driven insights, and seamless omnichannel experiences to stay ahead of the curve.

Suppose you’re a multi-store or big-box retailer. In that case, you don’t just need another POS system -you need an all-in-one retail POS software that acts as the backbone of your business, giving you the data and automation needed to make smart, profitable decisions in real time.

In this article, we will walk you through the 4-step framework that will help you make smarter, data-backed decisions to increase profits and customer loyalty (positioning you among the top 1% of retailers in 2025).

Let’s get right into the serious stuff.

Step 1: Taking Control of Your Inventory with Real-Time Data

Your inventory is either your biggest asset or your biggest headache. Stock too much, and you’re sitting on unsold products that tie up your cash flow. Stock too little, and you’re missing out on sales and frustrating customers.

And if you rely on outdated tracking methods (or worse, guesswork), you’re setting yourself up for costly mistakes.

The top 1% of retailers don’t wing it when it comes to inventory—they use real-time data to make informed, profitable decisions—every single day.

Here’s how the top 1% retailers do it:

Centralized Inventory Management
Top retailers eliminate the chaos of mismatched stock levels by syncing all locations in real-time. There are no more frantic calls between stores to locate a missing item or manual spreadsheets that breed errors. Instead, they see exactly what’s in stock, where it’s located, and when to reorder.

The result? Faster decisions, happier customers, and fewer “sorry, we’re out of stock” moments.

Automated Stock Updates
Let’s say you run a shoe store, and a customer buys the last pair of boots online at midnight. When your team clocks in the next morning, your system has already updated stock levels across every sales channel. That’s automated inventory tracking in action. Top retailers use these tools to prevent overselling, avoid stockouts, and free up staff time.

AI-Powered Demand Forecasting
Smart retailers use AI to analyze sales trends, seasonal demand, and customer buying behavior, so they know exactly what to stock (and when).

Pro Tip:

When choosing an all-in-one retail POS software, look for one with centralized inventory management capabilities. This ensures your stock levels are updated across all locations, warehouses, and online channels in real-time. Platforms like Stratus Enterprise offer built-in tools for automated stock tracking, demand forecasting, and seamless omnichannel inventory control -so you always have the right products at the right time.

Step 2: Build a Seamless Omnichannel Shopping Experience Using the Right Retail POS Software

We all know that customers today don’t shop in a single lane. They bounce between online stores, physical locations, and mobile devices without thinking twice. They expect a frictionless experience whether they’re buying from your website at midnight, picking up an online order in-store, or browsing products on their phone while standing in your shop.

If any part of that journey is disjointed, customers will move on to a retailer that gets it right. The top 1% of retailers don’t just meet these expectations by ensuring every touchpoint feels seamless and connected.

Here’s how the top 1% retailers do it:

They offer Unified eCommerce and In-Store Experience
The best retailers offer services like Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS), endless aisle solutions (letting customers order out-of-stock items in-store), and easy returns across all channels, LITERALLY making shopping feel so smooth, no matter where it starts or ends.

Offering Mobile-Friendly Shopping and Seamless Checkout
From QR code shopping to mobile wallets and self-checkouts, top retailers remove checkout friction. If customers want to browse and buy on their phones, they can pay with Apple Pay or scan a QR code to check inventory without frustration.

AI-Driven Personalized Product Recommendations
Smart retailers are now starting to use AI to offer tailored product suggestions based on browsing history, past purchases, and even local demand. Whether online, in-app, or in-store, personalized recommendations drive higher conversions and repeat business.

Pro Tip:

When choosing a retail POS software, look for one that seamlessly connects eCommerce, in-store, and mobile shopping into a single ecosystem. This means inventory updates happen in real-time, customer data is shared across all channels, and features like BOPIS and endless aisle are built in. An omnichannel platform, like Stratus Enterprise, enables retailers to deliver a consistent and engaging shopping experience -so customers stay connected, whether they’re scrolling at home or browsing in-store.

Step 3: Use AI to Personalize and Automate Customer Experiences

Customers today don’t just appreciate personalization, they expect it.

Whether it’s a Netflix recommendation, a Spotify playlist, or a reminder about an abandoned shopping cart, AI-driven experiences have ACTUALLY conditioned shoppers to look for smarter, more tailored interactions.

The problem? Most retailers are still relying on one-size-fits-all promotions and outdated marketing tactics that don’t speak to individual customer needs. The top 1% of retailers, however, are harnessing AI to work smarter by delivering personalized experiences at scale without adding more to their workload.

Here’s how the top 1% retailers do it:

Using AI-Powered Product Recommendations and Dynamic Pricing
Retail giants like Amazon have set the bar high -customers now expect “You may also like” suggestions that feel spot on. AI helps top retailers analyze browsing behavior, purchase history, and trends to recommend products that customers are actually interested in.

Dynamic pricing takes it a notch up, adjusting prices in real-time based on demand, seasonality, and competitor pricing. This means retailers can maximize profit margins while staying competitive.

Running Automated Email and SMS Marketing Based on Customer Behavior
Top retailers are now using AI to trigger automated messages based on customer behavior, whether it’s a personalized discount for a repeat shopper, an abandoned cart reminder, or a back-in-stock notification for a high-demand item.

The result? More sales, less effort.

Creating Smart Loyalty Programs That Reward Repeat Customers Automatically
Leading retailers leverage AI-powered loyalty programs that track customer purchases in real time, offer tailored rewards based on shopping habits, and automatically apply discounts to loyal shoppers at checkout.

This seamless experience makes customers want to return and keeps them engaged long-term.

Step 4: Build Long-term Customer Loyalty with Smart Incentives

Attracting new customers is great but keeping them coming back is where the real profit lies.

Repeat customers spend 67% more than first-time buyers, yet many retailers struggle to build true loyalty. Because their loyalty programs are too generic, too complicated, or simply not enticing enough. The top 1% of retailers, however, don’t just hand out basic rewards and hope for the best.

They use data-driven, AI-powered incentives to keep customers engaged, spending, and, most importantly, coming back for more.

Here’s how they do that:

Offer Tiered Loyalty Programs with Exclusive Perks for Top Spenders
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the best retailers create tiered programs that reward top spenders with exclusive benefits like VIP early access to new product drops, special discounts for high-value customers, and personalized experiences like private shopping events or one-on-one styling sessions.

This type of exclusivity makes customers feel valued and more likely to stay loyal.

Instant Rewards That Actually Feel Valuable
One of the biggest mistakes retailers make is to force customers to jump through hoops before they see any benefit. The best retailers offer instant discounts on first purchases to hook new customers, personalized birthday rewards to create a personal connection, and cash-back-style points that can be redeemed quickly and easily.

The goal is to make rewards feel immediate and meaningful so customers stay engaged long-term.

Pro Tip:

When choosing a retail POS software, look for one that automates loyalty rewards and tracks customer purchases in real time. A system like Stratus Enterprise helps retailers enroll customers in personalized loyalty programs, reward top spenders with exclusive VIP perks, and send personalized incentives that keep shoppers engaged.

Ready to Become a Top 1% Retailer? Start with Celerant.

The difference between a struggling retailer and a market leader isn’t luck, it’s strategy and the right technology.

Most successful retailers don’t wait for trends to dictate their next move -they anticipate, adapt, and automate, staying ahead with real-time data, AI-driven insights, and a seamless omnichannel experience.

If you’re serious about scaling your retail business in 2025 and beyond, it’s time to take action. And it all starts with the right retail POS software.

Discover how Stratus Enterprise can help you streamline operations, increase sales, and build long-term customer loyalty.

Book a Consultation Today!

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How to Become a Top 1% Retailer in 2025—And the Retail POS Software That Gets You There

Learn how using the right Retail POS Software can REALLY change the game for you in 2025.

Step 1: Taking Control of Your Inventory with Real-Time Data

Here’s how the top 1% retailers do it:

Pro Tip:

Step 2: Build a Seamless Omnichannel Shopping Experience Using the Right Retail POS Software

Here’s how the top 1% retailers do it:

Pro Tip:

Step 3: Use AI to Personalize and Automate Customer Experiences

Here’s how the top 1% retailers do it:

Step 4: Build Long-term Customer Loyalty with Smart Incentives

Here’s how they do that:

Pro Tip:

Ready to Become a Top 1% Retailer? Start with Celerant.

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