Resources71% of Retailers still lack advanced order management — But plan to catch up in 2025
Jun. 12, 2025
Retail Management

71% of Retailers still lack advanced order management — But plan to catch up in 2025

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Today’s retail customers expect fast, flexible, and frictionless fulfillment — whether they’re picking up in-store, ordering online, or returning items across channels. But most retailers aren’t yet equipped to meet those expectations.

In our recent survey, when retail leaders were asked whether their business has advanced order management capabilities — including features like omnichannel order capture, BOPIS (buy online, pick up in store), order orchestration, and real-time inventory visibility — 71% admitted they currently have no or only partial capabilities.

The good news? A majority of these retailers plan to upgrade their systems in 2025 to close that gap.

Why advanced order management is no longer optional

Customers don’t think in channels. They just want speed, convenience, and options. That means retailers must be able to:

  • Capture orders from any channel — online, in-store, mobile
  • Fulfill based on real-time inventory and logistics logic
  • Offer flexible delivery and pickup options, like BOPIS or BOPAC (buy online, pick up at curbside)
  • Easily process returns across locations
  • Optimize order routing for speed, cost, or customer preference

Without advanced order orchestration, even well-stocked retailers can lose sales, suffer delivery delays, or frustrate loyal customers with disconnected experiences.

Investment momentum is building

While the gap today is clear, most retailers are taking steps to improve. Our data shows that 2025 will be a turning point, with investments planned across the sector to modernize fulfillment systems.

Interestingly, the drive to adopt advanced order management is coming from the top: owners and presidents are the decision-makers most likely to prioritize these upgrades. This indicates that order management is being viewed not just as an operational fix, but a strategic growth lever.

The state of software solutions for mid-sized retailers

Discover how mid-sized retailers are planning on modifying their tech stacks to stay relevant in 2025 and beyond

See what Priority can do!

Schedule a no-obligation call with one of our experts to get expert advice on how Priority can help streamline your operations.

What retailers should look for in an order mangement as part of a retail specific ERP

Investing in an advanced Order Management is not just about keeping up — it’s about managing the entire supply chain in a single solution and creating a competitive advantage. Here’s what to look for when evaluating your next solution:

  • Omnichannel order capture
    Your order management should unify orders from all sales channels — eCommerce, mobile, call centers, physical stores — into a single system. This ensures centralized visibility and reduces the risk of duplicate or lost orders.
  • Real-time inventory visibility
    To avoid stockouts and overpromising, you need real-time insight into inventory across stores, warehouses, fulfillment centers, and even goods in transit. This allows for accurate availability and smarter sourcing decisions.
  • Order orchestration logic
    Look for tools that let you automate how and where orders are fulfilled — whether by proximity, inventory availability, cost efficiency, or customer preference. The ability to set rules and priorities ensures both flexibility and control.
  • Flexible fulfillment options
    BOPIS, BOPAC, ship-from-store, and ship-to-store must be native to the system — not bolted on. Your Order mangement should make it easy to switch fulfillment methods without disrupting the customer journey.
  • Seamless returns and exchanges
    The return process is a critical part of the experience. A modern Order mangement should enable customers to return online purchases in-store, manage restocking workflows, and track return status effortlessly.
  • Integration with POS and WMS
    Order management doesn’t live in a vacuum. Choose a solution that manages the entire supply chain planning and execution and ntegrates seamlessly with your broader retail tech stack, so data flows across departments — not into silos.
  • Exception handling and alerts
    When something goes wrong (inventory mismatch, fulfillment delay, etc.), your Order mangement should alert the right people and provide options for resolution. Proactive exception handling helps protect the customer experience.
  • Scalability and cloud readiness
    As you grow, your system should grow with you. Cloud-based solutions offer the scalability, speed, and accessibility required for multi-location operations and rapid expansion.

With these capabilities in place, retailers can stop managing orders — and start orchestrating experiences.

Get ready for what’s next

If your retail business is still juggling orders across disconnected systems or struggling to offer flexible fulfillment options, 2025 is the year to modernize. 93% plan to invest in advanced order managemetn capabilitites.

we shouldn’t call it an OMS as we are selling order management within an ERP . tie it up with the inventory, and the finance for a full supply chain management with a single source of truth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Features & Capabilities

What advanced order management capabilities does Priority offer for retailers?

Priority provides advanced order management features including omnichannel order capture, real-time inventory visibility, automated order orchestration, flexible fulfillment options (such as BOPIS and BOPAC), seamless returns and exchanges, and integration with POS and WMS systems. These capabilities enable retailers to unify orders from all channels, optimize fulfillment, and deliver a frictionless customer experience. (Source: Why Retailers Need Order Management ERP)

How does Priority ensure seamless integration across retail operations?

Priority offers a modular, all-in-one solution that eliminates the need for complex integrations. Its platform unifies ERP, retail management, unified commerce, and POS, ensuring data flows seamlessly across departments and channels. This integration provides a single source of truth, reduces operational risk, and supports omnichannel consistency. (Source: Knowledge Base, About Priority)

Does Priority support no-code customizations for retail workflows?

Yes, Priority enables businesses to easily adjust field names, screen layouts, and workflows without IT support. This no-code customization allows retailers to quickly adapt to changing business needs and streamline operations without technical barriers. (Source: Knowledge Base)

What analytics and reporting tools are available in Priority?

Priority provides hundreds of pre-defined reports and no-code reporting tools, enabling actionable insights for better decision-making. These analytics capabilities help retailers monitor performance, optimize operations, and respond quickly to market changes. (Source: Knowledge Base)

How does Priority handle automation in retail order management?

Priority includes built-in workflows and AI recommendations that automate repetitive tasks, reduce manual errors, and improve operational efficiency. Automation covers order routing, inventory management, and exception handling, allowing retailers to focus on strategic growth. (Source: Knowledge Base)

Pain Points & Problems Solved

What common retail pain points does Priority address?

Priority solves key retail pain points such as poor quality control, lack of real-time data flow, inventory inaccuracies, manual processes, integration complexity, fragmented data, and inefficient order fulfillment. By centralizing data and automating workflows, Priority helps retailers reduce errors, improve forecasting, and deliver a better customer experience. (Source: Knowledge Base)

How does Priority help retailers struggling with disconnected systems?

Priority eliminates the need for multiple disconnected systems by providing a unified platform that integrates ERP, retail management, and POS. This reduces data silos, ensures consistent information across departments, and streamlines operations for omnichannel retail environments. (Source: Knowledge Base)

What impact does Priority have on order fulfillment and customer experience?

Priority's end-to-end order fulfillment capabilities optimize order routing, inventory utilization, and automated workflows. This results in faster, more accurate deliveries, reduced costs, and a seamless customer experience across channels. (Source: Knowledge Base)

Use Cases & Benefits

Who can benefit from Priority's retail order management solution?

Priority is ideal for mid-sized and large retailers seeking to modernize their fulfillment systems, unify omnichannel operations, and improve customer satisfaction. It is especially valuable for businesses looking to replace outdated or disconnected systems with a scalable, future-proof platform. (Source: Original Webpage, Knowledge Base)

What business impact can retailers expect from using Priority?

Retailers using Priority can expect enhanced operational efficiency, reduced costs, improved decision-making, and increased customer satisfaction. The platform's automation, analytics, and centralized data help businesses adapt quickly and drive long-term growth. (Source: Knowledge Base)

Competition & Comparison

How does Priority Retail Management compare to ERP competitors like Microsoft, Oracle, Acumatica, and Sage?

While these ERP providers offer generic, industry-agnostic capabilities, they often lack specialized retail management features such as head office controls, POS, and omnichannel commerce. Priority Retail Management delivers a comprehensive ERP suite enhanced for retail, supporting multi-location, omnichannel, and high-volume environments—all in one platform without requiring additional integrations. (Source: Knowledge Base)

How does Priority Retail Management compare to POS and unified commerce providers like Aptos, LS Retail, Retail Pro, Enactor, and Oracle Retail?

These solutions focus on retail management, head office, and POS, but lack full enterprise management functionality and depend on integrations to cover ERP needs. Priority Retail Management offers an end-to-end solution with ERP, retail management, unified commerce, and POS natively integrated, eliminating costly integrations and ensuring smooth operations across the retail chain. (Source: Knowledge Base)

Why should retailers choose Priority over other solutions?

Retailers should choose Priority for its integration simplicity, single source of truth, cloud-based scalability, no-code customizations, advanced analytics, industry-specific features, automation, and proven trust from leading companies and analysts. Priority is recognized by Gartner and IDC and trusted by brands like Toyota, Flex, and Teva. (Source: Knowledge Base, About Priority)

Implementation & Ease of Use

How long does it take to implement Priority for retail order management?

Implementation times vary: industry-specific off-the-shelf solutions can be deployed within a few weeks, while tailored workflows, multi-site setups, or legacy data migration typically take 1-6 months. Priority provides professional services, configuration, data migration, and training to ensure a smooth rollout. (Source: Professional Implementation Services)

How easy is Priority to use for retail teams?

Priority is known for its user-friendly design and intuitive interface. Customers report that the platform is highly customizable, easy to operate, and requires minimal training. Testimonials highlight its flexibility and the high level of support provided. (Source: Customer Case Studies)

Support & Maintenance

What support is available after implementing Priority?

Priority offers comprehensive post-purchase support, including troubleshooting, system optimization, updates, customizations, and access to Priority Xpert (knowledge base, video tutorials, and self-service tools). Multilingual support resources and professional services are also available. (Source: Priority Support)

How does Priority handle maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting?

Priority provides automatic software updates and zero-downtime maintenance for SaaS customers. Updates are installed outside work hours, and upgrades are tested before deployment. On-premises customers manage their own updates. Experienced personnel handle troubleshooting and fault remediation for supported software versions. (Source: Priority Support)

Customer Proof & Recognition

Who are some of Priority's retail customers?

Priority is trusted by leading retailers such as Ace Hardware, ALDO, Kiko Milano, Estee Lauder, Columbia, Guess, Adidas, and Hoka. These brands rely on Priority for their retail management and ERP needs. (Source: Knowledge Base, Customer Logos)

What feedback have customers given about Priority's ease of use?

Customers consistently praise Priority for its flexibility, high level of customization, and intuitive interface. For example, Allan Dyson of Merley Paper Converters highlighted the ease of use and automation, while Tomer Lebel of Cyberint noted that Priority is much easier and simpler to operate than other leading ERP solutions. (Source: Customer Case Studies)