There’s a strange thing happening in retail right now.
On one hand, we’re in the middle of a tech revolution. Everything is faster, more connected, and more customer-focused than ever. The industry is bursting at the seams with tech that keeps on getting better, more powerful, and more advanced.
In short, the future is knocking - loudly.
But instead of opening the door, many retailers out there are hiding behind the couch because, on the other hand, they’re clinging onto systems built for a world that no longer exists.
We understand. The familiar feels safe. It feels like control.
Change is scary. Especially when it feels like dismantling something that’s been “good enough” for years. There’s comfort in the familiar - in legacy systems, in “the way we’ve always done things,” in the decades behind your historic brand that’s seen your business through recessions, revolutions, and the rise of the internet.
The reality is often very different. Change can be such a force for good - just check out our interview with Peter Joelsson, CIO at Webhallen and former Global IT Director at GANT, where he shares his insights on moving away from legacy systems, embracing a best-of-breed approach, and the importance of focusing on people as much as technology.
Right now, here’s the hard truth: legacy tech is holding you back. Worse still, it could be sinking your ship.
Legacy tech won’t save you. It will sink you.
We see it all the time. Retailers with decades of proud history, beautiful products, and incredible experiences - all held back by clunky, inflexible tech that makes even the simplest tasks feel impossible.
They’re led by people convinced that the systems that got them here will get them where they need to go next.
But the industry has moved on.
Customers want instant access to products. They expect real-time inventory, flexible fulfillment, and store associates who can do it all - sell, search, recommend, and complete transactions on the spot. Legacy systems were never built for this. And trying to force them into it is like trying to get Netflix on a VHS.
A legacy mindset - the belief that what’s always worked will keep working - is one of the most dangerous attitudes a retailer can have. Because while you're standing still, your competitors are sprinting past you.
Customers want the best shopping experiences going in-store, online, and everywhere in between - all matched with choice, convenience, and personalized service.
None of this is possible when your tech stack looks like a noodle bowl of bolt-ons, workarounds, and systems that don’t talk to each other.
You wouldn’t expect your customers to be wowed by a 20-year-old website. So why expect your staff to thrive on a 20-year-old POS?
Kristen Liebert, Vice President of Business Transformation & Treasurer at US sports retail giant Rally House, sums it up perfectly.
“With our old POS system, we had our business completely crippled on really important days because we didn’t have an internet connection. We were flat out not able to operate,” she says.
Rally House were losing sales. Losing trust. Losing their minds.
But then they changed it up with a new POS built on MACH principles.
Kristen continues: “One of our regional directors told me a store had been without internet for two days… but they carried on operating without a hitch. We didn’t lose a single sale. I was like, ‘Wait, what?!’ It was absolutely amazing - a total win.”
That’s the power of a system designed for the way retail works today. Always on. Always ready. Always delivering.
So why do so many retailers stay stuck with legacy POS systems?
Because it’s hard to know where to start. Rebuilding a tech stack sounds like open-heart surgery while running a marathon. And there’s a myth that you have to rip and replace everything at once - your POS, ERP, CRM, payments, ecomm, loyalty program, you name it.
Here’s the good news: you don’t.
Start where the impact is biggest - your stores. That’s your frontline. Your brand experience. Your biggest opportunity.
Modernizing your POS with a cloud-native solution gives your store associates superpowers, connects your online and offline channels, and lays the foundation for buttery smooth retail operations. From there, you can build out a best-of-breed stack piece by piece, at your pace, and on your terms. One that flexes around your business. Not the other way round.
As Mobarak Said, former Head of IT and Digitalization at Illum, says: “The best-of-breed approach is no longer just a trend; it’s essential for any retailer looking to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. Legacy systems lock you in. They tie you to specific vendors and make you dependent on external consultants for every customization and update. It’s like being on a highway with no exits. Once you’re on, you’re committed, often at a high cost, and the more you invest, the harder it becomes to pivot.
“We wanted a setup where, if one tool isn’t meeting our needs or if something better comes along, we can make the switch without needing to overhaul our entire tech stack. It’s a more open-minded approach to technology, where each component of our system is carefully selected to do its job really well. And, if a tool or platform no longer serves us, we can make a change without bringing down the entire infrastructure.
“With a best-of-breed model, we’re creating a tech ecosystem that reflects our values: flexibility, innovation, and agility. And that’s crucial in today’s retail environment, where the ability to adapt quickly can make all the difference.”
The numbers don’t lie – retailers using outdated tech are bleeding money
We’re not going to bombard you with statistics but the numbers really don’t lie. Retailers using outdated tech are bleeding money in ways they don’t even realize. According to Deloitte retailers who don’t sell on multiple channels miss up to 30% of potential sales.
Add in the inefficiencies from siloed systems, frustrated staff, and poor CX, and the cost of legacy starts stacking up fast.
Now flip the script: MACH-based, best-of-breed systems are saving retailers millions. In fact, according to the 2024 Business Value of MACH Technologies Survey:
78% of businesses report saving up to $1 million annually after adopting MACH technologies.
25% of MACH users have achieved a return on investment (ROI) of 100% or more - a milestone not previously reached.
33% of MACH users state that it has enabled them to bring new business capabilities to market more quickly.
28% say MACH has enhanced their responsiveness to market changes.
The key takeaway? Standing still isn’t staying safe. It’s falling behind.
Your legacy systems aren’t just outdated - they’re expensive to maintain, slow to adapt, and painful for your teams to use. And in a world where customer loyalty is built on experience, that pain trickles down to your shoppers.
If you're not moving forward, you’re moving backward.
On the flipside, when you choose systems built for now (and tomorrow), everything changes.
Your stores become your powerhouses. Your teams become brand champions. Your customers keep coming back. What’s not to love?
But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll feel the impact across your whole business. Investing in systems that integrate inventory, sales, and customer data is a game-changer. When all these elements are connected in real time, you can eliminate inefficiencies that lead to missed opportunities or unnecessary costs.
Moreover, integrated solutions mean you can make data-driven decisions. By analyzing sales trends, customer behaviors, and inventory performance, you can identify what’s working and what isn’t - and act accordingly. Whether it’s fine-tuning promotions, adjusting stock levels, or reallocating resources, having a single source of truth ensures those decisions are both informed and impactful.
In an era where profit margins are razor-thin, these unified systems are the backbone of sustainable growth. They don’t just help you keep costs down - they allow you to focus on delivering the exceptional experiences that keep customers coming back.
The real cost of doing nothing is higher than you think. Take the first step toward transformation with our POS Implementation Playbook.
Last updated: May 8, 2025
