What Retailers Are Asking for in 2026: Insights from NRF and StorePoint

We kicked off 2026 at NRF Big Retail Show, StorePoint Fresh, and StorePoint Retail—and one message came through loud and clear:

Budgets are shrinking. Customer expectations are rising. Innovation is no longer optional.

Retailers across the country are being challenged to do more with less, while still delivering seamless, engaging in-store experiences. At Pan-Oston, we don’t want to be just another vendor. We want to be a strategic partner—helping you design smarter front-end solutions that address today’s realities and tomorrow’s demands.

Here’s what we’re seeing—and how we’re helping retailers adapt.

1. Doing More with Less: Smarter Solutions for Restricted Budgets

Retail decision-makers are under increasing pressure to maximize ROI while minimizing operational costs. Capital budgets are tighter, and every investment must work harder.

One of the biggest opportunities? Rethinking the role of cash at checkout.

With only 11% of in-store transactions involving cash, many retailers are reevaluating whether full cash-handling infrastructure is necessary across every lane.

The Solution: E-Pay Self-Checkout

Our E-Pay Self-Checkout (SCO) solution eliminates traditional cash-handling components, reducing:

• Equipment complexity
• Maintenance requirements
• Upfront costs
• Ongoing operational expenses

This allows retailers to refresh and modernize their front end—without overextending their budget. It’s a strategic way to streamline checkout while aligning with evolving consumer payment behavior.

2. Growing Customer Demands (and Ongoing Labor Challenges)

Today’s shoppers expect:

• Shorter wait times
• Flexible checkout options
• A frictionless experience

At the same time, labor shortages continue to strain store operations. Retailers need agility built directly into their checkout design.

The Solution: Convertible Lane Flexibility

Our Convertible Lane provides 100% flexibility at checkout.

With the ability to switch from full-service to self-service in seconds, retailers can dynamically respond to traffic patterns throughout the day. That means:

• Keeping lines moving
• Improving customer satisfaction
• Reducing staff fatigue
• Optimizing labor allocation

Instead of locking into a static checkout model, retailers gain the freedom to adjust in real time—maximizing efficiency without sacrificing service.

3. Innovation at the Front End: Smarter Customer Engagement

Retailers aren’t just looking to process transactions—they want to enhance engagement at checkout.

The front end is one of the most valuable communication zones in the store. Yet for many retailers, it’s underutilized.

The Solution: Smart Lighting Powerpoles

Through strategic partnerships, Pan-Oston now offers Smart Lighting powerpoles designed to enhance both functionality and experience.

These upgrades:

• Improve customer flow and behavior at checkout
• Provide visual lane indicators
• Create opportunities for messaging and branding
• Strengthen communication at the front end

By integrating intelligent lighting and communication into the checkout environment, retailers can transform a transactional space into a strategic engagement point.

The Big Picture: Partnership Over Products

Across NRF and StorePoint, the theme was consistent: Retailers don’t just want equipment. They want solutions.

They want partners who understand operational pressures, evolving consumer behavior, and the need for scalable innovation.

At Pan-Oston, we’re focused on delivering:

• Budget-conscious modernization
• Flexible checkout design
• Smarter customer engagement tools
• Custom solutions tailored to your store’s challenges

The retail landscape is evolving quickly. The front end needs to evolve with it.

Let’s Rethink What Checkout Can Do

If you’re planning your next front-end refresh or exploring ways to improve customer experience while staying budget-smart, we’d love to start the conversation.

Get more ideas for your store.
Contact Pan-Oston to learn how we can help you design a smarter, more adaptable checkout environment for 2026 and beyond.

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