Payment Solutions that Empower Mid-Tier Companies to Compete

Traditionally, large retailers have held a technological advantage in omnichannel and convenience. However, innovative payment solutions are bridging this gap, empowering mid-tier retailers to deliver the consistent, digital shopping experiences consumers expect.

The Pros and Cons of the Mid-Market

The middle of the retail market in 2025 is a challenging place to be. Ecommerce giants and big box stores continually try to encroach on your territory, slashing prices, arranging for same-day delivery, and making other offers to entice your customers to switch their loyalty. However, your value proposition as a mid-sized retailer includes the same things consumers say they prefer. A study last year from Jumpmind and RSR Research found that 53% of consumers want shopping experiences consistent with the retailer’s brand promises, and 46% want personalized service. Mid-tier retailers have the agility and focus to beat larger competitors in both areas.

On the other hand, the study found that consumers also expect retailers to take advantage of technology to enhance shopping experiences. About 90% of consumers want the same access to product information in-store that they have when they’re shopping online. About 70% respond positively when retailers blend in-store and online experiences. Consumers also say convenience and efficiency are important: 68% say they want to get in and out of stores as quickly as they can. Mid-tier retailers need to catch up with enterprise and big box stores in this area but, fortunately, innovative payment solutions provide the necessary tools.

Must-Have Features of POS and Payment Solutions for Mid-Tier Retailers

Retailers looking for ways to strengthen their competitive position should focus on these features for an upgrade to their payment solutions.

• Android-based Operating System

Payment devices that run on proprietary operating systems limit what payment terminals can do. However, open, Android-based technology enables expanding a payment device’s functionality. Retailers can enhance experiences by running business applications on their Android terminals to offer digital receipts, inventory lookup, and customer surveys at the checkout. Loyalty rewards program and customer relationship management (CRM) integration allows you to personalize interactions for more effective upselling and marketing. An Android-based payment technology platform makes it all possible while strictly complying with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) and other regulations.

• Full Range of Payment Methods

Any point of sale (POS) solution upgrade should give you the ability to accept all payment methods - those your customers want to use today and alternative payments that may grow in popularity in the future. In addition to accepting credit and debit cards, you need to give customers the choice to use digital wallets or Tap to Pay with other contactless payment methods. As consumer preferences evolve, offering  advanced payment options like biometrics or cryptocurrency can be a key differentiator for your business. A flexible Android platform gives you those options while ensuring each type of transaction is fast and efficient.

• Point of Sale Applications

For a complete point-of-sale system to be effective, it must also have availability of third-party applications to enhance the merchant’s experience and create more value to the ownership of the device. For example, a merchant may want to offer BNPL or offer APMs. More than just a variety of payment options, third-party apps offer a range of value-added support for the business. These apps are valuable to allow the merchant’s customers to interact in a varied manner with the merchant and help build loyalty with repeat sales.  

• All-in-One Solution

Mid-tier retailers with limited IT staff will benefit from an all-in-one solution. A smart payment terminal with integrated sales, inventory management, and payments gives you all the tools you need to run your business and increase customer satisfaction in one payment solution. A fully integrated system makes maintenance and updates easier, saving your IT team time and effort. Additionally, a system backed by comprehensive payment services from an innovative provider streamlines payment device estate management, enabling remote key injection for faster, more secure deployment, remote management, and even screen sharing for fast troubleshooting and issue resolution.

Punch Above Your Weight

With the right technology, mid-tier retailers can compete for — and win — market share. Advanced POS and payment solutions are within your reach, and you can use them to deliver payment choice, enhanced checkout experiences, and efficiency to complement the face-to-face service and focus on the local communities you serve.

Contact us to learn more about this innovative solution, ideal for mid-tier retailers serious about competitiveness.