Think about this: you're operating a retail shop in 2025, and shoppers are buying in ways you could not have envisioned a decade prior. They're doing it on their mobile devices, purchasing online, ordering in-store pickup, or even having things delivered from your store across the street. It's chaotic, but retail order management systems are on hand to keep everything in check. These systems, often called order management systems OMS, act like a super-smart assistant, making sure every order, whether online, in-store, or somewhere in between, gets handled smoothly.
In today’s world, customers expect flexibility. They want to buy online and pick up at the store, swing by for a curbside handoff, or have their order shipped from the nearest location. That’s where order management system tools shine, tying together inventory, customer data, and fulfillment processes. From an OMS order management system for big retailers to order management software for small business, these systems keep your operations humming and your customers happy.
In this article, we’ll dive into three popular store fulfillment models, BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store), Curbside Pickup, and SFS (Ship From Store), and see how retail order management systems make them tick. We’ll explore their benefits, challenges, and how they stack up, all powered by order management solutions. By the end, you’ll see why a solid order management system solution is a must for any retailer looking to stay competitive. Let’s jump in!
Understanding Retail Order Management Systems in Omnichannel Retail
First, let's get to the basics: what is a retail order management system, anyway? Imagine it as your single place of truth for all orders, regardless of where they're coming from: your website, app, social media, or physical location. In 2025, shopping is all about omnichannel order management, with customers demanding a seamless experience on every channel. Order management systems oms enable just that by syncing inventory, processing orders, and managing fulfillment in real time.
Without an order management system, you're taking a gamble. Suppose a customer places an order for a jacket online, but you don't have a current inventory in your store, so you oversell and let them down. A good OMS order management system avoids this by keeping everything in sync. Inventory and order management software makes sure that when an order comes in from the Internet, your store's stock levels update immediately, steering clear of those awful "out of stock" moments.
But it's not simply about preventing errors. Order management software directs the whole order process from the moment the customer clicks "buy" to when the product reaches their hands. With ecommerce order management systems, retailers can provide available options such as same-day pickup or shipping from the closest store. This is particularly essential for multichannel order management, where orders may originate from Instagram, your web site, or in-store, and all must be processed perfectly.
For small businesses, small business order management software is a lifesaver. It's budget-friendly, can grow with you, and allows you to play in the same league as larger companies. Order fulfillment software keeps your processes running smoothly, so you don't get overwhelmed with paperwork. An order management system software usually has analytics that can forecast trends, such as which items will sell in the holidays, so you can stock accordingly.
The catch? Integration can be a hurdle. If your multichannel order management system doesn’t mesh with your existing POS or e-commerce platform, you’re in for some headaches. But when done right, order management system solutions save time, reduce errors, and keep customers coming back. They’re the backbone of modern fulfillment models like BOPIS, Curbside, and SFS, making sure orders are routed to the right place at the right time.
To cut deeper, inventory and order management software integrates with supply chains so that your oms order management system can manage peak times such as Black Friday seamlessly. Ecommerce order management systems avoid stockouts by reflecting inventory in real time, while omnichannel order management brings about a consistent experience across channels. To small retailers, cloud-based order management systems for small businesses provide flexibility, and order fulfillment solutions scale with your business. Simply put, retail order management systems organize chaos into order and are a must-have for today's retail era.
Exploring BOPIS: Benefits, Challenges, and Implementation
Let's discuss BOPIS, Buy Online, Pick Up In Store. The model went viral with the pandemic and is still a hit in 2025, courtesy of retail order management systems. With BOPIS, shoppers buy online and pick up at the store, combining the convenience of shopping online with the instant gratification of in-store pickup. Order management systems oms make it possible by linking online orders to inventory in stores in real time.
Why is BOPIS amazing? First, it gets people into your store. Customers coming in to pick up their orders tend to shop and purchase more, improving your sales. Oms order management system software can monitor these additional purchases, providing you with an understanding of customer behavior. And, BOPIS saves consumers money on shipping fees, thus reducing abandoned carts. For retailers, order management system software reduces the cost of delivery, as you are not shipping products to customers' residences.
Inventory and order management software makes sure customers' ordered products are in stock, eliminating those painful "sorry, we're out" moments. Ecommerce order management systems tie in with your POS to make pickups seamless, and omnichannel order management allows customers to return online purchases in-store, fostering loyalty. Everyone wins: customers gain convenience, and you gain opportunities for more sales.
But BOPIS isn't flawless. Inventory accuracy is paramount, if your multichannel order management system is behind, customers may arrive for products that aren't available. Staffing can be an issue too; during peak periods, workers handling pickups and in-store shoppers can become overwhelmed. And if your order management software is clunky, it can grind to a halt.
So, how do you succeed with BOPIS? Begin with a good order management system solution. Test the program in select stores to work out the bugs, monitoring metrics such as pickup time and other in-store sales. Employ order fulfillment solutions to drive automated alerts, such as emails or texts informing customers their order is available. For small businesses, order management software for small business keeps BOPIS within budget and achievable, with easy integrations that don't call for a tech revamp.
Establish separate pickup spots to maintain orderliness, and train employees on your multichannel order management system to optimize order processing. Large retailers such as Walmart have perfected BOPIS using retail order management systems, realizing substantial sales gains. Order management system software directs orders to the correct store, maximizing omnichannel order management for a frictionless experience.
To go further, oms order management system tools can predict BOPIS demand, ensuring you’ve got enough stock. For small retailers, order management software for small business offers cloud-based solutions that scale easily. Order fulfillment solutions include mobile apps for staff to pick orders quickly, and inventory and order management software ensures accuracy. BOPIS, when powered by retail order management systems, turns your store into a fulfillment hub, driving sales and satisfaction.
Curbside Pickup: Convenience and Efficiency
Up next is Curbside Pickup, the height of contactless convenience. A necessity-parenthesis of the pandemic that has continued to thrive through 2025, fueled by retail order management systems. Consumers order online, pull up to your location, and employees bring their orders right up to their vehicle. Order management systems OMS manage the timing and inventory to make it all possible without a glitch.
The benefits are enormous. For shoppers, it's convenience, no parking, no aisle-hunting. Oms order management system solutions notify drivers when orders are ready, so they don't have to wait around. For retailers, order management system software decreases in-store traffic, particularly during busy times. It's also a money-saver, as order fulfillment solutions eliminate shipping charges, just like BOPIS.
Inventory management and order management software makes orders prepared and curbside-ready for delivery. Order management in ecommerce is even able to use geolocation to alert employees when a customer has arrived, expediting it. Omnichannel order management allows customers to change from delivery to curbside during an order, providing flexibility that creates loyalty.
But there are challenges. Timing is everything, no one wants to sit in their car for 20 minutes waiting. Your multichannel order management system must hurry curbside orders along to maintain the flow. Room can be a problem too; city stores may not have space for pickup areas. And the weather can make it tricky, rainy days aren't a blast for people working orders outside.
To get Curbside right, rely on a solid order management system solution. Create designated pickup areas and employ apps for customers to check in. Order management software can automatically assign staff, and orders are brought out faster. For small businesses, order management software for small business brings curbside within reach with minimal setup, and training on multichannel order management system tools equips staff to manage peak periods.
Grocers such as Kroger have perfected Curbside with retail order management systems, enhancing customer satisfaction. Order management system software makes in-store picking routes more efficient, while omnichannel order management facilitates a seamless handoff. Ecommerce order management systems keep all the moving parts aligned so that customers receive their orders quickly.
Delving further, oms order management system software relies on data to forecast high-curbside hours, so you can staff accordingly. Inventory and order management software checks order accuracy twice before transfer. Order fulfillment software incorporates SMS notifications so that customers know what is happening, and multichannel order management makes sure curbside functions in parallel with other models. In 2025, order management software employs AI to streamline operations, and Curbside is a snap for retailers and consumers to navigate.
Ship From Store (SFS): Capitalizing on Stores for Quicker Fulfillment
Lastly, let's consider Ship From Store (SFS), where your physical stores serve as mini distribution hubs. In 2025, retail order management systems will make SFS a force to be reckoned with for rapid, affordable delivery. Shoppers buy online, and their purchases are shipped from the local store, not some distant warehouse. Order management systems OMS manage the logistics, sending orders to the correct location.
The advantages are obvious. SFS translates to quicker delivery, frequently same-day or next-day, due to the proximity of stores to customers compared to warehouses. Oms order management system software saves money on shipping by lowering delivery distances. They eliminate slow-moving inventory, freeing up your store's inventory for fresh merchandise. For shoppers, quicker delivery and reduced shipping charges result in greater satisfaction and fewer cart abandonments.
Inventory and order management software provides you with visibility into all your locations, so you always know exactly what's in stock where. Ecommerce order management systems select the best store for every order according to stock and location, while omnichannel order management prevents stockouts. This smooth integration keeps operations running smoothly and customers satisfied.
But SFS isn't without its issues. Converting stores to fulfillment centers will interfere with day-to-day operations; employees are now filling orders while assisting in-store shoppers. Inventory accuracy isn't up for debate; any slight error can be grounds for canceled orders. SFS must scale with a strong multichannel order management system to manage growing complexity.
To enable SFS to work, have dedicated packing stations in your retail stores. Order management system solution software can barcode-automate shipping labels and tracking for time savings. Pilot-test with a pilot program, tracking measures such as fulfillment velocity and customer comments. For small businesses, order management software enables SFS to become a reality without a huge investment, and order fulfillment solutions can be integrated for hassle-free shipping.
Large retailers such as Target employ order management systems for SFS, with faster delivery and savings. Order management system software ensures workload balancing to avoid burnout among staff, while omnichannel order management aligns all channels. Ecommerce order management systems ensure orders are directed efficiently, and SFS is a practical alternative to warehousing.
Going deeper, oms order management system solutions employ AI for routing optimization, minimizing costs further. Inventory and order management software optimizes picking procedures, minimizing errors. A multichannel order management system allows SFS to operate in sync with BOPIS and Curbside, offering customers choices. With order management solutions, SFS transforms your stores into strategic assets that maximize efficiency and speed.
Conclusion
Retail order management systems are the key to BOPIS, Curbside, and SFS success, enabling these fulfillment models in today's busy retail climate of 2025. BOPIS fuels sales in the store, Curbside provides unbeatable convenience, and SFS provides speed, all fueled by order management systems oms and oms order management system tools. Selecting the appropriate model is up to your business, but a robust order management system connects them all with inventory and order management software and ecommerce order management systems.
Omnichannel order management assures customers have a uniform experience, and multichannel order management facilitates managing the complexity of multiple sales channels. For small retailers, order management software for small businesses makes such models possible, and order fulfillment solutions maintain efficiency. Inventory accuracy or staffing problems are no match for a good order management system solution.
One firm leading in this area is Increff, a retail supply chain management and inventory leader. Their order management system is particularly adept at multichannel order management system and order management system software, supporting plug-and-play implementation of BOPIS, Curbside, or SFS. With a natural, intuitive approach, Increff enables retailers to streamline operations and delight customers.
Therefore, if you are prepared to take your retail game to the next level, explore retail order management solutions. They will equip you with the capabilities to provide flexible, quick, and customer-centric fulfillment options that attract customers back time and again.