After the pandemic, people have changed how they shop and expect a smooth experience, whether online, in-store, or on their phone. They want things to be easy, to know what's in stock right now, and to get their order however they want – which puts a lot of pressure on digital merchandisers to keep up! But, many digital merchandisers have outdated systems that don't talk to each other, don't have accurate stock info, and offer messy customer experiences. To stay competitive and meet customer expectations, businesses must invest in modern solutions that create a seamless shopping experience no matter how customers shop - and digital merchandisers can help.

The 2025 Deloitte Retail Trends report highlights significant headaches for the retail industry. Think customers everywhere, rising delivery costs, and the ever-growing need to make things hyper-personal. 

This post will dive into the latest omnichannel trends, the roadblocks to implementing an omnichannel strategy, and how the Broadleaf Commerce platform is the top choice for retailers that want to streamline their omnichannel operations.

The Evolution of Omnichannel Retail in 2025

Omnichannel retail isn't just about having an online store and a physical location. It's about creating a smooth shopping experience where customers can easily switch between different platforms and channels. Deloitte's research shows that successful retailers focus on four key areas to achieve this.

1. Seamless customer journeys across web, mobile, social commerce, and in-store.
2. Real-time inventory updates across all locations to improve product availability.
3. Flexible fulfillment options include buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS), same-day delivery, and curbside pickup.
4. Loyalty programs, targeted promotions, and AI-driven recommendations drive personalized shopping experiences.

In reality, most retailers tend to focus on the latest trends rather than taking care of these cornerstones required to realize value from trends.

Key Omnichannel Challenges for Digital Merchandisers

Okay, so omnichannel is great for digital merchandisers, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Deloitte found that some of the challenges retailers run into are:

1. Lack of Unified Data: Disconnected customer interactions across different platforms lead to inconsistent experiences and reduced personalization.
2. Inventory Management Issues: digital merchandisers struggle with real-time stock tracking, which can lead to overstocking, stockouts, and inaccurate fulfillment times.
3. Fulfillment Inefficiencies: The cost of offering multiple fulfillment options (BOPIS, ship-from-store, and same-day delivery) can erode margins.
4. Customer Experience Gaps: Consumers expect seamless transitions between online and offline channels, yet many digital merchandisers lack a fully integrated approach.

To overcome these issues, digital merchandisers need a platform to sync customer data, handle orders from anywhere, and display inventory in real-time.

Omnichannel Retail Powered by Digital Merchandisers using Broadleaf Commerce

Broadleaf Commerce gives digital merchandisers a strong, all-in-one commerce solution to combine and improve their omnichannel strategies, which matches the advice from the Deloitte report.

• Real-Time Inventory Management
  • Broadleaf’s inventory capabilities ensure accurate stock visibility across warehouses, stores, and digital platforms.
  • Merchandisers can use real-time updates to optimize product availability and prevent stockouts.

• Simplified Catalog & Product Management
  • Manage product attributes, themes, and promotions seamlessly across all sales channels.
  • Reduce duplicate efforts with spreadsheet-driven catalog management.

• Seamless Checkout and Payments
  • Broadleaf can integrate with any gateway, using any frontend technology, to support any type of payment method
  • Enable flexible payment integrations, dynamically refine payment methods available to customers in different contexts, and leverage CSR-assisted shopping.

• Flexible Fulfillment Options
  • Offer BOPIS, ship-from-store, curbside pickup, and endless aisle shopping.
  • Broadleaf’s order management system (OMS) provides automated routing for fulfillment efficiency.

• Personalized Promotions & Loyalty Programs
  • Boost engagement with tailored promotions, in-cart messaging, and targeted discounts.
  • Broadleaf’s rule-based promotions engine helps digital merchandisers customize offers based on customer behavior.

The Future of Retail? Omnichannel as a Competitive Advantage 

The Deloitte report shows that 70% of retail execs think AI tools will improve omnichannel experiences this year. While AI is becoming a part of the retail landscape, the foundation of a successful omnichannel strategy lies in having the right infrastructure and technology in place. digital merchandisers need flexible, scalable solutions to connect inventory, fulfillment, and customer data across multiple channels.

Key investment areas that Digital Merchandisers should be driving in 2025:

• Digital transformation & omnichannel expansion – Modernizing commerce platforms to provide a seamless shopping experience across web, mobile, in-store, and marketplaces.
• Enhanced fulfillment logistics & last-mile delivery – Optimizing order routing, shipping, and pickup options for greater efficiency and convenience.
• Customer loyalty programs & personalized experiences – Strengthening engagement through targeted promotions, cross-channel rewards, and consistent branding.
• Operational efficiency through real-time data integration – Ensuring accurate inventory visibility, reducing order errors, and streamlining fulfillment operations.

Broadleaf's unified commerce solution enables digital merchandisers to synchronize data, streamline operations, and improve customer experiences across all sales channels. Broadleaf empowers businesses to integrate and optimize omnichannel strategies without needing AI tools by offering a modular, API-driven platform.

Implement a Winning Omnichannel Strategy with Cross-Team Collaboration

Want to boost your omnichannel game by working with your IT team to drive real business value? Here's how:

• Audit Existing Technology – Identify gaps in current systems and integrations.
• Unify Customer & Inventory Data – Ensure all touchpoints share real-time data.
• Enhance Fulfillment Options – Offer customers multiple ways to receive orders.
• Personalize Customer Interactions – Use loyalty programs and data-driven marketing.
• Leverage a Scalable Commerce Platform – Implement a flexible system like Broadleaf Commerce.

Conclusion 

Want to keep up with customers' needs and grow your business? You need an omnichannel strategy that emphasizes convenience, consistency, and personalization. To achieve this, you need a modern commerce solution that streamlines your operations and provides customers with a smooth shopping experience, no matter where they shop.

A successful omnichannel strategy isn't just about having the right technology—it’s about fostering collaboration between digital merchandisers and IT teams. By working together, they can implement a digital commerce solution that bridges the gap between business and technology, ensuring seamless integration, better data visibility, and scalable operations. This synergy allows retailers to make informed, data-driven decisions that enhance customer experiences while optimizing backend efficiencies.

That's where Broadleaf Commerce comes in. We provide the technology and flexibility to create a unified omnichannel experience that keeps your business ahead of the curve and builds customer loyalty. Contact us today to learn more.