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Salesforce Retail Cloud (POS) Is Coming: Here’s What You Need to Know

By Jelle Hendriks, Co-Founder & CTO at Vaneigens

In my 15 years working in Retail consulting and technology, I’ve seen how traditional point-of-sale (POS) systems can limit a Retailer’s ability to innovate and unify channels. Now, Salesforce is set to change the game with Retail Cloud (POS)— officially rolling out in the Netherlands this May. This new solution aims to seamlessly integrate in-store experiences with digital channels, a challenge we know all too well at Vaneigens. Below is my perspective on why this move is significant, which features to watch, and how you can position your brand for success with the new POS of Salesforce.

1. Why Salesforce is entering the POS market
What is a traditional POS and why is it holding retailers back?

Many Retailers still rely on standalone, on-premise POS systems that aren’t designed for modern omnichannel demands. Real-time updates are rare, forcing manual workarounds for pricing changes, stock management, or multi-channel orders and they are difficult to integrate with. This results in store associates who often lack visibility into the customer’s history, making personalized service difficult. These legacy (POS) setups, often built years ago, struggle to keep up with ever-evolving consumer expectations — ultimately hurting both efficiency and customer satisfaction. 

 

The Salesforce Approach
Salesforce has already transformed CRM, Marketing, and e-Commerce over the last 20 years. Recognizing the opportunity to unify physical and digital experiences in store, Salesforce is now investing heavily in Retail Cloud (POS) with the aim to: 
  • Bridge the gap between online and offline data on customers, orders, and inventory; 
  • Empower in-store teams with real-time insights for personalized interactions; 
  • Offer a flexible cloud platform that integrates with Salesforce’s other clouds and third-party systems, creating a more cohesive customer journey. 

2. Key Functionalities of Salesforce Retail Cloud (POS) 

Let’s briefly sum up the most important functionalities from Retail Cloud (POS). 

  • Core POS Functionality: 
    Salesforce Retail Cloud is built to handle secure, omnichannel transactions — from in-store payments to online orders — with support for flexible payment methods like credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and gift cards. Real-time inventory updates and integrated loyalty programs are also fundamental features.
  • End-to-End Data Synchronization: 
    The system natively integrates with other Salesforce products (CRM, Marketing Cloud, Commerce Cloud) to automatically sync sales and customer data, which minimizes manual entry and streamlines operations.
  • Real-Time Inventory & Order Management: 
    It offers centralized inventory tracking and advanced fulfillment orchestration, ensuring accurate stock levels and efficient order routing across multiple channels.
  • Unified Customer Profiles: 
    A 360° customer view enables store associates to access purchase histories, service interactions, and loyalty statuses, empowering them to deliver personalized experiences.
  • Dynamic Promotions & Recommendations: 
    Built-in AI (Einstein) drives targeted upsell and cross-sell suggestions at checkout and supports configurable promotions to respond to market trends.
  • API-First Architecture: 
    With robust APIs and MuleSoft connectors, the platform easily integrates with ERP systems, third-party POS hardware, and other backend solutions, offering scalability and flexibility.

3. The Missing Link for Existing Salesforce Customers 

For Retailers already leveraging Salesforce — whether it’s CRM, Commerce Cloud, or Marketing Cloud — Retail Cloud (POS) represents the missing link in delivering a fully integrated Retail journey. Until now, in-store data often sat apart from the digital ecosystem, forcing separate workflows and siloed insights. By adding the POS into the Salesforce fold, retailers can:
  • Unify Online & Offline Interactions: Every in-store purchase updates customer profiles, triggers relevant follow-ups (e.g., loyalty rewards), and refines Commerce Cloud inventory.
  • Enhance Customer 360: Store associates can tap into real-time data—purchase history, preferences, and ongoing campaigns—so every interaction feels as personalized as online encounters.
  • Expand Omnichannel Capabilities: With POS data flowing into other Salesforce clouds, retailers can more effectively deliver features like buying online/pick up in-store, ship-from-store, or unified returns.

4. Exploring the Future of In-Store Experiences 

Salesforce Retail Cloud (POS) offers a fresh approach to bridging physical and digital retail. If your brand aims to synchronize data, personalize touchpoints, and optimize workflows, it’s worth exploring how this platform fits your setup.
For details, visit the  Salesforce Retail Cloud (POS) product page. 
At Vaneigens, we constantly investigate tech that drives the Retail Value Chain forward. If you’d like to chat about your current approach or explore how Retail Cloud (POS) could enhance your stores, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to share insights and learn more about your business goals. 


Jelle Hendriks 
Co-Founder & CTO, Vaneigens 

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