Lightspeed Blog

Oracle’s upcoming sunset of NetSuite POS and SuiteCommerce InStore (SCIS) has forced a sudden pivot for many retailers. While an unexpected software migration like this is always a major disruption, it’s also a massive strategic opportunity. Forward-thinking retailers won’t simply be scrambling for a quick, 1:1 POS replacement. They’ll use this moment to re-evaluate their entire commerce stack, and ensure they’re making the right decisions for the next decade of retail.

A customer walks into your store, picks out exactly what they want and heads to checkout. As they reach for their phone, they ask a simple question: “Do you take Apple Pay?” Increasingly, the answer to that question can influence whether a purchase goes through smoothly or becomes a frustrating experience. Customer expectations around payments have changed significantly over the past decade.

Golf is having a resurgence among younger generations. Drawn as much to the game’s timeless charm as they are to a new cohort of brands, pros and viral personalities, 18-34 year olds are an engaged and active audience. They are also a key growth segment for golf course operators. But as the game’s demographic makeup evolves, so too do expectations. And given their potential revenue impact, it’s important for facilities to consider what 18-34 year olds value out of a day at the course.

School may still be out for summer, but you don’t have that luxury as a retailer. Back-to-school is the second-largest retail event of the year—right behind the winter holidays—so there’s no time to sunbathe. Whether it’s preschoolers or college students, parents, teachers and kids alike are looking to bring some excitement and joy to what is often a stressful time of year. September marks a fresh start, and as a retailer, you’re in a great position to meet that energy.

Effective inventory control is a cornerstone of smooth retail operations. It’s all about maintaining the right amount of stock: avoiding excess that ties up money and space while also steering clear of stockouts that can disappoint customers. Whether you’re managing a small retail shop or a large warehouse, inventory control practices help keep operations efficient and customer satisfaction high.

Tablet ePOS systems are transforming how businesses manage stock. They add mobility and speed to everyday tasks, making inventory management more efficient and accurate. For retailers operating multiple locations or scaling quickly, having the right tools in place is essential. Many businesses choose cost-effective tablet ePOS systems because they offer the flexibility needed to support growth without significant upfront investment. With a tablet ePOS system, tracking stock becomes straightforward.

Payments are one of the most critical parts of running a retail store or restaurant, but they’re often overlooked. Many business owners stick with the same payment processor for years, even as their operations evolve. Over time, what once worked can quietly become a source of friction: slower checkouts, unclear fees, disconnected systems and limited visibility into performance. The challenge is that these issues don’t always show up as obvious problems.

June is Women’s Golf Month—a time to celebrate the growing number of women and girls teeing it up and advocate for accessible pathways to golf.

Retailers rarely struggle to see their sales numbers. What’s harder is understanding what those numbers actually mean for the health of a business. Are your margins improving over time, or quietly shrinking? Which products are driving profit, not just revenue? How much cash will actually be available next month? And when is it truly safe to invest in growth? These are the questions that separate reactive retail operations from high-performing ones. The difference comes down to financial visibility.

Oracle NetSuite has announced the end of life for NetSuite Point of Sale (NSPOS) and SuiteCommerce InStore (SCIS), marking a major shift for businesses that rely on these systems. While support will continue through 2029, feature development has effectively frozen, and the product is entering its end-of-life phase, prompting many to proactively evaluate their next move to reduce risk and avoid disruption. If your business is using NSPOS or SCIS, this is not a distant concern.