As South African retail evolves, businesses need smarter, more connected ways to manage sales across online and in-store channels. Enter unified commerce — a game-changer for creating seamless customer experiences and smarter business operations.
What is unified commerce?
Unified commerce transcends traditional multichannel or omnichannel strategies by centralising all business operations—inventory management, customer data, payment processing and sales analytics—into a single, cohesive platform. This integration allows for real-time data synchronisation, providing businesses with a comprehensive view of their operations and customers.
How are global retailers embracing unified commerce?
Global brands are setting the pace — and showing just how powerful unified commerce can be.
- Peak Performance: Endless aisle lets shoppers order out-of-stock items in-store for home delivery.
- Nike: One account connects online reservations, in-store scanning and mobile checkout.
- Starbucks: Unified app experience links rewards, orders and payments — wherever the customer is.
The result? Faster checkouts, smarter stock movement and stronger customer loyalty.
How are South African businesses embracing unified commerce?
In South Africa, many businesses are beginning to embrace unified commerce, but the journey is still unfolding.
The Payfast by Network State of Pay 2024 report reveals that 42% of merchants already use a centralised payment platform, yet 35% remain unaware of what unified commerce means — a clear opportunity for education and transformation.
Forward-thinking local brands are starting to lead the charge. Fashion retailer Superbalist, for example, has successfully blended online shopping with flexible delivery and return options, including locker pickups and drop-offs. Checkers Sixty60 is another standout, offering app-based grocery ordering, real-time inventory updates and rapid delivery from local stores — all powered by a unified digital and physical infrastructure.
Even SMEs are starting to adopt connected commerce. Many Payfast by Network merchants use our card machines in-store and our payment gateway for their ecommerce needs, giving customers a consistent payment experience regardless of how they shop. Features like subscription billing and tokenization are helping them unlock recurring revenue while keeping customer data secure.
South Africa may be at an earlier stage of the unified commerce journey compared to some global markets, but the momentum is building — and the tools to lead the way are already here.
What are Payfast by Network’s unified commerce solutions?
Payfast by Network offers a suite of tools designed to support South African merchants in adopting unified commerce:
- Online payment gateway: Seamlessly accept payments through your ecommerce store with the Payfast by Network gateway.
- In-store card machine: Process face-to-face payments with ease using the Payfast by Network card machine.
- Subscription billing: Manage recurring payments with ease.
- Tokenization: Securely store customer payment information for faster checkouts.
- Split Payments: Distribute payments among multiple parties effortlessly.
- Immediate Payouts: Access funds quickly to maintain cash flow.
Embracing unified commerce is becoming increasingly vital. By consolidating sales channels and leveraging integrated technologies, merchants can enhance customer experiences, streamline operations and position themselves for sustained growth in a competitive market.
To explore how unified commerce can transform your business, download the full Payfast by Network State of Pay 2024 report here. To find out specifically how we can support your unified commerce journey, reach out to our Sales team.
