The retail execution software market just went through its biggest shake-up in years — and the data tells a story most vendors don’t want you to hear.

We analyzed 15+ platforms across the Innovation Matrix 2025, scoring them on execution capability and strategic vision. What we found changes the buying conversation entirely.

What Separates Leaders from the Rest

• Dual-platform flexibility (Salesforce + Microsoft) cuts implementation time by 40%.
• Zero-middleware architecture reduces total cost of ownership by 35%.
• AI and voice are no longer differentiators — they’re baseline expectations.
• 62% of enterprises now refuse single-ecosystem lock-in.

The Leaders Quadrant reveals something important: top performers deliver 50% faster sales cycles and 40% productivity gains. Not through flashy features, but through architectural decisions most buyers overlook.

Platform independence is the new battleground.

By 2027, over 70% of enterprises will demand multi-platform support. This shift isn’t about technology preference — it’s about risk mitigation and long-term flexibility.

Voice-first interfaces will become standard. Native integration will replace middleware entirely. And ROI metrics will expand beyond cost savings into digital transformation KPIs.

The Visionaries Are Making Different Bets

Visionaries are prioritizing predictive analytics and automation over enterprise scale — building for agility instead of market share. Some will leapfrog into the Leaders Quadrant; others will get acquired.

Challengers focus on operational reliability.
Niche Players solve specific problems exceptionally well.

Each quadrant has a purpose — if you know what problem you’re actually solving.

What the Matrix Doesn’t Show

The real cost isn’t in the software. It’s in:

• The middleware you’ll need
• The consultants you’ll hire
• The vendor dependencies you’ll inherit
• The flexibility you’ll lose

Platform lock-in looks cheap — until you need to change direction.

The full Innovation Matrix 2025 breaks down 15 vendors across four quadrants with execution scores, vision ratings, and measurable business impact — including which platforms global CPG leaders actually use, and why.