Previously, online, mobile and in-store shopping experiences were likely handled as different platforms. However, a new report from Retail Systems Research suggests companies are looking to consolidate their various sales platforms as they further focus on providing a uniform shopping experience.

The 66 retail respondents all said that consolidation is important, but as few as 32 percent have actually done so. Most focus on relatively simple tasks first, such as marketing.

There is a notable advantage to consolidation, though. Out of a group called "retail winners" – those that achieved 3 percent year-over-year growth – all have begun to form consolidation plans.

"Enabling true cross-channel capabilities, exposing product and inventory information across the entire enterprise, empowering in-store associates to meet customer needs and proactively managing the relationship with consumers will enable retailers to build brand loyalty that is more valuable than merely delivering a low price,” the authors say, as quoted by Internet Retailer.

Many merchants are striving to integrate software solutions that will help them boost store operations and consolidate their efforts.