The dichotomy between eCommerce and brick-and-mortar retail isn't as significant as once thought. The lines are becoming increasingly blurred as innovations in the retail space allow customers to start the purchasing process online and continue in store as they pick up their item.

Imagine that you're at the mall and you plan to go to Best Buy to purchase a new television. You are already in the area so you could just walk to the store, wait to speak with a representative, wait to have your questions answered and then finally select the model you want before paying for it and taking it home. Or you could walk into the store having already purchased what you want so you can simply receive your item and walk out of the store without the hassles that come with traditional shopping experiences.

The evolution of mobile has created a hybrid eCommerce and brick-and-mortar shopping process. Imagine using your phone to review televisions on the Best Buy site while you eat your lunch in the food court. You select the model you want, pay for it like it's a regular eCommerce purchase and then walk over to the store to receive your product. NFC technology will likely play a role in this process as you scan your phone containing the data related to the purchase.

Business News Daily contributor Sara Angeles likens this process to curbside pickup that you would find at your local chain restaurant. 

"You've probably heard of curbside orders at restaurants: You place a to-go order by phone or online, but instead of going inside to pay for and pick up your food, a server brings it out to you curbside. Now, the same thing is possible for brick-and-mortar retailers," she writes.

If this is truly becoming the latest trend in the industry, merchants must ensure they obtain the technology needed to process mobile commerce payments, particularly as mobile phones play a more integrated role in the buying process.