Unprecedented Memory Shortage Worldwide
As artificial intelligence becomes more of a tool that we utilize on a day-to-day basis, demand for memory chips (DRAM and NAND) has soared to maintain AI data centers and infrastructure. As a result, major memory chip manufacturers have tightened their supply to prioritize these high-margin, high-bandwidth demands for AI applications over consumer and PC-grade modules, creating a global shortage on these products.
The shortage has already led to price increases on consumer tech like PCs and laptops, as well as rising costs for memory components such as SSD cards in late 2025. Some PC vendors have already seen a price hike around 15-20% and will potentially continue to see rising costs as we begin the new year.
Impact on Retail Point of Sale Hardware
ALL point of sale systems, whether they are a countertop terminal or a handheld tablet, require memory just like any other computer, which means the cost of new hardware will be significantly higher and may continue to increase for the foreseeable future.
Aside from price increases, it’s important for merchants who need to replace station hardware or who are opening up new store locations in 2026 to keep the following in mind:
- Configuration Scarcity on Devices with Larger Memory Capacities
Preferred device configurations that require larger memory capacities are already becoming scarce, which is causing merchants to purchase lower-spec systems at a higher price. While these lower-spec systems may seem like a good (or only) option at the time, settling for a lower-spec system could potentially affect performance and interrupt day-to-day operations in a costly way. - Longer Lead Times and Availability Issues
Production on consumer products is a lot slower, causing longer turn around times on point of sale hardware orders. In some cases, we’re seeing 90-120 days from date of purchase. Planning ahead to ensure ample delivery time is going to be critical for the remainder of this year. - Purchase Earlier Rather than Later to Cushion the Impact
While price increases have already begun, they will only continue to increase as supply and demand issues continue to increase throughout 2026. Experts say that they don’t see an end date for this shortage anytime soon, but should expect it for at least this entire year. With that in mind, merchants will want to purchase their hardware NOW before the pricing gets any higher!
Our Team Can Help Source What You Need
As an independent retailer ourselves, we totally get it – busy retailers do NOT need to add another to-do to the list by have to research hardware availability and pricing comparisons. Let our team do the leg work for you and source the hardware you need! With our knowledge and expertise, we know the ins and outs of what hardware works best and where to get it!
Reach out to our team today for a discovery call and quote!
