The retail technology corporation SOLUM announced on the 5th that it has launched an initiative to target the Japanese market by unveiling its latest digital display and store automation solutions at Japan's largest distribution and retail technology fair, "RetailTech Japan 2025."
The "RetailTech Japan" event, taking place in Tokyo from the 4th to the 7th, is a showcase of digital transformation (DX) technologies in the retail and distribution industry. This year's event is expected to see the participation of 261 companies and a record turnout of over 80,000 visitors.
SOLUM showcased its smart retail solutions that combine Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL), digital signage, vision AI, and IoT technologies. A notable highlight was the vision AI-based smart display, which recognizes customers' gender and age, providing personalized advertising. For example, if a woman in her 40s looks at the camera, it recommends anti-aging cream.
Additionally, ESL solutions that assist in store operations were exhibited. By pressing a button on the ESL tag, users can easily check product inventory and place orders. When combined with digital signage, it allows product locations to be displayed on a map, and LED lights can be activated on product tags, streamlining the purchasing process.
In the future, SOLUM plans to strengthen its platform strategy through the "Solum Solution Platform" (SSP), integrating and analyzing store data to support real-time decision-making. This will allow store managers to comprehensively monitor sales, inventory, congestion, and retail media effectiveness.
To expand its market presence, SOLUM is enhancing collaborations with local system integration corporations. Given that the Japanese ESL market poses challenges for foreign corporations to enter alone, partnerships with large local system integration corporations that have high local understanding are regarded as essential. Accordingly, SOLUM reported that it is developing integrated services for ESL, software, and inventory management solutions in collaboration with its Japanese partners, Biprogy and Iynix.
Established in 2023, the SOLUM Japan Corporation is currently supplying ESLs to large supermarkets, home centers, and drugstores in Japan. It is also reported to be conducting proof of concept (POC) projects with major Japanese distributors.