Orchestrating the convergence of electronic shelf labels and large-format displays for seamless operational execution
M-Cube and SOLUM have officially formalized a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to reshape how retailers manage in-store communication across Europe. This collaboration integrates SOLUM’s robust capabilities in Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) and large-format E-Paper with M-Cube’s established expertise in system integration and content management. By combining these distinct yet complementary technologies, the partnership aims to deliver a turnkey solution that simplifies the complex deployment of digital touchpoints. The initiative prioritizes the creation of a unified technical framework that elevates the consistency of execution for retail networks operating in diverse environments.
The core of this strategic alliance lies in the integration of proprietary software platforms to create a cohesive operational ecosystem. The companies will jointly develop an end-to-end retail communication solution by bridging M-Cube’s DXP One content management system with SOLUM’s Aims CMS for ESL. This technical unification allows retailers to manage campaign content and critical price communication from a single interface, significantly reducing backend friction. Furthermore, this consolidated approach lays the necessary technical groundwork for scalable in-store retail media environments, positioning retailers to capitalize on emerging monetization opportunities.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Unified Control Plane: Integration of M-Cube’s DXP One and SOLUM’s Aims CMS enables simultaneous management of pricing and brand campaigns.
- End-to-End Capability: The partnership spans hardware supply, cloud-native remote management, installation, and ongoing managed services.
- Retail Media Readiness: The consolidated platform is engineered to support the rigorous demands of scalable in-store retail media networks.
- Phased European Rollout: Pilot deployments commence in Q1, with broader expansion scheduled for Q2 pending initial project outcomes.
Bridging the Hardware and Content Divide
The modern retail environment often suffers from a disconnection between dynamic pricing mechanisms and broader brand messaging. Managing these disparate systems is often akin to conducting an orchestra where the string section and the percussionists are reading from entirely different musical scores. This operational fragmentation forces retailers to juggle multiple vendors for ESL, digital signage, and content delivery, resulting in disjointed customer experiences. Without a centralized method of orchestration, the ability to execute synchronized campaigns across pricing labels and large-format displays becomes virtually impossible.
The Cost of Operational Silos
When hardware and content management exist in silos, the agility required for modern retail evaporates. Retailers face increased operational complexity as they attempt to manually align price changes on shelf labels with promotional content on digital screens. This lack of integration creates latency in communication, potentially confusing customers with inconsistent information at the point of sale. In an era demanding real-time agility and hyper-accurate pricing, can retailers truly afford the operational risks caused by silenced communication protocols?
A Turnkey Approach to Digital Integration
M-Cube and SOLUM address these market agitations by clearly delineating and combining their respective strengths into a singular value proposition. SOLUM brings its unique positioning as a provider of display hardware and platform-level ESL capabilities, including cloud-native remote management software. This hardware backbone supports the deployment of a wide range of digital touchpoints within a stable framework. M-Cube complements this infrastructure with high-level service layers, including solution design, IT/AV integration, and content creation services.
The partnership focuses on delivering a turnkey offering that removes the burden of integration from the retailer. By supplying a coherent technical framework, the collaboration ensures that digital signage and ESLs operate as a synchronized unit rather than isolated endpoints. This reliability is essential for reducing operational complexity and ensuring consistent execution across large-scale store networks. The integrated solution is designed to adapt as customer engagement strategies evolve, ensuring longevity for the deployed infrastructure.
Strategic Roadmap and Execution
The alliance has established a clear framework for execution, initially targeting retail customers across the European market with plans for global expansion. The companies have outlined a phased deployment strategy, beginning with pilot projects in the first quarter of the year. These initial deployments will serve as a proof of concept, validating the integrated solution’s impact on in-store efficiency and customer engagement. Following the assessment of these pilot outcomes, a broader mass rollout is anticipated to begin in the second quarter.
Future Outlook
As the retail landscape shifts toward immersive digital experiences, the convergence of pricing and content platforms will define the next generation of store operations. This partnership signals a maturation in the market, where isolated hardware deployments are replaced by holistic ecosystems capable of supporting sophisticated retail media strategies. Industry stakeholders can evaluate these integrated technologies firsthand at EuroShop in late February, where the tangible benefits of unified digital signage and ESL workflows will be on display.
About M-Cube
M-Cube stands as a global luminary in In-Store Digital Engagement solutions, boasting a comprehensive array of services from in-store radio to digital signage, interactivity, and mobile applications. M-Cube innovates digital solutions to elevate service quality, engagement levels, customer retention, and communication within the retail sector.
Founded in 2001, M-Cube orchestrates personalised customer experiences, translating online world advantages to physical retail environments.
With a global presence spanning Italy, the UK, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, China, and Hong Kong, M-Cube oversees more than 45,000 installations globally for over 400 brands across diverse sectors including Fashion & Luxury, Retail, Finance & Insurance, QSR, Grocery Retail, and Automotive. Their clientele encompasses industry giants such as Dolce & Gabbana, Bally, United Colors of Benetton, and EE.
About SOLUM
Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from Samsung Electro-Mechanics, SOLUM is a publicly traded company listed on the KOSPI stock exchange. The company has established itself as a leader in power solutions, display technologies, and electronic shelf labels (ESL), driving innovation across the global retail sector. With a strong commitment to customer-centric innovation and sustainable retail transformation, SOLUM continues to develop high-quality solutions that empower retailers to operate more efficiently in an increasingly digital world.
