Automation drives retail. Technology that changes shopping in 2025

Payment authorization, communication with the cloud, price and promotion updates – all this must work without interference and in real time. Hybrid connectivity configurations, i.e. 5G and optical fiber, supplemented with radio or satellite networks are used. The idea is to ensure continuity of action in each location. This type of solution is provided by Orange Polska.

But this is of course only the beginning of the whole puzzle, which is needed for the entire retail industry to function efficiently and modern.

According to market analyzes:

• 56% of global retailers have been using AI for over 3 years, and 47% recognize it as a key element of business (KPMG, 2025);

• Detailers plan to automate up to 70% of routine store tasks (Deloitte);

• 67% of companies see an improvement in efficiency after AI implementation, and 55% declare moderate or high roi (KPMG, 2025).

In the “Click and Go” model – shopping without stopping at the cash register – it is key to ensuring the range of all operators inside the facility. In turn, solutions such as Scan & Go and SCO (Self Check-out, i.e. self-service cash registers) accelerate service, because thanks to them employees no longer have to deal with manual scanning and can focus on consulting and shelves management.

What is needed in this type of solution from the operator? For example, intra -chain solutions that strengthen the signals of all operators so that mobile applications and payments work without downtime also during rush hour.

From the label to the receipt. Data and price consistency

If we talk about tools that support self -service, then the consistent administration of current prices is undoubtedly important.. And here Orange, together with Integrated Solutions, a company from the Orange Group and a technology partner of VUSION, offers electronic price labels (ESL) in the service model with central cloud management.

However, it is difficult to implement this type of solution in the dark. That is why Orange allows you to carry out the so -called Proof of concept, i.e. comparing the results of ESL and without ESL label stores to count the business effect. This accelerates the promotion updates and limits the number of errors and situations in which the price on the store shelf differs from that on a receipt or advertising newspaper.

But the hybrid infrastructure, signal strengthening and quick and reliable management of the price system are not everything. It is also necessary to efficiently manage data that the retail industry processes in real time today. This challenge in contemporary trade is impossible to deal with no solutions Customer Experiencewhich effectively support customer service and improve their experience.

Data that accelerates decisions

Bluesoft – a company from the Orange Group skillfully combines POS expertise with BluePromo system for promotion management and with the construction of cloud data platforms for real -time transaction processing. All in all, this gives a base for creating dynamic offers and ensures the consistency of prices given in information about promotions and at the cash register.

In turn, the Big Data analysis solution from Orange provides commercial networks of various analyzes useful, e.g. when making decisions about shop location. As part of the Mobile Targeted Advertising (MTA) service, Orange, in turn, enables its business clients from the retail industry to create precisely managed SMS/MMS/RCS campaigns, which effectively support self -service channels.

Private or campus network in retail?

What about the network? Large -area stores, shopping malls, warehouses – each of these facilities has different requirements in this respect. Orange designs and implements for them both private mobile networks and campus networks.

How do they differ from each other?

Private mobile networks provide full control of data movement and high reliability in critical processes. For this reason, they work, for example, in logistics centers.

In turn, campus networks allow the integration of a private network with the operator’s public infrastructure. It is optimal for facilities with high traffic variability, e.g. shopping centers.

The selection of the right network architecture directly translates into a smaller number of downtime and the liquidity of the transaction. And these are key indicators, e.g. for the systems of independent scanning of Scan & Go products and self -service cash register systems – SCO.

Smoothly and intuitively – only the best customer experiences

Customer service devoid of any interference is the dream of every retailer. How to achieve this? They will definitely help, among others:

• Self -service cash registers and Scan & Go systems that effectively shorten the queues
  And they increase the capacity of stores.

• Information kiosks and Digital Signage solutions – digital visual communication systems that use modern digital screens for communication and allow faster search for products and more personalized communication.

• Marketing and service carried out in real time – Craftware, another company
  From the Orange group, for example, the Salesforce Service Cloud solution for the automation of complaints and integration of channels as well as marketing cloud/marketing automation for recovering abandoned baskets and personalizing the client’s path.

According to Deloitte, as much as 65% of consumers remain loyal to brands that offer personalization. This is a very important context for self -service. Light and accurate communication in the store and in the application actually significantly reduces the level of stress that can appear at the checkout.

ESG and savings: IoT lowers bills

Finally, the issue of modernization of communication remains. The change itself connects
From copper to fiber optic, which are more energy -effective, it improves network parameters and helps reduce energy consumption. And that’s not the end. Solutions from the Internet of Things (IoT English Things) and energy management systems monitor electricity consumption in real -time stores and warehouses and suggest how to get quick savings without prejudice to the quality of service. And less energy is both lower operating costs and a better return on investment in automation.

Training 4 times faster: Immersion in the service service

New processes also often require new competences. So -called Immersion technologies, i.e. AR (augmented reality – augmented reality), VR (virtual reality) and MR (Mixed Reality – connecting both other technologies) accelerate learning and increase the certainty and qualifications of employees who watch over self -service processes. According to the PwC report, VR training is four times faster, they provide four times more concentration of confidence in using 270%skills. Orange Polska has already created the immersion space of Orange Business Metaverse, which allows you to test and implement such solutions in practice.

Why Orange Polska?

Orange Polska together with companies from its group – Integrated Solutions, Bluesoft and Craftware as well as technological partners provides a complete ecosystem for the retail industry. It includes:

• connectivity 5g/fiber + hybrids and intra -storage multi -operator range;

• cloud and system integration (POS/ERP/CRM);

• ESL AS-A-SERVICE electronic labels with POC;

• Analytyka and Big Data for location and campaigns, including MTA;

• Customer Experience and automation of marketing of Salesforce fitting;

• IoT (Internet of Things)/EMS (energy management system) for energy efficiency and ESG compliance;

• Cyber ​​security and service throughout the country.

From the pilot to the scale: how to start?

The recommended path is simple. It is worth starting with audit and processes in your store, warehouse or application. The next step should be Proof of Concept in 2-3 locations (SCO/SCAN & GO + ESL + Marketing Automation) with a control group, followed by KPI measurement, i.e. transaction time, self-service participation, number of price errors, assessment of customer satisfaction and loyalty (NPS/CSAT), productivity and energy consumption.

And finally, in the last step, the time will come for scaling along with the service plan and a guaranteed level of services (SLA). The passage of such a script with Orange Polska and the Orange group is a good way for companies from the retail industry to effective digitization and increasing its efficiency.