As retailers move from pilots to large-scale digital shelf tag (ESL) deployments, the day-to-day realities of in-store digital transformation have become more visible. At NRF 2026, SOLUM America, the North American division of the global ESL leader with more than 350 million labels deployed across over 50,000 stores worldwide, will demonstrate how U.S. retailers achieve “Retail in Sync” through reliable, customizable infrastructure, hands-on deployment expertise, and an open approach to partner integrations.
Physical stores remain at the center of retail transformation. Yet modernization often stalls when technology meets real store conditions such as inconsistent fixtures and layouts, or legacy systems that don’t communicate well. Retailers need partners who understand these conditions and can deliver solutions that work on day one while scaling for the future.
"The ESL conversation has moved past specs and features," said Tim McCracken, Chief Revenue Officer, SOLUM America, Inc. "Retailers want to know if a deployment will actually work in their stores, if it can adapt to real conditions, and if their partner will stay with them throughout the rollout. Our model is built around those realities, from in-house engineering to teams that stay closely involved at every stage.”
Introducing SOLUM’s New Large Format E‑Paper Displays with Smooth Visual Transitions
At Booth 4457, SOLUM will unveil an enhanced lineup of large-format e-paper displays, ranging from 25.3 inches to 32 inches, with a scalable configuration available on the new 32-inch model. Designed for high-visibility use cases, the displays feature new animation transitions that deliver a more refined viewing experience.
The Capabilities Retailers Need Most in 2026
SOLUM’s NRF experience shows how its open platform, the SOLUM Solution Platform (SSP), brings hardware, data, and partner tools together in one place to solve the challenges retailers face most. SSP is designed to help teams work better and faster, and make more informed decisions without adding complexity.
- Customer Experience Enhancement: Vision AI analyzes skin conditions in real time to help shoppers understand their needs and receive relevant product recommendations. Retailers can use these interactions to improve how products are presented and supported in store. Blinking ESL guidance and real-time product information then help customers quickly find recommended items and feel confident in their purchase.
- Operational Efficiency: Real time location signals help store teams move through the aisles more easily, especially when picking online orders. Newton Eye, which uses simple shelf-level image capture to spot low stock or empty spaces, works alongside load cells and RFID to show what is actually on the shelf before issues become problems. With better visibility and smoother routines, stores make fewer mistakes and get more done in less time.
- Data Monetization: Retailers get a clearer picture of how in-store media performs when they can see what shoppers notice and what leads to a purchase. BLE heatmapping now shows where customers naturally spend time and how traffic flows through the store, and Vision AI highlights how they engage with displays and products. SSP connects these signals with purchase behavior, giving retailers clearer, more actionable insight into what is driving performance in their stores.
- Sustainability & Waste Reduction: Energy and waste reduction become easier when stores can respond to what is happening in real time. Automated climate controls adjust based on traffic patterns throughout the day, helping manage energy use. Smart inventory tools and flexible markdown options reduce food waste and keep shelves fresher. These improvements support sustainability goals while also strengthening everyday operations.
- An Open Ecosystem for Retail's Future: SOLUM’s platform integrates easily with leading retail technology partners, giving retailers the flexibility to build the tech stack that fits their needs rather than a single vendor’s roadmap. At NRF, partners including Simbe Robotics, Competera, and Upshop will demonstrate how their technologies connect with SOLUM’s infrastructure in the booth.
Visit SOLUM at NRF 2026
Booth 4457
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York
January 11 - 13, 2026
SOLUM America is the North American division of SOLUM, a global technology company specializing in electronic shelf labels, large format e-paper displays, wireless communication technologies, and intelligent retail infrastructure. Originally spun out from Samsung in 2015, SOLUM builds on five decades of engineering expertise in displays, power systems, and wireless innovation.
SOLUM America supports retailers across the United States and Canada, backed by the scale and manufacturing capabilities of the global organization. Worldwide, SOLUM has deployed more than 350 million ESL units across over 50,000 stores and designs and manufactures its full hardware portfolio in house through a global network of R&D centers and production facilities. This structure enables enterprise-level customization and reliable deployment for retailers modernizing store operations at scale.
SOLUM is publicly traded on the Korea KOSPI exchange and continues to invest in its North American presence as retailers seek infrastructure that connects digital intelligence with the realities of physical store environments.
Learn more at https://www.solumesl.com/en