Huawei and SOLUM Introduce Innovative Shop-in-Shop Solution at MWC 2026
At MWC 2026 in Barcelona, Huawei and SOLUM launched the Smart Converged Network Solution, Shop-in-Shop (SiS). This innovative solution aims to transform the retail environment by integrating digital infrastructure with electronic price tags (ESL) into a unified platform. The collaboration leverages the companies' previous successes in IoT and converged solutions to develop a scalable and cost-effective architecture suited for retailers operating in high-traffic venues such as major shopping centers, airports, and exhibition halls.
The SiS solution offers seamless integration of SOLUM's Newton ESL and digital advertising systems, specifically designed for businesses that require autonomous operations without investing in extensive infrastructure. This is particularly beneficial for pop-up stores, dining establishments, and specialty retail shops. Retailers will have real-time content updates, efficient management capabilities, and scalable systems that can be configured via single devices.
By utilizing a unified gateway that supports LTE, Wi-Fi, and ESL technology, the SiS solution reduces the need for separate access points dedicated to ESL applications. This new connectivity approach ensures easier deployment and allows for a plug-and-play operation, resulting in a secure and independent network structure. As a result, the total cost of ownership (TCO) can decrease by up to 55%, and larger retailers could save as much as 33% in operational costs.
This innovative development positions retailers to implement digital customer interaction points without relying on existing infrastructure, granting headquarters the ability to remotely manage all operations. The flexibility embedded in the SiS architecture facilitates rapid responses to changes, enabling retailers to synchronize promotional updates across all stores in real-time, regardless of location.
Hoy-Jin Lee, Senior Vice President of SOLUM Europe, highlighted the partnership's achievements by stating, “We collaborated to create a universal retail infrastructure platform that combines digital networks and ESL into a single scalable and cost-effective architecture. This solution can significantly reduce operating costs for retailers.”
This groundbreaking solution forms an integral part of Huawei's commitment to intelligent retail development. Looking ahead, Huawei intends to continue its partnership with SOLUM to explore innovations, focusing on the application of artificial intelligence in stores and furthering the digitization of the retail sector to accelerate the overall digital transformation of the industry.
In summary, the introduction of the Shop-in-Shop network solution symbolizes a strategic shift in retail operations, enhancing operational efficiency and expanding the potential for innovative customer engagement. With the integration of advanced technologies, retailers are poised to respond swiftly to consumer demands while minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency. Through this collaboration, Huawei and SOLUM not only demonstrate their leadership in technology but also set the stage for the future of retail innovation.