Lenovo Drives AI-First Transformation in Retail and Manufacturing

The retail and manufacturing sectors are undergoing a significant shift, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and evolving customer expectations. Lenovo’s Solutions & Services Group (SSG) is at the forefront of this transformation, delivering AI-driven solutions designed to enhance efficiency, reduce losses, and generate tangible returns for businesses.

The Rise of the “AI-First” Organization

According to Angus Luk, Chief Technology Officer for Smart Retail at Lenovo, becoming “AI-first” requires more than simply adding AI to existing systems. It necessitates a fundamental re-architecting of how organizations operate, compete, and achieve growth. “Being AI-first means embedding artificial intelligence at the core of the business,” Luk explains. “It is about fostering resilience, agility, and sustainable value creation.”

Addressing Key Industry Challenges

Retailers and manufacturers face increasing pressures, including macroeconomic uncertainty, labor shortages, rising operational costs, and the growing threat of fraud and shrinkage. These challenges are often exacerbated by manual workflows, data silos, and outdated technology, leading to slower decision-making and reduced productivity. Lenovo’s AI solutions aim to address these complexities by enhancing efficiency, adaptability, and scalability.

Investment in AI is Surging

Data from the Lenovo CIO Playbook 2026: The Race for Enterprise AI reveals a strong commitment to AI investment in the Asia Pacific region. 96% of organizations plan to increase their AI investment within the next 12 months, with retailers leading the way. Currently, 67% of retailers have progressed beyond the early stages of AI deployment, and 89% anticipate a positive return on investment (ROI), averaging $2.90 for every dollar invested. Manufacturers are also optimistic, with 87% expecting positive returns averaging $3.00 per dollar invested.

Lenovo’s End-to-End Retail Solutions

Lenovo offers comprehensive retail solutions that integrate hardware, software, and services to optimize operations and deliver exceptional outcomes. The company’s approach centers around five key foundations for smarter retail:

• Smart Promotion: Leveraging AI Retail Assistants to provide real-time intelligence, helping customers locate products, check availability, and access promotions. Online Shopping Assistants connect to live inventory systems for seamless product search and comparison.
• Smart Shelving: (Details not provided in source material)
• Smart Checkout: AI-enabled edge computing identifies unusual self-checkout behavior in real-time, providing actionable insights to reduce shrinkage although maintaining a positive customer experience.
• Smart Store Operations: (Details not provided in source material)
• Smart Store Infrastructure: (Details not provided in source material)

Flexible and Scalable AI Access

To promote agility, Lenovo’s TruScale pay-as-you-go model provides scalable access to advanced AI and IT capabilities without substantial upfront capital investment. This is combined with hybrid AI infrastructure to optimize performance across all business areas.

Comprehensive Services and Support

Walker Wong, Asia Pacific Head of Sales, Lenovo Retail Solutions, emphasizes that Lenovo consolidates its entire IT portfolio – including PCs, infrastructure, industry-specific solutions, and services – into a unified offering. The company provides outcome-driven solutions throughout the technology lifecycle, encompassing advisory services, implementation, and managed services. Lenovo also offers AI Discover workshops and AI Fast Start initiatives to help retailers identify opportunities and demonstrate results within 90 days, alongside AI Managed Services for ongoing workload and agent oversight.

Extending AI to Manufacturing: Industry 5.0

Lenovo’s vision extends beyond retail to encompass manufacturing, drawing on its experience in advancing the Industry 5.0 paradigm – a collaborative approach where human creativity and AI-driven intelligence work together. Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions include:

• Warehouse Execution System: Provides real-time operational visibility and improves efficiency by over 10%.
• Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems: Doubles inventory efficiency with a return on investment within three years.
• Pick Assist Autonomous Mobile Robots: Streamlines fulfillment processes and reduces labor costs by up to 80%.
• Automated Guided Forklifts: Improves transfer efficiency by 30%.

Through its “Lenovo Powers Lenovo” initiative, the company has successfully used AI to accelerate supply chain decision-making by 60% and increase production line capacity utilization by 24%.

Looking Ahead

Lenovo continues to focus on identifying practical AI solutions and helping retailers and manufacturers integrate these technologies responsibly, empowering organizations to modernize with confidence in this AI-first era.

Learn more about Lenovo Retail Solutions at https://www.lenovo.com/sg/en/solutions/industry/retail/ and Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions at https://www.lenovo.com/sg/en/solutions/industry/manufacturing/.