2025 is a defining year for retail and FMCG leaders. Inflation, supply chain shocks, consumer shifts, and new regulatory expectations are colliding all at once. Incremental improvements won’t cut it anymore. The mandate for CEOs is clear: re-architect the enterprise on a backbone that unifies data, enables agility, embeds intelligence, and scales sustainably.
That backbone is SAP GROW.
ERP Modernization: The Agility Multiplier You Can’t Ignore
Legacy ERP and custom-heavy systems lock leaders into high costs, slower upgrades, and
compliance risk. In fact, research shows that nearly 40% of retailers are still only partially
integrated, creating operational silos and stalled transformation momentum.
What SAP GROW Makes Possible
- Clean core ERP with minimal customization.
- Cloud deployment flexibility (public, private, hybrid).
- Accelerators that reduce implementation timelines.
Analyst surveys confirm that organizations with standardized ERP cores upgrade 50-60%
faster and cut maintenance costs by 20-30%. CEOs must view the clean core as more than
IT hygiene, it is a growth enabler that frees resources for innovation.
Intelligent Retail: Turning AI Into Predictive Power
AI is a boardroom topic, but few companies have moved beyond pilots. While 70% of
retailers are exploring AI, only 4% have embedded it into their operations, leaving
predictive intelligence as untapped competitive advantage.
What SAP GROW Makes Possible
- Embedded SAP Business AI and Joule in workflows.
- Unified, trusted data through SAP Business Data Cloud.
- Predictive demand forecasting, smarter promotions, and personalized engagement.
Deloitte and Rizing reports that AI adopters see 20-25% better forecast accuracy and double-digit improvements in inventory waste reduction. CEOs must act now, embedding AI in the backbone should be a non-negotiable driver of profitability and resilience.
Supply Chain Resilience: From Fragility to Boardroom KPI
Global disruptions and geopolitical risks mean the supply chain is no longer a back-office
function. Over 50% of retail leaders cite it as the top operational risk, with consequences
for sales, investor confidence, and brand trust.
What SAP GROW Makes Possible
- Real-time visibility of inventory and logistics.
- Intelligent order management enabling BOPIS, ship-from-store, and flexible fulfillment.
- Embedded collaboration tools for suppliers and partners.
Gartner’s 2025 benchmarks shows that leaders investing in visibility and agility cut working
capital tied in inventory by 15-20%. For CEOs, resilient supply chains must be positioned as
a strategic differentiator and a measure of leadership performance.
Omnichannel Excellence: Making Every Customer Interaction Seamless
Consumers expect to browse online, buy on mobile, pick up in store, and return anywhere, without friction. Yet 44% of retail executives admit their omnichannel experience is inconsistent, directly impacting loyalty and share of wallet.
What SAP GROW Makes Possible
- Unified ERP + commerce + POS backbone.
- Real-time visibility for orders and stock.
- AI-powered loyalty and personalization programs.
According to SAP Emarsys and Deloitte, companies with consistent omnichannel experiences achieve 2-3x higher customer retention rates. For CEOs, omnichannel excellence is now baseline competitiveness, not an optional experience investment.
Sustainability & ESG: From Compliance to Competitive Advantage
Consumers, investors, and regulators are aligning on ESG expectations. Transparency and carbon accountability have become board-level imperatives. Non-compliance risks fines and erodes investor trust and brand value.
What SAP GROW Makes Possible
- SAP Sustainability Control Tower and Product Footprint Management for emissions tracking
- Automated ESG reporting embedded in ERP
- Circular supply-chain models integrated into operations
Studies by BNext Tech and Future of Commerce show that Gen Z and Millennials are twice as likely to favor brands with transparent sustainability metrics. CEOs must view ESG not as a compliance cost but as a growth lever for trust, valuation, and loyalty.
Cloud Agility: Unlocking Scale Without Complexity
High IT costs, rigid infrastructure, and delayed upgrades can slow growth. CEOs need the cloud to pivot quickly, scale globally, and integrate acquisitions seamlessly.
What SAP GROW Makes Possible
- Flexible deployment models (public, private, or hybrid)
- Automated workflows powered by AI agents
- Faster upgrades and continuous innovation delivery
Digital Commerce 360’s 2025 outlook reports 28% year-over-year growth in cloud ERP adoption, with leaders rolling out new features 25-35% faster. Cloud-first agility must now be treated as a strategic pillar of reinvention, not a tech upgrade.
The CEO Roadmap for 2025
Why CEOs Must Act Now
2025 is a threshold moment. Those who delay risk being outpaced by competitors already building a clean, intelligent, and cloud-enabled backbone.
SAP GROW is not a single product, it’s a transformation mindset. It brings together clean ERP, embedded AI, omnichannel data, ESG tools, and cloud agility to create the foundation CEOs need for growth and resilience.
Orane Consulting: Your Partner in the Journey
At Orane Consulting, we help CEOs and boards:
- Design and execute clean core ERP migrations
- Deploy AI and analytics strategies that move beyond pilots
- Accelerate omnichannel and personalization programs
- Build resilient supply chains with real-time visibility
- Integrate ESG tools into the operating model
We combine deep SAP expertise with industry know-how to ensure transformation delivers measurable business outcomes.
Ready to future-proof your retail business for 2025?
Book a one-on-one strategy session with an Orane Retail Transformation Expert.
Let’s co-create your roadmap to agility, intelligence, and sustainable growth.
