For more than 20 years, retailsolutions has been supporting retail companies in their digital transformation. What began as an SAP-focused consultancy has evolved into an internationally established specialist in retail processes. The company combines technological expertise with in-depth process knowledge and close customer relationships. Co-founder Philipp Rohe is increasingly focusing not only on SAP solutions but also on cloud technologies and AI to further advance retail processes.
When Philipp Rohe founded retailsolutions in 2005 together with Michael Anderer and Jörg Frisch, all three brought with them not only extensive SAP knowledge but also a deep understanding of their customers' business processes. This combination continues to shape the company today. Rather than diversifying into different industries, retailsolutions has consistently focused on retail.
"We have an exceptionally strong understanding of retail processes," says Philipp Rohe. The founders are by no means confined to management roles: even today, they remain actively involved in projects and work directly with customers and their systems. This hands-on involvement helps them identify new requirements at an early stage and assess technological developments from the retailer's perspective.
Today, retailsolutions employs around 500 people worldwide and has an international presence with offices in several countries.
Close to Customers and Their Business Processes
This close connection to customers and their business processes is a key element of retailsolutions' positioning. Particularly in large-scale transformation projects, the company also collaborates with international consulting firms, contributing its specialist retail expertise.
According to Philipp Rohe, more than 80% of the company's current revenue comes from implementing SAP retail software and software components. Many retail companies have yet to make the transition to the new SAP S/4HANA environment. Supporting customers through this transformation will therefore remain a key focus in the years ahead.
At the same time, the business landscape is changing. Cloud-based products are becoming increasingly important, as are AI applications. retailsolutions is already developing AI agents for customers and using artificial intelligence to automate and accelerate business processes.
Philipp Rohe expects the traditional business model of selling consulting and development days to become less significant in the future. Instead, specialised process knowledge, AI-based services and proprietary software solutions will gain importance.
However, Philipp Rohe does not see AI as an end in itself. While it can reduce costs and increase speed, people remain central to the decision-making process: "AI prepares the groundwork – but a person should make the decision."
At the same time, he sees continuous learning as a personal responsibility. Technological change requires a willingness to acquire new knowledge and actively embrace change.
Sustainable Growth with a Clear Focus
retailsolutions also plans to continue expanding internationally, but not at any cost. Following a period of strong workforce growth, Philipp Rohe expects a more moderate pace of development in the future: entering new markets, strengthening technological capabilities and, above all, growing together with existing and new customers.
He sees particular potential in the United States. Expansion, however, is to be pursued step by step and guided by specific customer needs.
Despite all technological developments, personal collaboration remains central to Philipp Rohe. What motivates him is the opportunity to work together with customers to develop solutions and address real-world challenges.
"We are people, and we remain down to earth," says Philipp Rohe. For him, successful collaboration is built on an equal footing, with both sides learning from and benefiting from one another.
