From Mayhem to Market Leadership: How APAC Retail Is Winning with SAP Cloud
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Key Takeaways
⇨ The dynamic retail landscape in the Asia Pacific region necessitates a robust technology infrastructure for successful post-merger integrations and expansions, exemplified by BIG Caring Group's transition to a cloud-based platform using RISE with SAP on AWS.
⇨ The shift to cloud infrastructure not only addresses integration challenges but also enables the adoption of AI-driven insights, enhancing customer experiences and improving operational efficiency through predictive analytics and data unification.
⇨ SAP's strategic expansion of its S/4HANA Cloud for retail across more APAC countries indicates a commitment to providing localised solutions, while the move towards composable cloud approaches signifies a shift away from traditional systems, emphasising agility and real-time adaptability.
The retail landscape in the Asia Pacific region is defined by its dynamic and competitive nature, presenting unique challenges for businesses managing large-scale operations. For retailers steering post-merger integrations or expanding their footprint, the underlying technology infrastructure becomes a critical factor for success. The ability to unify data, streamline processes, and respond to market shifts with agility is paramount.
BIG Caring Group’s Cloud Transformation
A pertinent example is BIG Caring Group, Malaysia’s largest retail pharmacy, which was formed following the merger of BIG Pharmacy and Caring Pharmacy in 2023. This created an entity with over 500 stores but also introduced significant integration challenges. The group’s legacy on-premise ERP system began to encounter performance bottlenecks and couldn’t support the data complexities of the newly combined organisation.
To address this, the company opted for a strategic migration to the cloud with RISE with SAP on AWS. This initiative was designed to establish a unified, scalable, cloud-based data platform. Ooh Chin Boon, Chief Information Officer for the group, noted the objective was to access more accurate and comprehensive data across the entire group, so that the company could respond with more agility to customer demands and supply chain volatility.
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The move facilitates the consolidation of critical functions—from inventory management and procurement to financial reporting—onto a single platform, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making.
Cloud as a Foundation for AI-Powered Innovation
A primary driver for cloud adoption is the ability to leverage emerging technologies. For BIG Caring Group, the new cloud infrastructure serves as a foundation for implementing SAP Business AI.
The company plans to utilise AI-driven insights to create personalised customer experiences and employ predictive analytics for demand forecasting and inventory optimisation. By integrating technologies like AI and machine learning, retailers can establish a resilient foundation for sustained growth and innovation.
SAP Deepens Commitment to the APAC Retail Market
The transformation at BIG Caring Group reflects a broader strategic focus from SAP on the Asia Pacific market. At the recent NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, SAP announced a significant expansion of its SAP S/4HANA Cloud, public edition for retail, fashion, and vertical business.
Building on successful launches in Australia, India, and Singapore, the solution is now being extended to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand in the second half of 2025. This expansion provides retailers across the region with access to a localised, cloud-native ERP designed to support digitisation and growth, from e-commerce startups to established brick-and-mortar chains.
What This Means for Mastering SAP Insiders
SAP is all-in on its APAC operations. The expansion of SAP S/4HANA Cloud for Retail into five new APAC countries, coupled with major customer wins like BIG Caring Group in Malaysia, signals a deep strategic commitment by SAP in the region’s retail sector. For users in the region, this means more localised solutions, stronger support, and a product roadmap that understands their specific market challenges.
Composable cloud is the future of retail. The era of monolithic, on-premise systems is officially over for agile retailers. The move by BIG Caring Group to RISE with SAP demonstrates that the path to scalability and resilience is through the cloud. This approach allows businesses to unify disparate operations and provides the flexibility to adapt to market shifts in real time.
AI is fast becoming a business tool. The true value of moving to SAP S/4HANA Cloud is unlocking next-generation capabilities. As seen with BIG Caring Group’s plans, SAP Business AI is ready to be deployed for tangible outcomes. Being on the cloud is the critical first step to leveraging AI for everything from optimising inventory with predictive analytics to transforming customer engagement.
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