Intro
Some stores don’t just sell products - they sell a lifestyle. And for ILLUM, one of Scandinavia’s most prestigious department stores, that lifestyle needed to be backed by technology that could keep up.
ILLUM has been a cornerstone of Scandinavian retail for over a century - and now has laid the foundation to flourish long into the future.
Key Results
Real-time data availability improved decision-making and operational efficiency.
Straight-forward API integrations replaced slow, batch-based flat file processes.
360-degree customer view enabled personalized engagement and loyalty programs.
Significant drop in IT support calls freed up store associates to focus on customers.
Mobile POS capabilities empowered employees to assist customers anywhere in-store.
Faster onboarding of third-party services reduced time from idea to implementation.
Automated processes and real-time data exchange streamlined business operations.
Enhanced omnichannel shopping experience connected online and in-store touchpoints.
Simplified IT landscape made system maintenance easier and more cost-effective.
The Background
For years, ILLUM had been held back by an outdated IT system - one that was built over 15 years ago and was now a major roadblock to growth, efficiency, and customer experience. Slow integrations, unreliable data, and frequent IT issues were making it harder and harder to deliver the world-class shopping experience ILLUM is known for.
Something had to change.
The Challenge
Picture this: a department store that prides itself on elegance, service, and cutting-edge fashion… running on technology that felt like it belonged in a museum.
ILLUM’s existing system had been patched and modified so many times it was like trying to run a marathon in shoes held together by duct tape. Here’s what they were up against:
Legacy IT debt - 15+ years of technical debt made any kind of innovation painfully slow.
Unreliable systems - Frequent downtime meant store associates spent more time on IT support calls than with customers.
Outdated data handling - 90% of the system relied on flat-file batch processing, meaning real-time insights were a pipe dream.
Limited customer visibility - Without a unified customer view, personalized experiences were impossible.
Employee frustration - The clunky, old-school POS was slowing store associates down and making their jobs harder.
Integration headaches - Getting third-party solutions to work with the system required extensive customization and took way too long.
A lack of retail-focused partners - ILLUM needed technology partners who understood their world - luxury, lifestyle, and seamless shopping.
It was time for a complete transformation.
The Solution
Enter Sitoo. ILLUM needed a tech partner that could match its ambitions. With Sitoo’s cloud-native POS, the department store finally had the tools to create a seamless, future-proof retail experience.
Here’s what changed:
Real-time data, all the time - No more batch processing. Sales, inventory, and customer data were updated in real-time, unlocking smarter decision-making.
Effortless integrations - An API-first approach replaced clunky, slow-moving flat file integrations, making it easy to connect with third-party solutions.
A 360° customer view - All customer interactions were unified, enabling better personalization and engagement.
Omnichannel capabilities - Click-and-collect, endless aisle, and hassle-free shopping became part of the ILLUM experience.
Mobile-first employee experience - The POS was accessible on mobile devices, empowering store associates with better tools and improving customer experience.
A retail-lifestyle ecosystem - ILLUM’s tech stack now aligned with its vision, integrating easily with the world’s best lifestyle and fashion brands.
And the best part? The switchover was completed in just 12 hours - with zero disruption to business.
The Outcome
By moving from a monolithic, outdated system to a composable, cloud-native retail platform, ILLUM didn’t just upgrade its technology - it upgraded its entire business. Built on MACH principles - microservices, API-first, cloud-native, and headless - ILLUM’s new retail backbone is as agile as it is powerful.
Today, ILLUM is faster, smarter, and more adaptable than ever before. ILLUM can experiment fast - rolling out new ideas, testing them in days, and scaling them in weeks. With Sitoo, they’ve unlocked a new level of flexibility, customer experience, and employee empowerment - all while future-proofing their operations for the years ahead.
For ILLUM, this isn’t just a tech upgrade. It’s a statement. A commitment to delivering the best possible shopping experience. A move that cements its status as a leader in luxury retail. And the best part? This is just the beginning.
