EuroCIS 2025 in Düsseldorf was a chance to see which retail technologies are making a real impact in stores and which are still in the early stages. Below is our recap of standout developments and why they matter now.
Retail technology events offer a clear sense of what’s happening in the industry. After a few busy days at Europe’s largest retail tech fair, we returned with a solid grasp of where retail technology stands in 2025, what’s still in the concept phase, and which solutions retailers are already using to deliver results. And while keynote sessions and product demos provided valuable insights, the real takeaways came from conversations with industry leaders, exhibitors, and competitors alike.
Here are the most interesting trends we observed – and why they matter.
Self-checkout has become a necessity for many retailers, but EuroCIS showed that it’s about more than just speed. Vendors demonstrated how AI-driven object recognition and biometric authentication can help prevent fraud without disrupting the customer experience. The focus was clear: retailers want to reduce losses without making self-checkout feel like a security checkpoint.
One of the key discussions at EuroCIS was how self-checkout fraud can be addressed without adding friction. Solutions that detect mis-scanned items in real time and AI-powered loss prevention tools are helping retailers reduce shrinkage while keeping checkout fast and intuitive.
Why it matters: Customers expect self-checkout to be fast and hassle-free. The challenge is balancing convenience with security, and the latest solutions are moving closer to that balance.
Watch this webinar to gain more profound knowledge on preventing fraud in self-checkout: Retail Dialogues: Fraud prevention: Tackling challenges in self-checkout
Fraud prevention was a key focus at EuroCIS, with exhibitors showcasing real-time transaction monitoring, behavioral analytics, and automated alerts designed to detect suspicious activity before losses occur. These solutions are becoming more predictive, allowing retailers to act on potential fraud risks before they escalate.
Retailers are combining AI with computer vision, weight sensors, and surveillance to spot suspicious shopping behavior in real time. Self-checkout systems can now detect mismatches between scanned items and their weight or appearance, helping to prevent mis-scanning and theft. Video analytics further enhance security by identifying unusual patterns, such as repeated suspicious movements near self-checkout areas.
Why it matters: Fraud prevention is no longer just about identifying losses after they happen. By integrating AI-driven analytics with surveillance, weight detection, and access control, retailers can minimize shrinkage while keeping checkout seamless for honest customers.
Want to dig deeper into fraud detection and prevention? Dive into our comprehensive FAQ
If there was any doubt about AI’s role in retail, EuroCIS 2025 put it to rest. AI is no longer just a buzzword. Retailers are using it where it matters, from keeping shelves stocked to adjusting prices and preventing fraud.
As AI becomes more common in retail, transparency is becoming increasingly important. With new regulations such as the AI Act on the way, retailers must ensure that AI-driven decisions, whether in fraud detection, pricing, or personalization, are clear and can be justified. While customers may not always notice AI in their shopping experience, responsible use and compliance are now top priorities for the industry.
The best AI solutions do not stand out. They run in the background, keeping operations efficient without adding complexity for staff or customers.
One of the key discussions at EuroCIS was how AI can take over time-consuming manual tasks. Retailers are using it to automate inventory replenishment, predict demand, and assist with customer interactions through AI-driven chatbots and self-service tools. AI is also playing a growing role in fraud prevention, working alongside computer vision, surveillance, and weight sensors to detect irregularities and reduce losses at self-checkouts and payment terminals.
Why it matters: When AI is integrated naturally into store operations, it helps retailers improve efficiency without making processes more complicated. The result is better margins, fewer manual tasks, and a smoother customer experience.
One of the most noticeable trends at EuroCIS was how point-of-sale systems are taking on a bigger role in the retail ecosystem. According to Gartner, POS is at the center of modern unified commerce, connecting customer data, inventory updates, and payments across all channels. Walking the exhibition floor, it was clear that modern POS solutions are no longer just about processing transactions. They help retailers bridge online and offline sales, manage peak hours more smoothly, and reduce checkout bottlenecks.
Beyond transactions, POS is also becoming a key enabler of loyalty programs, endless aisle solutions, and personalized shopping experiences. By integrating real-time inventory visibility, retailers can offer customers access to products beyond what is physically in stock, while loyalty features ensure that promotions and rewards are automatically applied across all touchpoints.
Another major shift is the growing focus on mobile POS (MPOS). Many retailers are moving beyond fixed terminals and using MPOS to serve customers anywhere in-store. Staff can complete purchases on the spot, reducing checkout congestion and giving customers a smoother shopping experience. More stores are also integrating MPOS with real-time inventory updates, allowing customers to check availability instantly and complete orders without delays.
With solutions like 52ViKING Mobile POS, transactions, product information, and loyalty benefits can be managed directly from handheld devices. This allows staff to assist customers efficiently while ensuring checkout is no longer confined to a fixed counter.
Why it matters: The days when POS was just a payment terminal are long gone. It is now the central tool for transactions, customer insights, inventory control, and store management. By making POS more flexible, retailers can reduce friction, adapt quickly to demand, and provide a better shopping experience whether at a fixed counter or through mobile POS.
Free whitepaper: Mastering unified commerce: presenting the retail opportunities
Retailers have traditionally relied on separate systems for payments, inventory, and customer interactions. But EuroCIS made it clear that these functions are increasingly converging into more integrated solutions. Rather than adding standalone devices for each function, retailers are adopting POS systems that combine multiple capabilities, such as embedded payment acceptance, real-time inventory updates, and digital loyalty programs.
A clear example of this trend is Tap on Screen, which eliminates the need for separate PIN pads by allowing customers to enter their PIN directly on a touchscreen device. SoftPOS and Mobile POS (MPOS) are also playing a larger role, giving retailers the flexibility to process transactions anywhere in-store using tablets, smartphones, or handheld terminals. This approach helps stores serve customers faster, manage peak hours more efficiently, and reduce reliance on fixed checkout areas.
Why it matters: As retail technology converges, fewer separate devices are needed. This reduces costs, streamlines workflows, and gives retailers more flexibility in how they serve customers. Mobile POS also means checkout is no longer tied to a specific location. Instead, transactions happen wherever it makes the most sense for both staff and customers.
Read blogpost: Beyond the counter: the sales coach’s perspective on Matas' mobile POS
Demo: Here’s a quick look at 52ViKING POS with Tap on Screen in action.
Retailers are moving beyond testing unattended and hybrid store models. What was once experimental is now a realistic approach that more businesses are putting into action. For many, this shift is as much about meeting customer demand and managing costs as it is about technology. Hybrid and unattended store formats allow businesses to stay open longer, use staff more efficiently, and reduce operational expenses. With rising labor costs, these models provide a way to extend store hours without increasing workforce requirements.
At EuroCIS, we saw a variety of solutions supporting these formats, including AI-powered store surveillance, self-service checkout, and automated monitoring. Many retailers are starting with a hybrid model, where staffed and unattended sections operate together to improve efficiency and expand availability. Secure access solutions, such as app-based check-ins, QR codes, and membership-based entry systems, are making it easier to manage store access. At the same time, computer vision and real-time monitoring help reduce losses while keeping the shopping experience smooth.
Why it matters: Moving to a hybrid model does not require a full store overhaul. Many retailers can begin with small steps, automating key functions in as little as one to three months. With advancements in fraud prevention, access control, and store monitoring, unattended retail is becoming easier to scale while ensuring security and operational efficiency.
Find out more at our latest webinar on unattended and hybrid stores: Retail Dialogues: The pros and cons of 24/7 unattended and hybrid shops
EuroCIS 2025 showcased a huge range of innovations, but a few other trends caught our attention:
Retailers are not just adding new technology. They are making decisions that affect how their stores operate and how they compete. But knowing which tools to invest in and when is not always easy.
Move too slowly, and the gap to competitors grows. Move too fast in the wrong direction, and a bad investment can be costly. That is why having the right technology partner makes a difference. The most successful retailers are not just the first to adopt new solutions. They are the ones who test, adjust, and make decisions based on what genuinely benefits their stores.
Retailers who succeed are not just adopting new technology. They are making decisions based on what drives real results. The difference is not in having the latest innovations, but in choosing the right tools and the right partners to create lasting impact.