Supermarket chain SPAR International has extended its preferred supplier agreement with South Korean retail technology provider SOLUM.

The extension reaffirms the company’s role as a global supplier of electronic shelf labels (ESL) and digital signage to SPAR-licensed organisations worldwide.

According to the company, the preferred supplier programme is designed to support Spar licensees in assessing and adopting retail technology solutions more effectively.

Spar International operations head Tom Rose said: “This selection is intended to support Spar licensed organisations in more easily assessing and adopting proven digital solutions.

“By working with partners that can provide consistent quality and support, we aim to help strengthen digital capabilities across different market environments.”

Under the renewed agreement, Solum will continue supplying Spar stores with ESL, e-paper displays and digital signage.

Founded in 2015 as a Samsung Electro-Mechanics spin-off, Solum will provide its Newton Core+ and 32in Newton e-Paper series to Spar organisations.

The company will also supply digital signage formats such as bar-type, dual-type and standard displays.

These systems can be adapted and scaled for different store layouts and operational requirements.

In addition to displaying pricing and in-store information, ESL and digital signage platforms can function as digital communication channels connected to retail media initiatives.

Solum Europe CEO Daniel Lee added: “Being chosen as a Preferred Supplier by SPAR International reflects trust in Solum's ability to reliably supply and support ESL and digital signage solutions across diverse retail environments - not just individual products.”

Separately, Spar International last week entered a partnership with Veesion to make AI-based loss-prevention technology available to Spar-licensed operators worldwide.

Under that agreement, Spar retailers can deploy Veesion’s video detection system to help reduce theft-related losses in stores.

In a separate development, Solum and Finnish retail infrastructure company EWQ recently expanded their strategic partnership to accelerate the rollout of integrated in-store digital communication systems.

The companies said the broadened arrangement will deepen technical integration and commercial cooperation by linking EWQ’s ScanToPair software with Solum’s Newton ESL and digital signage hardware portfolio.