An Angolan Large Retail Chain Cuts Import Delays by 70% and Replaces 60+ Legacy Systems with
SAP S/4HANA
Executive Summary
A leading Angolan retail group with 120+ stores was facing stockouts, dispatch errors, and import delays due to 60+ disconnected systems and manual workflows. A5E Consulting implemented SAP S/4HANA to unify operations, automate imports, and integrate POS systems. Over
100,000 SKUs were streamlined from the warehouse to stores based on demand, while customs, licensing, and billing were digitized.
The result: real-time visibility, fewer errors, and scalable, cost-efficient retail operations.
Client Overview
The client is a large retail chain in Angola with over 120 outlets, including hypermarkets, grocery chains, and wholesale stores. It operates across the food, cosmetics, and general merchandise categories, serving millions of customers. With a central warehouse-based distribution model and high dependency on imported goods, the business demands tight control over inventory, logistics, and compliance across its supply chain.on-demand workforce needs, often hiring 20–50 workers at once under strict U.S. labor laws.
A large and fast growing retail chain in EMEA with 120+ hypermarkets, grocery stores, and wholesale outlets was hitting its growth ceiling. With over 60 disconnected systems, over 180,000 SKUs, and complex import workflows routed through Dubai and Portugal, the retailer faced mounting operational challenges:
- Frequent stockouts and delayed replenishments
- No real-time visibility across stores and warehouses
- Manual, error-prone processes for imports, dispatch, and customs
- Rigid infrastructure that couldn’t scale with expansion
To regain control, the company partnered with A5E Consulting to rearchitect their entire operations with SAP S/4HANA Retail—executing a high-stakes Big Bang rollout across 164 stores with zero downtime.
The A5E Solution
A5E implemented a single, unified ERP system that integrated:
- POS systems
- Import documentation and compliance workflows
- Centralized warehouse and logistics hubs
- Supplier and freight partner portals
The rollout replaced legacy applications with an intelligent SAP core—enabling real-time goods-in-transit tracking, demand-based dispatching, and automated import licensing and customs clearance.
Results That Moved the Needle:
- 70% faster import processing
- 100,000+ SKUs mapped to automated, demand-driven replenishment
- 100% digitization of customs, licensing, and freight workflows
- Full process visibility from supplier to store shelf
- Reduced delays, fewer errors, and lower operating costs
A5E’s SAP-first approach gave this retailer the tools to scale with confidence—without operational chaos.
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Executive Summary
A leading Angolan retail group with 120+ stores was facing stockouts, dispatch errors, and import delays due to 60+ disconnected systems and manual workflows. A5E Consulting implemented SAP S/4HANA to unify operations, automate imports, and integrate POS systems. Over
100,000 SKUs were streamlined from the warehouse to stores based on demand, while customs, licensing, and billing were digitized.
The result: real-time visibility, fewer errors, and scalable, cost-efficient retail operations.
Client Overview
The client is a large retail chain in Angola with over 120 outlets, including hypermarkets, grocery chains, and wholesale stores. It operates across the food, cosmetics, and general merchandise categories, serving millions of customers. With a central warehouse-based distribution model and high dependency on imported goods, the business demands tight control over inventory, logistics, and compliance across its supply chain.on-demand workforce needs, often hiring 20–50 workers at once under strict U.S. labor laws.
The Business Challenge
The client was struggling with a highly fragmented IT landscape and inefficient operations, leading to:
Fragmented and Disconnected Systems
Over 60–80 disparate applications were in use, with each store operating in silos. Systems lacked central integration, making real-time data consolidation and coordination across locations nearly impossible
Broken Supply Chain Visibility
Store and warehouse systems weren’t synced, causing inventory delays, dispatch confusion, and inefficient product flow across the retail network.
Rigid, Unscalable Infrastructure
Legacy systems couldn’t support 24x7 retail operations or integrate with modern tools (POS, RPA, ticketing). Upgrades required rebuilding integrations from scratch, slowing innovation
Manual, Error-Prone Operations
Critical processes—from procurement to invoicing—relied on manual documentation, leading to high error rates, data mismatches, & compliance risks.
Ineffective Demand Forecasting and Distribution
There was no intelligence-driven demand planning. Regional product preferences weren’t factored in, resulting in frequent stock outs or overstocking.
A5E’s Approach & Solution
Timeline: 11 months | Go-Live: Big Bang rollout across 164 stores with zero downtime.
Key Outcomes & Business Impact
Partnering with A5E enabled the Angolan retail giant to scale faster with an intelligent workflow.
| Category | Before SAP S/4HANA | After SAP S/4HANA Retail Implementation |
| Software Landscape | 60–80 fragmented systems | One integrated ERP covering stores + logistics |
| Inventory Management | Manual, store-specific | Centralized warehouse + demand-based planning |
| POS Operations | Isolated store-level systems | Real-time SAP-POS integration |
| Import Process Tracking | Manual, prone to errors | Fully automated with compliance documentation |
| Dispatch Scheduling | Non-standardized | Geo-aware, system-suggested, demand-driven |
| Reporting & Analytics | Manual consolidation (P&L, etc.) | Real-time reporting across all stores |
A5E Consulting’s S/4HANA implementation automated inventory, procurement, and logistics, reducing manual effort and improving data accuracy. This led to faster order fulfillment, lower operational costs, and better customer satisfaction. With streamlined workflows and real-time insights, the client is now equipped for scalable growth and improved profitability.
Facing fragmented operations or poor supply chain visibility? Partner with A5E Consulting to streamline your retail business with SAP S/4HANA. Get in touch to future-proof your growth.
About A5E Consulting
A5E is a global consulting company partnering with clients to chart, build and deliver their Digital Transformation journey. We execute a blend of expert process consulting services and top-tier technology platforms at organizations making them more agile.
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