A growing number of global enterprises are advancing into the next phase of Digital Transformation that extends beyond basic automation and cloud adoption. This stage focuses on integrating artificial intelligence, real-time analytics, and intelligent automation to create adaptive, data-driven organizations. Companies embracing this next wave of digital evolution are already reporting measurable gains in efficiency, customer experience, and revenue growth.
InBev
InBev, a leader in beverages, has developed BEES, a B2B digital commerce and data platform now live in over 20 markets and serving more than 3.4 million retailers. BEES’ GMV rose 57 percent in FY2024 to about $2.5 billion, and over 65 percent of B2B revenue now transacts digitally. The platform handles millions of digital orders monthly and supports data-driven route optimization, contributing to a ten percent reduction in logistics costs. Its analytics-driven marketplace has become a key growth lever, with over 300,000 marketplace SKUs offered by partner sellers.
L’Oreal
L’Oreal, a leader in the beauty industry, has re-architected into a “digital-first” enterprise supported by a centralized Beauty Tech Data Platform and AI tools for personalization and content automation. L’Oreal has grown its in-house digital and data specialist base to over 6,000 employees, and digital channels now represent close to 30 percent of total sales. AI-driven virtual try-on tools and data personalization have improved engagement and conversion rates by up to 40 percent. The company also reduced product content creation time by 60 percent through generative tools and automation.
IKEA
IKEA, a global leader in the retail / furniture business, has accelerated omni-channel and logistics digitalization with 26 percent of total sales coming from online channels in FY2024, up from 19 percent in FY2022. IKEA invested heavily in AR visualization, warehouse automation, and delivery optimization through acquisitions such as Made4Net and TaskRabbit integrations. Over 460 stores now function as fulfillment hubs, cutting delivery times by 20 percent and lowering last-mile costs. Customer engagement via digital channels has also surged, with app usage growing by more than 50 percent year-over-year.
Maersk
A.P. Moller-Maersk, a leader in shipping & Logistics industry, has completed a shift from shipping carrier to a digital logistics integrator. The company now processes billions of business events per year through its proprietary data platform and APIs. With over 5,500 in-house tech specialists, Maersk has reduced external IT dependency by half and scaled digital logistics products such as Maersk Flow and Captain Peter to thousands of customers. Its integrated logistics revenue segment rose 16 percent year-over-year, driven by digital control-tower solutions and automation-led transparency.
DHL
DHL Group, a leader in logistics / parcels, has invested more than €2 billion in digitalization since 2020, rolling out AI, IoT, and robotics across global hubs. DHL’s smart warehouse network now includes over 300 automated facilities, leading to a 25 percent productivity increase and measurable 15 percent reduction in operating costs in key distribution centers. The company’s AI route optimization system, applied in over 50 countries, has reduced average delivery times by up to 12 percent.
PepsiCo
PepsiCo, a leader in Food & Beverage segment, has rolled out its enterprise AI program, investing hundreds of millions of dollars in AI and data systems for demand forecasting, pricing, and product design. PepsiCo’s AI-powered demand models improved forecast accuracy by up to 20 percent, while shelf analytics and smart merchandising tools increased planogram compliance by 30 percent. Its digital twin initiatives for manufacturing are credited with double-digit efficiency gains in selected plants, enabling faster product rollouts across key markets.
John Deere
John Deere, a leader in agriculture machinery, has evolved into a connected-equipment and digital-agriculture services leader. Through JDLink and See & Spray, Deere has connected over 500,000 machines, enabling farmers to cut herbicide use by up to 66 percent and improve yields through precision agronomy. The company’s recurring revenue from subscription-based digital services has increased more than 25 percent annually. Its AI-powered analytics platform now processes over 50 million acres of field data daily.
Walmart
Walmart, the global retail and ecommerce giant, has scaled up Walmart Global Tech with more than 30,000 technologists supporting AI, cloud, and automation projects. Walmart’s generative AI search rollout improved conversion rates by 10 to 15 percent during pilots. Robotics and automation at fulfillment centers have enhanced throughput by 35 percent, while its end-to-end data platform has linked store, supply chain, and e-commerce data for near real-time decision-making. The retailer’s global e-commerce revenue grew 23 percent year-over-year in FY2024.
Ford Motor
Ford Motor, a leader in the global automotive market, has consolidated legacy systems into a unified digital platform while expanding connected vehicle services. Its BlueCruise hands-free driving system now covers over 140 million miles driven, and connected vehicles represent over 70 percent of its North American fleet. Software and service-related revenue grew 16 percent in FY2024, supported by subscriptions for navigation and safety features. Digital design and over-the-air update capabilities have cut product development cycles by 20 percent.
Unilever
Unilever, a leader in FMCG / Consumer Goods, has modernized operations through over 50 digitally enabled “Lighthouse” factories using AI, robotics, and real-time analytics. These initiatives have driven 30 percent faster throughput and 20 percent lower energy consumption in pilot plants. Its marketing AI tools now produce content for 400+ brands, reducing creative production costs by up to 40 percent and enabling faster campaign deployment across geographies.
As the next phase of Digital Transformation continues to reshape industries, companies that invest early in AI-driven processes, agile infrastructure, and intelligent data management are positioning themselves for sustained competitive advantage. Over the next few years, results from these initiatives will likely define market leaders capable of turning digital innovation into measurable business outcomes.
Rajani Baburajan
