Omron and Takahashi Launch Pilot Project for Store Operations DX
In a major initiative aimed at transforming retail operations, Omron Corporation, headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, has announced a collaboration with Takahashi Co., based in Kanagawa Prefecture. This partnership will conduct a proof of concept project from October to December 2025 that seeks to revolutionize how store conditions are monitored and managed. The focus of the project is on visually optimizing and assessing product displays, which traditionally relied on manual inspections by store managers.
The backbone of this project lies in leveraging advanced imaging technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate the monitoring of product shelves. The AI system will quickly identify under-stocked areas and ensure that display standards set by the headquarters are met, thus aiding in both boosting store sales and reducing labor costs associated with stock management.
The urgency behind this initiative stems from the increasing labor shortage in the retail sector, intensified by Japan's declining birthrate and aging population. Retail operations are facing significant challenges due to the inability to monitor display conditions in real-time, causing delays in communication between store managers and corporate headquarters. To combat these challenges, there is an immediate need to develop a new retail operation model that enhances productivity while ensuring an excellent customer experience even with limited staff.
Omron aims to solve these challenges by implementing a visualization solution that relies on its core sensing technology and the analytical expertise of JMDC, a company within the Omron group. This approach seeks to eliminate delays in communication and support quicker decision-making at both the store and corporate levels. The project aspires to gather valuable technical and operational insights for potential future implementation of services and wider applications within the retail industry.
The proof of concept will evaluate new methods of comprehensively monitoring and managing store conditions through three primary aspects:
1. Labor Reduction in Store Operations: By replacing certain routine tasks performed by area managers and store managers—such as compliance checks on product displays and inventory confirmation—with autonomous patrolling robots and AI technology, efficiency will be achieved. This will free up employees to focus on higher value-added tasks.
2. Prevention of Missed Sales Opportunities: Real-time monitoring of product displays using autonomous robots and AI will enable quick identification and visualization of issues like product shortages, thereby facilitating rapid and accurate decision-making and minimizing lost sales opportunities.
3. Enhancing Customer Experience: Ensuring that shelves are constantly well-stocked not only improves customer satisfaction but also creates an enjoyable shopping environment where customers can easily find the products they seek. This strategy focuses on providing a diverse array of choices, enhancing the shopping experience and boosting purchase motivation.
Through this initiative, Omron aims to tackle labor shortages, prevent sales loss, and elevate customer experiences simultaneously, thereby supporting efficient and stable store operations. Additionally, the project includes a real-time system for observing, analyzing, and making judgments about store conditions, streamlining the process from problem identification to cause analysis, improvement planning, verification, and implementation.
In the collaboration, Takahashi will supply essential training data and display standards required to enhance the detection accuracy of the AI system, as well as carry out replenishment of under-stocked shelves based on detection outcomes. This collaboration aims to test the effectiveness of these solutions in a real-world setting, exploring the feasibility of a new store operation model for both companies.
This project not only targets operational efficiencies but also seeks improvements in sales efficiency and labor productivity. Furthermore, it aims to address labor shortages faced by customer companies, enhance employee engagement, and elevate overall productivity in the retail industry and society as a whole. The ultimate vision is to foster an environment where staff can engage in more creative work.
Takahashi Co. is a leading retail company that embraces the philosophy of 'everyday low prices,' specializing in providing essential everyday items, particularly clothing, at some of the industry's most competitive prices. Established in 70 years, it has over 50 stores primarily located in the Kanto-Koshin area, offering a diverse range of products including underwear, socks, children's clothing, menswear, womenswear, daily necessities, processed foods, and interior decor items. Takahashi is on a mission to deliver high-value products while maintaining low prices, pursuing a goal of becoming Japan's sole chain retailer of off-price stores.
This new venture represents Takahashi's commitment to enhancing its chain store strategy while continually delivering value to a wider consumer base.
For more details, visit Takahashi Co..
For more on Omron's Smart M&S Division, visit Omron Smart M&S.
To learn more about UGO Corporation (the robotics provider), check UGO.
Learn about Omron at their official site Omron Corporation.
The backbone of this project lies in leveraging advanced imaging technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate the monitoring of product shelves. The AI system will quickly identify under-stocked areas and ensure that display standards set by the headquarters are met, thus aiding in both boosting store sales and reducing labor costs associated with stock management.
Background and Objectives
The urgency behind this initiative stems from the increasing labor shortage in the retail sector, intensified by Japan's declining birthrate and aging population. Retail operations are facing significant challenges due to the inability to monitor display conditions in real-time, causing delays in communication between store managers and corporate headquarters. To combat these challenges, there is an immediate need to develop a new retail operation model that enhances productivity while ensuring an excellent customer experience even with limited staff.
Omron aims to solve these challenges by implementing a visualization solution that relies on its core sensing technology and the analytical expertise of JMDC, a company within the Omron group. This approach seeks to eliminate delays in communication and support quicker decision-making at both the store and corporate levels. The project aspires to gather valuable technical and operational insights for potential future implementation of services and wider applications within the retail industry.
Project Insights
The proof of concept will evaluate new methods of comprehensively monitoring and managing store conditions through three primary aspects:
1. Labor Reduction in Store Operations: By replacing certain routine tasks performed by area managers and store managers—such as compliance checks on product displays and inventory confirmation—with autonomous patrolling robots and AI technology, efficiency will be achieved. This will free up employees to focus on higher value-added tasks.
2. Prevention of Missed Sales Opportunities: Real-time monitoring of product displays using autonomous robots and AI will enable quick identification and visualization of issues like product shortages, thereby facilitating rapid and accurate decision-making and minimizing lost sales opportunities.
3. Enhancing Customer Experience: Ensuring that shelves are constantly well-stocked not only improves customer satisfaction but also creates an enjoyable shopping environment where customers can easily find the products they seek. This strategy focuses on providing a diverse array of choices, enhancing the shopping experience and boosting purchase motivation.
Through this initiative, Omron aims to tackle labor shortages, prevent sales loss, and elevate customer experiences simultaneously, thereby supporting efficient and stable store operations. Additionally, the project includes a real-time system for observing, analyzing, and making judgments about store conditions, streamlining the process from problem identification to cause analysis, improvement planning, verification, and implementation.
In the collaboration, Takahashi will supply essential training data and display standards required to enhance the detection accuracy of the AI system, as well as carry out replenishment of under-stocked shelves based on detection outcomes. This collaboration aims to test the effectiveness of these solutions in a real-world setting, exploring the feasibility of a new store operation model for both companies.
This project not only targets operational efficiencies but also seeks improvements in sales efficiency and labor productivity. Furthermore, it aims to address labor shortages faced by customer companies, enhance employee engagement, and elevate overall productivity in the retail industry and society as a whole. The ultimate vision is to foster an environment where staff can engage in more creative work.
About Takahashi Co.
Takahashi Co. is a leading retail company that embraces the philosophy of 'everyday low prices,' specializing in providing essential everyday items, particularly clothing, at some of the industry's most competitive prices. Established in 70 years, it has over 50 stores primarily located in the Kanto-Koshin area, offering a diverse range of products including underwear, socks, children's clothing, menswear, womenswear, daily necessities, processed foods, and interior decor items. Takahashi is on a mission to deliver high-value products while maintaining low prices, pursuing a goal of becoming Japan's sole chain retailer of off-price stores.
This new venture represents Takahashi's commitment to enhancing its chain store strategy while continually delivering value to a wider consumer base.
For more details, visit Takahashi Co..
For more on Omron's Smart M&S Division, visit Omron Smart M&S.
To learn more about UGO Corporation (the robotics provider), check UGO.
Learn about Omron at their official site Omron Corporation.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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