#Japan #Shibuya #DATAFLUCT #Airlake Retail Agent #AI Shelf Management

DATAFLUCT's Free Proof of Concept Program for Retail

In a significant advancement for the retail industry, DATAFLUCT has announced the launch of its complimentary Proof of Concept (PoC) program focusing on its AI agent, the Airlake Retail Agent. This initiative allows retailers to utilize real sales data to experience the AI-driven shelf management solution known as the "Shelf Layout AI". The program will be available for up to five companies on a first-come, first-served basis, starting from August 3, 2026, until October 31, 2026.

The Power of AI in Shelving

Airlake's Shelf Layout AI is designed to automate the creation of shelf layouts based on actual sales data and product classifications. This alleviates several challenges currently faced by retailers, such as reliance on veteran staff's intuition for layout planning and time-consuming manual processes. The program is structured to help participants assess the accuracy and practical applicability of AI-generated shelf layouts using their own operational data.

Background: Challenges in Retail Layout Planning

The design of shelf layouts can directly impact a store’s sales and profitability. However, many businesses struggle with effectively leveraging their POS data for shelf planning. Common issues include:

• - Dependence on the intuition and experience of long-serving staff.
• - Significant time and effort involved in creating shelf layouts.
• - Inability to quantify the effectiveness of changes to layouts.
• - Lack of continuous improvement practices due to insufficient data usage.

To address these challenges, DATAFLUCT offers the Shelf Layout AI, which automatically generates shelf proposals based on sales performance data. The new PoC program presents an opportunity for retailers to see how effective this technology can be when applied to actual data.

Features of the Shelf Layout AI

The AI is capable of generating visual representations of shelf layouts, making it easy for store personnel to understand. The solution analyzes various data points including:

• - Performance metrics specific to areas and stores.
• - Unique characteristics of different customer demographics.
• - The current conditions and constraints of display fixtures.

Additionally, users can adjust parameters such as fixture sizes, shelf depth, branding, and other specific requirements, enabling flexible and tailored shelf layouts. The system also supports comparing multiple layout strategies based on different focus areas, such as product assortment vs. best sellers.

Program Overview

Details of the PoC Program

• - Program Name: Airlake Retail Agent Shelf Layout AI Free PoC Program
• - Objective: Utilize actual data from participant companies to assess the effectiveness of AI-generated shelf layouts.
• - Eligibility: Open to businesses primarily in retail, but also applicable for manufacturers and wholesalers engaged in shelf layout proposals.
• - Capacity: Limited to the first 5 companies.
• - Cost: Free of charge.
• - Timeline: Applications accepted from August 3, 2026, to October 31, 2026.

Application Process

To apply, interested parties should visit the service introduction page and fill out the inquiry section: DATAFLUCT Service Inquiry.

Important Participant Guidelines

The program is primarily focused on evaluating the creation of shelf layouts through AI and does not guarantee increases in store sales or profits as a result. Participating companies must provide relevant data like product classifications and sales records necessary for the creation of shelf layouts.

Note that access may close once the limit of five companies is reached, and there may be adjustments based on application status and data provision feasibility.

Concluding Thoughts

As the retail industry grapples with labor shortages and personnel-dependent operations, there’s a growing necessity to transition from traditional experience-based strategies to data-driven decision making. With initiatives like the Shelf Layout AI program, DATAFLUCT aims to aid retailers by integrating technology into their operational framework, facilitating advancements from store development to operational management.

About DATAFLUCT

Founded with the vision of “turning data into business,” DATAFLUCT seeks to create new value from untapped data while addressing societal challenges. The company specializes in multi-modal data utilization for creating, processing, and analyzing data without format constraints. Furthermore, it emphasizes reducing waste through demand forecasting and advancing sustainable urban planning initiatives. Recognized as a JAXA Venture, DATAFLUCT continues to push boundaries in data literacy and its practical applications in business solutions.

For further details, visit DATAFLUCT's official website at DATAFLUCT.