Transforming In-Store Customer Interactions with STAFF START's Omnichannel Functionality

In a groundbreaking announcement, Vanish Standard Co., Ltd. based in Shibuya, Tokyo, has unveiled enhancements to its retail staff digital transformation app, STAFF START. This innovative tool, already adopted by 3,000 brands both domestically and internationally, now incorporates a comprehensive omnichannel customer interaction model. The aim is to leverage customer visibility and AI-driven advice, allowing store staff to maximize sales in both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce environments. Starting September 17, 2025, a new feature called the 'Omnichannel Customer Ledger' will also be available for pre-registration.

Enhancing Customer Experiences

With the introduction of omnichannel capabilities, STAFF START promises to provide an enriched customer experience, enabling retailers to treat each shopper like a regular. This is not only crucial for increasing the individual contributions of staff to their stores but also addresses the urgent necessity to enhance labor productivity and customer lifetime value (LTV) in the retail and service sectors.

STAFF START has effectively established the culture of 'online customer service' while pushing the digital transformation of in-store staff. This expansion of operational scope enables staff to receive proper recognition based on their contributions. As a result, it has enhanced e-commerce sales and encouraged foot traffic to physical stores, thereby achieving a successful blend of online and offline engagement (OMO).

However, the industry faces the significant challenge of a declining workforce, projected to see a decrease of 20 million workers by 2050. This impending shortage will inevitably compound issues around staffing and customer access. Therefore, to ensure the sustainability of brands and their staff’s passion for their roles, it is imperative to enhance productivity on an individual level and deepen relationships with customers to further increase their LTV.

New Functionalities to Elevate Retail Engagement

STAFF START is launching new features aimed at bolstering support for both online and physical customer interactions:

1. Enhanced AI Support: Customer Interaction AI

This functionality helps staff provide high-quality customer service more efficiently. Building on the initial comment draft creation support, the second phase of AI assistance will provide tailored advice based on a wealth of customer behavioral data, ultimately enhancing the quality of interactions every staff member can provide.

- Point 1: AI-driven advice will strengthen online customer interaction capabilities. Each staff member will gain insights into performance metrics, such as average spending by new and returning customers and item sales rankings, ensuring more informed service.
- Point 2: Data-driven customer interaction will become available in physical stores as well. By January 2026, advice based on both online and offline customer data will enhance in-store service.

2. ‘Omnichannel Customer Ledger’ (Launching January 2026)

This feature collects comprehensive data regarding each customer's purchase history and preferences, allowing staff to understand customer interests in real-time.

- Point 1: Scanning a customer’s ID will instantly show their past purchases and behaviors, enabling staff to tailor interactions accordingly.
- Point 2: The ‘Customer Memo’ feature allows staff to update personal information easily, capturing both purchase history and conversational insights.
- Point 3: AI will suggest optimal interaction scripts based on existing customer data.

3. ‘Staff CRM’ (Launching 2026)

The Staff CRM will empower each staff member to manage customer relationships seamlessly.

- Point 1: Staff can reach out directly to customers via the app after interactions.
- Point 2: All communications will occur through the respective brand’s official app.
- Point 3: AI will assist staff in determining the most effective communication strategies based on customer data.

Free Omnichannel Interaction Webinars

To raise awareness and understanding of the new offerings, STAFF START will host free online webinars for interested brands and corporate representatives. Details regarding registration and material requests can be found on a dedicated landing page, which includes a simple application form.

- Webinar Date: October 2, 2025, from 14:00 to 15:00 via Zoom Webinar.
- Participant Limitation: There are no restrictions on the number of participants.

In the vein of enhancing employee experiences (EX), STAFF START aims to foster a culture that recognizes and rewards the contributions of retail staff, underscoring the importance of customer appreciation. By enabling more retail staff to deliver valuable service and receive gratitude in return, the brand seeks to further maximize sales and create an environment where every staff member can continue pursuing what they love about their jobs.

About STAFF START

STAFF START facilitates online customer service through company EC sites and social media, creating visibility around the contributions of retail staff. The number of brands utilizing this service exceeds 3,000, stretching across sectors like apparel, beauty, furniture, and food services. From September 2023 to August 2024, sales attributed to STAFF START contents reached an impressive 209.1 billion yen, showcasing its increasing impact on the retail landscape.

STAFF START continues to pave the way for technological advancements in retail, helping businesses thrive in a rapidly changing marketplace. For inquiries about the STAFF START service and its features, please reach out via the designated contact points or explore the links provided.