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Seven Eleven launched the AI experience store in 2018 as a prototype to showcase and test various AI and IoT technologies for next-gen convenience retail.

The shelves and refrigerators integrated sensors to monitor stock levels in real time. When a product needs restocking, store staff are notified on tablets that automate inventory tracking.

The electronic shelf labels automatically adjust prices and promotions, allowing more flexibility and responsiveness for things like happy hour deals.

Object recognition cameras track customer demographics, traffic patterns, and dwell times, with data providing insights for optimizing merchandising and promotions.

Beacon sensors detect the proximity of individual shoppers and deliver personalized coupons or recommendations to their smartphones based on purchase history and typical routes.

AI agents with natural language capabilities help shoppers find items and provide product information.

Facial recognition cameras are installed at the entrance to identify loyalty program members and pull up their purchase history data to provide tailored recommendations and offers on their in-store screens and smartphones.

AI monitors sales and external factors such as weather to automatically create promotions that optimize current conditions, allowing for more relevant and targeted campaigns.

The image recognition system uses in-store cameras to recognize products picked up by shoppers and auto-tallies items in a virtual basket, enabling cashier-less checkout.

AI agents also use NLP to engage customers in conversational interactions, providing guidance, recommendations, nutritional information, etc., based on their needs.

Predictive analytics forecasts can support inventory management needs and product demand based on historical sales data, weather forecasts, regional events calendar, etc.

Telexistence company in-store robots can help stock shelves, clean floors, and identify spills or hazards to improve efficiency and customer experience.

Digital screens outside the store customize the promotions shown to pedestrians based on factors such as gender, estimated age range, and frequency of store visits.

This showcases how personalized and more efficient shopping experiences are with AI integration, featuring a multitude of sensors, digital tools, and analytics for a smarter future.

Sources:- sej, nikkei, ecommercetimes, the hustle