Cloudpick and J. Front Retailing: Pioneering Unmanned Stores at Daimaru Tokyo Store

In a significant step toward the future of retail, Cloudpick, in collaboration with J. Front Retailing (JFR) and Mitsubishi HC Capital, has launched a Proof of Concept (PoC) for an unmanned store at the Daimaru Tokyo Store starting from February 6, 2025. This marks Cloudpick's first-ever PoC in a department store, showcasing the company's innovative technology that merges AI and IoT to create a seamless and efficient shopping experience. The store will be a part of the "2025 Osaka Kansai Expo Official Store," setting the stage for a new era of automated retail.

The Collaboration Behind the PoC

J. Front Retailing, known for managing department stores like Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores, Parco, and GINZA SIX, has been actively investing in innovative technologies through their corporate venture capital fund, the JFR MIRAI CREATORS Fund. The fund supports startups that aim to transform the future of retail, and Cloudpick's unmanned store technology won the pitch contest held in February 2024.

Cloudpick, which specializes in AI-driven, walk-through unmanned store solutions, has teamed up with Mitsubishi HC Capital to address challenges such as labor shortages and rising operational costs. This PoC aims to test the effectiveness of Cloudpick's technology in real-world retail environments and explore the potential of unmanned stores as a sustainable business model.

The PoC at Daimaru Tokyo Store

The PoC at Daimaru Tokyo Store will run from February 6, 2025, until October 2025, offering a glimpse into the future of shopping. The technology enables customers to enter the store by tapping their credit cards (including Apple Pay and Google Pay), select items, and simply walk out. The system uses advanced AI and sensors integrated with cameras to track customers' movements, automatically detecting which products are picked up based on weight sensors and AI algorithms.

Customers can complete their purchases seamlessly without the need for cashiers, as the system processes the transaction in real-time as they exit the store. This system is designed to enhance the shopping experience, reduce waiting times, and optimize store operations.

Roles of the Collaborating Companies

• JFR: Provides the retail environment and the platform for the PoC, offering their Daimaru Tokyo Store as the location for this innovative project.

• Cloudpick: Supplies the hardware and software to build and manage the entire unmanned store system, including the development of the AI-driven walk-through checkout system.

• Mitsubishi HC Capital: Supplies the equipment needed for the unmanned store and provides it as a subscription service, helping facilitate the technological implementation in JFR's stores.

Addressing Labor Shortages and Enhancing Customer Experience

In Japan, like many other countries, labor shortages have become a serious social issue. In response, the need for smarter, more efficient retail solutions has never been more urgent. JFR is exploring the use of unmanned stores to reduce reliance on human staff while improving customer service and convenience. Through this PoC, JFR hopes to evaluate the impact of unmanned stores on customer satisfaction and test the feasibility of implementing similar solutions across its retail network.

Cloudpick and Mitsubishi HC Capital's participation aims to address the retail industry's challenges by leveraging technology to create efficient and customer-centric shopping experiences. This partnership not only helps in testing the business model but also provides valuable insights into the potential for a subscription-based unmanned store service that could be offered to other retailers.

A New Era of Shopping

The partnership between Cloudpick, JFR, and Mitsubishi HC Capital is paving the way for a more automated and efficient retail experience. With the growing need for smarter shopping solutions, especially in high-traffic locations like department stores, the PoC at Daimaru Tokyo Store represents an important step toward the future of retail. The use of AI, IoT, and seamless walk-through shopping systems will likely become more common in the coming years, offering customers faster, more convenient ways to shop while helping retailers reduce costs.

As labor shortages continue to challenge the retail industry, the implementation of unmanned stores is an effective solution that enhances operational efficiency while improving the customer experience. This collaboration is not just about solving immediate challenges but also about creating a scalable, sustainable model for the future of retail.

Conclusion

Cloudpick's unmanned store solutions, in collaboration with JFR and Mitsubishi HC Capital, are set to revolutionize the retail landscape. This PoC is just the beginning, as the partnership explores new ways to optimize retail operations, enhance customer service, and address the industry's pressing labor shortages. With technology rapidly advancing, the future of shopping looks to be faster, smarter, and more automated.

For more information on Cloudpick's innovations and their role in transforming retail, visit Cloudpick's official website.