BGF Retail introduces AI monitoring system to realize ”smart convenience stores” (Korea)

BGF Retail, which operates the convenience store chain CU, has announced that it has partnered with Dipping Source, a company with artificial intelligence (AI) video analysis technology, to open smart convenience stores.
The company uses CCTV cameras installed in stores to analyze the status of the stores in real time, including missing products, whether shelves are open or closed, and the cleanliness of the dining area.
If an emergency occurs and an immediate response is required, the system automatically notifies the employee's smartphone. Previously, employees had to walk around the entire store to check, but after the introduction of this system, the store's status can be monitored at any time.
In addition, the company plans to introduce Plus Insight, an AI store monitoring system that can track customer movements, time spent in the store, and even interest and gazes in specific products. Customer information will be anonymous.
The company believes that this will lead to improved sales and customer convenience through the optimization of product displays and more efficient inventory management.
Prior to this, the two companies will conduct pre-testing at a total of about 100 stores from 2023 to realize AI video analysis.
BGF Retail's head of retail tech, Jeong Seok-chan, said of the partnership, "We are creating a system to make decisions based on data analyzed by AI.
This will be the first step."