Russian retailer X5 Retail Group has announced that it has tested video analytics and computer vision technology based on neural networks and AI, which it said will benefit its planogram control process.
X5 said that the technology has the potential to increase in the speed of the planogram control process tenfold, while also reducing the number of people leaving stores without a purchase by 10% and shrinkage levels by 20%.
Testing revealed that video analytics add the most value when used to control layout and availability of products on shelves, monitor queue length and prevent store thefts.
Automating Retail
Intelligence Retail, a solution developed by the company of the same name, scored a 93.7% accuracy rate for on-shelf product recognition.
It was tested in five Perekrestok stores in the Moscow Region, notifying employees of empty shelves and the need to replenish the products. During the pilot stage, the technology expanded its recognition capabilities to some 1,500 products.
A similar technology was tested at the Pyaterochka chain. Photo and video control over the layout proved efficient, boosting sales of target products. X5 added that video analytics could help to improve the quality of checkout services.
The retailer is introducing new technology for counting the number of customers in a queue at Karusel hypermarkets, and is being tested in 20 Perekrestok stores in Moscow. When there are more than five people in a queue, store management gets notified of the need to open an additional checkout lane.
X5 has been introducing a flurry of new innovative technologies to simplify and help its customers' retail experience.
Already this year, the retailer has rolled out three unique labelling technologies, automated planograms and it also entered a strategic partnership with the Republic of Tatarstan to focus on innovation and development of new technologies.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aidan O'Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
