Lawson

History

2022: Opening a retail store with avatar tellers and call robots

At the end of November 2022, the Lawson chain opened the first store in Japan with remote cashiers. For buyers, they look like avatars on display screens. The new store is also unusual in that at the entrance, guests are greeted by robocalls. They will follow the actions of buyers and pay their attention to this or that position.

Japan's innovation strategy plays a big role in the island nation's high competitive abilities against the backdrop of Western developed powers. Its rapid economic growth and flexibility in adapting to sudden changes in the international market would be impossible without effective innovation - one of the foundations of this achievement.

A store with avatar cashiers and call robots has opened in Japan

The Japanese chain of convenience stores Lawson, with 17,600 outlets, of which 14 thousand are in the country of the rising sun. Lawson took this approach: At the Green Lawson store, opened on Nov. 28, 2022, customers will see an avatar on a screen that will have a remote worker behind them, answering questions or handling those few transactions, such as buying tickets that cannot be completed with self-service techniques.

Store chain Lawson sees the approach as inclusive as it allows people who struggle to work in retail to get involved from afar. People with disabilities who would not be easy to work for ordinary cash desks will also be taken to such remote work.

In typical Japanese style, remote employees will be represented on the spot by caricature avatars, one man and a woman, to give a face to the voice that is heard from the speakers at the box office.

Stores also have robotic systems that can detect when customers are in front of the shelf and automatically praise the merits of the product, for example, with the words: "This is very tasty. I want you to take it. " Automatic systems will also check buyers' IDs to verify their age when buying alcohol or cigarettes.

Japan's innovation strategy plays a big role in the island nation's high competitive abilities against the backdrop of Western developed powers. Its rapid economic growth and flexibility in adapting to sudden changes in the international market would be impossible without effective innovation - one of the foundations of this achievement.^[1]

Notes

Шаблон:Remarks