"Sampling Table is Dirty"... AI Informs You at Convenience Store CU

BGF Retail, which operates convenience store CU, announced on the 29th that it will introduce AI technology in collaboration with AI video analysis company DeepingSource.

The signing ceremony held on the 28th was attended by Shin Jong-ha, Head of Management Planning at BGF Retail, Kim Tae-hoon, CEO of DeepingSource, and related staff members.

BGF Retail, which operates the convenience store CU, is partnering with AI video analysis company DeepingSource to introduce AI technology. Representatives from both companies are taking a commemorative photo at the signing ceremony held on the 28th.
[Photo by BGF Retail]

Through this agreement, the two companies plan to utilize the closed-circuit television (CCTV) already installed in existing stores to record and analyze store conditions in real time. Previously, employees had to patrol the entire store to check for out-of-stock items and cleanliness, but with the system introduction, BGF Retail explained that store conditions can be monitored at any time.

In cases requiring prompt response, such as out-of-stock status of key products, opening of fixtures, and cleanliness of tasting stands, notifications will be sent to employees’ smartphones for immediate action.

Additionally, the two companies plan to introduce 'Plus Insight,' an AI-based store caring system that can analyze customer movement paths, dwell time, interest in specific products, and even gaze, based on anonymized data. Through this, they aim to optimize product displays and improve inventory management efficiency, thereby increasing store sales while enhancing service quality and customer shopping convenience. The technology uses only anonymized data, so there are no privacy concerns.

The two companies have been conducting preliminary tests at about ten stores since last year to implement AI video analysis techniques in stores. Going forward, BGF Retail plans to actively promote the use of this data in stores and apply it to new stores as well.

Jung Seok-chang, head of the Retail Tech team at BGF Retail, said, "This agreement is expected to be the first step toward establishing a system in the convenience store industry that makes decisions based on AI-analyzed data," adding, "CU will continue to leverage advanced technologies such as AI to provide differentiated services and establish itself as a leading platform that enhances customer satisfaction."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.