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Japan LAWSON Unmanned Convenience Store: Prospects for Future Shopping Experience
Recently, there have been frequent news reports about convenience stores in Japan, especially about innovative measures for unmanned convenience stores. Japan’s LAWSON is building an unmanned shopping environment through advanced technology and AI, and is expected to conduct large-scale testing by 2025.
However, surprisingly, in less than a month, unmanned convenience stores in Japan have already started testing operations ahead of schedule.
Testing and Layout of LAWSON Unmanned Convenience Store
Starting from October this year, LAWSON unmanned convenience store began trial operation, and this phase of testing will continue until March 14th next year. The store being tested is the “Rokkonen S Lawson Go+Toks Futako Tamagawa Store”, located next to the Tokyu Electric Railway Futako Tamagawa Station in Tokyo.
Unlike previous unmanned stores targeting office buildings, this unmanned convenience store is aimed at the general public, which means that this technology is no longer limited to enterprise employees, but provides services to a wide range of consumers.
Technological innovation of unmanned convenience stores
The operation mode of this convenience store is very advanced, and consumers do not need to queue for checkout. Firstly, users need to log in through LINE and bind their credit card, and scan the QR Code with their mobile phone before entering the store.
Next, customers can freely choose the products, and after selecting them, they do not need to wait for checkout at the checkout counter. Instead, they can leave directly and the system will automatically complete the checkout process. This contactless payment method greatly enhances the convenience of the shopping experience.
So, how do stores know what products customers have taken away? In fact, the store is equipped with 15 ceiling cameras and weight sensors on the shelves.
Every time a customer picks up a product, cameras and sensors track and record it in real-time to ensure the accuracy of checkout. This technology not only reduces labor costs, but also effectively improves shopping efficiency.
The impact on future shopping methods
The launch of unmanned stores not only demonstrates the intelligent trend of the future retail industry, but also means that Japanese convenience stores are gradually developing towards a more automated and digital direction. If the trial operation goes smoothly and the market response is good, LAWSON may further promote this new store model nationwide. For foreign tourists, although it is not yet clear whether they can directly use this service, based on current information, it seems that foreign consumers also have the opportunity to experience this high-tech shopping method.
Japan’s unmanned convenience stores are undoubtedly a breakthrough attempt in the retail industry. With the continuous advancement of technology, unmanned and intelligent shopping models will bring more convenience and efficiency to consumers. LAWSON’s attempt this time is not only a rehearsal for future stores, but also an important step for the retail industry to move towards intelligence. In the future, perhaps we will see unmanned convenience stores become a part of mainstream shopping scenes around the world.