P&G Tests AI-Powered Shelf Displays That Track And Analyze Customers

What Happened
Procter & Gamble has started testing a new in-store retail technology named shelfPoint to monitor and gather information about customers. Developed by San Diego-based tech startup Cloverleaf, the shelfPoint is a strip of digital display that wrap around retail shelves. Equipped with optical sensors and powered by an AI-powered algorithm, the displays are able to track the facial expressions of customers at shelf and pick up anonymous information about shoppers such as age and gender. Cloverleaf says it is working to add later this year the capability of tracking what customers picked up from the shelf. Besides P&G, Dell is currently testing this product in a Micro Center store in Houston, Texas.

What Brands Need To Do
This is an exciting new product for brick-and-mortar retailers because it combines AI and facial tracking to offer marketers insights about the customers standing in front of their store displays and checking out the products on shelves. If Cloverleaf can find a way to dynamically link the content displayed on shelfPoint screens to the customer data they gathered, this would become a powerful tool for real-time, personalized in-store targeting. As retail tech continues to evolve, retailers and CPG brands need to pay attention to the innovations happening in this space and be willing to try new products that enhance in-store experiences.

How We Can Help
The Lab has extensive experience working with retail, beauty, and CPG clients to create and implement digitally-enhanced experiences for their stores. The recently-opened NYX Cosmetics store at Union Square is a proud showcase of our team’s work in crafting a digitally enhanced, innovative retail experience. If you’d like to learn more about how your brand can develop an updated retail strategy and implement digital-driven retail solutions to transform your in-store experience, please contact our Client Services Director Samantha Holland ([email protected]) to schedule a visit to the Lab.

 


Source: AdWeek

Header image courtesy of Cloverleaf’s site

Samsung and Other Tech Companies To Streamline Connectivity For IoT

Unfazed by the recent news that $6.3 million-worthy Samsung devices were stolen in Brazil, Samsung is moving on with its commitment to make 2014 “the year of Internet of Things”. It has reportedly joined forces with five other tech companies, including Intel and Dell, to define interoperability standards, dubbed the Open Interconnect Consortium (OIC). Curiously absent from the alliance is Apple, who is probably working to protect its closed eco-system anyway. But we have to wonder, would that still keep up with the billions of devices expected to arrive with Internet connectivity in the next few years?

For more info on IoT, check out our previous IPG Lab Internet of Things Week coverage.

MakerBot Partners With Dell

Starting February 20th, small and medium-sized businesses will be able to purchase MakerBot’s 3D printers and scanners through the Dell printer store. The goal, for Dell, is to offer engineers complete end-to-end design to prototyping solutions through the Dell store. At the same time, as part of the deal Makerbot will be the only 3D printing solution offered by Dell. The store will offer the MakerBot Replicator 2, 2X, Z18, Mini Compact 3D Printer, Mini Desktop 3D Printer, and the Desktop 3D Scanner. While 3D printers slowly gain a mainstream audience, the avenues for designers to prototype products with 3D printers only grows.