5G for Retail

Changing the Face of Commerce

5G for Energy
5G for Energy

Pain points in the Retail industry

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Pain Point 1

Lack of high bandwidth in rural areas 

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Pain Point 2

Poor management of stock levels leading to poor inventory turnover and loss of revenue

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Pain Point 3

Poor in-store customer experience

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Pain Point 4

Rising labour costs

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Pain Point 5

Safety concerns (e.g., shoplifting, etc.)

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How 5G-enabled digital solutions can help

5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) increases digital retail services and application reach to rural areas.


Data flow

Step 1: Devices

Step 1: Devices More Information
  • End devices such as mobile device, tablets
  • Connect to 5G through SIM card in the device or through a FWA router

Step 2: Connectivity

Step 2: Connectivity More Information
  • 5G will provide high bandwidth low latency connections

Step 3: Edge Compute

Step 3: Edge Compute More Information
  • Utilization of edge computing (e.g. MEC) with distributed content and AI

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage More Information
  • All content stored in Enterprise storage

Step 5: Applications & Services

Step 5: Applications & Services More Information
  • Various cloud-based retail applications (both internal operations- and consumer-facing)

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers More Information
  • Connections through wireless access delivers high speed requirements to suburban and rural areas, providing digital transformation capabilities to retail shops

Step 7: Support Decision Making

Step 7: Support Decision Making More Information
  • End of process

Application logic

Scenario 1


  • Interactives devices (mobile phone, tablets, digital kiosks, connected signage) are able to connect via 5G as an alternative to fiber connections
  • Having FWA in place means that the same facilities can be offered as with fiber connections
  • High speeds and low latency from 5G enable uniterrupted access to real time retail applications and services

Scenario 2


  • High speeds and low latency from 5G enable retail cloud applications, uniterrupted streaming of high-quality content (e.g., for in-store smart signage) etc.
  • The access to high-speed internet opens other possibilities such as smart stores, immersive staff training, in-store personal robot helpers, immersive shopping experiences etc.

Scenario 3


  • Closing the gap of the digital divide in the rural areas with high-speed broadband access
  • Entertainment, interactive retail services and information can be accessed in rural areas
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Expected benefits

  • High speed broadband access alternative to fibre for retail digital transformation

Note: 

iconAI – Artificial Intelligence

iconML – Machine Learning

iconMV – Machine Vision​

iconSME – Subject Matter Expert

iconP&ID - Piping and Instruments Diagram

iconGHG - Greenhouse Gas

iconIT - Information Technology

iconOPAF - Open Process Automation Forum

iconOT - Operational Technology

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Key value created

  • Increased digital retail services and application reach to rural areas

Phone number:

0123456789

Potential

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How 5G-enabled digital solutions can help

5G enables real-time stock management – AI (ML) predicts demand and analyse optimised stock levels on shelves 


Data flow

Step 1: Devices

Step 1: Devices More Information
  • Sensors & cameras to monitor inventory levels
  • POS data can provide inventory insights
  • Data from other relevant sources: Weather; Temperature; etc. that impact customer behaviour

Step 2: Connectivity

Step 2: Connectivity More Information
  • 5G will provide high bandwidth low latency connections, especially for processing video streams

Step 3: Edge Compute

Step 3: Edge Compute More Information
  • MV at edge to process real-time visual inventory and customer behaviour data

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage More Information
  • All historical and real-time data stored in Enterprise owned storage

Step 5: Applications & Services

Step 5: Applications & Services More Information
  • AI: (MV) monitor current stock levels; (ML) to predict stock demand (based historical, weather etc. data) for re-ordering; and to optimize inventory Planogram [1] recommendations

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers More Information
  • Should be an autonomous process; Normally no need to ask decision makers
  • Real-time inventory Planogram change instructions can be sent directly to in-store staff smartphone, tablet, or smart glasses

Step 7: Support Decision Making

Step 7: Support Decision Making More Information
  • End of process

Application logic

Scenario 1


  • Smart Shelf Sensors (e.g., Weight Sensors and RFID antennas) to automatically scan and determine store inventory levels Fixed and mobile (e.g., in-store staff smart glasses, autonomous robots) cameras to monitor store inventory levels
  • Data collected will be used for stock management applications and inputs for AI
  • Relevant data will be stored either on-site or in a central enterprise storage from multiple stores

Scenario 2


  • Model will be stored and maintained by AI application
  • Consideration for a separate system (e.g., other sensors) for goods that cannot be tracked in the same manner.
  • Model will predict over-time, the optimized stock level forecasts for all SKUs to prevent out-of-stock (OOS) issues and to increase inventory turnover, based on customer purchase behaviour, seasonality, weather etc.

Scenario 3


  • Data collection, the execution of models and addressing the outcome will be fully automated
  • AI (MV) models will be improved over time and will be fully relied on in the future
  • SME and Data Scientists will collaborate in developing and deploying MV models and other AI solutions
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Expected benefits

  • Ensure availability of goods to sell
  • Improved consistency in quality and freshness of goods through timely placement of orders and demand
  • Effectively Planogram management to increase inventory turnover and maximize sales

Note: 

iconAI – Artificial Intelligence

iconML – Machine Learning

iconMV – Machine Vision​

iconSME – Subject Matter Expert

iconP&ID - Piping and Instruments Diagram

iconGHG - Greenhouse Gas

iconIT - Information Technology

iconOPAF - Open Process Automation Forum

iconOT - Operational Technology

icon

Key value created

  • Optimised stock levels reduce cost and waste

Phone number:

0123456789

Potential

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How 5G-enabled digital solutions can help

Personalised (and potentially immersive) experiences enabled by 5G; improving overall customer experience, leading to increased revenues.


Data flow

Step 1: Devices

Step 1: Devices More Information
  • Mobile phones and smart glasses that function as sensors for locational and user-consented data etc.;
  • Cameras and sensors deployed to identify customer purchasing behaviours

Step 2: Connectivity

Step 2: Connectivity More Information
  • Camera images
  • Other relevant data

Step 3: Edge Compute

Step 3: Edge Compute More Information
  • Time critical interactive content running on the edge
  • Smartphones, smart glasses etc. could also function as edge devices

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage More Information
  • All edge data collected stored to train AI algorithms
  • All data is stored at the Enterprise storage

Step 5: Applications & Services

Step 5: Applications & Services More Information
  • AI (MV) to, optimize pricing, identify shopping patterns (e.g., spotting crowd bottlenecks), create personalized offers
  • MV also used to display immersive (AR) content direct to users’ smartphones and smart glasses

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers More Information
  • Real-time interactions and personalised messages for customers in CRM base
  • Targeted advertising overlayed on display of smartphones and smart glasses; Bi-directional interactions enabled between retailers and their targeted audience

Step 7: Support Decision Making

Step 7: Support Decision Making More Information
  • End of process

Application logic

Scenario 1


  • Deploy low-cost cameras at various critical locations around the store for data collection
  • Consumer-facing smartphone (and smart glasses) applications can be used to collect sensor data on shoppers in real-time using motion, imagery-based sensors (e.g., tracking physical and eye movement)
  • Relevant data will be stored either on-site or in an enterprise storage to manage multiple sites
  • Displays with personalised messages

Scenario 2


  • AI (ML) models will analyse users’ behaviours, spending and consumption patterns etc. to provide richer, targeted insights retailers. MV could be used to track eye-movement to understand shoppers’ viewing patterns
  • AI (ML/MV)-driven analytics could also be utilized to assess consumers’ engagement with products and in-store campaigns. These analytics will be rich sources of information for marketing teams

Scenario 3


  • Models could provide data to improve customer experiences:
  • Satisfaction levels with service personnel
  • Busy hours simulation to ensure sufficient service staff
  • Recognition of regular customer to push promotions in real-time (either via smartphone app or via XR-enabled device) based on customer-specific historical data
  • Displays in shop for personalised messages (e.g., pricing, etc.)
  • Robots for personalised messages
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Expected benefits

  • Ability to provide personalised promotions to regular customers
  • Data provides insights on sources of dissatisfaction to be improved
  • Targeted advertising to users’ smartphones and/or smart glasses, while bridging communication gap between retailers and customers

Note: 

iconAI – Artificial Intelligence

iconML – Machine Learning

iconMV – Machine Vision​

iconSME – Subject Matter Expert

iconP&ID - Piping and Instruments Diagram

iconGHG - Greenhouse Gas

iconIT - Information Technology

iconOPAF - Open Process Automation Forum

iconOT - Operational Technology

icon

Key value created

  • Personalised (and potentially immersive) experiences improving overall customer experience, and increases revenue

Phone number:

0123456789

Potential

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How 5G-enabled digital solutions can help

5G enabled Digital Services targeted towards staff productivity and immersive training can streamline operations and hence optimize staffing costs.


Data flow

Step 1: Devices

Step 1: Devices More Information
  • Robots, sensors and cameras were deployed to monitor inventory (shelf audits) and store assets (e.g., coolers temperature, etc.) as well as customer purchasing behaviour (crowd formation etc.)

Step 2: Connectivity

Step 2: Connectivity More Information
  • Camera images
  • Data info from various sources (external)

Step 3: Edge Compute

Step 3: Edge Compute More Information
  • AI (MV) at edge for real-time interactions with customers (e.g., questions, etc.) using robots and displays
  • Service application for real-time customer guidance (mobile / robot)

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage More Information
  • All historical and real-time data stored in Enterprise-owned storage

Step 5: Applications & Services

Step 5: Applications & Services More Information
  • ML for predictive asset maintenance
  • MV to monitor inventory levels and customer behaviour
  • Self service POS autonomous shop
  • MV training (AR material displayed via tablet/Smart glasses)

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers More Information
  • New tasks (restocking, clean-up, potential theft etc.,) can be sent to staff phone, tablet or even overlayed smart glasses
  • Smart shelves integrated with cloud ERP systems can automatically change price and product information
  • Automated personal robots can assist with generic customer queries

Step 7: Support Decision Making

Step 7: Support Decision Making More Information
  • End of process

Application logic

Scenario 1


  • Deploy low-cost cameras and sensors at various critical locations around the store for data collection
  • Contactless and wireless payment terminals to encourage self-service payment, to move towards auto-charging system that triggers payment when customers leave the store (autonomous store)
  • Autonomous robots can perform multiple intra-day inventory audits compared to humans (who can at most do so only on monthly or quarterly or annual basis due to time and budget constraints) and can collect data on more consistent basis

Scenario 2


  • Image and sensor data will feed into models that will be stored and maintained by AI application
  • MV models will be developed to detect activities such as removal of goods from shelfs, packing of goods in bags and movement of the customer in real-time
  • Questions about product information answered by robot helpers moving around in the shop

Scenario 3


  • Data collection, the execution of models and addressing the outcome will be fully automated
  • New tasks (restocking, clean-up, potential theft etc.,) can be sent to staff phone, tablet or even overlayed smart glasses
  • Multiple ways of payment for goods – capabilities for autonomous stores in the future
  • Data collected will be used to improve AI models for more accurate predictions, reducing unexpected situations
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Expected benefits

  • Better CX e.g. via introduction of innovative payment methods
  • 5G enabled enhancements: immersive training to reduce retraining costs; enhanced staff productivity tools leading to better retention and reduced turnover

Note: 

iconAI – Artificial Intelligence

iconML – Machine Learning

iconMV – Machine Vision​

iconSME – Subject Matter Expert

iconP&ID - Piping and Instruments Diagram

iconGHG - Greenhouse Gas

iconIT - Information Technology

iconOPAF - Open Process Automation Forum

iconOT - Operational Technology

icon

Key value created

  • Streamlined operations and hence optimized in-store staff costs

Phone number:

0123456789

Potential

icon

How 5G-enabled digital solutions can help

Safe environment for both customers and staff created via AI (MV) applications powered by 5G; real-time alerts via proactive detection of unsafe conditions in retail premises 


Data flow

Step 1: Devices

Step 1: Devices More Information
  • Sensors and cameras (fixed, autonomous mobile robots etc.) to monitor customer behaviour including health incidents 

Step 2: Connectivity

Step 2: Connectivity More Information
  • Camera images
  • Audio data -- detect messages and early warnings of incidents (safety and health)

Step 3: Edge Compute

Step 3: Edge Compute More Information
  • AI (MV) at Edge to detect audio or visual issues for real-time intervention, e.g., automatically alert in-store staff or possibly law enforcement when necessary

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage

Step 4: Cloud Compute & Storage More Information
  • All historical and real-time data stored in Enterprise owned storage

Step 5: Applications & Services

Step 5: Applications & Services More Information
  • AI can be applied to predict potential crowd congestions
  • Track suspicious behaviors & movement

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers

Step 6: Inform Decision Makers More Information
  • Errors and safety violations reported immediately to operations centre of the site
  • In-store staff alerted via phones, tablets, or even via alerts overlayed over smart glasses about safety issues as soon as they arise; and are given instructions for reaction and damage mitigation

Step 7: Support Decision Making

Step 7: Support Decision Making More Information
  • End of process

Application logic

Scenario 1


  • Cameras deployed on-site to gather video and image data
  • Audio sensors deployed to capture and identify abnormal audio activity
  • Ensure AED (Automated External Defibrillator) equipment is available at the store premise

Scenario 2


  • 5G’s large bandwidth enables the transfer of large data sets for processing in real-time
  • Real-time high-resolution images and video data gathered will assist AI in its processing accuracy. MV will consume these image and video data as inputs to analyse movement patterns, congestion formation etc.
  • Having access to historic data to predict future levels and take action before they occur

Scenario 3


  • AI models will be able to detect suspicious activities and trigger alerts for preventive action
  • AI model will be improved over time to recognise more behavioral patterns
  • Shared data across multiple stores with facial recognition could detect and alert suspicious characters and alert the right authorities
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Expected benefits

  • Improved (safer) experience for customers
  • Safer working environment positively impacting in-store staff retention
  • Lower operating costs (reduction of theft, and thus inventory shrinkage)

Note: 

iconAI – Artificial Intelligence

iconML – Machine Learning

iconMV – Machine Vision​

iconSME – Subject Matter Expert

iconP&ID - Piping and Instruments Diagram

iconGHG - Greenhouse Gas

iconIT - Information Technology

iconOPAF - Open Process Automation Forum

iconOT - Operational Technology

icon

Key value created

  • Safer environment for both customers and staff

Phone number:

0123456789

Potential

Cross-industry solutions

Autonomous robots and aerial drones can traverse harsh and dangerous environments and reduce hazard risks for human workers. Such technology will provide enhanced monitoring and safety upkeep for facilities. They can be fitted with various sensors geared towards the purpose they are meant for and by using 5G, we can deploy them in real-time whereby the data collected can be sent directly to an AI application for investigation and immediate further action.

Wearable technology allows security and medical personnel to conduct background and health checks efficiently. Of course, they have a much broader focus and can be used in many different industries where clothing has been enriched with wearable technologies. Wearables are also able to collect extra information for a 5G-enabled digital service.

Sensors are crucial for capturing real-time data and insights and pave the way for more informed decision-making. Sensors will be the data collection point for every 5G-enabled digital service and therefore will have to cover a broad spectrum of types of information to be collected and the way they are connected to the DNB 5G network.

XR is set to take work and play to the next level with cutting edge technology never seen before. These devices have the potential to boost productivity and enhance entertainment, changing the way we experience our reality through digital transformation. There is an increasing broad spectrum of devices available for both consumer and enterprise markets, making it increasingly important for each user experience.

DNB Ecosystem

Disclaimer of Endorsement

All information provided on potential 5G-enabled solutions and potential vendors is provided for information purposes only and based on our awareness of the available 5G-enabled solutions and potential vendors in the market. It does not constitute endorsement, recommendation or favouring by DNB. It is your responsibility to verify and evaluate such 5G-enabled solutions and potential vendors. DNB is not an agent or legal representative of any of such 5G-enabled solutions and potential vendors, is not associated or endorsed by such potential vendors, has no authority to act on behalf of any such potential vendors, and will be an independent party if you enter a business relationship with such potential vendors. Third party links included are for convenience only and are not under DNB’s control. DNB does not assume any responsibility or liability for your use of such third-party links.