Leveraging Technology For Efficient Checkout

What if one of the biggest barriers to scaling a more circular business model wasn't the sustainable product, but the checkout process itself? For #PlasticFreeJuly, it's the perfect time to highlight how we at Google are helping partners like LUSH solve this exact challenge and make sustainability a core part of their customer experience. Lush's iconic "naked" (packaging-free) products are commendable, but they create a bottleneck at the checkout. How do you scan a bath bomb? The answer: You use AI. I'm proud that our Google Cloud AI, built with Gemini on the Vertex AI platform, is now powering Lush tills. An in-store camera instantly identifies any product, solving a major hurdle that came from their commitment to ditching packaging. The results are about more than just "going plastic free: - Lush has seen: 🟢 Dramatically shorter queues for customers. 🟢 A saving of 440,000 liters of water from fewer in-store demos. 🟢 Faster, more inclusive onboarding for employees. This is what it's all about: using innovation not just for its own sake, but to build a more sustainable and circular future for retail. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gkKEiEDg #Circularity #AIforGood #Sustainability #GoogleCloud #RetailTech #PlasticFreeJuly

Imagine walking into a store, grabbing what you need, and leaving without ever waiting in a checkout line. Thanks to Caper's AI-powered shopping carts, this streamlined shopping experience could fast become a reality. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤? Caper’s smart cart incorporates cutting-edge technology, including barcode scanners, three cameras for advanced image recognition, integrated scales, and built-in point-of-sale systems for instant checkout. This means you can simply toss items into your cart, and the cart handles the rest - identifying items, tallying your total, and processing your payment seamlessly. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: >> Image Recognition: Caper is advancing its image-recognition models to identify up to 50,000 items, making it possible for the cart to recognize products quickly without the need for traditional barcodes. >> Self-Checkout: Each cart doubles as a mobile checkout station. Shoppers can scan items and pay directly at the cart, bypassing long lines and making shopping trips faster and more enjoyable. 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬: For retailers, Caper’s smart carts mean improved customer satisfaction, reduced queue times, and enhanced data on shopping habits. Shoppers enjoy a more convenient, frictionless shopping experience, blending the best of online shopping convenience with the satisfaction of in-store selection. Caper’s technology mirrors innovations seen in Amazon Go stores but brings the convenience directly to conventional retail settings without the need for extensive store redesigns or infrastructure overhauls. 🤔 How do you see AI technology like this transforming the retail industry further? What other innovations do you think could enhance the shopping experience? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

Are long checkout lines and frustrating self-scan kiosks driving you away from brick-and-mortar stores? Smart shopping carts have the potential to revolutionize the retail experience in 2025, making grocery runs smoother, faster, and more enjoyable than ever before. Smart carts are transforming the checkout process in several innovative ways: 👉 Seamless Scanning: Equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, these carts automatically detect and log items as shoppers place them in the cart, eliminating the need for manual scanning. 👉 In-Cart Payment: Shoppers can complete their transactions directly through the cart's interface, bypassing traditional checkout lines entirely. 👉 Weight Verification: Integrated scales ensure accurate pricing for produce and bulk items, reducing errors and disputes. 👉 Real-Time Totals: The cart's display keeps a running total of purchases, helping shoppers stay within budget. 👉 Personalized Recommendations: AI-powered systems can suggest complementary products based on items already in the cart, enhancing the shopping experience. These features combine to create a frictionless shopping journey, significantly reducing wait times and labor costs for retailers while improving customer satisfaction. As we embrace this technology, it's crucial to consider its wider implications. How will smart carts impact retail employment? What measures are in place to ensure data privacy? And how can smaller retailers compete with this technology? Have you used a smart shopping cart? What is your take? #RetailInnovation #SmartShopping #TechTrends #AIinRetail #FrictionlessShopping