Cloudpick Japan, a provider of DX solutions such as walk-through unmanned stores, and Alps, a general service company based in Yamanashi that operates various facilities and stores, have jointly opened a unmanned store utilizing walk-through unmanned store technology at the Open Cafe Marugoto Yamanashi near Kofu station. Alps, a general service company that operates various facilities and stores based in Yamanashi!
This will be the first time in Japan*1 that a walk-through, no-show store where users do not have to go through a cash register will be attached to a café.
1 Cloudpick Japan survey
Background and purpose of application
Alps and Cloudpick Japan began collaborating in the “Yamanashi Startup Acceleration Program” sponsored by Yamanashi Prefecture in 2023, which matches local companies with startups to develop new businesses through open innovation for companies in the prefecture.
The Open Cafe Marugoto Yamanashikan, where the walk-through free store will be opened, is based on the concept of promoting Yamanashi Prefecture’s rich natural environment and climate, including its agricultural, forestry, livestock and marine products, traditional crafts, clean water and local sake, to people in and outside the prefecture. By combining this concept with a walk-through, no-frills store that utilizes the latest technologies such as AI and IoT, we decided to create the most innovative store in the prefecture.
Walk-through unmanned stores do not have cash registers and thus require less manpower than conventional kiosks. We will take on the two challenges of creating innovation in the prefecture and solving the social issue of worker shortage.
Store Features
In order to improve the shopping experience and to accommodate the lack of human resources, the store will operate as a walk-through, no-man’s-land store without a cash register.
This will be Japan’s first walk-through unmanned store with an attached cafe.
The customer adds the store’s official account on LINE and registers his/her credit card information on the mini-appli on LINE. Afterwards, in the manner of an automatic ticket gate in a car, the QR code displayed on the application is held up to the flapper gate installed at the entrance to the store and entered. When you pick up your favorite items and leave the store, payment will be completed automatically with your pre-registered credit card.
Cloudpick’s proprietary AI image recognition technology enables high-accuracy recognition of shopping activity in the store and helps prevent shoplifting.
Store Overview
(Location) “Open Cafe Marugoto Yamamanashikan
1-8-1 Marunouchi, Kofu-shi, Yamanashi-ken, 400-0031, Japan 7 min. walk from JR Chuo Honze Kofu Stn.
Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/AFJXGaPKLRUod7qD6
（July 10, 2024 (Wednesday)
（Business hours: 9:00~21:00
(Closed days)Same as Open Cafe Marugoto Yamanashikan closed days
(Products handled) Products centered on whole foods and beverages. Temperature range: room temperature, refrigerated and frozen.
(Store floor area) 19 m2
Future Business Development
Using this store opening as a model case, we will accelerate the opening of such stores at retail stores where a serious shortage of workers is becoming apparent. We are also looking for companies interested in introducing a no-man’s-land store. Please contact us at the address at the bottom of this page.
About Cloudpick
Cloudpick (headquartered in Shanghai, China) is a company with a mission to disrupt the shopping experience and digital transformation of real stores, providing in-store DX solutions such as walk-through no-show stores.
Currently, there are more than 900 walk-through stores in 19 countries including Japan (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagano, Ishikawa, etc.), USA, Germany, Singapore, Korea and China.
The hardware and software developed by the company’s own R&D team of AI and IoT scientists and engineers, and the store management know-how cultivated through an overwhelming track record of applications, are fully utilized to recognize products and consumer behavior with high accuracy. In addition to creating a futuristic shopping experience, the system will also realize low-cost operation by reducing the number of people in the store and eliminating the need for personnel.
We also provide a digital store management platform that integrates real-time inventory management, high-level marketing functions that enable analysis and application of purchase data and in-store traffic, and smart content distribution functions using digital signage installed in stores. We also provide support for store management, marketing, and OMO operations after the solution is installed.
We will continue to support DX in the Japanese retail industry.
Cloudpick Japan｜Company Profile
name of companyCloudpick Japan K.K.EstablishmentJun. 2020Location1F REGRARD NINGYOCHO, 11-8 Nihonbashi Hisamatsucho, Chuo-ku, TokyorepresentativeRepresentative Director: Yuexun LiBusiness OverviewCloudpick Japan K.K. is the Japanese subsidiary of Cloudpick Limited. Provides services such as software and hardware system development for unmanned and manpower saving stores, support for store installation and operation, analysis, etc.uniform resouce locatorOfficial Twitter:https://twitter.com/Cloudpick_Japan
Alps Electric｜Company Profile
name of companyAlps Co.EstablishmentMarch 26, 1976Location2799 Saijo, Showa-cho, Nakakoma-gun, YamanashirepresentativeRepresentative Director and President: Shigeru KanamaruBusiness OverviewPublic facility management and operation business, restaurant and retail store operation business, expressway PA operation business, cultural and sports support business, overseas businessuniform resouce locatorhttps://www.alps-hs.co.jp/
