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Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dmall Debuts AI-Powered Retail Solutions at NRF APAC 2025, Charting Global Expansion Strategy
SINGAPORE, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From June 3 to 5, NRF APAC 2025 (Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific) will take place at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. Co-organized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Comexposium, the premier event highlights retail digitalization, enhanced customer experiences, and industry innovation, offering a high-impact networking hub for exhibitors and attendees worldwide. Dmall Inc. ( a leading Chinese retail tech pioneer, debuts at the event, showcasing its latest AI-powered solutions, best practices, and ESG achievements. At the event, Dmall partners with Frost & Sullivan to release its White Paper on Current Situation and Trends of Overseas Development of China's Retail Digitalization Solution Providers. The report analyzes the evolving demands for retail digital transformation and outlines the expansion strategies of Chinese tech innovators. Frost & Sullivan notes that rising consumer expectations and sustainability goals are unlocking growth potential across global retail markets. AI, cloud computing, and big data are enabling retail tech firms to optimize and expand their global footprint. Dmall OS, the company's flagship product, will take center stage. The display traces its evolution from Dmall OS 1.0 to 3.0, highlighting globally-compliant, AI-powered, premium-grade, and ecosystem-oriented features. Dmall OS 3.0, integrated with IoT capabilities, delivers end-to-end retail digitalization, empowering businesses to thrive through comprehensive operational enhancements and data-driven growth strategies. Dmall also collaborates with Urovo, SuperHii and other hardware makers to demonstrate interactive experiences powered by PDA devices, smart shopping carts, POS systems, and electronic shelf labels —demonstrating how software-hardware synergy transforms retail operations and consumer experiences. China has become a leader in AI applications, with vertical models addressing sector-specific challenges. At the expo, Dmall spotlights its next-gen AI-enabled solutions, including AI Shopping Assistant, AI-enabled Clearance, and AI Inspection. Notably, AI-enabled Clearance utilizes sales and inventory history to auto-calculate discount rates, generating real-time promotions to maximize margins and reduce waste. Additionally, Dmall showcases its ESG accomplishments, focusing on governance, data security and privacy protection, low-carbon initiatives, and community programs. As ESG gains prominence globally, Dmall's practices offer retailers a blueprint for balancing business success and social responsibility. From 2015 to 2025, Dmall has expanded its presence from China to APAC, Europe, and beyond. Guided by the vision of "Chinese Innovation, Empowering Global Retail", the company continues to integrate best practices with retail digitalization solutions, streamlining operations for retailers while enhancing consumer experiences. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Dmall Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
FairPrice trials smart trolleys in digital push to create stores of tomorrow
In May, FairPrice began trials of the new Smart Carts – digitally decked-out trolleys that offer in-store navigation, personalised recommendations, and allow shoppers to check out without queueing at cashier counters. SINGAPORE – For a few weeks now, some shoppers at FairPrice Finest in Sengkang Grand Mall have been using trolleys mounted with touchscreens and barcode scanners. The digitally decked-out trolleys offer in-store navigation and personalised recommendations, and let shoppers check out without queueing at cashier counters. Meet Smart Carts, which began trials in May in the Sengkang outlet. The trolleys and several other digital in-store fittings are part of a Store of Tomorrow initiative that FairPrice unveiled at the National Retail Federation's Big Show Asia Pacific 2025, which is being held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre from June 3 to 5. Mr Vipul Chawla, FairPrice Group chief executive, told The Straits Times that a budget 'in the millions' has been allocated to pilot more than 20 new technologies annually over the next three years till 2028 to enhance the supermarket's omnichannel shopping experience. The budget also covers recently hired software engineers and data scientists as it seeks to reinvent itself digitally to deepen its engagement of millions of shoppers in Singapore. 'In 2022, the management team and I looked at where the points of friction were. Then we worked it back-to-front to see how we could use technology and training to make the whole interaction seamless,' said Mr Chawla , who succeeded Mr Seah Kian Peng to helm Singapore's largest supermarket chain that year. Processes earmarked for change include store navigation, promotion alerts, product recommendation and payment. Many of FairPrice's 164 supermarkets currently feature self-checkout counters, the Scan & Go function on the FairPrice app, as well as ample signage to guide shoppers to promotion items and store sections. Still, staff often spend time giving directions to customers and verifying Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) cards for discounts. Customers also often inquire about items on promotion while standing in line at payment counters. These tasks are manual and time-consuming. 'Shopping is as much an experience as it is a transaction. We can make that experience more fun, engaging and interactive,' Mr Chawla said. Come August, when FairPrice opens its latest supermarket in Punggol Digital District, it will test the Smart Carts on a larger scale compared with the 10 trolleys currently on trial in its Sengkang outlet. Digital price and promotion labels and smart store cameras will also be featured in the new supermarket to improve the shopping experience. Smart trolleys are being used by an increasing number of overseas grocery retailers, including Amazon, Walmart and Kroger. Many provide similar functions, including payment processing. To use the FairPrice Smart Carts, shoppers must unlock them with the Pay/Earn QR code on their FairPrice app. The cart's display is personalised, as the system has access to the user's past purchases to provide product recommendations and promotion alerts. A search feature on the trolley's touchscreen – complete with an in-store map and navigation instructions – helps shoppers to find what they are looking for. Sensors in the cart detect items on offer as shoppers browse the aisles and flash the promotion on screen. Sensors in the cart detect items on offer as shoppers browse the aisles and flash the promotion on screen. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Shoppers can use the built-in scanner on the trolley's handle bar to add items before putting them in the trolley, which has a weight sensor to tally the goods. Checkout is done by tapping the touchscreen and the purchases are reflected on the FairPrice app. If the weight of the item added to the trolley does not match what was just scanned, a light sensor on the cart will flash orange to alert staff, who will conduct random checks when customers return the trolleys. 'This is well beyond self-checkout. Your whole shopping is done in your own shopping cart,' said Mr Chawla, noting that FairPrice's self-checkout services islandwide now process more than half of total store transactions. Civil servant Phua Cheng Hua, 60, who frequents the Sengkang outlet, likes the convenience of the Smart Carts. 'This saves me a lot of time by eliminating the need to queue for payment,' he said. For added convenience, FairPrice is urging customers to update their profile on the app following an upgraded integration with MyInfo, the Government's data vault on citizens and permanent residents. This will allow the app to capture shoppers' Chas card details for discounts to be automatically applied for online purchases and at self-checkout counters. This automation will be live by the end of 2025. Without the MyInfo profile update, Chas discounts can be applied only at cashier-manned counters as card verification is needed. 'With the MyInfo profile update, you don't have to worry about which day to use which card if your family has several of them. The system will do the thinking and apply the appropriate card,' said Mr Chawla. Also coming are in-store digital promotion and price labels. These are becoming increasingly common among grocery retailers as they free up the time that staff spend on printing and changing physical labels. FairPrice plans to roll out digital labels across its 164 supermarkets over the next 36 months if the pilot in Punggol Digital District is successful. As store space is limited, an Endless Aisle experiment will let store shoppers scan a QR code on electronic shelf labels to be directed to a full catalogue on the FairPrice app. Consumers can complete their purchases and schedule a delivery on the app. Existing in-store CCTV cameras will also be upgraded with video analytics to alert staff when items on shelves need replenishing, more registers have to be opened to manage long queues, or liquid spills require clean-up. Existing in-store CCTV cameras will be upgraded with video analytics. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Commenting on unmanned 'just walk-out' stores that were hailed as the future of retail, Mr Chawla said: 'There's no warmth.' The unmanned format works only for convenience stores, similar to some of FairPrice's Cheers outlets in certain places such as universities and the armed forces, he added. Even as FairPrice tries out digital tools islandwide, the retailer is mindful of its social mission not to leave anyone behind. Its staff – many of whom are middle-aged or elderly – have undergone training to help customers who might have dementia, or serve as digital ambassadors. 'So the nature of the work changes a little bit, but hopefully the customer experience becomes less clunky,' said Mr Chawla. 'Seven in 10 Singaporeans still like to visit a physical store.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US Father's Day gift spending forecast to reach all-time high
Spending on Father's Day gifts is forecast to reach an all-time high of $24bn in the United States this year, according to findings from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The projected figure marks a significant increase from $22.4bn in 2023 and surpasses the previous record of $22.9bn set the same year. The annual survey, which highlights consumer behaviour around the popular June celebration, shows that 76% of Americans plan to take part in Father's Day festivities. Average spending is expected to rise to $199.38 per person, nearly $10 more than last year. Those aged between 35 and 44 are predicted to be the highest spenders, averaging $278.90 each. The study found a growing preference for unique Father's Day gifts that carry emotional or personal value. Nearly half of respondents (46%) said they seek gifts that are 'unique or different,' while 37% prioritise presents that create lasting memories. Popular gift choices include greeting cards (58%), clothing (55%), and special outings (53%). Gift cards remain in high demand, with half of all shoppers planning to purchase one. Experiential gifts and subscription boxes are seeing a steady rise in interest. Around 30% of consumers say they will opt for experiences such as events or activities, up from 23% in 2019. Subscription boxes, offering recurring deliveries of curated items, have also increased in popularity, with 43% planning to give them this year compared to 34% five years ago. Online shopping continues to be the preferred method for many consumers, with 41% indicating they plan to make their Father's Day purchases digitally. Department stores follow at 35%, with discount retailers (23%), specialty shops (22%), and local businesses (19%) also attracting customers. Retailers are expected to respond to demand with a range of personalised gift options and flexible purchasing methods. While digital platforms lead in convenience, in-store shopping still plays a notable role in consumer choice, especially among those looking for tangible, last-minute items. The survey results suggest a positive outlook for discretionary spending, particularly around family-oriented holidays. The increased spending among middle-aged consumers reflects a willingness to invest in meaningful celebrations and thoughtful gifting. Conducted between May 1 and May 7, the survey gathered responses from 8,225 adults and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points. The NRF continues to monitor holiday-related consumer behaviour as part of its broader retail industry analysis. "US Father's Day gift spending forecast to reach all-time high" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Father's Day spending expected to hit record high despite economic uncertainty
Father's Day spending is expected to hit a record high this year despite Americans facing economic uncertainty. Americans plan to spend $24 billion this year on gifts for dad, and other loved ones, the National Retail Federation discovered in a survey. It said around 48 percent of Americans will buy a gift for their father or stepfather, 25 percent plan to buy gifts for husbands, and 12 percent will get a gift for their sons. On average, consumers are planning to spend $199.38 per person, up almost $10 from last year. 'Americans are embracing meaningful traditions and holidays, and this Father's Day, spending on gifts and other holiday items is expected to reach record levels,' NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said. The previous record high for Father's Day gift-buying was $22.9bn in 2023. Last year wasn't too far off with $22.4bn spent on the special father figures in Americans' lives. This expected uptick in holiday spending comes at a time when a majority of consumers are having negative feelings about the current and future state of the economy. A poll from April conducted by The Economist / YouGov found that 40 percent of Americans believe the current state of the economy is 'poor.' Around 53 percent of respondents believe the economy is getting worse. The poll was conducted days after President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on all countries, even U.S. allies. He quickly issued a 90-day pause on many tariffs. Inflation has cooled and 177,000 jobs were added in April, but Trump's unpredictable trade policy still concerns economists. What Are People Buying For Father's Day? This year, much like in recent years, 58 percent of consumers plan to buy a greeting card, 55 percent plan to buy clothing, 53 percent plan to spend money on a special outing and 50 percent are expected to purchase gift cards for their loved ones, according to the NRF survey. Two types of gifts, subscription boxes and gifts of experience, have been on the rise in recent years. This year, 43 percent of Americans plan to gift a subscription box for Father's Day, up 34 percent from 2019. And 30 percent of consumers are expected to spend money on an experience to give to their loved ones, a 23 percent increase from six years ago. 'As consumers prioritize Father's Day gifts that are unique or create special memories, categories such as special outings and personal care items have seen an increase in popularity this year,' Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said in NRF's press release.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's tariffs are under threat, but ports aren't seeing a big rebound yet. That's bad news for prices
US ports have been seeing pandemic-level declines in imports, so good news on tariffs was just what port officials were hoping for. For awhile on Wednesday, it looked like retailers and ports got exactly that, with a court blocking many of President Donald Trump's tariffs. But a federal appeals court on Thursday quickly paused that ruling. That kind of whiplash underscores why, even when there's news of tariffs easing, goods don't start flowing into US ports right away. And that could mean fewer goods on store shelves in the coming months, cutting into available choices and raising prices for everyday Americans. 'I think there was an expectation that all of a sudden everything would start coming in again. I don't think you've seen that huge rush to bring everything in again because I think folks are still being cautious on how this is going to proceed,' said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation. Even after Trump lowered tariffs on China from 145% to 30% earlier this month, America's largest ports have yet to see a rebound. The Port of Los Angeles reported a 30% import decline during the final week of May compared to last year. The Northwest Seaport Alliance, which represents the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, says imports also dropped by 30% from the last week in April to the first week in May, and volume is significantly lower compared to last year. Then Wednesday evening's decision by a US court in Manhattan injected new chaos into the trade picture. The ruling blocked a swath of Trump's tariffs, including a 10% tariff on most imports and the higher duties on China, Mexico and Canada. The White House filed an appeal, and by Thursday afternoon a federal appeals court restored the tariffs until both sides provide written arguments by early next month. The back and forth is confusing enough for any retailer trying to do business, especially when they have to plan weeks or even months in advance. 'It's kind of a ping pong back and forth. We're trying to understand what's on, what's off. So it's very difficult for retailers to try and plan ahead,' said Gold. As retailers sit confused, fewer containers are headed for America's ports. The 30% tariff on China was already proving too costly for many retailers to bring more inventory into the United States, according to Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. About 45% of the port's cargo comes from China. Those that can afford the cost are shipping already-manufactured products, but no new factory orders are being placed, he said. 'With the whipsaw effect of information that continues to come out on trade policy and tariffs – many continue to take the wait and see approach,' Seroka told CNBC on Thursday. Things are improving for the Port of LA, albeit slowly. In the first week of June, 96,000 large cargo containers are expected to arrive, up from 69,000 in the final week of May. By the second week of June, 106,000 containers are expected. That's a jump, but that's still a loss of 9.4% from last year, according to port data. 'We're nowhere near where we should be heading into the first two weeks of June. We still have 10 cancelled sailings of scheduled vessel arrivals for June – half of those are in the first week,' Seroka said. 'So we are not seeing an uptick like some observers had called for or a big surge. It's a moderate uptick to catch up to where we were.' It's not just cost – businesses are also facing a time crunch. The 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is set to expire on July 9, and the 90-day pause with China expires on August 12. 'Ninety days of this reprieve is a short time in our business. That's typically the amount of time that it takes to put an order in, get the goods manufactured and ready to ship here to LA,' Seroka said. Still, some experts say a surge may manifest, but what it looks like is hard to predict. 'There's probably not going to be an issue with empty shelves, but I think there will be additional costs being potentially passed on to consumers, because what we're seeing is all this uncertainty has a cost,' said Daniel Hackett, a partner at Hackett Associates, a maritime strategy and trade logistics company. A number of large retailers, such as Walmart, Home Depot and Target, have already said they will increase prices to mitigate the impact of tariffs. 'You have supply chains, and they like predictability. They like certainty,' Hackett said. 'It's just that uncertainty is adding costs, if nothing else.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
