Mall of the Emirates taps Cisco tech for Store of the Future launch
Majid Al Futtaim owned and operated Mall of the Emirates has worked with Cisco to launch the ‘Store of the Future’.
The first retailer to take over the space is THAT Concept Store.
An immersive, digitalised, and personalised shopping experience has been created through five of Cisco’s core technology features: Digital Display Canvas, Lift & Learn, Magic Mirror, Beauty Mirror, and Store Analytics.
Digital display screens will welcome customers into the store and will create an immersive atmosphere with the help of artificial intelligence and computer vision.
The content on the screens will change based on anonymous facial analytics, such as gender and age group.
Fuad Sharaf, Managing Director, UAE Shopping Malls, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, comments: “The retail industry is constantly evolving to meet the needs of customers worldwide.”
“Creating a seamless, interactive, engaging, safe and personalised customer experience are five of the main drivers for this digital development.”
“We’ve learnt over the past two years that everyone needs to feel comfortable and safe when visiting malls, which is why one of reasons that the ‘Store of the Future’ was designed was to provide an experience that simplifies shopping and offers limited contact when compared to a traditional store.”
“We look forward to adapting this space for more brands to enjoy and continuing to change the face of retail by creating enriching, and memorable experiences for our customers, guests and employees alike.”
Ali Abotteen, Digital Transformation & Innovation Leader, Gulf Region, Cisco, says: “Customer experiences have evolved, and many industries have adapted to ensure safety and convenience are being met as they are top priorities.”
“Working with Majid Al Futtaim – a key player in retail, hospitality, tourism, and community development in the region, will help us bring customers a futuristic shopping experience. This exciting and engaging digital experience will create a personalised and inclusive product discovery journey for every customer.”
The Lift & Learn feature customises recommendations and displays a product’s information on screen once it is picked up by a customer from the shelf.
Magic Mirror, meanwhile, helps customers browse a variety of products, which are available on online stores, through an embedded digital and interactive touch display.
And Beauty Mirror limits the physical contact aspect of discovering beauty products and makeup by helping customers try them through augmented reality and interactive touch.
The store leverages wireless infrastructure location service analytics and intelligent cloud-based ceiling cameras.
The number of visitors, demographics, footfall heatmaps, dwell times, sentiment analysis, store capacity, physical distancing, and face mask compliance are detected to improve future experiences, and continue the implementation of Covid related social distancing and safety rules.
