Couger set to provide virtual human agent Rachel to FamilyMart stores

Couger, an AI startup based in Tokyo, is to provide the virtual human agent Rachel to FamilyMart, with deployment slated for approximately 5,000 stores by the end of fiscal 2023.

Rachel operates on Couger's platform, LUDENS, and is capable of two way voice communication that is tailored to individual FamilyMart store manager's attributes and characteristics.

This allows them to have the optimal information they need on the spot, including those essential for store operations, advice on ordering, and suggestions for visual merchandising.

As Rachel operates on a tablet device installed in the store, it can be used in the back office as well as on the store floor.

The roll-out is the result of a joint development project with Couger’s strategic investor partner ITOCHU Corporation and FamilyMart.

RTIH Retail Technology Innovations Report

Couger and FamilyMart are in the running for inclusion in the first ever Retail Technology Innovations Report, sponsored by Metapack.

Building on the success of the RTIH Innovation Awards, this will highlight the top retail tech plays of 2022 as decided by our Editor, Scott Thompson, and an independent advisory panel.

Think you should be included in our top 50 retail technology innovations of 2022?

If so, make sure you submit your nomination (free of charge), via the form at the end of this page, before Friday, 16th December.

We’re looking for noteworthy technology deployments, launches, and pilots from across the omnichannel retail landscape, be they payments, supply chain, online, mobile, physical store etc related.

Scott Thompson will then draw up a longlist which will go to our independent judging panel, consisting of:  

Mike Cadden, Technology and Business Transformation Director, Start-Rite Shoes

Matt Taylor, Technology Transformation Leader at EY, Retail and Consumer Products

Brittain Ladd, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, and Strategy Executive

Christine Russo, Retail Industry Analyst

David Polinchock, Co-Founder/President, Unified Brand Experience Lab

Gary Newbury, Supply Chain Advisor and Delivery Executive

Dan Saunders, Retail E-commerce Manager, Stanley Black & Decker

Toby Pickard, Global Insight Leader, IGD

Hayley Meenan-Wilkin, Digital & E-Commerce Specialist

They will pick their stand out retail technology plays of 2022 and, based on this and Thompson’s own input, we will draw up the final 50.

An in-depth report will be published both on our website and in the third edition of our printed magazine in late January/early February.

Scott Thompson says: “Innovation and technology play a critical role in the success of the retail sector, so it is great to recognise standout examples with the 2022 Retail Technology Innovations report.”

“I’m looking forward to the launch of the first report in early 2023 and would like to thank Metapack, a leading provider of e-commerce delivery management technology to enterprise retailers and brands, for sponsoring it.”