7-Eleven will let AI create new products

The chain is developing an IT system that can come up with new ideas for products based on customer and feedback data.

7-Eleven Japan is tapping into AI capabilities to design and develop products. The convenience store chain is looking to accelerate processes by developing a cloud-based IT system to do data-based analysis and create new product ideas.

According to Nikkei Asia, this system will generate ideas via texts and images by analyzing data from store sales, consumer feedback, social media and product manufacturing processes. Set to start operations by Spring of next year, this solution is a combination of generative AI solutions from OpenAI, Stability AI, and Google.

The company’s estimates involve a 90% reduction in product planning processes as well as a better alignment with distribution, customer needs and emerging trends.

Currently, almost 1,000 Seven-Eleven employees at managerial level are already implementing this tool. The company expects to introduce the system to staff members working in development and market products by spring 2024.

Seven & i Holdings, the holding group, has currently about 3,400 products in the market sold under the Seven Premium brand. This new AI solution is expected to expand the product lineup faster by analyzing customer and store data.