MASAN and AIVision Partner to Deploy AI Display Scoring Across 500,000+ Retail Locations: Lessons from Vietnam's Largest FMCG AI Project

01/02/2023

Introduction: The AI Revolution in Vietnam's FMCG Retail Sector

In an increasingly competitive landscape, optimizing product display effectiveness at points of sale (POS) is a key factor for FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) businesses to increase sales and strengthen their market position. Recognizing this importance, MASAN Group, a leading consumer group in Vietnam, has partnered with AIVision, a leading AI solution provider, to deploy an AI Display Scoring system on an unprecedented scale: over 500,000 retail locations nationwide. This project not only marks a significant advancement in the application of AI to the FMCG sector but also provides valuable lessons for other businesses seeking solutions to optimize retail operations.

MASAN's Challenge: Ensuring Display Compliance and Optimizing Sales

Prior to implementing AI Display Scoring, MASAN faced numerous challenges in managing and ensuring compliance with display standards at hundreds of thousands of retail locations. Manual inspections were time-consuming, resource-intensive, and difficult to ensure accuracy and consistency across a wide area. In addition, MASAN wanted to obtain visual, detailed data on display effectiveness at each location to make informed strategic adjustments, thereby optimizing sales and profits.

AIVision's AI Display Scoring Solution: Automation and Enhanced Efficiency

AIVision has developed and deployed an AI Display Scoring solution based on Computer Vision and Deep Learning technologies. This system uses images captured at the point of sale to automatically assess compliance with display standards (e.g., number of products, product placement, POSM – Point of Sales Materials, etc.).

Key Features of AIVision's AI Display Scoring Solution:

• Automatic Product Recognition: AI is capable of accurately recognizing MASAN products and competitors' products, even under varying lighting conditions and camera angles.
• Display Compliance Assessment: The system automatically assesses compliance with established display standards, providing a score for each point of sale.
• Visual Data Analytics: Provides visual, detailed reports on display effectiveness in each region and distribution channel, making it easy for MASAN to track and evaluate performance.
• Violation Alerts: The system automatically detects display violations and sends alerts to the sales team for timely action.

Lessons Learned from a Large-Scale AI Deployment Project

Deploying AI Display Scoring on such a large scale provides many valuable lessons:

1. Choosing the Right Partner:

The success of the project largely depends on selecting a partner with experience, capabilities, and a deep understanding of both AI technology and the FMCG industry. AIVision has proven its capabilities by providing an effective, flexible, and tailored AI solution to MASAN's specific needs.

2. Preparing High-Quality Data:

For the AI system to function effectively, a large amount of high-quality image data is needed for training. MASAN and AIVision collaborated closely in collecting, labeling, and preparing data, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the system.

3. Training and Supporting Users:

Successful AI implementation requires widespread adoption and use by the sales team. AIVision provided comprehensive training and technical support to help MASAN employees become familiar with and effectively use the AI Display Scoring system.

4. Continuous Improvement and Optimization:

AI is not a static solution but needs to be continuously improved and optimized to respond to market changes and business needs. AIVision and MASAN continue to collaborate to monitor system performance, gather user feedback, and make necessary adjustments.

Conclusion: AI – A Key to Success in the FMCG Retail Industry

The collaboration between MASAN and AIVision in the AI Display Scoring project has demonstrated the enormous potential of AI in optimizing FMCG retail operations. By automating processes, providing visual data, and offering actionable recommendations, AI helps businesses improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase sales. This is an inevitable trend in an increasingly competitive environment, and businesses need to proactively approach and apply AI to maintain a competitive edge.

Want to learn more about AIVision's AI Display Scoring solution and how we can help your business optimize retail operations? Contact us today!