Introduction
AEON is Japan's largest retail corporation with sales exceeding two trillion yen, operating approximately 400 stores including supermarkets and shopping malls. Working with app development subsidiary Irasshaimase Inc., AEON developed the Scandit-powered RegiGo self-scanning app to deliver a gamified shopping experience where customers scan products themselves and complete checkout independently.
Challenge
AEON, Japan's largest retailer operating approximately 400 stores, had previously introduced tablet-based self-checkout shopping carts, but customer adoption was negligible. The core issue was barcode recognition failures on curved surfaces like wine bottles, wet surfaces on chilled and frozen products, and barcodes at difficult angles. The company needed to reduce checkout wait times and enhance the contactless shopping experience during the pandemic.
Solution
AEON's app development subsidiary Irasshaimase Inc. developed the RegiGo app powered by Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK. Customers pick up in-store smartphones, scan product barcodes while shopping, review purchases on screen, then pay via QR code at RegiGo terminals using cash, card, or electronic payment. Scandit's AI-powered barcode recognition ensures accurate scanning across all conditions — curved surfaces, wet packaging, damaged barcodes, and low lighting.
Why SCANDIT
Irasshaimase CEO Naoto Kayukawa stated that 'Scandit outperformed other software-based scanning solutions based on capital investment, operational costs, and integration ease.' The AI-powered recognition technology that ensures accurate scanning on curved surfaces, wet packaging, damaged barcodes, and poor lighting was essential for AEON's grocery environment where fresh food scanning is particularly challenging.
"We wanted to ensure contact-free shopping safety during the pandemic while enhancing our self-scanning solution."
— Minoru Yamamoto, Operating Officer & Chief Officer, System Solution Division, AEON Retail
"Scandit outperformed other software-based scanning solutions based on capital investment, operational costs, and integration ease."
— Naoto Kayukawa, CEO, Irasshaimase Inc.
Impact
After deploying RegiGo, AEON achieved a 5% increase in store sales with 30% higher customer engagement compared to the previous solution. 67% of customers indicated intent to continue using the app, while average basket size increased by $5 and customers purchased 2 additional items on average. Currently operating in 24 stores, AEON plans to expand to over 100 stores across Japan.