7-Eleven Develops 'Signature 3.0 Model'... Normalizing Unmanned Operations

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Seven Eleven's future-oriented smart convenience store model, 'Seven Eleven Signature,' is entering the full-fledged road shop era after three years.

Seven Eleven announced on the 1st that it has opened the 'Signature DDR (Dual Data Revolution) store,' which applies the 'Signature 3.0' model designed with enhanced DT (Digital Transformation) to enable safe unmanned operation without security concerns even in general commercial areas.

The Seven Eleven Signature 3.0 project involved Lotte Information & Communication, which participated from the DT service planning stage and completed the establishment and verification of new services, as well as the IT capabilities and new technologies of Lotte Group affiliates such as Lotte Aluminum and Lotte Global Logistics.

So far, Seven Eleven Signature has been expanding stores mainly in somewhat limited commercial areas while continuously conducting franchise business stability tests.

Since launching the first Signature store (1.0 model) equipped with 'Hand Pay' and 'Unmanned Checkout' on the 31st floor of Jamsil Lotte World Tower in May 2017, it has steadily explored the possibility of entering road shops by installing the AI payment robot 'Bunny' and opening stores in various special commercial areas such as offices, factories, and gas stations (2.0 model) in 2018.

Through the development of the Signature 3.0 model, Seven Eleven has become able to deploy automated operation systems in general commercial areas. Seven Eleven explained that Signature 3.0 is a next-generation operation model that fits the recently emerging trend of contactless consumption culture and is an alternative to improve franchise store operation efficiency during nighttime and weekends.

The most prominent feature of Seven Eleven Signature 3.0 is that it greatly enhances security completeness by strengthening entry procedures. In automatic operation mode, customers go through a two-step entry authentication process via a 'double gate.'

When entering the store for the first time, customers undergo the first authentication at the 'entry authentication terminal' using all credit cards, L.Point, Hand Pay, etc., which opens the first gate. Then, they must go through an additional facial image automatic capture process via smart closed-circuit (CC) TV to enter the store. Upon exiting after shopping, customers are also automatically photographed by smart CCTV in front of the 'double gate' before leaving, significantly enhancing product theft prevention and deterrence.

Inside the store, a total of 54 multipurpose 'electronic recognition cells' are installed on the floor to generate and store customer movement data and product purchase data as real-time big data. This data can be used for ▲ detecting customer routes and emergency situations ▲ voice service for product information and location ▲ basic store operation information such as movement and dwell time by area.

The store is also equipped with an 'unmanned security system' that dispatches a security company within 5 minutes to check if any abnormal signs such as fire, property damage (glass, etc.), or unusual noise are detected, while simultaneously sending an immediate alarm to the store owner. Three customer emergency bells are installed in the store to quickly secure the safety of customers and staff in case of emergencies.

Additionally, there is a self-checkout system through the AI payment robot 'Bunny,' and a 'digital smart cigarette vending machine' that allows adult verification and payment via Hand Pay, credit cards, etc.

As this is the first Signature road store, Seven Eleven will initially pilot the automatic operation system during weekends and nighttime hours. After a period of system stabilization and efficiency analysis, the operating hours will be gradually expanded.

Meanwhile, Seven Eleven currently operates a total of 22 Signature stores nationwide. Among them, 20 are franchises, indicating that the franchise business model has been well established. Seven Eleven plans to expand franchise-centered Signature road shops with the 3.0 model and continue to steadily conduct stability tests for automated operations.

Choi Kyung-ho, CEO of Seven Eleven, said, “Seven Eleven Signature, the industry's first smart convenience store, is leading the digital transformation of the convenience store industry as an advanced platform that will lead a new shopping culture in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Now, with the Signature 3.0 model, we have laid the foundation to maintain the essential value of convenience stores?24-hour operation?and to respond to the untact consumption trend. Through this, we will create a new convenience store shopping culture.”