Singapore's largest retailer, FairPrice Group, has launched its “Store of Tomorrow” initiative to modernise retail operations and enhance customer experience.
FPG will deploy cloud-connected shopping carts, an AI-powered store operations portal, and in-store video analytics.
It aims to improve in-store navigation, automate staff workflows, personalise promotions, enable biometric payments, and provide real-time responses to operational issues.
The group has tapped Google Cloud’s infrastructure, data, and generative AI stack, including Vertex AI, BigQuery, and Gemini models.
FPG’s group chief executive officer, Vipul Chawla, said the last few years of global disruption have shown that the only certainty in retail is how quickly consumer needs, tastes, and preferences evolve.
The group is applying generative AI and data analytics capabilities, with Google Cloud and partner ecosystem, to enhance shopper engagement across physical and digital formats, said Chawla.
The initiative was unveiled at NRF’s Big Show Asia Pacific 2025 and will be piloted at the upcoming FairPrice Finest outlet in Punggol Digital District.
It is scheduled to open in Q3 2025.
Smart carts for personalised shopping
FPG is piloting cloud-connected shopping carts, branded as Smart Carts, at the Sengkang Grand Mall outlet.
The carts use built-in displays and scanners to assist customers with in-store navigation, highlight nearby promotions, and offer product recommendations based on shopping behaviour.
Customers can use the Smart Carts’ built-in scanners for convenient scan-and-pay transactions.
The system integrates hardware and software from TROLLEE and connects with FPG’s retail backend and consumer app.
Google Cloud’s BigQuery, Cloud SQL, and Cloud Run support real-time data flow.
Vertex AI and Gemini API generate recommendations.
FPG is also planning to introduce biometric payment supported by Google Cloud infrastructure.
The group has integrated its app with MyInfo, allowing eligible users, including seniors, under government support schemes, to receive discounts without showing physical ID cards.
AI portal for store operations
FPG has co-developed an AI-driven portal, Grocer Genie, with Google Cloud, Tata Consultancy Services, and FlutterFlow.
It provides store teams with task automation and operational insights.
The portal uses Vertex AI and Gemini models to assist staff with intelligent task assignment and natural language responses to operational queries.
For example, a store manager can upload a photo of a spill, and the portal will automatically assign a cleanup task.
Grocer Genie is accessible via iOS, Android, and web platforms.
Store teams can query it for metrics including sales, customer satisfaction, and inventory data, and it delivers responses through dashboards or text.
Video analytics for real-time in-store response
The SOT program also includes a video analytics solution using Google Cloud’s Vision AI and Gemini models.
Integrated with Grocer Genie and existing CCTV systems, it detects real-time issues including low stock, long checkout queues, or safety hazards.
Alerts are automatically sent to staff, enabling proactive response and continuous in-store monitoring.
Additionally, FPG aims to pilot over 20 digital solutions annually over the next three years.
The group’s goal is to optimise store operations and offer hyper-personalised promotions to customers based on preferences, budget, and purchase history.
