Hontas Tameike Tameike-sanno Metropia Store, a completely unmanned bookstore developed in collaboration with NIPPON SHUPPAN HANBAI INC. (headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Chief Executive Of cer: Keiji Okumura; hereinafter referred to as "Nippan") as a development partner, will open on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 as a new, sustainable model of bookstore.
[The value that "Hontas" provides]
As the number of bookstores nationwide is decreasing, there have been an increasing number of cases of bookstores closing down, even in areas with large populations such as train stations, where bookstores would normally be viable, due to pressure on management due to labor costs and rent. Tanseisha therefore participated as a development partner of Nippan, which aims to create stores that are easy for many people to visit while keeping costs down through unmanned operation.
Tanseisha has aimed to create a brand experience that is smart, easy to use, and unmanned yet warm, by leveraging its track record in creating real spaces and building a customer journey that smoothly connects the real and digital worlds at the customer's center. In addition, by measuring people flow data in the space, the company will conduct various demonstration experiments in the future, aiming to create a more comfortable and satisfying brand spatial experience and build a new sustainable bookstore model.
Key points of "Hontasu Tameike Tameike Sanno Metropia Store"
(1) The friendly and approachable design of a local bookstore. Product displays that allow you to enjoy discovering new books. The latest selection of products and recommendations tailored to the "current interests and current needs" of customers in that area.
For example, we will respond to people's current emotions, such as "What's popular right now?", "What's that news I've been hearing a lot about lately?", "I want to change the way I work, so I need to study", or "I'm tired today, so I want to change my mood", and create a sales area where even people who are not used to going to bookstores can casually and easily get their hands on information (books).
(2) Creating a smart bookstore experience that is safe and stress-free, even when unmanned.
By utilizing technology such as remote customer service systems to get closer to customers, we are creating a more comfortable in-store experience.
*For details on the background and objectives of the Hontas initiative, please see the news release dated August 1, 2023.
Overview of "Hontasu Tameike Tameike Sanno Metropia Store"
- ・Opening date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
- Address: 2-11-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Tokyo Metro Tameike-Sanno Station (near ground level exit 8)
- ・ Business hours: Weekdays 7:00~22:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 10:00~20:00
- ・Official website: https://hontasu.com/
- ・ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hontasu.official/
- ・X (old Twitter): https://twitter.com/HontasuOfficial
- ・ LINE (※): https://liff.line.me/2000371359-VxBnvkmg
- *Please scan the QR code on the right with your camera and try registering as a member.
Unmanned solutions
Hontas has two pillars: being completely unmanned and having a store design that is friendly to light users, creating a touchpoint between consumers and books and stimulating demand for books in everyday life.
Ⅰ. Entry and exit management via LINE
(RemoteLOCK *1 × L Membership Card *2)
The digital membership card via the LINE mini app will be the key for entering and leaving the store, and by managing entry and exit for each member, we will be able to achieve completely non-face-to-face security management. Also, to minimize the hurdles to entering the store, we have made it possible to issue a membership card by simply registering a nickname.
The first time you use the store, you will be issued a membership card by scanning the QR code on the store sign, and you will need to hold the card over the reader to enter. From the next time onwards, you can open your membership card through LINE, and hold it over the reader when entering and leaving the store.
For details on the usage guide, please visit the official Hontas website.
"Hontasu" official website: https://hontasu.com/
II. Remote response in emergencies
The store is monitored with live cameras, and emergency responses are made to prevent trouble, grasp the situation in the event of a disaster, etc. For emergency inquiries from within the store, operators from Nippan's headquarters (Hontas Support Center) will respond via chat or video call via the customer's own smartphone.
III. Cashless payment at self-checkouts
By not handling cash, we can reduce our operational burden, and by offering multiple cashless payment methods and allowing customers to choose the payment method that best suits them, we can make smart purchases.
*Payments can be made by credit card, transportation IC card, and various QR codes and barcodes.
IV. Consumer Behavior Analysis and Promotion
By using AI to visualize and analyze visitor attributes and movement patterns through live cameras, in-store marketing is carried out based on data not only from purchasers (POS) but also from visitors (in-store behavior). Customer feedback is also collected through LINE, which manages membership, and reflected in store creation, such as campaign planning and product announcements that meet customer needs.
(Camera data will be converted so that individuals cannot be identified before analysis.)
Overview of the demonstration experiment
We will conduct a demonstration experiment using "FAC+," a service developed together with Pixie Dust Technologies Inc. that combines spatial data analysis and design to maximize the value of a space by providing a one-stop service from identifying spatial issues to proposing solutions.
Web cameras and sensors installed in the store will collect various data such as visitor attributes and movement patterns, which will be visualized and analyzed using AI to clarify the merits of spatial design based on numerical values, leading to the provision of a higher quality spatial experience. Using the Tameike Sanno store as a base, we will seek solutions that will improve the value of real spaces to further increase customer satisfaction and lead to the success of "Hontasu."
(Camera data will be converted so that individuals cannot be identified before analysis.)
*1: RemoteLOCK is a smart lock and access control system developed by RemoteLock Inc. (Headquarters: Colorado, USA; CEO: Nolan Mondrow) and provided in Japan by Structural Planning Institute. Entry authority can be managed remotely via Wi-Fi connection. Locks can be unlocked using a PIN number, IC card (FeliCa), QR code, etc., making it highly compatible with the operation of facilities used by an unspecified number of people, ensuring security while reducing the number of people required for operation. It is mainly used in accommodation facilities, stores, public facilities, etc.
*2: The L Members Card is a digital membership card service provided by Oblivion LLC that runs on LINE and has a wide range of expansion functions to suit many industries. By introducing the L Members Card to stores and businesses, there is no need to install a smartphone app or go through the hassle of logging in; all you need is LINE and you can immediately present your membership card or point card.
■About Nippan
Since its founding in 1949, Nippon Shuppan Hanbai is a publishing and distribution company that has been involved in the distribution of books and magazines and has built the infrastructure for publishing distribution in Japan.
Based on the group's management philosophy of "valuing the connection between people and culture, and delivering richness to the hearts of all," we are working on reforming publishing distribution in order to protect the scenery of bookstores in town and an environment where everyone can freely interact with books. Furthermore, in order to deliver even greater richness to more people, we are expanding our business domain beyond the existing business framework of publishing distribution to develop new types of Produce, engage in book-based production businesses, and create public places by renovating unused assets, thereby continuing to contribute to nurturing people's rich hearts.
■About Structural Planning Institute Co., Ltd.
Structural Design Institute is a technical consulting firm that uses engineering knowledge to tackle various social problems. Since its founding in 1956 as a structural design office, the firm has expanded its business into a variety of fields, including construction and disaster prevention, information and communications, manufacturing, and decision-making support, as a "Professional Design & Engineering Firm that bridges universities, research institutes, and the business world." By providing engineering consulting and product services based on engineering knowledge, the firm is working daily to solve increasingly complex social issues.
Company website: https://www.kke.co.jp/
About Oblivion LLC
We develop, provide, and operate LINE Mini Apps, and have developed package systems such as "a service that allows you to open an e-commerce shop on LINE," "a service that allows you to place mobile orders for restaurants via LINE," and "a service that allows you to provide digital membership cards via LINE Mini Apps," which are used by many stores, organizations, and local governments.
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