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Chinese retailers invest in generative AI to boost performance

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SHANGHAI, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Chinese retail players are investing in generative AI to boost sales and Singles Day could be the perfect opportunity, according to a new report by Bain & Company launched today.

Since 2023, big players such as Alibaba and JD.com have been investing ferociously in AI with up to 40% and 50% of their acquisitions respectively, being AI-themed. Against a backdrop of slowing retail and a more subdued Singles Day, generative AI is expected to feature more prominently.

Bain & Company’s survey of over 500 merchants trading on China’s giant e-commerce platforms are embracing AI as 52% have used at least one generative AI–enabled tool. Slightly more than half have used generative AI–powered customer service chatbot tools, and about one in three have used AI to generate content.

Crucially, 56% of surveyed merchants say AI tools have had high positive impact in improving productivity (time and effort) and 39% responded with high positive impact in terms of operational cost reduction. In March, for instance, JD.com launched an enhanced suite of AI-powered solutions designed to cut merchants’ operational costs by as much as 50%. The solutions include an assistant to accelerate online store launches and a realistic avatar generator to enable round-the-clock interactive shopping livestreams.

“AI’s increasing prominence across Chinese retail offers a timely boost to a maturing industry that is facing challenges including slower retail sales growth, price stagnation, falling property prices, youth unemployment, and fragile consumer confidence,” said Kelly Liu, partner at Bain & Company’s Greater China Retail and Performance Improvement practices.

On the consumer side, AI is slowly gaining traction. Bain & Company’s survey of over 3,000 Chinese consumers revealed that only 12% of shoppers used AI retail tools in the last six months, with 23% penetration among Gen Z shoppers over the same period. Across all ages, Chinese shoppers are most likely to have used generative AI in the areas of visual search (beginning a search with an image rather than a text-based query), customer service chatbots, and voice-activated search and shopping.

In the consumer survey, 49% of shoppers said they are excited about the upcoming Singles Day, down from 53% in 2023 and 76% in 2021. About three-quarters of respondents said they expect to spend the same amount or less on Singles Day promotions in 2024, broadly in line with last year’s findings. Some shoppers have also indicated that they want to limit their Singles Day spending to household products only. Shoppers who plan to maintain their Singles Day spending are also hoping that this year’s deals will be as attractive as last year’s.

“As expected, economic headwinds have caused a stagnation in Singles Day sales last year as gross merchandise value increased by a record low of 2%, supported by newer livestreaming and short video e-commerce channels,” said James Yang, head of Bain & Company’s Greater China Retail practice. “We have predicted this for some time now, and it is vital that Chinese retailers deepen their customer engagement. AI tools can energize customer retention efforts, enabling e-commerce players to hyper-personalize their engagement with consumers and create bespoke shopping experiences for them.”

Retailers that master generative AI in three key areas — deepening customer engagement, turbocharging productivity and cost savings, and finding new growth beyond trade — could build a lasting strategic advantage, says the report.

To retain and nurture customer relationships, leading players are already starting to deploy enhancements such as SEO-friendly automation of product pages, AI-written summaries of customer reviews and even virtual try-ons – through services such as Taobao’s AI fitting room.

Generative AI has massively expanded cost-saving automation possibilities in previously labor-intensive areas of marketing, through the creation of product photos and descriptions, as well as in merchandising and software engineering. A big part of the AI productivity opportunity involves helping frontline staff to be more effective through smart automated assistance that gives them more capacity to get things done.

Bain & Company’s experience advising on generative AI globally suggests many retailers should be able to increase revenue by 5% to 10% overall through AI-powered personalization initiatives and achieve productivity gains of 30% to 40% in marketing, 25% to 30% in software development, and 5% to 25% from using generative AI to reshape the way employees work on the front line, in warehouses, and at HQ.

Chinese retailers need to transition faster from AI experimentation to deployment at scale. Longer term, Chinese retailers must also consider how they can use AI to find new growth beyond trade as the technology starts to open up adjacencies to traditional buying and selling that could extend their already diverse activities.

“We have strong reasons to believe that Chinese retailers have what it takes to succeed in the AI race and win over customers. E-commerce penetration rates have been robust and e-commerce infrastructure—particularly its vast ecosystems of consumers, retailers, and partners—should accelerate adoption as familiarity with AI builds. And finally, the market’s AI research and development is also notably strong, leading the world in AI-related patent filings,” said Melanie Sanders, Asia Pacific head of Bain & Company’s Retail practice.

Editor’s Note: For more information or interview requests please contact:

Gary Duncan (London) — Email: gary.duncan@bain.com
Katie Ware (New York) — Email: katie.ware@bain.com
Ann Lee (Singapore) — Email: ann.lee@bain.com

About Bain & Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world’s most ambitious change makers define the future.

Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today’s urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 1% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.

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SOURCE Bain & Company

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2024 Financial Oscars: Waton Securities International Honored as “Outstanding Digital Empowerment Institution” of the Year

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SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In early December, at the 18th Huaxia Institutional Investor Annual Conference of 2024, the 18th Golden Cicada Awards were announced. Waton Securities International was awarded the “Outstanding Digital Empowerment Financial Institution of 2024” for its significant achievements in securities brokerage and fin-tech sector.

The selection for the “Outstanding Digital Empowerment Financial Institution” focused on evaluating companies based on financial performance, market competitiveness, customer recognition, digital strategy planning and implementation, digital transformation outcomes, and risk control capabilities. Particularly, it highlighted cases that have made significant strides in digital empowerment.

The evaluation also emphasized the outstanding performance of financial institutions in their own digital transformation and the sound risk control abilities demonstrated during this process, ensuring that while pursuing innovation, companies can effectively manage and control risks. Waton Securities International distinguished itself among the contenders with its sophisticated technology platform, well-defined digital strategy, substantial transformation achievements, and commendable risk control mechanisms.

Established in Hong Kong in 1989, Waton Securities International has steadily grown with a deep understanding of professional financial services and regulatory compliance. It has obtained licenses 1/4/5/9 from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, becoming a fully licensed brokerage with comprehensive financial service qualifications. Through continuous technological innovation and digital transformation, it has successfully built a one-stop brokerage cloud service platform, promoting advanced digital financial technology globally. Its pioneering SaaS product, “Broker Cloud”, allows corporate clients to independently deploy and operate high-performance digital customer information management and trading systems without their own IT teams. The solution is relatively low-cost and adaptive to industry, which is the core competitiveness of Waton Securities International.

Data reveals that of the 1,100 securities firms in Hong Kong, approximately 600 are actively trading, yet fewer than 50 have developed their own mobile applications. On a global scale, among the 30,000 securities companies, only a handful—less than 300—feature brokerage trading Apps in App stores. This underscores a significant market demand for the digital enhancement of the securities sector.

With the swift growth of technologies like generative AI LLMs, blockchain, big data, and cloud computing, the securities industry can use these tools to streamline trading strategies, assess risks more accurately, and forecast market trends. These technologies also help the industry to move towards more integrated, platform-focused, and digital operations. The main goal of technology in finance is to increase the efficiency of financial institutions. A good starting point for applying technology is to focus on financial services and build a solid technical foundation for these institutions.

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SOURCE Waton Securities

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Mega Matrix Announced that the English Version of “Getting Even: The Secret Prodigy’s Playbook” Now Streaming on FlexTV

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SINGAPORE, Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The highly anticipated English adaptation of the revenge rebirth series, Getting Even: The Secret Prodigy’s Playbook, officially premiered on December 19th on FlexTV, the world-leading short drama streaming platform operated by Mega Matrix Inc. (NYSE American: MPU). The series delves into the intricacies of power struggles within the White family, chronicling the protagonist’s journey of rebirth and empowerment to rewrite her destiny.

Audrey White, the legitimate daughter of the White family, was sent abroad at a young age due to family circumstances, gradually estranging her from her kin. When she finally returns home, eager to reunite with her family, she unexpectedly becomes the target of jealousy from Ruby White, the family’s adopted daughter. Harboring deep resentment, Ruby orchestrates a kidnapping plot, culminating in a devastating fire designed to test the loyalty and affection of the White family.

Left to perish in the flames, Audrey is abandoned by her family but heroically rescued by her uncle. Miraculously, she is granted a second chance at life, returning three years prior with the power to alter her fate. Determined to expose Ruby’s schemes, rebuild her family bonds, and claim her rightful respect and happiness, Audrey embarks on a journey of resilience and redemption.

FlexTV, operated by MPU, is a global leader in short drama streaming, delivering content in over 100 countries in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Arabic. Known for its premium-quality dramas and unparalleled user experience, FlexTV has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. The English version of Getting Even: The Secret Prodigy’s Playbook, now streaming on FlexTV, offers a compelling exploration of familial power dynamics, the complexities of human nature, and the protagonist’s growth and self-redemption in adversity. For more exciting content, please visit https://www.flextv.cc/.

#WealthyFamily #Revenge #Rebirth #ShortDrama #FlexTV #MPU

About Mega Matrix Inc.: Mega Matrix Inc. (NYSE American: MPU) is a holding company and operates FlexTV, a short-video streaming platform and producer of short dramas, through its subsidiary, Yuder Pte, Ltd.. Mega Matrix Inc. is a Cayman Island corporation headquartered in Singapore. For more information, please contact info@megamatrix.io or visit: http://www.megamatrix.io.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this press release other than statements that are purely historical are forward looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose,” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, are: the ability to manage growth; ability to identify and integrate future acquisitions; ability to grow and expand our FlexTV business; ability to execute the strategic cooperation with TopReels, ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures; ability to establish the investment fund with 9 Yards Communications under the memorandum of understanding; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions; costs or other factors adversely affecting the Company’s profitability; litigation involving patents, intellectual property, and other matters; potential changes in the legislative and regulatory environment; a pandemic or epidemic; the possibility that the Company may not succeed in developing its new lines of businesses due to, among other things, changes in the business environment, competition, changes in regulation, or other economic and policy factors; and the possibility that the Company’s new lines of business may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. The forward-looking statements in this press release and the Company’s future results of operations are subject to additional risks and uncertainties set forth under the “Risk Factors” in documents filed by the Company’s predecessor, Mega Matrix Corp., with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, and are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. In addition, such risks and uncertainties include the Company’s inability to predict or control bankruptcy proceedings and the uncertainties surrounding the ability to generate cash proceeds through the sale or other monetization of the Company’s assets. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Disclosure Channels

We announce material information about the Company and its services and for complying with our disclosure obligation under Regulation FD via the following social media channels:

The Company will also use its landing page on its corporate website (www.megamatrix.io) to host social media disclosures and/or links to/from such disclosures. The information we post through these social media channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these social media channels in addition to following our website, press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. The social media channels that we intend to use as a means of disclosing the information described above may be updated from time to time as listed on our website.

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SOURCE Mega Matrix Corp.

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Xinjiang Kashgar distribution grid achieves “minute-level self-healing” for the first time

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KASHGAR, China, Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On December 23, the State Grid Kashgar Power Supply Company successfully implemented the operation of accurate isolation of fault areas and rapid restoration of power supply in non-fault areas on the 10kV Zao Line and Zazhen Line, marking a major breakthrough in the fault handling of the Kashgar power grid and achieving “minute-level self-healing” for the first time.

In the past, when the 10 kV distribution line failed, the emergency repair personnel needed to patrol the site, judge the fault location, and then manually operate to restore the power supply in the non-fault area. The whole process took a long time. The construction and commissioning of the self-healing line has greatly shortened the time of fault search and isolation through network topological analysis, from “hourly level” to “minute level”, effectively reducing the power outage perception of users in non-fault sections. Since the beginning of this year, the State Grid Kashgar Power Supply Company has closely focused on the practical construction of distribution network automation, so as to achieve the goal of “non-stop power, less power failure, and fast power recovery” for users, and continued to promote the automation construction of the distribution network. A total of 3,200 “three remote” terminal access and debugging have been completed, achieving a terminal access rate of 98.28%, and the online rate has been steadily increased to 95.8%. Combined with the maintenance plan, mode adjustment, accident remote control disposal operation 825 times, and the remote control success rate is 90.68%.

In the next step, the State Grid Kashgar Power Supply Company will summarize the experience of the construction of feeder automation, steadily improve the effective coverage of feeder automation, and make every effort to promote the construction of power distribution automation, aiming to comprehensively improve the intelligence level of the Kashgar distribution grid and provide more reliable and efficient power services for local residents.

 

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SOURCE State Grid Kashgar Power Supply Company

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