FairPrice Group Unveils ‘Store of Tomorrow’ Program with Google Cloud

At NRF’s Big Show Asia Pacific 2025, FairPrice Group and Google Cloud showcased the former’s Store of Tomorrow (SOT) program, a roadmap to embed the latest cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into new and existing in-store and omnichannel retail touchpoints to redefine customer experiences at FairPrice supermarkets.

Under this program, FairPrice Group will deploy cloud-connected shopping carts, an AI-powered store operations portal, in-store video analytics, and other new retail solutions, developed using Google Cloud’s industry-leading platform services across modern infrastructure, data management, and generative AI (gen AI), in its FairPrice Finest outlet at Punggol Digital District. This outlet is set to open in Q3 2025.

Vipul Chawla, Group Chief Executive Officer at FairPrice Group, 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. Through our Store of Tomorrow program with Google Cloud and its partner ecosystem, we’re applying interoperable, best-in-class gen AI and data analytics capabilities to reimagine shopper engagement across physical and digital formats and make things easier on the experience and wallet for our customers.”

Reimagining the Shopping Experience with Cloud-Connected Smart Carts

Currently being piloted in FairPrice Finest at Sengkang Grand Mall, FairPrice Group ‘s cloud-connected shopping carts, called “Smart Carts,” help guide consumers with in-store navigation, spotlight promotions for nearby products as they browse aisles, and provide product recommendations based on their shopping needs. Customers can also use the Smart Carts’ built-in scanners for convenient scan-and-pay transactions.

This enhanced omnichannel experience is enabled by the integration of hardware and software from TROLLEE with FairPrice Group’s retail operations systems and consumer app—all of which are connected and underpinned by BigQuery, Cloud SQL, and Cloud Run—Google Cloud’s serverless data-to-AI, relational database, and compute services. In addition, the solution simultaneously uses Google Cloud’s Gemini API on Vertex AI to dynamically generate product recommendations. This comprehensive workflow allows relevant user and store information, as well as tailored recommendations, to be extracted and presented to customers in real-time on the Smart Carts’ built-in display screens.

To offer further convenience and flexibility to customers, FairPrice Group plans to implement biometric payment in-store, supported by Google Cloud infrastructure, and has integrated its consumer app with MyInfo. These developments will benefit customers registered under specific government support programs—such as seniors, the Pioneer generation, the Merdeka generation, and the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue or Orange—who will no longer need to carry their physical eligibility cards to receive relevant discounts at FairPrice supermarkets.

Empowering the FairPrice Group Frontline Staff to Optimise Store Operations with AI Agents

In addition to Smart Carts, FairPrice Group has jointly developed Grocer Genie, a one-stop portal for AI-assisted store operations and a key pillar of its SOT program, with Google Cloud and its partners Tata Consultancy Services and FlutterFlow. Integrated with AI agents built using Vertex AI, BigQuery, and Gemini models, the portal is accessible through multiple channels, including mobile (i.e., iOS, Android) and a web app.

With Grocer Genie, store operations teams are able to receive intelligent task assignment and data-driven insights. A store manager, for instance, can simply photograph a spill, upload it to Grocer Genie, and the cleanup task is automatically assigned to a team member. Managers can also query Grocer Genie about key performance metrics like store sales, inventory, or customer satisfaction to receive contextually relevant responses—drawn from BigQuery—in natural language or through visualizations.

Video Analytics That Alert Staff to Preemptively Address In-Store Issues

Going a step further, FairPrice Group will deploy a video analytics solution that seamlessly integrates Google Cloud’s Vision AI and Gemini models with existing in-store CCTV infrastructure and Grocer Genie. This creates an agentic workflow that delivers real-time updates to staff on where support or intervention is required. For instance, the solution could detect emptying shelves and preemptively alert staff to restock relevant products; analyse growing queues in checkout areas and prompt staff to open additional registers; or detect potential safety hazards like fallen items or obstructions for staff resolution.

The SOT program is the first in a series of initiatives that FairPrice Group has planned to make every day a little better for those it serves. It aims to pilot more than 20 new digital solutions a year for the next three years so that its customers in Singapore can benefit from enhanced shopping experiences while stretching their dollar through hyperpersonalised deals catered to their tastes, budget, and purchasing habits.

Karan Bajwa, President, Asia Pacific at Google Cloud, said: “FairPrice Group’s Store of Tomorrow program demonstrates how enterprise AI can be harnessed to foster deeper connections between retailers and consumers, while streamlining operations. Purpose-built AI agents, in particular, are helping to automate repetitive tasks, improve staff productivity, and elevate customer experiences. Our partnership with Vipul and his team will continue to drive the design and deployment of functional and experiential AI innovations that surprise, delight, and offer greater value to Singapore citizens and residents. The sheer ambition of FairPrice Group’s vision, coupled with their relentless commitment to implementation at speed and scale, is forging the blueprint for the future of retail, not just in Singapore, but internationally.”