Smarter Surveillance, Powered by Partnership. Leading the way in intelligent security, VCA Technology and QNAP have joined forces to introduce a groundbreaking AI Smart Surveillance Solution. This powerful combination of QNAP’s robust storage and VCA’s advanced AI analytics delivers businesses an efficient, stable, and remarkably cost-effective approach to surveillance.

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Let’s meet them…

Dr. Syuria Amirrudin: Machine Learning Engineer

Dr. Syuria Amirrudin joined VCA Technology in October 2024, bringing with her a strong academic and practical background in machine learning and computer vision. She holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) from Coventry University, UK, and has extensive experience as a Data Scientist at Shell International Limited. One of her notable achievements includes developing a proposal for a cutting-edge project aimed at detecting endangered bird species near wind turbines, which helped secure a significant bid for a large-scale wind farm development in the Netherlands. At VCA, she will contribute her expertise in workflow automation and computer vision applications, driving forward our digitisation initiatives and developing AI-powered innovations.

Connect with Syuria on LinkedIn

Benjamin Fowler: Senior Support Engineer

With over 20 years of experience in electronic security, Benjamin Fowler brings unparalleled expertise to VCA Technology as our Senior Technical Support Engineer. Ben joined us in August 2024, and his extensive knowledge spans across commercial, residential, and industrial security systems. Known for his problem-solving skills and his dedication to customer satisfaction, Ben is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance safety and security. His role involves providing top-notch technical assistance, ensuring that our clients maximise the potential of their security solutions.

Craig Carton: Product Specialist

Craig Carton joined VCA Technology in September 2024 as our new Product Specialist. He brings a wealth of experience in project management and technical support, particularly within the security industry. In his new role, Craig will focus on introducing new products and features, while providing essential support for our ongoing project trials, customer events, and exhibitions. His deep knowledge and technical development skills make him instrumental in shaping the future of VCA’s AI roadmap. His involvement is set to enhance our offerings and support the continued growth of VCA’s innovative solutions.

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

A New Era of Growth and Innovation

These key hires reflect our commitment to expanding VCA Technology’s expertise across multiple disciplines. With their combined talents in product development, machine learning, and technical support, we are well-positioned to push the boundaries of security technology. We are excited to see the new heights VCA will reach with their contributions and look forward to continuing our journey of innovation and growth.

Stay tuned as we continue to evolve and enhance our offerings, driven by the incredible people behind VCA Technology.

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We are excited to announce a new partnership between VCA Technology and C Store Collective, aimed at transforming the landscape of convenience store retailing. By combining VCA’s cutting-edge video analytics software with C Store Collective’s expert consulting services, we are revolutionising the way retailers approach safety, security, and profitability.

According to the ACS Crime Report, retail crime is costing the sector £125 million, with an estimated 41,000 violent incidents and 11,000 burglaries. 65% of retailers report a rise in organised crime over the past year.

“With C Store Collective’s extensive experience in convenience store consulting, we are able to offer independent retail miniples access to expert guidance and tailored solutions. From optimising store layouts to implementing targeted marketing strategies, C Store Collective helps retailers unlock their full potential and achieve sustainable growth.” 

Jonathan Rons – C-Store Collective

At VCA Technology, we understand the importance of leveraging technology to enhance the retail experience and drive business success. Our advanced video analytics software provides retailers with invaluable insights into customer behaviour, allowing them to optimise operations, improve security, and maximise profitability.

“Retail crime is increasing, especially theft in stores, so we have to become smarter at dealing with it. Every retailer will need to look at systems that can support them to minimise stock loss. Working with the C-Store Collective and VCA Technology delivers a system that supports our sector and is helping us tackle this growing challenge.” 

Siva – Multi Site Owner, TYS Retail, Peterborough

In our partnership, we deliver a comprehensive suite of services and solutions to convenience store retailers, including:

• Proprietary & confidential information
• Suite of standard products; software and cameras
• Utilise existing CCTV and network
• Custom solutions
• Provide data and alerts to manage all aspects of business
• VCA Artificial Intelligence

Additionally, convenience store retailers benefit from:

• Free use of VCA partner technology for 90 days
• Connection through existing CCTV network
• Analysis and recommendations as part of the overall project
• Gain a better understanding of customer flow, hot and cold spots in the store, customer dwell times at fixtures, footfall within the store, potential to identify non-spending customers, dwell times at tills, and understanding of misuse of SSCO by shoppers.

Together we are committed to empowering convenience store retailers with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in today’s competitive market. Our collaboration brings together the best of both worlds, combining cutting-edge technology with hands-on expertise to deliver unparalleled results.

Looking to enhance your convenience store’s security, improve operational efficiency, or increase sales?

To learn more about our collaboration and how it can benefit your business, contact us today via the contact form below.

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In recent years, self-service checkout (SSCO) systems have become increasingly prevalent in retail stores, offering convenience and efficiency for both shoppers and retailers alike. However, the rise of SSCO abuse, leading to heightened levels of shrinkage and violence against retail workers, has sparked a heated debate over the pros and cons of these systems. With some retailers, such as Booths, opting to remove SSCO machines altogether due to the associated risks, it’s clear that urgent action is needed to address these challenges.

The Impact of SSCO Abuse on Retailers & Staff

The consequences of SSCO abuse extend far beyond financial losses. The escalating levels of theft and violence against retail workers have taken a toll on staff morale, contributing to increased absences and diminished job satisfaction. Moreover, the economic impact of retail theft is staggering, with the British Retail Consortium’s 2023 Crime Survey revealing that annual retail theft in Britain amounted to £953 million, despite significant investments in crime prevention measures.

The prevalence of SSCO abuse has created a hostile work environment for frontline retail workers, who face daily threats of violence and abuse from disgruntled customers. Incidents of violence and abuse towards retail colleagues nearly doubled on pre-pandemic levels, reaching an alarming average of 867 incidents every day in 2021/22. This trend is deeply concerning and underscores the urgent need for effective solutions to address the root causes of SSCO abuse. 

Empowering Retailers with Video Technology

In the face of these challenges, technology offers a beacon of hope for retailers seeking to combat SSCO abuse and enhance security in their stores. VCA Technology’s innovative cameras and video analytics software solutions provide retailers with the tools they need to detect and deter theft, protect their staff, and safeguard their bottom line.

By deploying surveillance cameras equipped with intelligent video analytics capabilities, retailers can monitor SSCO transactions in real-time and identify suspicious behaviour patterns indicative of theft or abuse. This proactive approach allows retailers to reduce losses and  ultimately creating a safer and more secure shopping environment for both customers and staff.

Take A Stand Against Retail Theft & Violence

VCA Technology’s forensic video analytics software solutions empower retailers to provide police with comprehensive evidence to aid in the prosecution of shoplifters and perpetrators of violence. Using existing CCTV cameras, this simple addition will provide a huge asset to existing security systems and equip retailers with the technology they need to gather sufficient evidence of criminal activity.

VCAforensics’ ‘Search & Track’ software can enable retailers to search hours of CCTV footage to locate a person of interest within minutes.

Want To Find Out More?

If you are keen to understand more about how VCA Technology can help your retail store in the fight against retail crime and self-service checkout abuse, please get in touch via email: [email protected] or use the contact form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

VCA Technology has sales and support offices in Europe, Asia and the USA.

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VCA Technology, a leading innovator in video analytics, proudly announces the launch of its latest forensic software feature, ‘Search & Track’. Designed to elevate security operations to unprecedented levels, this cutting-edge technology introduces a new era of precision in video surveillance. 

“With ‘Search & Track,’ we’re not just providing a tool; we’re empowering security professionals with an intelligent and precise solution that will redefine how they approach video surveillance and investigations using their existing CCTV infrastructure.” 

Kevin Waterhouse, MD – VCA Technology 

‘Search & Track’ Specific Individuals In 4 Easy Steps  

Step 1: Initiate your search 

Begin your person tracking journey by choosing the desired date, time, and camera channels. 

Step 2: Precision refinement 

Enhance your search accuracy by specifying clothing characteristics, searching by event, or simply uploading a reference image. 

Step 3: Target location and review 

Once your person of interest is located, explore surveillance footage from all cameras within a chosen time period in seconds. 

Step 4: Trace activity in chronological flow 

Follow the chronological order of videos to trace the movements of the target individual. You can then redact, export, or action the files. 

Empowered By State-Of-The-Art AI And Scalable Analytics 

VCA’s ‘Search & Track’ is underpinned by analytic solutions powered by state-of-the-art AI algorithms and deep learning models. The scalability of our solutions allows for deployment on a variety of hardware platforms, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to diverse security infrastructures. 

Contact VCA Technology 

If you’d like to know more about how VCA’s ‘Search & Track’ feature can empower your video surveillance, then please complete the contact form below.

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In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the business landscape underwent rapid changes, prompting companies to seek innovative ways to adapt and thrive. Shinsung Tongsang Co., Ltd., a prominent fashion company in South Korea, recognised the need to leverage data and business intelligence to enhance its operations. With a diverse portfolio of brands and more than 600 stores, including island-type stores, road shops with a high appearance ratio of store workers, and small stores, they faced the unique challenge of effectively counting and analysing visitors across their varied store types.

Solution

To address these challenges, Shinsung Tongsang Co., Ltd. implemented VCA Technology software, a cutting-edge solution that utilises AI and facial recognition technology to analyse the number of visitors, gender, and age.

• AI-powered people counting: VCA’s AI People Counter accurately detected and tracked people, leveraging machine learning to perform well in various environments, including crowded spaces, areas with sunlight, and obscured lines of sight.

• Facial recognition: The solution’s facial recognition algorithm was integrated into the camera, providing not only visitor counts but also detailed statistics on gender and age. It excluded staff members to ensure accurate counts.

• Comprehensive Data: Software collected and analysed facial feature information, enabling the generation of precise visitor data, including demographics and behaviour analysis, split by age and gender.

• Store Compatibility: The solution made it possible to implement people counting in stores that previously posed challenges, such as island-type stores without conventional entrances or smaller shops.

RetailTrend Integration

Shinsung Tongsang Co., Ltd. complemented their visitor analysis with RetailTrend, a versatile analytics service. This integration allowed for further enhancement of store efficiency and customer targeting.

Benefits

The adoption of VCA’s People Counter and RetailTrend resulted in several significant benefits for Shinsung Tongsang Co. Ltd:

• Enhanced store efficiency: Through AB tests, the company identified differences in visitor behaviour and sales between stores with similar layouts. This data facilitated improvements in store environments, zoning, movement, and sales methods.

• Customer targeting: The company expanded its product lineup to match the gender distribution of customers visiting its stores. This strategic approach improved product relevance and customer satisfaction.

• Increased sales and profitability: By aligning offline promotion efficiency with store-specific KPIs, Shinsung Tongsang Co. Ltd, experienced increased sales and profitability.

Testimonial

Director Song Moon, who oversaw the implementation of these technologies, emphasised the impact, saying: “I was able to gain insights, touch-up, and customer targeting analysis by store through RetailTrend.”

Conclusion

Shinsung Tongsang, Ltd. successfully leveraged VCA’s People Counter and RetailTrend to navigate the rapidly changing business environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. By accurately counting visitors, understanding customer behaviour, and optimising their stores, the company not only weathered the challenges but also emerged as an example of successful digital transformation in the fashion industry. This case study illustrates the power of AI and data analytics in enhancing retail operations and adapting to evolving customer needs.

Contact VCA Technology 

If you’d like to know more about how we support the retail industry or your sector, then get in touch. VCA Technology has sales and support offices in Europe, Asia and the USA.

For more information on the cameras and domes which incorporate our intelligent video analytics please call: +44 (0)20 8335 9151 or use the contact form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Samsung Electronics, a global technology leader, embarked on a transformative journey to enhance the shopping experience at their retail stores. With 48 direct management stores nationwide and plans to install two more, they sought to optimise store operations and customer engagement. To achieve this, they leveraged the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and face detection technology to accurately count and analyse customer footfall traffic.

Solution

To address these challenges, Samsung Electronics implemented the RetailTrend service, a comprehensive solution offering various analytics services, including People Counting, Heatmap, Zone Traffic, Direction Map, and Gender/Age analysis. Here’s how they utilised AI and face detection technology for People Counting:

• AI-powered people counting: AI-driven algorithms were integrated with strategically placed fisheye cameras at store entrances and exits. These cameras accurately detected and counted the number of visitors, regardless of crowd density, varying lighting conditions, or obscured lines of sight.

• Comprehensive customer analysis: Fisheye cameras were also installed throughout the entire store space, enabling Multi-Camera Object Tracking technology. This allowed Samsung Electronics to analyse detailed customer paths and behaviours, creating a comprehensive understanding of how customers interacted with products and store layouts.

• Data integration: All data collected by RetailTrend seamlessly integrated into Samsung Electronics’ Big Data system through APIs. This unified data repository combined customer behaviour data from video analytics with sales data from the company’s sales system, providing a holistic view of store performance.

Benefits

Samsung Electronics’ implementation of AI-powered People Counting and face detection technology yielded substantial benefits:

• Precision: Accurate and real-time People Counting ensured that Samsung Electronics had a clear understanding of store traffic.

• Enhanced customer experience: By analysing customer paths and behaviours, the company optimised store layouts to improve the overall shopping experience.

• Data-driven decisions: The integrated data enabled data-driven decision-making, allowing Samsung Electronics to fine-tune marketing strategies, staffing, and product placement.

Future Outlook

Samsung Electronics’ commitment to innovation continues, with plans to increase the number of installation cameras to 700 in the coming year. This expansion will further enhance their ability to leverage AI and face detection technology for improved store operations and customer engagement.

In conclusion, Samsung Electronics’ ‘Samsung Store’ case study highlights the remarkable impact of AI-powered People Counting and face detection technology in the retail sector. By accurately analysing customer behaviour and integrating data seamlessly, Samsung Electronics has positioned itself at the forefront of retail innovation, ensuring a superior shopping experience for its customers and continued success in the evolving retail landscape.

Contact VCA Technology 

If you’d like to know more about how we support the retail industry or your sector, then get in touch. VCA Technology has sales and support offices in Europe, Asia and the USA.

For more information on the cameras and domes which incorporate our intelligent video analytics please call: +44 (0)20 8335 9151 or use the contact form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Intelligent video analytics systems that are built into the latest generation of video surveillance cameras have transformed security in the retail industry.

Video analytics systems can provide retailers with invaluable business intelligence and customer data that help improve their retail security systems, make better use of their staff and resources, as well as increase turnover and profits as they have a better understanding of their customers’ behaviour.

In addition, the advances in the processing power of camera DSP chipsets have meant that intelligent video analytics can now help tackle the fight against shoplifting and other criminal activity.

Investing in retail AI

Investment in security has traditionally been perceived as a grudge purchase, and therefore, it’s not surprising that some security managers have always had to give a strong justification for an investment in new security systems. However, in this scenario, it’s possible to make a strong business case for either replacing or upgrading the existing cameras with intelligent video analytics. In addition to the benefits of providing security personnel with a powerful tool to minimise shrinkage, the contribution the cameras would make elsewhere could result in a return on investment which could potentially be measured in weeks.

Using artificial intelligence to meet objectives

VCA Technology’s intelligent video analytics software is equipped with a powerful and intuitive tracking engine that can be incorporated into existing systems. With minimal training, a supermarket’s management team can configure the software’s detection zones so that they can get the information and data they need. Whether it’s to gain insights into their customers’ behaviour to optimise the store efficiently, create product recommendations or understand where theft is likely so they can create smart shelves or place staff effectively.

The AI-powered solution is flexible for the store to use. Depending on the field of view, each camera can provide rich customer data and generate reports with supporting videos. This data gives multiple teams, such as security, HR, marketing and other operational departments, the information and customer feedback they need to achieve their objectives.

Providing a seamless shopping experience

VCA Technology’s intelligent machine learning video analytics can be programmed to provide an almost infinite level of detail on the behaviour of each customer from the moment they enter a store to when they leave. This data can provide invaluable insight, for example, into how much time customers spend in particular aisles or how long they have to queue to pay for items. As well as using this information to decide the best times and locations for promotions or special offers, it can also be used in real-time. For example, alerts can be automatically generated so that the store’s management can react to a sudden influx of customers by allocating extra staff to checkouts before the customers arrive to pay. Integration with EPOS data enables even deeper analysis, such as looking at typical routes through the store for customers who buy particular types of products. The data can then be used to inform the placement of in-store promotions to target these specific customer groups.

The business advantages of VCA Technology

As a result of installing  VCA Technology intelligent video analytics at various locations around the store, the following business advantages are achievable.

Optimising the retail store

Heat maps can be generated to show busy areas of a store by hour or day of the week. This enables the supermarket’s merchandising department to work smarter by being able to identify where to locate in-store promotions or reposition the most popular items, as well as provide an analysis of which areas may need additional staffing.

Generating reports

Reports can be created to show how long each customer dwells in specific areas of a store. The criteria for each of these reports can easily be refined at any time, allowing the management to drill down in minute detail to establish specific patterns of customer behaviour. This invaluable information can be used, for example, to measure the success of a specific promotion.

Gathering video evidence

Data and video evidence can be captured to analyse how long customers have to queue to pay. This can assist with the effective deployment of staff so that the correct number of checkouts are open to ensure that customer goodwill is not lost by the excessive length of queues.

Manage logistics

External camera domes are able to capture activity at the supermarket’s delivery area. This provides valuable logistical information, as well as identifying any potential thieves who have entered a restricted area. The camera domes can also be used to analyse vehicle movement to ensure the best and safest use of the supermarket’s car parking areas.

Contact VCA Technology 

If you’d like to know more about how we support the retail industry or your sector, then get in touch. VCA Technology has sales and support offices in Europe, Asia and the USA.

For more information on the cameras and domes which incorporate our intelligent video analytics please call: +44 (0)20 8335 9151 or use the contact form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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We have partnered with Telectec to provide our range of IPAi cameras with Ai analytics on board. This camera range can also support a number of additional plug-ins to allow other services to run at the edge. Plug-ins include ANPR, FACE, and NxEmbedded.

NxEmbedded is a fully working Nx Witness Server installation on the camera, providing a completely distributed VMS solution with no server hardware required.

“Teletec presents a new concept for how camera surveillance can be applied for varied security needs and applications. At every stage, it becomes easy to design a system that is flexible and scalable for both the installer and the user. This is easily achieved with few components and products that result in a sustainable investment.

With world-class cameras and AI analytics from UK-based VCA Technology combined with Nx Witness VMS software from Network Optix, an innovative security platform is created that is scalable and future-proof.”

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The retail landscape has undergone a significant transformation in recent years.  

Not only have retailers had to deal with a change in customer behaviours, the introduction of automation and the evolvement of online shopping, but they are continuously faced with the increase in crime trends and shoplifting.

The rise of shoplifting

The cost of living rises is driving an increase in shoplifting. According to research by the BBC, shoplifting offences have returned to pre-pandemic levels as a result of the hike of cost of living.  

It’s not only shoplifters that retailers are battling with. Anti-social behaviour is also on the rise, with vulnerable retail staff risking their safety and dealing with theft on a regular basis.

Why is loss prevention an issue in retail?

A recent report by the British Retail Consortium has highlighted the alarming increase in criminal activities within retail establishments. One a prominent UK retailer, has reported a surge in criminal gangs, leading to incidents of staff being physically abused or threatened with weapons. This unsettling trend has created a frightening atmosphere for retail employees.  

Additionally, the number of shoplifting cases has risen drastically, from 2.9 million in 2017/18 to 7.9 million in 2021/22, according to the British Retail Consortium. Alongside this surge, the value of thefts has risen from £663 million to £953 million, signifying the financial implications retailers face. 

Theft and unexplained missing inventory can quickly absorb profit and have a negative impact on a business, so it’s important that retailers are armed with efficient resources and solutions to combat them.

What does loss prevention mean in retail?

If you’re a business in the retail sector and don’t have a strategy to manage theft and loss inventory, then it’s time to start thinking about how you can protect your profits through retail loss prevention.

So, what can you do to prevent theft and protect your profit margins? There are different methods you can implement to tighten your security, protect your staff and manage loss prevention effectively.  

Add shoplifting prevention at checkouts

Self-checkout systems are a convenient way for customers to self-serve and for retailers to minimise the need for supervisors on the shop floor. However, they come with their own set of challenges. Automation and fewer staff members on the shop floor have made it easier for shoplifters to go unnoticed, increasing the likelihood of theft.  

Video analytics software, can monitor self-checkout areas and automatically flag suspicious behaviour. This helps prevent shoplifting attempts and reduces the financial burden on retailers.

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Detect suspicious activity

It can be hard for retailers to manage every customer that comes through the door, especially if they don’t have the resource available. Utilising retail security systems can help detect abnormal behaviour, such as loitering around high-valuable items or shelf clearing.

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Enhance staff safety

With the rise in criminal trends and theft, so is the demand for better safety precautions for retail staff. They are the ones that find themselves vulnerable to criminal acts and face verbal and physical abuse. Video analytics software can help protect staff and customers by providing visual evidence of criminal activities to identify and apprehend repeat offenders. 

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Invest in retail loss prevention technology

If you are looking to enhance the effectiveness of your retail security systems, then exploring the benefits of video analytics solutions is worthwhile. Designed to tackle the increasing challenges of loss prevention and staff safety, investing in retail loss prevention technology helps you to reduce risk of theft, protect your customers and maintain your profit margins.

Providing retail loss prevention solutions

At VCA Technology, we offer solutions for managing retail loss prevention. Our cutting-edge retail security systems can utilise your existing security cameras to detect abnormal customer behaviour and early warnings of potential theft. We give you the data and analytics to manage loss prevention and efficiently optimise your security and store to prevent theft from happening.  

Contact us today for more information about how our retail loss prevention solutions. We can talk you through our retail solutions and how we can help you create a better, safer retail environment.  

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VCA Technology have made another huge stride in their growth by announcing that they have opened up a new office in Bangkok, Thailand.  

The office, which will be the hub of VCA Asia, has been opened as VCA Technology are seeing a notable increase in demand for their products in the Asian region.  

As part of the expansion, Ratchanita (Yui) Chantacharoen has been announced as Managing Director of VCA Asia (Thailand), with her and her team bringing many years’ experience in the security market to the new company.  

Commenting on Yui’s arrival, James Ahn, CEO of VCA Technology, believes that the company’s global standing will be bolstered by the news and that their Asian customers will greatly benefit.  

“We are delighted to welcome Yui and her team to our family,” Ahn said. “The addition of VCA Asia further strengthens our global presence and will help us provide greater support for our growing customer base in the region.  

Adding further comment was Yui herself, who believes the products produced by VCA Technology will continue to leave a positive mark in Asia.  

“With more that 15 years of experience in IP surveillance, we are certain that VCA will be the perfect solution for our customers in both public and private sectors,” Yui said. “VCA’s distinctive features in precision and reliability makes its products cost-effective and significant value for investment at all levels”.  

“VCA Technology Asia (Thailand) is delighted to be part of the VCA family to develop shared success and thriving together in Asian region.” 

For more information contact [email protected] 

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VCA Technology has been awarded top smart retail solutions provider in the UK 2023 by Retail Tech Insights.

It’s a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise in delivering innovative solutions that transform the retail industry. We remain committed to driving excellence in the retail industry and look forward to continuing to provide cutting-edge solutions, enhancing customer journeys and business growth.

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