ZKONG Enhances Retail DX in Japan through Expanded ESL Implementation Across Store Operations

Driven by the progress of Digital Transformation (DX) in the Japanese retail sector, the adoption of Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) is expanding across diverse formats, including consumer electronics, cosmetics, and drugstores. Beyond their traditional role as price display tools, ESLs are increasingly serving as the digital foundation for inventory management and store operations.

Responding to these market shifts, ZKONG is advancing its presence in the Japanese market by collaborating with Okamura Corporation and NTT DATA Business Systems. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between retail fixtures and operational management through advanced ESL applications. ZKONG utilizes a SaaS-based cloud platform to enable real-time price synchronization, efficient promotional execution, and strengthened integration with store workflows.

ZKONG currently operates in over 60 countries and regions, serving 3,000+ brands and 200,000+ stores. In Japan, its experience with major retailers like Yamada Denki has provided deep insights into local operational environments.

The collaboration with Okamura focuses on improving the compatibility between ESLs and high-density shelving systems used in Japanese drugstores and electronics retailers. Meanwhile, the partnership with NTT DATA Business Systems targets the integration of ESLs with core retail systems, such as payment gateways, membership databases, and inventory management. This allows customers to scan labels for personalized pricing and immediate checkout, directly addressing labor shortages and rising operational costs. These initiatives are currently being deployed in phases, primarily within the Tokyo metropolitan area.