Trade area analysis, sales data to be combined

Customer service, store efficiency solutions in the works

LG Uplus Enterprise Customer Group Head Lim Jang-hyeok (left) and Sodomall CEO Seo Deok-ho pose for a photo at the MOU signing ceremony held at LG Uplus' headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [LG Uplus]
LG Uplus Enterprise Customer Group Head Lim Jang-hyeok (left) and Sodomall CEO Seo Deok-ho pose for a photo at the MOU signing ceremony held at LG Uplus' headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [LG Uplus]

LG Uplus is developing AI transformation solutions tailored to small business owners, aiming to support their adoption of AI and improve business efficiency.

The company announced Tuesday it had signed an MOU with Sodomall to support small business owners' AI transformation and strengthen their AI capabilities. Sodomall is an online and offline retail platform that supplies food and daily necessities at wholesale prices through a network of group-buying stores and retail data nationwide.

Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to help small business owners adapt to the spread of generative AI and the changing online retail environment. Their planned cooperation covers in-store AI and telecommunications solution support, expansion of sales channels for small businesses, and development of new projects to revitalize local commercial districts.

In particular, LG Uplus will combine Sodomall's online and offline retail data with its own telecommunications and AI infrastructure to provide customized product demand forecasting for individual business operators.

Specifically, the companies plan to integrate the trade area analysis service offered through "Urigagae Package" — LG Uplus' telecommunications and AI transformation solution package for small business stores — with Sodomall's regional product sales and group-buying data.

The combined data will be used to pilot a solution that identifies and analyzes product categories likely to see rising demand in specific regions or at particular times of year. Small business owners will be able to draw up more efficient plans for securing inventory and managing logistics.

The two companies will also collaborate on developing AI transformation solutions that make it easier for small business owners to use AI. LG Uplus' AI- and data-based services will support customer service and store operations, while Sodomall will draw on its expertise in running retail and group-buying platforms to help apply those solutions in the field.

The two companies said they plan to continue their partnership to expand sales channels for small business owners and revitalize local commercial districts.

"LG Uplus will support small business owners in strengthening their business competitiveness through AI and telecommunications technology," said Lim Jang-hyeok, head of LG Uplus' enterprise customer group. "We will keep expanding AI transformation services that reduce the management burden on small business owners and help them achieve real growth."


ko@heraldcorp.com