Replacing poster posting with "Clomoni" to improve advertising visibility & work efficiency!

Kura Sushi, which is expanding its chain not only in all 47 prefectures but also overseas with the concept of "Safe, Delicious, Cheap."
They are developing and introducing original systems one after another, such as the industry's first "touch panel ordering system," the "Bikkura Pon!" lottery machine where you can win a capsule toy prize for every 5 plates, and the antibacterial sushi cover "Sendo-kun" that protects food from dust and viruses.
We interviewed the person in charge at Kura Sushi, Inc., who introduced Clomoni this time.

--First, please introduce yourself.

I am Hashimoto, head of the Technology Development Department at Kura Sushi, Inc. The Technology Development Department is a division that manages not only digital tools and services in the store but also internal core systems and networks.
Currently, we are proceeding with the introduction of "Clomoni" to new stores nationwide as needed.

Poster posting was a factor in increased work and cluttered store fronts

--What kind of issues did you have in the first place, and why did you consider cloud signage?

The conventional method of posting posters had issues of being a burden on many staff members and becoming cluttered by posting in various places in the store.

Previously, we posted about 10 posters at each store for service explanations, limited-time campaigns, menus, etc.
Every time it was updated, not only did poster replacement work by store staff occur, but the headquarters also needed to confirm whether they were properly posted at each store, which was a work burden on both store and headquarters staff.

Also, while I think this is a cause of trouble for any store, if we put up posters wanting to convey this and that, the store becomes cluttered. There is a limit to the places in the store where customers can see, and because posters have a certain size and take up space, store staff had to make a choice of what content to put up.

Introducing "Clomoni" to manage monitors nationwide collectively and suppress operating costs

--What was the reason you adopted it for this implementation?

There are 3 reasons for adopting "Clomoni."

First, the point that our headquarters can manage content collectively.
We have introduced "Clomoni" since January 2020 at the timing of new store openings.
(Introduced in 160 stores nationwide *As of January 2024)
Since about 4 monitors are installed in the store, we have to manage content for over 100 monitors nationwide, but we thought that by managing this collectively at the headquarters, we could eliminate poster replacement work and the checking work for it.

The second point is that the running cost was cheaper compared to other companies.
I was comparing and considering with multiple companies, but I felt a big merit because "Clomoni" can be used for 2,000 yen* per store per month.

And more than anything, your company's response was good.
Of course, as mentioned above, the service itself was good, but in terms of equipment selection, you flexibly examined the specifications and were able to make the best proposal. Your attitude of responding with quick response was also very impressive, and as a result of comprehensive consideration, I decided to leave it to your company.
_{*Amount in the case of 2,000 yen (excluding tax) for using up to 10 units per store.}

^{Kura Sushi Global Flagship Store "Asakusa ROX Store," which was the first to introduce Clomoni. The concept is "SightEating," which allows you to experience tourism and dining at the same time.}

--What kind of information are you actually broadcasting using "Clomoni"?

We are broadcasting about Kura Sushi's service explanations, take-out, limited-time fairs, and menus.

"Clomoni" is connected to ① waiting corners where customers wait, ② cash register corners, and ③ monitors installed on the wall between the kitchen and the floor, but we are broadcasting with consciousness so that customers can obtain optimal information at the optimal location on their movement path.
Conventional poster posting limited the place, and there were times when we could not provide information to customers at the appropriate timing, but I am glad that we were able to resolve it.

Succeeded in improving visibility/attention and reducing work by replacing with "Clomoni"

--How was the effect of the introduction?

Advertisements have become easier to catch customers' eyes than just posting posters, and the store has become cleaner.
Since the size of store posters is generally fixed, customers have gotten used to them, and just putting up posters lacks impact. With signage, we can appeal with a screen larger than a poster, and since we can show it as moving content, more customers are watching it for a longer time.
Also, because we are now able to play multiple pieces of content on one monitor, we don't have to put up many posters, so the store has become cleaner.

Signage also had the merit of being able to be seen from many points in the store. For example, even customers who are eating in their seats can see the product or campaign information played on the monitor between the kitchen and the floor, or check the information about take-out products above the cash register from the waiting space, which has enabled us to expand awareness and stimulate interest.

--How was the reaction of your store and headquarters staff?

After all, the fact that both staff members were able to reduce their work is the most appreciated thing.

At the store, the fact that the poster replacement work, which could only be done before opening or after closing, disappeared is the biggest effect. The work itself takes about 10 minutes, but by saving the slight trouble of the posting location being somewhat high or having to be replaced for each campaign, we are now able to focus on other tasks more intensively.
Posters were shipped to the store at each replacement timing, but there were also situations where they were manually sorted and shipped, or they did not arrive on the scheduled delivery date due to traffic conditions, necessitating confirmation to headquarters. Not producing posters themselves also allowed us to solve this problem.

As for headquarters, we are now able to manage what kind of content is being played in which store in real time, and the replacement of content has become less frequent, which leads to work reduction.
The work of sending tools to stores and checking whether they are actually posted at each store disappears, and the occurrence of customers not being able to receive the latest information properly because tools are not posted or replaced is gone.

More than anything, we were able to reduce the resources required for poster production. Previously, we requested external companies for printing, but the work of sorting and shipping to each store was handled by headquarters staff. Doing the work of gathering and shipping the necessary tools for each store for about 450 stores takes a huge amount of time and human resources, and it could lead to mistakes, so the fact that we can suppress these by replacing them with "Clomoni" is also a major attraction.

Creating an environment where everyone involved with Kura Sushi can spend time with peace of mind, safety, and comfort

--Could you tell us about your future prospects?

We are making stores with the concept of allowing customers to eat with peace of mind, safety, and comfort, and with the spread of the novel coronavirus as a trigger, we have been promoting the digitalization of stores by introducing "Clomoni" and "Smart Kura Sushi," where customers can pay for their meals themselves.
We would like to continue to promote the creation of an environment where everyone involved with Kura Sushi, including customers and store staff, can have peace of mind, safety, and comfort.

Also, aiming for further operational efficiency, we would like to introduce "Clomoni" in order to the existing approximately 450 stores as well, and establish a system where all stores can be collectively managed by the headquarters.
(Introduced in 160 stores nationwide *As of January 2024)

If you are interested in signage that can manage content for multiple stores collectively in the cloud like Kura Sushi, Inc., please feel free to contact us about Clomoni.
We will propose the best plans and functions for each company.

Contact BEEATS for consultations on the cloud-based digital signage "Clomoni"

"Clomoni" is a cloud-based digital signage that combines intuitive operability and multifunctionality. Since it can distribute and manage content to stores nationwide at once, it significantly improves the operational efficiency of in-store promotions. Because BEEATS has strengths in spatial design and fixture production, total proposals including the development of original fixtures tailored to the installation location are also possible. Leveraging our knowledge of in-store marketing, we support the creation of a mechanism for effective information dissemination.

▶ Click here for details on the cloud-based digital signage "Clomoni"

If your company has issues with the digitalization of in-store promotions or the efficiency of signage operation and management, please feel free to contact us.