In the supermarket aisle, the first glance often determines a product's success. Packaging plays a crucial role in this, as it influences how quickly a product is perceived. Smurfit Westrock has developed a solution to address this challenge with ShelfSmart.AI.
By utilising artificial intelligence, the system enables a quick and precise analysis of product shelf performance. In contrast to traditional methods such as eye-tracking studies or surveys, which are time-consuming and expensive, ShelfSmart.AI offers a cost-effective and scalable alternative.
„Many talk about AI. We use it concretely, data-based, and in practice, leading to robust decisions,“ explains Boris Maschmann, CEO of Smurfit Westrock DACH. The solution offers brands the opportunity to evaluate their packaging in direct comparison to competing products and to optimise it in a targeted manner.
Data-driven decision-making
The foundation of ShelfSmart.AI is an extensive dataset of tens of thousands of shopping situations and millions of interactions. This data is used to analyse real shopping behaviour and identify potential for optimisation. Companies thus gain a clear understanding of their products' positioning on the shelf and can take targeted measures to improve visibility.
Process optimisation with ShelfSmart.AI
ShelfSmart.AI is an evolution of Smurfit Westrock's existing ShelfSmart process. The process begins with the ShelfViewer, which analyses over 230,000 real-world store images to provide an overview of current packaging impact. ShelfSmart.AI then assesses shelf performance, providing concrete optimisation recommendations. These insights feed into the design of new packaging, which is tested in the StoreVisualizer 3D environment.
From data analysis to market launch
ShelfSmart.AI not only makes performance visible, but also explains the underlying causes. Factors such as brand presence, visual clarity, and shelf structure are analysed and translated into concrete recommendations for action. This enables companies to evaluate their packaging solutions early on and improve them in a targeted manner, accelerating go.
Source: Smurfit Westrock
