Survey: 77% Local Consumers Agree AI Brings Shopping Convenience, Over Half of Them are Concerned about Lack of Interactivity and Data Privacy

GS1 HK's First-eve "Digital Transformation Award" Results Unveiled

HONG KONG, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The GS1 HK Summit 2024 ("the Summit") was held successfully today at the HK Convention & Exhibition Centre attracting about 650 cross-industry participants' registrations from Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region. A session at the Summit featured GS1 and KPMG jointly announcing the results of a consumer survey in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as latest survey data on local consumers' views on artificial intelligence (AI) and retail. Co-located at the event, the first "Digital Transformation Awards" presentation ceremony handed out 23 awards to companies that have successfully implemented digital transformation initiatives.

(left to right) Duncan Chiu, Legislative Councillor; Frankie Yick, Legislative Councillor; Zhou Qiang, Deputy Director-General of Economic Affairs & Head of Commercial Office, LOCPG in the HKSAR; May Chung, Chairman, GS1 Hong Kong; Lam Sai-hung, Secretary for Transport and Logistics; Renaud de Barbuat, President and CEO, GS1; Jeffrey Lam, Executive Council & Legislative Councillor; Peter Shiu, Member of the 14th CPPCC National Committee and Legislative Councillor; Anna Lin, CE, GS1 HK

(left to right) Duncan Chiu, Legislative Councillor; Frankie Yick, Legislative Councillor; Zhou Qiang, Deputy Director-General of Economic Affairs & Head of Commercial Office, LOCPG in the HKSAR; May Chung, Chairman, GS1 Hong Kong; Lam Sai-hung, Secretary for Transport and Logistics; Renaud de Barbuat, President and CEO, GS1; Jeffrey Lam, Executive Council & Legislative Councillor; Peter Shiu, Member of the 14th CPPCC National Committee and Legislative Councillor; Anna Lin, CE, GS1 HK

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Themed "Transforming for the Next Generation Commerce", the Summit was inaugurated by Guest of Honour Mr. Lam Sai Hung, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the HKSAR Government, who delivered the opening address. "Digitalisation in trade and logistics is indeed an irreversible trend. With the surge in cargo volume and the increasing emphasis on prompt delivery, logistics going digital is a must, not an option. The Government therefore spares no efforts in providing all assistance to the trade to ride the tide of digitalisation to stay in the game."

Ms. May Chung, Chairman of GS1 Hong Kong said in her welcome address that the theme "next generation" resonated with the new thinking in today's changing market environment, for example the Government's advocacy on a host of new economic drivers like low altitude economy and silver economy, and the various initiatives that support SMEs, including the Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme.

She added that GS1 HK has been evolving on and beyond its 35th anniversary, which includes the introduction of 1QR, a QR code that connects consumers to diverse information covering product specification, offers, nutrition, certification information etc.; the launch of digital trade financing solution that is built on the trusted trade data over B2B e-commerce community platform "ezTRADE", designed to relive SMEs' cash-flow; and the smart operations solution enabled by IoT technologies and traceability platform ezTRACK, to realise supply chain visibility.

One of the highlights of the Summit was the unveiling of GS1 and KMPG China's survey report titled "Navigating the future of seamless commerce in Asia Pacific", which collected feedback from 7,000 consumers in 14 economies on their shopping attitudes and expectations, uncovering the latest retail trends. Full report here: https://www.gs1hk.org/sites/default/files/publications/FINAL_navigating-the-future-of-seamless-commerce-in-asia-pacific.pdf

The session also released new data on consumers' sentiments on artificial intelligence (AI) applications: Among 1,075 local respondents surveyed which is conducted by YouGov, 77% recognised the convenience of using AI as a significant benefit, which include bringing 24/7 anytime, anywhere availability (59%) and faster service (52%) to their shopping experience. AI can also help save money (49%) and provide personalised recommendations (38%).

60% of respondents also agreed that AI can improve pre-purchase experience (e.g. evaluating options), at-the-point-of-purchase (43%, e.g. completing a transaction) and after-sales services (45%, e.g. customer support). Only 12% said it was not helpful; and the majority (82%) expect AI will change retail experience in the next 5 years. However, they are concerned about the lack of human interaction (59%), data privacy (54%) and AI making mistakes (54%). (The survey details: https://gs1hongkong.box.com/s/famu36oebzlu954jdjwx362kzli673lv)

"Today's technology enables companies to better serve consumers and to reach a wide range of customers," said Anson Bailey, Head of Consumer & Retail KPMG Asia Pacific. "Proactively making moves to technologies and digital platforms by offering a more integrated experience, and increasing seamless shopping experiences and value to consumers can improve returns for businesses."

Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 HK, highlights the importance of reliability in AI data: "More and more organisations are using technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and QR codes to collect massive amounts of data, and combine AI analytics to discover industry trends and insights. Standardised, quality data is the key, as the saying goes 'Garbage In, Garbage Out', so the accuracy and credibility of AI results are directly related to the quality of the input data. This is the foundation for AI to actually realise any business benefits."

GS1 HK's Digital Transformation Awards aims to recognise businesses that have successfully implemented digital transformation initiatives, leveraging technology to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth. The Awards had attracted an impressive turnout in all 9 award categories, including customer experience excellence, fintech implementation, innovation in ESG, operational excellence, people & culture, sales & marketing, supply chain & logistics, rising star of the year and digital transformation enterprise of the year.

PARKnSHOP won the grand award with its seamless O+O(offline and online) retail strategy and the launch of PNS online business fulfilment centre driving robust growth. (Please refer to appendix for the list of "Digital Transformation Awards" winners.)

Anna congratulated all the winning and participating companies, and thanked the judging panel for their tremendous efforts: "The winners show not only their digital prowess but also exemplify how companies can unlock the power of digital technologies, which is conducive to the development of Hong Kong's innovation and technology ecosystem and digital economy."

Download link for photos: https://gs1hongkong.box.com/s/yyqihnr4jvl0b5bqy8dkoamd7at3vtad

Appendix

Digital Transformation Awards Winners List (in alphabetical order):

Customer Experience Excellence through Digital

Transformation

Name of Entry

HKT

CX Reimagined: Leveraging Digital to

Drive Exceptional Experiences

MTR Corporation

MTR Digital Transformation: Smart and

Inclusive Journey

Sleekflow Technologies Limited & Bowtie Life

Insurance Company Limited

Customer Experience Excellence -

Bowtie Insurance Boosts Customer

Engagement With SleekFlow

FinTech Implementation Excellence through Digital

Transformation

Name of Entry

Check Point Software Technologies Limited

Secure By Design

Yuhu Technology Limited

Yuhu Supply Chain Management

Solutions for Frozen Food Trade Finance

Innovation in ESG through Digital Transformation

Name of Entry

LEE KUM KEE

Lee Kum Kee Energy Management

System Upgrade

Maxim's Group

SmartOps Paperless Transformation

MTR Corporation

Smart ESG: Technology-enabled Social

Inclusion Project

Operational Excellence through Digital

Transformation

Name of Entry

CUHK Medical Centre

Enhancing Patient Safety and

Operational Efficiency through Internet

of Things and Real-Time Location

Services at CUHK Medical Centre

DFI Retail Group (Group Digital)

DFI Operation Management System

HKT

Streamlined Synergy: Integrating Digital

Solutions for Operational Prowess

People & Culture Excellence through Digital

Transformation

Name of Entry

HKT

Powering People Excellence with Digital

Advancements

Swire Coca-Cola HK

AI for Traffic Safety Management

Sales & Marketing Excellence through Digital

Transformation

Name of Entry

Hong Kong TV Shopping Network Company

Limited

ThePlace - All-in-One eShop Solution

Meiriki Japan Company Limited

Meiriki Japna Digitalization and System

Integration

Swire Coca-Cola HK

Digital Vending Ecosystem

Supply Chain & Logistics Excellence through Digital

Transformation

Name of Entry

Crown Gas Stoves (Holdings) Company

Limited

QR Code Product Tracking System

DCH Auriga (Hong Kong) Limited

Robotic warehousing with clinical order

fulfillment via web portal

PARKnSHOP

PARKnSHOP Offers Customers with

Seamless O+O Retail Experience,

Unlocking Post-pandemic Growth with

Launch of PNS Online Business

Fulfilment Centre

Rising Star of the Year

Name of Entry

LocoBike

World's First True Green Mobility

Solution

Meat the Next Company Limited

TIGA MILK - Sustainable Choice for

social inclusion and well-being

TriTerra Technology Limited

Motivation Scheme for City

Decarbonization

Digital Transformation Enterprise of the Year

(Grand Award)

Name of Entry

PARKnSHOP

PARKnSHOP Offers Customers with

Seamless O+O Retail Experience,

Unlocking Post-pandemic Growth with

Launch of PNS Online Business

Fulfilment Centre

About GS1 Hong Kong

Founded by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in 1989, GS1 Hong Kong is the local chapter of GS1®. GS1 Hong Kong's mission is to empower businesses of their digital transformation, improve supply chain visibility and efficiency, ensure product authenticity, facilitate commerce connectivity and enable sustainable value chain through the provision of global supply chain standards (including GTIN & barcodes), and a full spectrum of platforms, solutions and services.

GS1 Hong Kong currently supports close to 8,000 corporate members from 20 sectors including retail & consumer packaged goods, food & beverage and food services, healthcare, apparel & footwear, logistics & ICT. By working closely with communities of trading partners, industry organizations, government, and technology providers, we can foster a collaborative ecosystem, paving the way for "Smarter Business, Better Life".

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, GS1® is a not-for-profit, standards organisation that has 118 national chapters serving 150 economies globally. For more information, please visit www.gs1hk.org.