Singapore-based Gill Capital Group, a prominent retail brand manager in Southeast Asia, has announced a partnership with Google Cloud to launch a generative AI solution aimed at improving e-commerce search and product discovery. This initiative seeks to address the common frustration of ineffective search bars that fail to understand shopper intent, often resulting in lost sales opportunities.
The collaboration introduces a next-generation search and conversational experience that goes beyond traditional keyword-matching. Through Google Cloud’s AI Cloud Takeoff programme, Gill Capital has integrated a generative AI-powered search agent into e-commerce platforms for H&M in Indonesia and Thailand. This AI agent, built using Vertex AI Search for Commerce, can understand the true intent behind search queries, even when typos are present, by focusing on the meaning of words rather than just keywords.
Additionally, Gill Capital is incorporating a conversational agent into these platforms, serving as a virtual shopping assistant. This agent offers personalised product recommendations and assists with complex tasks, such as checking stock availability at nearby H&M stores, thereby bridging the gap between digital and physical shopping experiences.
Victor Siow, Group Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Gill Capital, highlighted the strategic advantage of using Google Cloud’s technology, stating, “With Google Cloud, we’re utilising the same underlying components that power Google Search today to gain a competitive edge.”
Following successful pilot tests, Gill Capital plans to expand these solutions for H&M Indonesia and Thailand later this year. The initiative is part of a broader AI strategy to enhance retail experiences and explore new applications in areas like supply chain optimisation.
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