The global cosmetics industry generates more than 120 billion units of packaging every year according to Zero Waste Europe.
LUSH is known for its packaging free cosmetics that create less waste.
However, this can cause issues at checkout.
Without a barcode to scan, staff previously had to memorise hundreds of products to manually enter at the till, leading to slow transactions and long lines.
Helen Ambrosen, Co Founder of LUSH, says: “As the concepts of the products began to evolve and because we had no money for packaging to begin with, a list of products that could be made solid began to come into view.
“The first was a solid bath oil. Then came the henna brick I worked through my list realising that products in this form did not require preservatives.
“All our careers have been spent considering this and working to make products without preservatives.
“This work and all that by the other Founders and Inventors, has led to the development of what is now a very extensive patent portfolio, of which we are very proud.”
With the hopes to solve the problems with checkout, LUSH is now using Google Cloud’s AI solutions.
How does Google Cloud's AI solution work?
Google Cloud can help retailers leverage large volumes of customer and product data for business transformation.
Its solution looks to digitalise stores and deliver AI driven use cases for shoppers and associates.
Google Cloud can help associates better serve customers by improving product and service intelligence and stream lining in-store processes.
This means that retailers can reduce operational costs and operate more efficiently.
At LUSH, customers can scan products with their phones and this information will go directly to the store tills.
LUSH tills can also now instantly identify any unpackaged product held up to the camera, cutting checkout time as there is no longer a manual look up.
Why is LUSH minimising packaging?
Minimising packaging, especially single use plastics, can help reduce landfill waste and plastic pollution in the ocean.
Manufacturing and transporting packaging requires energy and resources, so going packaging free can lower carbon footprints.
LUSH reports that it saves nearly six million plastic bottles globally from selling shampoo bars alone.
It is also cost saving, as a significant portion of the cost of cosmetics can be attributed to packaging.
Packaging free products can therefore be offered at a lower price point or use better quality ingredients.
How has AI benefitted LUSH?
Making LUSH’s checkout more efficient has shortened onboarding time for new employees, which the company says has made the workplace more inclusive.
LUSH has saved 440,000 litres of water by reducing the need for in-store product demonstrations.
The AI solution has also helped to improve billing accuracy and inventory management by using precise identification.
According to LUSH staff, during the Christmas peak period in Glasgow, queue times dramatically reduced from out-the-door to around just three minutes.
Justin Keeble, Managing Director for Global Sustainability at Google Cloud says: “LUSH is leveraging Google Cloud AI to champion sustainability in their retail operations.
“They're using AI to identify unpackaged products at checkout, cutting down transaction times and saving water by reducing the need for in-store product demonstrations.
“It's a great example of how technology can support eco-conscious practices while enhancing the customer experience.”